Get ready to devour this incredibly tasty, Easy Corn Ribs (corn Riblets) recipe. A go-to family summer side dish everyone loves and requests. Baked in the oven, grilled, or even made in the air fryer, this perfect bbq, or cook out dish you need to try.
Seasoned to perfection, these vegan corn on the cob ribs are fun to make and also easy to make! We make them for family get togethers and summer bbqs. They are gone so fast and everyone wants more.
With a crispy texture, savory flavors, and versatility, you can't go wrong with this sweet side dish. They are made by slicing a corn cob into strips and coating them in a mixture of seasonings and oil before roasting or grilling them until crispy.
Elevate the taste of corn with a fun experience! Cut from an ear of corn and then sliced lengthwise, this dish quickly resembles a rib. The shape allows for easy handling and dipping, making them a great finger food option.
The texture is different from traditional corn on the cob, the kernels are more exposed, resulting in a crispy and chewy texture with a great flavor. Enjoy the taste of summer corn, without messiness of eating corn on the cob!
Be sure to check out our other recipes like, Roasted Chili Corn Salsa, Mango Habanero Salsa, or Air fryer Smashed potatoes for fun side dishes that pair great with summer meals, cookouts, and barbecues.
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Easy To Make- This side dish isn't complicated to make at all! You get fun and tasty results in no time at all.
- Versatile- Season the riblets however you'd like. Make simple with salt, pepper, and butter, or season to make them taste like Mexican Street Corn.
- Different Ways To Cook Them- Experiment with your favorite cooking method like smoked ribs, oven baked, air fryer, grilled, or even roasted.
- Less Messy- This is a less messy option than traditional corn on the cob. It's easy to eat the kernels.
- Great Side Dish- A really fun summer side dish that your family will love. Make when corn is in season and cheap at the grocery store.
- Vegan- This is a fun vegan/vegetarian ribs option than traditional meat ribs.
- Kid Friendly- Our kids love eating this fun and unique looking dish. They have a lot of fun with them!
Ingredients
- Corn on the cob- Buy fresh corn on the cob to make this recipe. This recipe tastes best during the peak summer months.
- Cooking oil- I often use avocado oil. You need to use oil in order to help crisp up the outside and help the seasoning stick.
- Smoked paprika- While traditional paprika works, smoked paprika gives it that extra smoky flavor. Just like tasty smoked ribs.
- Garlic powder and Cumin-The combination of these two flavors really enchance the experience of this recipe.
- Oregano- A delicious dried herb that adds additional flavor without taking over the dish.
- Cayenne pepper- An optional spice that will add a little heat to make these spicy ribs.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
1.Cut the corn on the cob in half. Make sure to cut the entire cob.
2. Lay the half piece of corn and lay it on the cutting board. Cut it in half again.
3. Mix all the ingredients together to make the sauce.
4. Brush the sauce onto the corn 4th.
3. Bake in the oven for at 375* F for 25 minutes. Line it on a parchment paper baking sheet for easy cleanup.
Hint: Make sure you use a sharp knife when cutting the corn. It will make it much easier and give you even pieces.
Substitutions and Variations
- Spicy - add chili pepper flakes or use cayenne pepper to mix in with the other spices to make a spicy version of this recipe.
- Deluxe - Make this a deluxe side dish by serving it with
- Kid friendly - Kids love corn on the cob and with this corn riblets, they can more easily eat this tasty meal.
- Hot Sauce- Drizzle with your favorite hot sauce like sriracha for some added flavor.
- Cotija and Tajin- Make this a Mexican street corn style dish by adding Cotija Cheese and Tajin Seasoning. Sprinkle these on after you cook them. It's a tasty additon!
- Cilantro-Serve with cilantro as an add garnish for both looks and taste.
- Sweet- To make this on the sweet side, make sure to use sweet corn.
Air Fryer
You can easily air fry this recipe for quick and easy results. Simply make the recipe as directed but then place in a preheated air fryer instead of the grill or oven.
Cook for 10-15 minutes. Make sure to keep an eye on them as all air fryers cook differently. When they are the desired crispness, serve and enjoy!
Helpful Hints
- Cut and prepare ahead of time. You can shuck the corn and cut the corn ahead of time to help with dinner prep. Just make sure to cook right before serving for best texture.
- When reheating, use an air fryer to help get that day of taste you love.
- Make these your own by adding your favorite seasonings. Don't be afraid to experiment with flavors. I found that I don't like them with crushed red pepper as much as I love adding cayenne pepper to the spice mixture.
How To Serve
- Serve with our bacon wrapped chicken for a full summer meal. These dishes are both packed with flavor and compliment each other.
- Make these for 4th of July or Memorial and Labor Day celebrations. It will add a tasty side dish to any main meal.
- Serve these corn spare ribs with a fun side salad like Honey Mustard and Broccoli Salad, and Big Mac Sloppy Joes for a family friendly meal.
Equipment
For best results, make sure you have a baking sheet, parchment paper, and a sharp Knife. If your knife isn't sharp, you'll have a hard time cutting the corn.
Storage
Store cooked Corn Ribs in the fridge for 3-5 days in an air tight container. When ready to eat again, heat in the microwave or try heating them in the air fryer to get that crispy texture again.
This recipe does not freeze well!
Top tip
Cut the corn cob in half and then cut that half down the middle again to help you get even riblets. Make sure you get the cob with each cut and not just the corn kernels. It won't work without the cob.
FAQ
To make this tasty side dish shuck corn on the cob and with a sharp knife cut into fourths. You cut directly into the cob, it will act as the bone. Season and grill, roast, air fry, or bake in the oven until tender and crispy.
Cut the cob in half. Then cut each half directly down the center again so you have 4 equals parts, including the cob.
They are just like a rib. They curl up like a rib, and you eat the juicy outside off the hard "bone".
A tasty side dish that resembles a meat rib but it's made of corn. Seasoned and cooked on the grill, oven, air fryer, or even smoked.
Just like a meat rib, you eat the corn rib holding the cob and eating the kernels. Don't eat the whole thing, just like you don't eat the entire cob when you have corn on the cob.
No! Do not eat the entire corn rib. You only eat the corn kernels, leaving behind the cob just like the traditional way of eating.
They are made of full corn cobs cut into 4ths. They are then seasoned and cooked to have a tender texture with a crispy outside, just like a traditional rib. A great vegan or vegetarian option.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Corn Ribs (corn riblets):
Recipe
Easy Corn Ribs (corn riblets)
Ingredients
- 2 ears of corn
- 1 Tablespoon cooking oil I used avocado
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for spicy ribs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set to the side.
- Shuck the corn and remove the cornsilk. Cut the very end off of each end of the ear so you have a flat base to work with. Place the corn on a cutting board with the larger flat side down, then cut lengthwise. Place the corn pieces on the cutting board, flat sides down, then cut lengthwise again. This will give you four pieces per ear of corn.
- Mix together the oil and all the spices in a bowl. Use a pastry brush and coat the corn in the oil and spice mixture. Place on parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes. The corn ribs will be juicy and bursting with flavor. For crispier corn ribs, bake an additional 5 minutes.
- Top with cotija, tajin, and/or cilantro, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- To Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 400° and air fryer for 10-15 minutes, until desired crispness is achieved, flipping at minute 6.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Andrea
I've bought these Trader joe corn ribs and had them once at cheesecake factory so I'm so excited to find a recipe that tastes just as good. I love the simple way to make corn on the cob way better! (and fun!)
JED
My family loved making these corn ribs. My kids thought there were super fun to eat. Made for a great side dish with our hamburgers.