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Corn Ribs

Easy corn ribs made by quartering ears of corn into strips and cooking until charred and tender. Serve with cotija, crema, and lime for a shareable snack or side.

By Tyla

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Total

30 min

Servings

4 servings

Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 1

    Stand each ear of corn on its flat, trimmed end on a stable cutting board. Using a sharp chef's knife, cut straight down through the center to split it in half, then cut each half in half again lengthwise to get four long strips per ear.

  2. 2

    Toss the corn strips in a bowl with olive oil (or melted butter), smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

  3. 3

    Cook using your preferred method: grill over medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred; air fryer at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway; or oven at 425°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping once, until browned and caramelized.

  4. 4

    Transfer the cooked corn ribs to a platter. Drizzle with mayo or crema, scatter Cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Dust with Tajín if desired.

Used in this recipe: Chef Knife Cutting Board Basting Brush (Amazon, affiliate links)

Notes

Tips for Success

  • Trim both ends of the corn flat so the ear stands upright — that makes cutting into ribs much safer and easier.
  • Microwave the whole ear for 60 seconds if the cob feels too hard to cut through — it softens the core without cooking the kernels.
  • Coat the strips evenly with oil and spices; the oil promotes browning and helps the seasoning stick.
  • For the best curl, cut the ears into four equal strips and cook at high heat — thin cuts and high heat are key.
  • If using an air fryer, arrange the strips in a single layer and don't overcrowd the basket for the crispiest results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't cut the strips too thick — quarter each ear into four evenly sized pieces, or they won't curl and may cook unevenly.
  • Don't use low heat — the corn needs high heat (grill medium-high, air fryer 400°F, oven 425°F) to char and curl properly; low heat will steam them.
  • Don't skip the oil — without it, the spices won't stick and the corn won't brown.

Nutrition (per serving)

150 kcal

Calories

3g

Protein

19g

Carbs

8g

Fat

2g

Fiber

300mg

Sodium