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Air Fryer Street Corn Ribs

Air Fryer Street Corn Ribs

Tender pork ribs cooked in the air fryer until crispy, then coated in a savory, tangy Mexican street corn (Elote) inspired sauce. A quick and flavorful take on a BBQ classic.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired
Calories: 580
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Ribs & Rub
  • 2 lbs Pork Spare Ribs (cut into individual ribs or small sections) Baby back ribs can also be substituted
  • 1 tbsp Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt Or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
For the Street Corn Elote Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise Full-fat recommended
  • 1/4 cup Cotija Cheese Crumbled
  • 2 tbsp Lime Juice Freshly squeezed
  • 1 tbsp Chipotle in Adobo Sauce Minced, adjust for spice level
  • 1 tsp Honey or Agave Nectar
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro Chopped, for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Pat the pork ribs very dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create the dry rub.
  2. Thoroughly coat the ribs with the dry rub, ensuring every piece is evenly seasoned. If time allows, let the seasoned ribs rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Arrange the ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. You may need to work in batches.
  4. Air fry the ribs for 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Check for doneness; the internal temperature should reach 195°F to 205°F for tender results, and the exterior should be nicely crisped.
  5. While the ribs are cooking, prepare the Elote sauce: Whisk together the mayonnaise, crumbled Cotija cheese, lime juice, minced chipotle in adobo, and honey/agave nectar in a medium bowl until smooth.
  6. Once the ribs are cooked, transfer them to a large serving platter. Immediately brush or toss the hot ribs generously with the prepared Elote sauce, ensuring they are fully coated.
  7. Garnish the 'corn ribs' with the remaining Cotija cheese and fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.

Notes

To achieve very tender ribs quickly in the air fryer, you can optionally steam or simmer them briefly (about 15 minutes) before seasoning and applying the dry rub. This initial tenderness step works well for tougher cuts.