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.

Simply cut corn cobs in half lengthwise to split into corn ribs and air fried until the kernels are plump, juicy, and have the perfect amount of char. Then be prepared to make them again and again because they are that good.

Everyone loves fresh corn on the cob, and these corn ribs are easy to eat so they make a perfect party snack or appetizer. They are an ideal side dish for serving with almost any meal, and the seasonings can easily be adjusted to fit your tastes.

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.

You might also like these Air Fryer Carrot Fries or Air Fryer Plantains.

Air fried corn ribs are quick, easy, and super juicy. Using an air fryer gives you that grilled corn taste, but you can also cook these riblets on the grill. The plump kernels of the corn rib have so much flavor. 

The caramelized corn flavor paired with the cheesy coating and spicy mayo makes these air fryer corn ribs practically irresistible.

Why Make This Recipe

• Perfect for Parties – Prepare several batches of corn on the cob ribs air fryer 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 kids love.  
• Fast – Including prep time, you’ll get these corn ribs on the table in under 20 minutes.  

Ingredient Notes

• Corn on the Cob – cut four ears of corn into 16 ribs. 
• Cream Cheese – regular cream cheese or substitute light cream cheese for less fat. 
• Lime – cut into wedges to serve with the corn riblets. 
• Parsley – use fresh, finely chopped parsley rather than dried. 
• Garlic Powder – this pantry staple adds a warm, earthy flavor. Substitute fresh, grated, or minced garlic if preferred. 
• Mayonnaise – select your favorite brand of mayo. 
• Ground Chili – this optional ingredient brings heat to the spicy mayo. 
• Tabasco Sauce – 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. 

Ready to make this Air Fryer corn ribs TikTok recipe? Gather your ingredients and I will show you…

How To Make Air Fryer Corn Ribs

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

1. Shuck the corn cobs and cut off the ends. Rinse the corn to clean, then 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. You can use a kitchen silicone brush or a spoon. 
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. 

How To Cut Corn Ribs

Cutting the corn into ribs is the most challenging part of this recipe, but with a few tips, you will soon become a pro. 

• 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. Repeat the process with each half until you have 4 ribs from each ear of corn. 
• 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 the other direction until the corn is split in half. 

Pro Tips

• Select fresh corn that is plump and juicy. 
• 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! 
• Bring the cream cheese to room temperature before blending with the other ingredients. 
• 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. 
• To decrease the heat level of the spicy mayo, eliminate the ground chilis and jalapeno. 
• Longer corn on the cob can be cut in half before splitting into ribs resulting in 8 corn ribs per cob. 
• Dip corn ribs into your favorite sauces for serving. 
• Serve as a side dish, appetizer, or finger food at a party. 

Delicious Variations

• Add Cheese – Sprinkle the corn with cotija cheese or parmesan cheese before serving. 
• Swap The Spices – You can season these corn ribs any way you like. Swap out the seasonings for your favorite blends of herbs and spices. Some suggestions include 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 a compound butter and spread butter mixture over the ribs of corn. 
• Make These Vegan – Swap the cream cheese for vegan butter or olive oil. 

Prep And Storage

• Prep Ahead – Cut the corn in advance. 
• Store – Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. 
• Freeze – We do not recommend freezing leftover corn ribs. 
• Reheat – Cover with plastic wrap and reheat in the microwave for one minute. 

FAQs

More Recipes You May Like

• 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

• 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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