This vibrant dish features Corn Rib Bites tossed in a creamy, tangy sauce inspired by Mexican Street Corn (Elote). Cutting the corn into small “rib” chunks makes them curl up beautifully when cooked, creating ridges that hold onto the delicious seasoning.
Here is the full recipe to make it at home.
Creamy Chili-Lime Corn Rib Bites
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the Corn
- 4 ears of fresh sweet corn, husks and silk removed
- 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Elote-Style Sauce & Toppings
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sour cream or Mexican crema
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/2 tsp chili powder or smoked paprika (plus extra for dusting)
- 1/4 cup Cotija cheese or Feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp green onions or chives, finely chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cut the Corn “Ribs”
- Be Safe and Careful: Cutting corn ears vertically can be tricky because they are hard. Trim the top and bottom off each ear of corn to create flat, stable ends.
- Stand and Slice: Stand an ear of corn vertically on its widest flat end on a sturdy cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife, slice down right through the center core to split it in half lengthwise.
- Quarter Them: Lay the halves flat-side down and slice them lengthwise again to create quarters.
- Make Bites: Chop the long quarters crosswise into smaller, bite-sized pieces (about 2 inches long) like the ones in the photo.
Step 2: Cook the Corn
- Air Fryer Method (Recommended for curling): Toss the corn pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt. Arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking halfway through, until the corn kernels are charred at the edges and the cores have curled up.
- Oven Method: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread the seasoned corn on a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until tender and slightly charred.
Step 3: Sauce and Assemble
- Whisk Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and chili powder until smooth.
- Toss: As soon as the corn bites come out of the air fryer or oven while they are still hot, dump them into the bowl with the sauce. Toss gently until every piece is well coated.
- Garnish: Transfer the coated corn to a serving dish. Generously sprinkle the crumbled cheese, chopped cilantro, green onions, and an extra dusting of chili powder over the top before serving warm.
