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Juicy, perfectly seasoned corn ribs brushed with butter and roasted in the oven or cooked in the air fryer, served as a simple appetizer or side dish.

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears corn on the cob
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 2½ tablespoons butter, melted
  • lime and chopped fresh cilantro, for serving

Instructions

  1. Remove husks and silks from the corn.
  2. Place a damp cloth under your cutting board or use a non-slip board for stability.
  3. Microwave each ear for 2 minutes to soften slightly, then let cool.
  4. Cut each ear in half lengthwise, then cut each half in half lengthwise to make quarters.
  5. Cut each quarter crosswise into 3–4 inch strips to create corn ribs.
  6. In a large bowl, drizzle the corn ribs with olive oil and add salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, and brown sugar; toss to coat.
  7. Let the ribs marinate about 15 minutes.
  8. Melt butter and reserve for basting.
  9. For oven: Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  10. Arrange corn ribs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet without crowding.
  11. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through and brushing with melted butter.
  12. For air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400°F and grease the basket.
  13. Arrange corn ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket without crowding and air fry for 15 minutes, brushing with melted butter and shaking or flipping halfway; work in batches if needed.
  14. Optional grilling: Grill ribs over medium heat, turning and basting until nicely charred and tender.

Notes

Use a sharp, non-slip knife and board when cutting to avoid accidents., Try grilling ribs instead of baking or air frying for smoky flavor., For a flavor twist, brush with homemade garlic butter during cooking., Make Mexican-style by topping with crema or mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, lime juice, and cilantro., Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days; avoid freezing., Reheat gently in microwave or crisp in oven/air fryer., Can make vegan/dairy-free by using plant-based oil or vegan butter instead of butter., Seasoning variations include chili powder, chipotle powder, Cajun or fajita seasoning, and different sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.

  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 rib strip
  • Calories: Approximately 150 calories per serving
  • Fat: Approximately 7g per serving
  • Carbohydrates: Approximately 20g per serving
  • Protein: Approximately 3g per serving