These TikTok trendy corn ribs are easy to make, fun to grab and eat, lip-smacking delicious snack. Long strips of corn are coated in spice rub then air fried/grilled or in the oven until cooked to perfection.
If you love corn, you must try creamed corn, avocado corn salad, and Chinese egg drop soup with corn.
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What are corn ribs
Corn ribs or corn ‘riblets’ are strips of corn got from cutting corn on cob lengthwise into quarters. While cooking, corn curls up a bit and resembles the curved shape ribs. Corn ribs are slightly easier to eat and fun to prepare.
Not all food trends are worth trying! I never dive in headfirst with any trends unless I am convinced even to try first. Corn ribs were trending on Tik Tok and Instagram last year. Finally decided to give it a try and it truly did not disappoint.
Corn ribs recipe
- The recipe is versatile. You can change the seasoning used over corn, cook it in air fryer, oven or grill it, you can even change the sauce used for dip/drizzle.
- If you are leaning towards making American style corn ribs, use paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder as seasoning. If you want more flavorful seasoning on corn, Mexican flavors is the way to go.
- Enjoy it as a snack or serve as side dish as part of BBQ meal.
- Perfect for outdoor grill or cooked in air fryer.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need-
- 2 fresh corn on the cob
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2-3 teaspoon chili sauce
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup cotija cheese
Fresh corn on cob – Fresh ones are definitely best to use and of course when corn is in season it’s ever better. Fresh corn take in more flavors and tastes superior.
If fresh corn on cob isn’t available, you can use frozen corn on cob. Defrost before using.
Olive oil – to coat corn with spices so it sticks. In place of olive oil, melted butter can be used for richer taste.
Spices – to make Mexican style ribs, don’t forget ground cumin and ground coriander. I used a mix of paprika, ground pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, ground coriander and salt.
You can add lemon pepper in place of regular pepper or add fresh grated lemon zest to the mix for zing.
Mayonnaise – to slather on the ‘riblets’. Make it look nicer by drizzling chili mayo.
Chili sauce – essential component to add to mayonnaise. Chili mayonnaise taste so much better than simple plain mayo.
Cilantro – to finish with.
Cotija cheese – optional. Adds more depth of flavor and taste to corn ribs. Crumble cotija cheese and sprinkle generously on top before serving.
Lime (not shown in picture) – I liked corn ribs with a fresh squeeze of lime on top just before devouring. It adds zing to balance the spices used.
Substitutions
Missing any ingredients? Simply use these substitutions-
Use taco seasoning instead of mix of spices mentioned.
Feta cheese can be substituted for Cotija cheese. You can skip cheese totally too.
Use both olive oil and butter.
How to make corn ribs
To make corn ribs, you first have to cut corn on the cob into “ribs”. Make sure to use sharp knife. Be careful while slicing corn.
Start by removing the husk from corn.
Cut bottom and the top end just above the end of the ear, this will ensure cob has flat edge so it can stand up straight vertically.
Holding cob vertically, slice cob in half. Use a wood rolling pin or meat hammer to help assist in slicing the corn by gently beating it over the knife.
Then, slice each half into quarters creating 4 ribs per corn on the cob. Keep the core.
Arrange corn “ribs” on parchment paper lined baking tray.
In a small bowl mix all the spices with olive oil.
Generously brush the spice mix over corn.
Grill in pre-heated oven at 375F for 25-30 minutes.
While corn cooks in the oven, make chili mayonnaise by whisking together mayonnaise and chili sauce.
Remove corn from oven.
Note – corn ribs cooked in oven does not curl up that much as compared to corn cooked in air fryer and that’s okay. If you want ‘curled’ ribs, use air fryer.
Squeeze fresh lime on top.
Arrange corn “riblets” on serving plate.
Drizzle chili mayonnaise, sprinkle fresh cilantro and Cotija cheese.
Serve immediately.
Useful tips
- PLEASE BE CAREFUL. You’ll need sharp knife to slice through hard corn. With dull knife, more pressure should be applied which can be more dangerous. Use hard, steady surface to place corn while slicing. Slice through corn on the cob by placing it vertically is best way as it reduces the risk of corn on the cob rolling away when you chop and reduces squashing off the kernels. Use a meat hamper or wooden rolling pin to assist while slicing.
- Seasonal fresh corn is best. Fresh seasonal corn on the cob takes in more flavor.
- Season them the way you want. Corn ribs recipe is super versatile you can spice up the corn the way you want. Adapt the recipe to your preference. You can make it as this recipe – Mexican or you can make into BBQ style corn on the cob by using BBQ spice and sauce or use Chinese spice and sauce to make Asian style.
FAQS
Rub ribs with seasoning mix. Spray the tray with oil. Line the ribs in single layer. Cook corn in air fryer at 375 F for 12 – 15 minutes until charred and crispy, flip them over at 7 minutes. Serve crispy edges corn riblets with chili mayonnaise, cilantro and cheese garnished on top.
It can be served as a delicious snack or as side dish depending on what you are cooking. If you are making Mexican meal, serve corn ribs alongside burritos, quesadilla or fajitas. It can also be prepared and served for big BBQ feast.
Corn ribs are best while it’s still fresh and warm. If you have leftovers, store wrapped in aluminum foil in air tight container in fridge for up to 3 days.
Yes, feel free to experiment with other seasoning mix.
If you plan not to make chili mayonnaise (really? Why?) you can serve it with- Ketchup
Aioli
Cilantro sauce
Boom boom sauce
Avocado dip.
MORE RECIPES TO TRY
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📋Mexican Style Corn Ribs (Corn ‘riblets’)
Ingredients
- 2 fresh corn on the cob
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2-3 teaspoon chili sauce
- ⅓ cup fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup cotija cheese
Instructions
- To make corn ribs, you first have to cut corn on the cob into “ribs”. Make sure to use a sharp knife. Be careful while slicing corn.
- Start by removing the husk from corn.
- Cut the bottom and the top end just above the end of the ear, this will ensure the cob has a flat edge so it can stand up straight vertically.
- Holding on the cob vertically, slice the cob into half. Use a wood rolling pin or meat hammer to help assist in slicing the corn by gently beating it over the knife. Then, slice each half into quarters creating 4 ribs per corn on the cob. Keep the core.
- Arrange corn “ribs” on a parchment paper lined baking tray.
- In a small bowl mix all the spices with olive oil.
- Generously brush the spice mix over corn.
- Grill in pre-heated oven at 375F for 25-30 minutes.
- While corn cooks in the oven, make chili mayonnaise by whisking together mayonnaise and chili sauce.
- Remove corn from oven.
- Note – most times corn ribs cooked in oven do not curl up that much as compared to corn cooked in an air fryer and that’s okay. If you want ‘curled’ ribs, use air fryer.
- Squeeze fresh lime on top.
- Arrange corn “riblets” on a serving plate.
- Drizzle chili mayonnaise, sprinkle fresh cilantro and cojita cheese.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- BE CAREFUL. You’ll need sharp knife to slice through hard corn. With dull knife, more pressure should be applied which can be more dangerous. Use hard and steady surface to place corn while slicing. Slicing through corn on the cob by placing it vertically is best way as it reduces the risk of corn on the cob rolling away when you chop and reduces squashing off the kernels. Use a meat hamper or wooden roll pin to assist you while slicing through corn.
- Seasonal fresh corn is best. Fresh seasonal corn on the cob takes in more flavor.
- Season them the way you want. Corn ribs recipe is super versatile you can spice up the corn the way you want. Adapt the recipe to your preference. You can make it as this recipe – Mexican or you can make into BBQ style corn on the cob by using BBQ spice and sauce.
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