Tantalize your taste buds with Air Fryer Corn Ribs! Seasoned with a special blend of spices and air-fried until perfectly cooked, these corn ribs offer a sweet and buttery crunch in every bite. They’re an irresistible addition to your appetizer or dinner spread that’s sure to have your guests coming back for more.
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What Are Corn Ribs and Why Are They So Good?
Cooking corn ribs in the air fryer is much less messy than traditional frying and quicker than firing up the grill, but you still get plenty of those charred kernels that everyone loves. The air fryer’s circulating hot air creates perfect caramelization on the corn’s natural sugars while the seasoning blend penetrates deep into every kernel. The result is an intensely flavorful side dish that transforms ordinary corn into a crowd-pleasing showstopper.
What Makes This the Recipe You Want to Try
Corn is a versatile side dish that goes with just about anything, yet it is hardly the star of the show. Surprise your family with this quick and easy air fryer corn ribs recipe that transforms corn from a supporting role to the starring one. One taste of these seasoned corn ribs and even the pickiest eaters in your house will gobble them up.
Air Fryer Corn Ribs Ingredients
For the Corn Ribs:
- Fresh corn on the cob – Provides sweet, tender kernels that caramelize beautifully when air fried
- Paprika, sweet or smoked – Adds color, mild heat, and smoky depth
- Garlic powder – Contributes a savory, aromatic flavor that complements corn’s sweetness
- Salt – Enhances natural corn flavors and balances sweetness
- Freshly ground black pepper – Provides gentle heat and aromatic spice
- Vegetable oil – Helps seasonings adhere and promotes golden browning
For the Seasoned Butter Sauce:
- Salted butter – Creates a rich, luxurious finishing sauce
- Garlic, minced – Adds fresh, pungent flavor that enhances the corn
How to Make Corn Ribs Air Fryer Style
To cut the corn ribblets:
- Remove the husks and silk from the ears of corn, and cut each one extremely carefully in half with a sharp knife. For added safety, it is advisable to wear a food-safe, cut-resistant glove.
- Stand one half of the corn cob upright on the larger end on the cutting board and use a very sharp knife to cut it in half from top to bottom. Cut each half in half again. Place in a large mixing bowl for later use.
- Repeat this process with the remaining corn.
To season the corn ribs:
- Pour the vegetable oil into the bowl with the sliced corn and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle in the paprika, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss well and use your hands to work the spice mixture onto the corn.
- Set the bowl aside for at least five minutes to let the spice rub fully flavor the corn. Save the unwashed bowl for later.
To make the seasoned butter sauce:
- Mince the garlic and set it aside.
- Put the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir well. If there are any pieces of unmelted butter, heat for an additional 10 seconds.
- Stir in the minced garlic.
To air fry corn ribs:
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Place the corn ribs in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the kernels are golden brown with a little char. Turn the corn ribs halfway through the cooking time. Make the seasoned butter sauce while waiting for the corn to finish cooking.
- Pour the seasoned butter sauce into the large mixing bowl you used to season the corn. Add the hot corn ribs and toss to coat or brush it on the corn.
- Serve immediately.
What to Serve With Corn Ribbons
Corn Ribs go with just about anything you can grill. But they’re delicious paired with other apps such as chicken wings and sliders.
While the seasoned butter sauce included in the recipe is good, you may want to leave it off and switch things up with one of these dipping sauces instead:
- Garlic Aioli. Garlic Aioli is nothing more than a fancy way to say garlic-mayo with a bit of lemon juice. It’s creamy with a little zip and echoes the corn rib seasoning.
- Raising Cane’s Dipping Sauce. The famous Canes dipping sauce from Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers takes Garlic Aioli to the next level by adding Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and mustard.
- Arby’s Sauce. Classic Arby’s sauce has been a customer favorite for decades. It’s great on roast beef sandwiches and perfect with corn riblets!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator Storage: Store cooled corn ribs in airtight containers for up to 2-3 days. Ensure completely cool before refrigerating.
- Reheating Method: Reheat in an air fryer at 375°F for 5 minutes, spraying with water if kernels look dry. Alternatively, microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as corn loses texture when frozen and thawed.
Favorite Corn Recipes
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Cajun Corn on the Cob
- Corn Casserole with Jiffy Mix
- Corn Salsa
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Rudy’s Creamed Corn
- Scalloped Corn
Popular Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Avocado Fries
- Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp
- Air Fryer Burgers
- Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs
- Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
- Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Check out more of my easy air fryer recipes and the best appetizer recipes on CopyKat!
Air Fryer Corn Ribs
Ingredients
- 4 ears corn husks removed
- vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons sweet or smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 ounces butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Instructions
- Heat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Cut the ears of cobs in half, so you have two shorter cobs. Stand each cob upright on its end and use a sharp knife to carefully slice down the middle of the cob to halve it. Slice each half in half again to quarter the cob, creating long, rib-like pieces.
- Place the corn in a bowl and drizzle with vegetable oil.
- In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Sprinkle the seasoning blend over the corn.
- Place the corn in the air fryer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the corn is cooking, melt the butter in the microwave and stir in the minced garlic. Drizzle the garlic butter over the corn just before serving.
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