Corn Ribs (Air Fryer Version)

Corn ribs recipe on a platter with a dipping sauce.

When I first saw Corn Ribs enter the food scene I gave it major side-eye. I thought, “Seriously? No thank you!” Then I tried them and my tuned changed VERY quickly.

Corn ribs is something that totally works! Not only is it actually fun to eat, you can really maximize the flavor. Whatever seasoning and/or butter you use can get better access between each of the corn kernels when it comes to this dish. It’s truly a delicious experience!

Close up on a platter for corn ribs with butter drizzled over them.

What Are Corn Ribs?

Corn ribs are pieces of corn on the cob, that have been quartered lengthwise, seasoned, and grilled (or cooked in a pan, stovetop or in the air fryer!). The dish gets its name from the fact that they are made of corn, but look like ribs (they slightly bend/curl as they cook), and are generally eaten like ribs.

How to Make Corn Ribs

Ingredients

Air fryer corn ribs ingredients.

Process

Seasoning Mix

  1. Place all seasoning ingredients into a mixing bowl. Stir together.
Seasoning mixture in a bowl for corn ribs.

Spicy Crema

  1. Place all spicy crema ingredients into a bowl and whisk together. Set aside.
Corn Ribs dipping sauce mixed together in a bowl.

Garlic and Herb Butter

  1. Melt butter in a small pot over medium heat.
  2. Once butter has melted, add chives, cilantro, and garlic and remove from heat. Swirl to evenly distribute garlic and herbs and set aside.
Butter melted in a pot.
Melted butter with herbs in a pot.

Assembly

  1. Toss corn together with seasoning and oil until evenly and fully coated.
  2. Spray air fryer basket with avocado spray and add cut ribs (may need to do in batches to prevent overcrowding). Spray corn with cooking spray.
Corn ribs in a bowl with seasoning all over them.
Seasoned corn ribs in an air fryer basket.
  1. Set air fryer to 380˚F and air fry ribs for about 12 minutes.
  2. Transfer corn to a bowl and drizzle with garlic-herb butter. Toss well to coat.
Seasoned corn ribs in an air fryer cooked.
Corn ribs in a glass bowl being tossed with an herbed butter.
  1. Transfer corn ribs to a serving platter and drizzle with more garlic-herb butter. Serve with spicy crema for dipping.
Corn ribs on a platter with a dipping sauce.

Cutting Corn Ribs

  1. Cut the bottoms and tops off of each corn cob.
  2. Then cut each corn cob in half crosswise.
Cutting corn ribs out of a cob.
A cob of corn with the ends cut off then cut in half.
  1. Stand one of the corn cob pieces upright and very carefully cut in half.
  2. Then lay each half, cut side down and cut in half lengthwise again (making 4 quarters).Repeat with remaining corn cob halves.
Corn on the cob being cut down the middle.
A corn on the cob being cut into fourths.

Pro Tip: Use a sharp knife and steady/even surface to cut the corn ribs for safety purposes.

Variations

  • We love the seasoning mix we use for this dish, but you can really use whatever herbs and spices you want to flavor your corn ribs, based on personal preference!
  • You can also swap the butter, for the garlic-herb butter, out for coconut or avocado oil for a vegan friendly version.
  • We use our air fryer for our recipe, but you can also cook these on the grill (a few minutes on each side), on the stovetop, or even under the broiler! Detailed instructions below!
Corn ribs on a platter with dipping sauce.

Alternate Cooking Methods for Corn Ribs

Stovetop Version

Place a heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to just coat the bottom of the skillet. Carefully add the seasoned ribs to the hot skillet and sear on each side for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove corn from heat and toss with garlic-herb butter. Serve.

Oven/Broiler Version

Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray. Line corn ribs onto prepared baking sheet, cut-side down, about 1/2 inch apart. Set broiler to high heat and broil corn for 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly charred and blistered. Turn ribs over and broil for another minute. Remove from heat and toss with garlic-herb butter. Serve.

A hand holding an air fryer corn rib with sauce on it.

What to Serve with Corn Ribs

Corn ribs make an exceptional side dish for lots of different picnic and bbq meals. Some of our favorite things to serve it alongside are:

A platter of corn ribs with a dipping sauce and a hand dipping a corn rib into sauce.

More Delicious Corn Recipes You Will Love

A platter of corn ribs with sauce, and a corn rib dipping in sauce.
Print

Corn Ribs

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Corn Ribs will be your new favorite summer appetizer! It’s the most fun and delicious way to enjoy corn on the cob! So much flavor is packed into every corn kernel nook!
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 394kcal

Ingredients

spicy crema

  • 3/4 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce (of choice)
  • 1 lime juiced

seasoning mix

  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt

garlic-herb butter

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon thinly sliced chives
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic (from about 2 cloves)
  • 2 teaspoons minced cilantro plus more for garnish

corn assembly

  • 2 corn on the cob
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons neutral oil (such as avocado oil)

Instructions

cutting corn ribs

  • Cut the bottoms and tops off of each corn cob, then cut each corn cob in half crosswise.
  • Stand one of the corn cob pieces upright and very carefully cut in half, then lay each half, cut side down and cut in half lengthwise again (making 4 quarters).Repeat with remaining corn cob halves.
  • Place corn cob pieces into a mixing bowl and toss together with oil. Add seasoning mix and continue to toss together.

seasoning mix

  • Place all seasoning ingredients into a mixing bowl. Stir together.

spicy crema

  • Place all spicy crema ingredients into a bowl and whisk together. Set aside.

garlic and herb butter

  • Melt butter in a small pot over medium heat.
  • Once butter has melted, add chives, cilantro, and garlic and remove from heat. Swirl to evenly distribute garlic and herbs and set aside.

assembly

  • Spray air fryer basket with avocado spray and add corn ribs (may need to do in batches to prevent overcrowding). Spray corn ribs with cooking spray.
  • Set air fryer to 380˚F and air fry corn ribs for about 12 minutes.
  • Transfer corn ribs to a bowl and drizzle with garlic-herb butter. Toss well to coat.
  • Transfer corn rib to a serving platter and drizzle with more garlic-herb butter. Serve with spicy crema for dipping.

Notes

Alternate Cooking Methods for Corn Ribs
Stovetop Version
Place a heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to just coat the bottom of the skillet. Carefully add the seasoned corn ribs to the hot skillet and sear on each side for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove corn ribs from heat and toss with garlic-herb butter. Serve.
Oven/Broiler Version
Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray. Line corn ribs onto prepared baking sheet, cut-side down, about 1/2 inch apart. Set broiler to high heat and broil corn ribs for 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly charred and blistered. Turn corn ribs over and broil for another minute. Remove from heat and toss with garlic-herb butter. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 394kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 780mg | Potassium: 273mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1616IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg

The post Corn Ribs (Air Fryer Version) appeared first on Spoon Fork Bacon.

Spice-Rack-Maker

View posts by Spice-Rack-Maker
Dave the spice rack maker. Lived and worked in central MN for 50 years, Enjoy the lakes and woods surrounding the spice rack makers wood shop.
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