This Air Fryer Corn Ribs recipe is a game-changer if you're looking for a fun new way to enjoy corn on the cob! They are perfect for parties and potlucks, and alongside smoked burgers. Don't forget to pair them with cilantro lime sauce for ever more incredible flavor!
Corn ribs, or "corn riblets" as they're sometimes called, are one of my go-to easy side dishes. I tried the seasoned corn ribs at Trader Joe's a while ago and thought they could be improved. I decided to make them from scratch, and now I make them all the time!
This corn ribs recipe only needs a few minutes of prep time, and the cook time is pretty minimal too. You can have these on the table in under 25 minutes!
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😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These corn ribs can be made in the air fryer, the oven, or the grill!
- Cutting corn cobs into ribs allows them to absorb more of the buttery goodness between the corn kernels than regular corn on the cob!
- Air fryer corn ribs make a great alternative to meat ribs for plant-based diets, not to mention they're cheaper to make!
- This is a quick and easy recipe that makes an excellent side dish or appetizer.
🛒 What You Need For This Recipe
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Corn cobs: Regular old corn on the cob will work, or you can use mini corn cobs as they're a little easier to cut through.
- Butter: I used salted butter, so if you use unsalted butter you may want to add salt to taste when seasoning. You can also use olive oil.
- Spices: Chili powder, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, parsley flakes, ground cumin, and Tajin seasoning. If you want, add onion powder, cayenne pepper, or your favorite seasonings. Or, to make it even easier, you can use Everything But The Elote seasoning.
- Garnish: Cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. A dash of your favorite hot sauce doesn't hurt either!
🌽 How To Make Air Fryer Corn Ribs
Step 1: Using a sharp knife, cut ends off of corn if they aren't cut off already. Stand corn vertically on cutting board with widest end on the bottom, then cut corn cobs in half from top to bottom using a rocking motion. Repeat the process and cut halves into quarters.
Pro Tip: Corn can be hard to cut through, so you might want to place a dish towel between the corn and the cutting board to keep the corn from slipping. It also helps to place a damp paper towel under the cutting board to keep it in place. Be careful and take it slow!
Step 2: Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl. Add chili powder, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, parsley flakes, and ground cumin.
Step 3: Brush corn ribs with seasoned butter then place in a single layer in air fryer basket and air fry for 12 minutes at 400°F. The strips of corn will have curved into rib shapes.
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Step 4: Melt remaining butter and mix in Tajin seasoning. Brush melted butter over corn ribs.
Step 5: Top with cotija cheese and chopped cilantro and serve with a side of cilantro lime sauce.
🎛️ Corn Ribs Oven Instructions
After brushing corn ribs with seasoned butter, lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes at 425°F.
🌶️ Serving Suggestions
Corn ribs are great on their own, but they really shine when paired with a delicious dipping sauce! I recommend pairing this corn ribs recipe with a side of cilantro lime sauce or one of these great sauces! Sriracha Aioli or Black Truffle Aioli are also great options.
For a main dish, try these yummy Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs, or these tasty Greek-Style Air Fried Cornish Hens.
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
If you were eating pork ribs you'd discard the bone, right? Well, think of the cob as the bone. Just like when eating corn on the cob, you don't want to eat the cob!
Place a dish towel between the corn and the cutting board to keep the corn from slipping. Stand the corn cob vertically with the widest part on the bottom and slowly cut the corn in half with a sharp knife using a rocking motion.
Once it has been cut in half, repeat the process to cut it into fourths. It also helps to place a damp paper towel under the cutting board to keep it in place. Be careful and take it slow!
Looking for more corn recipes? Be sure to try this easy corn on the cob in the Instant Pot recipe and this tasty Mexican street corn pasta salad!
👩🏻🍳 Pro Tips
- You can parboil corn cobs for 10 minutes to make them easier to cut through.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or in the oven for 8-10 minutes at the same temperature.
- If you don't pair these air fryer corn ribs with a side of cilantro lime sauce, squeeze a bit of lime juice over them before serving.
🍽 Related Recipes
📖 Recipe
Corn Ribs
Ingredients
- 4 whole corn cobs
- 8 tablespoon salted butter (divided)
- 1½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Tajin seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoon cotija cheese
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, cut ends off of corn if they aren't cut off already. Stand corn vertically on cutting board with widest end on the bottom, then cut corn cobs in half from top to bottom using a rocking motion. Repeat the process and cut halves into quarters.
- Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl. Add chili powder, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, parsley flakes, and ground cumin.
- Brush corn ribs with seasoned butter then place in a single layer in air fryer basket and air fry for 12 minutes at 400°F. The strips of corn will have curved into rib shapes.
- Melt remaining butter and mix in Tajin seasoning. Brush melted butter over corn ribs.
- Top with cotija cheese and chopped cilantro and serve with a side of cilantro lime sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Corn ribs are great on their own, but they really shine when paired with a delicious dipping sauce! I recommend pairing this corn ribs recipe with a side of cilantro lime sauce or one of these great sauces!
Notes
- See post for oven instructions.
- Corn can be hard to cut through, so you might want to place a dish towel between the corn and the cutting board to keep the corn from slipping. It also helps to place a damp paper towel under the cutting board to keep it in place. Be careful and take it slow!
- You can parboil corn cobs for 10 minutes to make them easier to cut through.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or in the oven for 8-10 minutes at the same temperature.
- If you don't pair these with a side of cilantro lime sauce, squeeze a bit of lime juice over them before serving.
Faith says
I made these last night in the air fryer and they are wonderful.
The cob broke off halfway down, so I ended up with 8 shorter pieces but they still curled up and were easy to hold. I might just do that on purpose next time.
Hilda Sterner says
Hi Faith,
I'm so glad you enjoyed the corn ribs. I like the idea of the smaller pieces too, great idea!