Description
These crispy air fryer corn ribs are a quick, bold, and playful snack with crunchy edges, smoky chili seasoning, and a burst of sweetness. Perfect for parties, after-school snacks, or as a fun side dish, they’re naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and easily made vegan.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, husked
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (plus more for finishing)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Optional: chopped cilantro, crumbled feta or cotija cheese, Tajín or extra chili powder for garnish
Instructions
- Husk 4 ears of fresh corn and remove all silks. Rinse and pat dry.
- Stand each cob vertically on a cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife, carefully slice down the center to halve it lengthwise. Lay each half flat-side down, then slice each half into 3-4 long ribs (6-8 ribs per cob).
- In a large bowl, drizzle corn ribs with olive oil. Sprinkle with chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat evenly.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Arrange seasoned corn ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 10-14 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping ribs halfway through, until golden brown, curled, and crispy.
- Transfer hot corn ribs to a serving plate. Immediately sprinkle with extra sea salt and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and cheese if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
For best results, cut corn cobs carefully with a sharp knife. Cook in a single layer for maximum crispiness. Watch the last few minutes to avoid burning the ends. Serve immediately with lime and extra salt. To make vegan, skip cheese garnish. For extra flavor, brush with melted butter or vegan butter after air frying.
- Prep Time: 6 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 corn ribs
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 3
Keywords: air fryer corn ribs, crispy corn ribs, chili lime corn, gluten-free snack, vegan corn ribs, easy appetizer, summer snack, party food