Air Fryer Corn Ribs

Laura Lynch

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These delicious Air Fryer Corn Ribs are not only super fun to eat, they are just the right amount of crispy, sweet, and juicy. We love them for snacking and to take as an appetizer for parties.

While cutting a cob of corn this way is difficult and can be dangerous when not done correctly, it’s so worth it! As they cook, they curl up to look like a rib, and this makes them super easy to eat, just like a rib. To avoid the difficulty, you can now buy corn ribs already cut at some stores.

You might have seen these on Tik Tok or at a local restaurant. They became quite popular and everyone was raving about them. If you try them, you’ll see why.

Why You’ll Love Them

• Crispy Texture: Air fryer corn ribs achieve a delightful crispy exterior while keeping the corn kernels tender and juicy, offering a unique and satisfying texture contrast.
• Flavorful Char: The air fryer gives corn ribs a beautiful char and grilled flavor without the need for an actual grill, enhancing the natural sweetness of the corn with a smoky note.
• Convenient and Mess-Free: Cooking corn ribs in an air fryer is not only quick and easy, but it also reduces the mess associated with traditional frying or grilling methods, making cleanup a breeze.

Ingredients You Need

• Corn ribs – You can now buy frozen corn ribs in some grocery stores and at Costco. If this is an option for you, I’d go with it. It’s much easier than cutting your own.
• Fresh corn on the cob – Buy and use your corn as fresh as possible. This will make it easier to cut through the cob and ensure the juiciest kernels.
• Olive Oil – Olive oil adds a nice flavor and it’s good for you. You could also use melted butter or ghee.
• Seasonings: Paprika, garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper
• Sauce: Mayonnaise and lime juice make a zesty and delicious sauce for the corn ribs
• Garnish: I use Tajin seasoning and crumbled cotija cheese as a garnish. You could also use paprika, chili powder, or Parmesan cheese and even a sprinkle of cilantro.

Helpful Tips

• If you have a sharp, large knife, approach cutting the corn like chopping wood. Get it started a little bit so you can hold the knife in both hands, then pound the corn against the cutting board as the knife slices through the cob. Once you get it cut in half, you can set it flat side down and cut through it again.
• You can actually buy corn riblets at many grocery stores now.
• Be very careful cutting the corn into strips. I suggest heating the cobs for 2 minutes in the microwave to soften them first. Use a large, sharp knife. Do not place your fingers below the knife.

Air Fryer Corn Ribs

These delicious Air Fryer Corn Ribs are not only super fun to eat, they are just the right amount of crispy, sweet, and juicy. We love them for snacking and to take as an appetizer for parties.

4.9 from 77 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 2 Servings

Calories 422 kcal

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 2 ears fresh corn on the cob
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Olive Oil
• 2 teaspoons (4 g) paprika
• 1 teaspoon (3 g) garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) salt
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.2 ml) black pepper
• 1/4 cup (59 ml) mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) lime juice
• Tajin seasoning for garnish
• 1 tablespoon (17 g) cotija cheese for garnish

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Instructions

 

• Take the husks off the corn and chop off the ends. Carefully and with a sharp knife, cut the cobs into quarters, lengthwise.
• Mix together the olive oil and the seasonings. Brush on the corn ribs.
• Place them in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry for 12 minutes on 400°F (200°C), flipping halfway through the cook time.
• Whisk mayonnaise and lime juice together in a bowl.
• When the ribs are ready, serve them with the sauce drizzled over the top, a sprinkle of tajin seasoning, and some crumbled cotija.

Notes

• Be very careful cutting the corn into strips. I suggest heating the cobs for 2 minutes in the microwave to soften them first. Use a large, sharp knife. Do not place your fingers below the knife.
• If you have a sharp, large knife, approach cutting the corn like chopping wood. Get it started a little bit so you can hold the knife in both hands, then pound the corn against the cutting board as the knife slices through the cob. Once you get it cut in half, you can set it flat side down and cut through it again.
• You can actually buy corn riblets at many grocery stores now.

All air fryers have different wattage and may cook at different rates. You may need to adjust the time or temp for the best results.

Nutrition

Calories: 422kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 5gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 580mgPotassium: 292mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 381IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Corn

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How to Cut the Corn

The hardest part of this venture is cutting the corn. It might seem easy, but the cob is actually quite hard and can be very difficult to cut through. So the first thing we want to say is, always, always practice safety in the kitchen and be very careful when doing this. Proceed at your own risk. We assume no responsibility for accidents that might occur.

The best tips I’ve gleaned from doing this myself are:

• Heat the cobs in the microwave for 2 minutes and then let them cool before slicing. This will soften them up a bit.
• Use a very sharp knife but be very careful of your hand placement when cutting, so you don’t end up slicing through your hand instead of the cob.
• Stand the corn upright and slice through it vertically to keep the corn from rolling out from under you.
• If you have a clever-style knife, you can get it started, then chop it against the cutting board like you’re chopping through a log, so your other hand is not near the knife.
• If it feels unsafe at any point, stop and enjoy your corn some other way.

Substitutions

• If you don’t like mayonnaise, you can substitute with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
• If you don’t have Tajin seasoning, you can sprinkle on some chili powder, paprika, bbq rub, or just leave it off.
• You can use butter instead of olive oil.
• To keep it vegan, just use the olive oil and seasonings.

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Laura Lynch

Laura is a passionate foodie and owner of Air Fry Anytime She is dedicated to sharing delicious recipes and helpful tips for using air fryers at home. With years of experience in the kitchen and a love for healthy, flavorful cooking, Laura has become an expert at using air fryers to create amazing meals that are both nutritious and delicious.