Corn Ribs Air Fryer

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Friends, this air fryer corn ribs TikTok recipe is so much fun to make! It’s like Mexican street corn with a twist.

And, if you love the idea of cooking corn in an air fryer, you’ll want to check out this Mexican Air Fryer Corn on the Cob recipe and my how to make Frozen Corn on the Cob n Air Fryer post.

What Are Air Fryer Corn Ribs?

When these first came on the scene I had a giggle at the name. But as time has gone by it makes perfect sense it’s a vegetable version of ribs. And friends, let me tell you everyone loves fresh corn on the cob.

Air-fried crispy corn ribs are quick, easy, and super juicy. The air fryer gives you that grilled corn taste that plumps up the kernels of the corn rib and has so much flavor. 

These corn ribs are easy to eat and make a perfect party snack or appetizer. It’s such an ideal side dish for serving with almost any meal. The caramelized corn flavor combined with the cheesy coating and spicy mayo makes these air fryer corn ribs practically irresistible.

Why Make This Recipe

• Perfect for Parties – I always prepare a few batches of these corn ribs and pile them on a platter so everyone can grab a few to enjoy.  
• Kid Friendly – A little messy and so much fun, air fryer corn ribs TikTok style is just the kind of food my kids love.  
• Fast to make – Including prep time, you’ll get these corn ribs on the table in under 20 minutes.  

Ingredient Notes

Here are a few more details on the ingredients needed.

• Corn on the Cob – Select fresh corn that is plump and juicy. Cut four ears of corn into 16 ribs.
• Cream Cheese – Regular cream cheese or substitute light cream cheese for less fat. Bring the cream cheese to room temperature before blending with the other ingredients it makes it soooo much easier to work with.
• Lime – Cut into wedges to serve with the corn riblets. 
• Parsley – Use fresh, finely chopped parsley rather than dried. 
• Garlic Powder – This adds great flavor, who doesn’t love garlic? Substitute for fresh, grated, or minced garlic. It’s your choice.
• Mayonnaise – Select your favorite brand of mayo. 
• Ground Chili (optional) and Tabasco sauce – Chili is an optional ingredient for those of us (aka me) who like spicy mayo. Use your favorite hot sauce or substitute with sriracha.
• Jalapeno Peppers – Chopped jalapenos make a pretty garnish and add an extra kick to the air fryer corn ribs. To decrease the heat level of the spicy mayo, eliminate the ground chilis and jalapeno. 

How To Make Corn Ribs In The Air Fryer

I’ve given you a visual collage to see how to make this air fryer snack.

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Cut off the ends. Remove the outer husk and silk from the corn cobs. Rinse the corn to clean. Use a sharp knife to cut the corn vertically into quarters, creating four ribs from each ear of corn. 
2. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, garlic powder, and parsley, mixing well to combine.
3. Brush a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture onto the corn ribs with a silicone brush or spoon. Smooth the cream cheese mix on all sides. Make sure to leave a thin layer, so the cheese doesn’t burn.
4. Preheat your Air Fryer to 400 degrees F / 204 degrees C for about 5 minutes. 
5. Place the corn ribs into the air fryer basket and air fry corn ribs for 8 minutes or until curled and lightly charred and crisp. Flip the corn riblets after 4 minutes. 
6. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, ground chili, and Tabasco sauce until well mixed.
7. Drizzle the corn ribs with spicy mayo before serving. Garnish with diced jalapeño chili peppers, drizzle with lime juice, and serve with lime wedges. 

Tips For Cutting Corn Tips Safely

Cutting the corn into ribs is the most challenging part of this recipe, but with my 3 methods, you can choose which one works for you.

• Method 1 – Lay the corn on a flat surface like a cutting board. Use a long knife and gently begin to saw into the corn at one end. When the knife is firmly in the corn, press the knife down the length of the corn, gently rocking if needed, until the corn is cut in half.
• Method 2 – Stand the corn on one end and place the knife across the top end of the corn. Press to insert the edge of the blade into the corn. Once the blade is firmly into the corn, tap the corn on the table (like you are chopping with an ax), and the knife will work its way through the corn. 
• Method 3 – This method works well if you have a shorter knife but will work with a long knife. Lay the corn on the cutting board and insert the knife vertically into the corn near the center of the corn. Gently press down to split one end of the corn. Turn and repeat, going in the other direction until the corn splits in half. 

If you still struggle to cut them you can boil them first to soften the husk. But they these methods first so you have one less thing to wash.

Bintu’s Tips

If you’ve never made these before take a look at these tips to help you.

• Cut off both ends of the corn to easily remove the husks and silks. 
• Always use a very sharp knife and carefully slice the corn. Watch your fingers! 
• Use a silicone pastry brush to spread the cheese mixture. Be sure to spread the cream cheese mixture in a thin layer to prevent burning. 
• Don’t stack the corn ribs in the air fryer. Cook in a single layer and cook in batches if needed. 
• Longer corn on the cob can be cut in half before splitting into ribs resulting in 8 corn ribs per cob. 

Delicious Variations

Variety is the spice of life so change up the recipe to your liking. Here are some ideas to inspire you.

• Add Cheese – For extra cheesiness add some cotija or parmesan cheese before serving. 
• Swap The Spices – Choose your favorite blends of herbs and spices. Here’s some we enjoy chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. 
• Use Butter – Not a fan of cream cheese? Use butter in place of the cream cheese to make compound butter and spread the butter mixture over the ribs of corn. 
• Make These Vegan – Swap the cream cheese for vegan butter or olive oil. 

Prep And Storage

Proper storage is key. Here are some tips.

• Prep Ahead – Cut the corn in advance. This does take a bit more time the first time you do it.
• Store – Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. 
• Freeze – I don’t recommend freezing leftover corn ribs. 
• Reheat – Cover with plastic wrap and reheat in the microwave for one minute. 

FAQs

More Corn Recipes You May Like

Corn lovers here are a few more recipes for you to explore.

• Corn on the Cob in the Oven.
• Instant Pot Corn on the Cob.
• Boiled Corn on the Cob.
• How to Cook Frozen Corn on the Cob.
• Creamed Corn Recipe.

Serving Suggestions

I love to serve them with these recipes.

• Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas.
• Easy Chipotle Aioli.
• Instant Pot Mexican Rice.
• Air Fryer Burrito.
• Air Fryer Empanadas.
• Air Fryer Frozen Burrito.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 7 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Thank you for reading my corn on the cob ribs air fryer recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog. 

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