Air Fryer Corn Ribs

This article has links to products that we may make commission from.

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.

» You may also like Air Fryer Steak Bites & Potatoes and 28 Everyday Side Dish Recipes in the Air Fryer.

Corn ribs

While cutting a cob of corn this way is a little bit difficult, 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.

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.

Ingredients You Need

Mexican street corn toppings for the corn ribs
  • 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.

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.

Cutting corn on the cob

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.

Equipment Information

  • Air fryer: I use this 4-quart basket-style air fryer. It’s large enough to fit a meal for 4-6. But some things need more space in the air fryer basket, so they cook evenly.
  • Kitchen tongs: It’s very easy to remove food from your air fryer with kitchen tongs. I use these kitchen tongs that are silicon coated so they don’t scratch the interior.
  • Basting brush: You’ll need a basting brush to coat the kernels with the seasoning rub. Make sure you get the seasoning down into the grooves for the most flavor.
  • Sharp Chef’s Knife or Butcher’s Knife: In order to make cutting the corn easy and safe, be sure to use a sharp knife that is up to the task. You can’t use a utility knife or any smaller knife. It has to be a large, sharp knife.

How to Make Air Fryer Corn Ribs

To start this process, take the husks off the corn and chop off the ends so they are flat and can be placed on the cutting board in a sturdy stance.

Uncooked corn

Microwave the cobs for 2 minutes to soften them and prepare them for cutting. Carefully, and with a sharp knife, cut the cobs into quarters, lengthwise.

Mix together the olive oil and seasonings in a bowl. Use a pastry brush to brush the seasoning mixture onto the corn ribs. You don’t need to cover the back side, just the kernels. 

Uncooked corn ribs with seasoning

Place the ribs in the air fryer basket, trying not to overlap them too much. They will cook better with a little space between them.

Uncooked corn ribs in the air fryer basket

Air fry for 11-12 minutes on 400° F. I’ve found that it’s not really necessary to flip them over while cooking. They will start to curl up as they approach the last half of the cooking time. If you start to hear popping, you might want to take them out early. That’s a pretty good indication that they are done. Mine are usually done between 11 and 12 minutes.

Whisk together the mayonnaise and lime juice in a bowl. This will be the drizzle for the corn. You can either drizzle it on or use it as a dip. If it’s not thin enough to drizzle, add a bit of water to thin it out.

Corn ribs

When the ribs are ready, serve them with the sauce drizzled over the top, a sprinkle of tajin seasoning, and some crumbled cotija. Honestly, they are really delicious just on their own without any of the garnishes, so you can decide if you want to keep it simple or add toppings.

Substitutions and Notes for Ease

  • I’ve found that a lot of people don’t really want to attempt the cutting of the corn, not wanting to risk losing a finger. That’s understandable. If you have a very sharp knife and you keep your other hand away from the corn/knife, you should be able to do it, like chopping through a piece of wood. Once you get it cut in half, you can set it flat side down and cut through it again.
  • But if you don’t want to, or can’t, you can still enjoy this corn as a whole cob. It’s the seasoning and sauce that makes it so delicious. Same cook time.
  • 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.
Corn ribs

What to Serve with This Dish

There are so many options for main dishes to serve with this dish. You can make these all in the air fryer or in the oven, if you wish.

20 Delicious Air Fryer Main Dishes to Try

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

5 from 91 votes
Easy Homemade Air Fryer Biscuits
4.8 from 56 votes
Easy Air Fryer Bone-In Pork Chops
4.9 from 59 votes
Can You Toast Bread in an Air Fryer?

Like this recipe? We’d love for you to share it with your friends on social media. For more great recipes, follow us on Pinterest and Facebook, where we share our recipes daily.

Corn ribs

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.
4.8 from 40 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2 Servings
Calories 422 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 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 (59.1 ml) mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) lime juice
  • Tajin seasoning for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon (17 g) cotija cheese for garnish

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, 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.

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
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

🥧 If you’re interested in more great recipes, I share all my favorite recipes over at A Food Lover’s Kitchen, and you’ll find Instant Pot recipes at A Pressure Cooker Kitchen, and cocktails and drinks at Savored Sips. Check it out today!

PIN IT FOR LATER

Corn ribs

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating