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Prepare yourself for the savory, sweet, smoky flavors of these delicious corn ribs! Each piece is packed with a bold mix of spices, then finished with a squeeze of lime and fresh cilantro. Enjoy them hot out of the air fryer or oven for a crispy, satisfying treat that’s perfect for grilling season!
Table of Contents
💛 Why you’ll love this recipe
- Unique presentation: Corn ribs are an incredibly fun and creative way to serve this classic summertime vegetable.
- Flavor-packed seasoning: The bold combination of smoked paprika, ancho chile, and garlic powder provides a smoky, slightly spicy flavor that’s irresistible.
- Quick & easy: This recipe is so simple and quick to prepare, making it perfect for just about any day of the week. Plus, clean-up couldn’t be easier!
- Healthy preparation: Made with fresh corn and minimal oil, this recipe is a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried snacks, and it’s entirely plant-based!
If you love corn ribs, you might want to check out our Mexican street corn, air fryer pizza rolls, air fryer baby potatoes, and sweet potato salad.
🌽 What are corn ribs?
We’re so excited to share this simple oven-roasted or air fryer corn ribs recipe with you today! If you’re new to corn ribs, they’re an innovative TikTok twist on traditional corn on the cob.
Instead of serving corn whole, it’s cut into quarters, making it easier to eat, even for little ones! When the corn ribs are done, they come out looking golden brown and slightly curled (like the curve of a rib).
To give them a bold, smoky flavor, we use a blend of paprika, ancho chiles, and garlic powder. Each bite is tender, juicy, and slightly charred. We suggest serving corn ribs fresh from the air fryer or oven when they’re still hot and crispy.
A big squeeze of lime brightens the flavor, and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro adds the perfect herbaceous finish. Dunk them in some chili garlic aioli, vegan ranch, or spicy barbecue sauce for the ultimate snack!
🌱 Are corn ribs vegan?
Yes, these air fryer corn ribs are entirely vegan! They’re seasoned with a simple blend of spices and olive oil, then air-fried to perfection, making them a great plant-based snack.
Some recipes incorporate butter, so feel free to mix the seasonings with melted vegan butter for a richer flavor if you’d like!
🔪 How to cut corn ribs
Cutting corn ribs might seem a bit tricky at first, but don’t worry! We’re here to guide you through it.
- Start with a fresh, sturdy ear of corn and a sharp knife. Trust us, a sharp knife is key here. Place the corn on a cutting board, holding it vertically with the wider end on the bottom. Hold the top of the corn firmly with one hand.
- With your other hand, carefully slice down the middle of the cob, cutting it in half. This might require a bit of force, so take your time and always keep safety in mind. You’ll then have two halves of corn.
- Next, lay each half flat on your cutting board and cut them lengthwise again. Now, you should have 4 quarters that are ready to be seasoned and cooked.
Remember, the goal here is to get long, thin sections of corn that resemble ribs. It might take a bit of practice, but once you’ve mastered it, you’ll be a corn rib-cutting pro in no time!
🛒 Ingredients & substitutions
- Corn: Provide a sweet, juicy base perfect for soaking up the marinade. When they’re in season, fresh corn on the cob offers the best flavor hands down. If they are not quite in season, use thawed frozen corn on the cob.
- Olive oil: Helps the spices adhere to the corn and promotes browning in the air fryer or oven. You can also use melted vegan butter or avocado oil.
- Spices: We love the combination of smoked paprika, ancho chile powder, and garlic powder for smoky, slightly spicy notes. You can also try regular or hot paprika, chipotle chile powder, regular chile powder, cayenne, or onion powder.
- Salt & pepper: We recommend sea salt for the most balanced taste, and add black pepper for an extra savory kick!
- For serving: Lime wedges add a tangy brightness, and chopped cilantro provides refreshing, herbaceous notes. Feel free to dunk your corn ribs in your favorite sauce too!
For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.
📝 How to make corn ribs
Step 1: Prepare the corn
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400F. While that’s warming up, tackle your corn. You’ll need to quarter each ear lengthwise with a chef’s knife or cleaver to create your “rib” pieces.
If you have large ears of corn, you should first halve them crosswise, then slice each half lengthwise into quarters. This way, you have more control and stability.
Step 2: Season the “ribs”
To add some smoky flavor to your air fryer corn ribs, combine olive oil, smoked paprika, ancho or chipotle chile powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Once combined, brush it all over your corn ribs, ensuring each piece is generously coated.
Step 3: Air-fry the corn
Arrange the seasoned corn ribs in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Remember not to overcrowd them! You can always cook in batches.
Air fry the corn ribs for 5 minutes, flip and brush them with a small amount of olive oil, and back in they go for another 5-7 minutes. You’re looking for a golden brown and crispy finish.
Step 4: Oven-roast the corn
If you don’t have an air fryer, preheat your oven to 425F and leave the corn ribs on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake them for 10 minutes, then flip and brush them with extra olive oil. Bake them for another 8-10 minutes, or until they’re curled and crispy. Happy eating!
If you have questions about this corn ribs recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!
🥑 What to serve with corn ribs
A touch of lime and cilantro are really all you need! However, if you’re looking to garnish or dip your corn ribs in some flavor enhancers, here are some of our favorites:
- Vegan ranch
- Salsa taquera
- Guacamole
- BBQ sauce
- Vegan Mexican crema
- Queso fresco
- Cotija cheese
- Valentina hot sauce
🌡️ Storage & reheating
For any leftover corn ribs recipe, just follow these storage and reheating tips:
- Fridge: Once cooled, store leftover corn ribs in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Freezer: The texture of heated and thawed corn becomes a little too mushy and starchy once thawed, so we don’t recommend freezing it if possible.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350F for 4-5 minutes until heated through. You can brush the ribs with a little oil and make sure to flip them halfway again.
- Prep ahead: The corn ribs can be seasoned in advance and kept in the fridge until you’re ready to air-fry them.
♻️ Variations
- BBQ style: Brush the corn ribs with your favorite BBQ sauce halfway through air-frying them.
- Indian twist: Try mixing curry powder, turmeric, and garam masala together with a bit of olive oil for an Indian-inspired flavor.
- Asian: Swap out the spices for soy sauce, sesame oil, and sriracha and brush it on before air frying.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning for extra heat. You can also try tossing them in Frank’s Red Hot sauce.
- Sweet: For a touch of sweetness, try adding brown sugar or maple syrup to the spice mix before brushing the corn ribs.
🧑🍳 Top tips
- Use the right knife: Use a large, freshly sharpened knife to safely cut through the center of the corn cob. We can’t stress this tip enough!
- Cut the corn in half: If you have extra-large corn cobs, cut them in half crosswise before cutting them lengthwise so they can more easily fit in your air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Whenever you’re using an air fryer, it’s best to keep the food in a single layer with enough space. This will give you ultra-crispy results.
- Flip the corn ribs: Don’t forget to flip the corn ribs halfway and brush them with a touch more olive oil for a uniform golden-brown color.
- Serve them immediately: Corn ribs are best enjoyed hot, straight from the air fryer. Hold off on air-frying them until you are ready to eat!
- Don’t skip the lime: The lime juice adds a tangy kick that really brings the other flavors alive. You can also use lemon wedges depending on what’s available.
💬 FAQ
Yes, you can use frozen corn! In fact, we used frozen corn for this recipe since it isn’t quite in season yet. Just make sure to defrost and pat it dry before brushing it with olive oil and spices.
Yes, you can make this corn ribs recipe oil-free, but just be aware that the spices won’t stick as easily and the end result won’t be as crispy. You could always use a homemade oil-free BBQ sauce instead.
Just like you would handle a meat-based rib, simply hold on to the ends of the corn riblet and bite away the kernels as if you were eating corn on the cob.
No, the cob of the corn rib should not be consumed (just like when you eating corn on the cob). Consider the cob as the “bone” that holds the corn kernels together.
🍴 More snack recipes
If you’re into flavor-packed snacks like this corn ribs recipe, take a look at some more snacks and finger foods like these:
- Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings: Soft on the inside and crisp on the outside.
- Vegan Chicken Tenders: Tofu chicken tenders that satisfy the craving for chicken.
- Baked Potato Wedges: Crispy, tender, and perfect for side dishes or snacks.
- Air Fryer Quesadillas: A quick, easy weeknight dinner that’s loaded with flavor.
10-Minute Corn Ribs (in the Oven or Air Fryer)
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Basting brush
Ingredients
- 4 ears of corn (frozen or fresh)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
For serving
- Fresh lime wedges
- Fresh chopped cilantro
- Chipotle crema
- Sriracha mayo
- Barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- With a large chef’s knife or cleaver, carefully cut each ear of corn lengthwise into quarters to create the “ribs.” If the cobs are quite long, cut them in half crosswise first. Transfer the corn ribs to the prepared baking sheet.
- Combine the olive oil, smoked paprika, ancho chile powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Generously brush each corn rib with the seasoning.
Air fryer
- Arrange the seasoned corn ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the corn in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Air fry the corn ribs for 5 minutes, then flip them and brush them with a small amount of olive oil. Air fry them for another 5-7 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
Oven
- If you don’t have an air fryer, preheat your oven to 425°F and leave the corn ribs on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake them for 10 minutes, then flip and brush them with extra olive oil. Bake them for another 8-10 minutes, or until they’re curled and crispy.
- Serve the corn ribs immediately with a sprinkle of cilantro, fresh lime wedges, and your dip of choice. Happy eating!
Notes
- Use the right knife: Use a large, freshly sharpened knife to safely cut through the center of the corn cob. We can’t stress this tip enough!
- Cut the corn in half: If you have extra-large corn cobs, cut them in half crosswise before cutting them lengthwise so they can more easily fit in your air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Whenever you’re using an air fryer, it’s best to keep the food in a single layer with enough space. This will give you ultra-crispy results.
- Flip the corn ribs: Don’t forget to flip the corn ribs halfway and brush them with a touch more olive oil for a uniform golden-brown color.
- Serve them immediately: Corn ribs are best enjoyed hot, straight from the air fryer. Hold off on air-frying them until you are ready to eat!
- Don’t skip the lime: The lime juice adds a tangy kick that really brings the other flavors alive. You can also use lemon wedges depending on what’s available.
- Nutritional information is a rough estimate and should not be taken as health advice.
