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I had to try these viral Corn Ribs, and now I totally get the hype! They’re fun, handheld, and smothered in creamy, zesty Mexican street corn flavor. Make a batch to share… or don’t. I won’t judge.
Why You Can Actually Trust My Recipe
- Easy-to-Follow Instructions: I provide a clear, step-by-step method for safely and confidently cutting corn ribs.
- Air Fryer & Oven Instructions: Whether you prefer using an air fryer or the oven, I’ve tested both methods and included detailed instructions for each.
- Incredible Flavor: These are seasoned to perfection, offering a smoky, savory, and slightly spicy flavor with just the right balance in every bite.
Ingredients Needed
- Corn: Pick medium-sized ears of corn; if they are too big, they will be harder to cut.
- Sour Cream Swap: You can substitute the sour cream for Greek yogurt.
How to Make Air Fryer Corn Ribs
This corn ribs recipe took some trial and error, but I finally cracked the code! Scroll down for my easy cutting tips. They’re perfect with a grilled chicken BBQ dinner or a pasta salad lunch.
- Remove Husk and Cut Corn: Remove the husks from the ears of corn, then cut each cob into four ribs. *Keep scrolling for my foolproof method to slice corn.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Coat in Sauce: Season corn by brushing the olive oil and spices mixture on each rib, allowing the sauce to get between the kernels.
- Cook: Place in the air fryer basket, then cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
- Make Elote Sauce to Coat Corn: In a small bowl, add mayonnaise, sour cream, crumbled cotija cheese, cilantro, lime juice, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Then, stir to combine.
- Coat and Serve: Brush the Elote sauce on each corn rib and/or serve on the side for dipping! Then, garnish with extra cotija cheese and chopped cilantro for the perfect finishing touch.
How to Cut Corn Cobs Like A Pro
- Make Flat End: Cut the stalk off the end of the corn so you have a stable flat end to stand the corn upright.
- Stand the Cob Up to Cut In Half: Place the flat side of the cob on the cutting board and use a large, sharp knife to cut down the center of the cob.
- Get Knife Threw the Cob: Once you secure the knife in the center of the corn rib, use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the knife through the rib.
- Cut Into Fourth: Now, place each half flat-side down and cut each half in half again. Cut each cob into four ribs.
Corn Ribs in the Oven
Oven Instructions: Preheat the oven to 400°F, then follow instructions 1-3, and place the corn ribs on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, then slather the cooked corn with the Elote sauce!
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Air Fryer Corn Ribs
Crispy corn ribs coated in creamy, zesty Mexican street corn flavor. They're bold, fun, and totally addictive.
Ingredients
Corn Ribs
- 2 corn on the cob
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Elote Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 2 tablespoons cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Remove the husks from 2 corn on the cob. Cut the stalk off the end of the corn so you have a stable flat end to stand the corn upright. Place the flat side of the cob on the cutting board and use a large, sharp knife to cut down the center of the cob. Cut each cob into 4 ribs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup olive oil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Brush the olive oil mixture on each corn rib.
- Place the corn ribs in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, add ¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese, 2 tablespoons cilantro, 1 tablespoon lime juice, ¼ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine.
- Brush the Elote sauce on each corn rib or serve on the side for dipping!
Notes
Corn Ribs in the Oven
-
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Follow instructions 1-3, then place the corn ribs on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, then slather the cooked corn with the Elote sauce!
Nutrition
Calories: 312kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 4gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 360mgPotassium: 178mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 534IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
