This Air Fryer Mexican Street Corn On The Cob, also known as Elotes and your newfavorite corn on the cob is further simplified with this easy air fryer recipe. It takes only 10 minutes.
This Mexican Street corn is loaded with diverse flavors as it’s slathered with creamy delicious chili and cotija cheese sauce, then topped with fresh cilantro for an added flavor.
What Are Elotes?
To begin with, Elotes is the best way to eat and serve corn because of the delicious flavors and amazing seasoning that tantalizes the taste buds.
Traditional ingredients used in making this Mexican Street corn include chili powder, sour cream, cilantro, kosher salt, ground pepper, unsalted butter, and cotija cheese or parmesan cheese can be used as a substitute.
It’s a great choice for Cinco de Mayo, and especially if you plan on serving it as part of the appetizer choices to include the Cowboy Caviar, this Mango Habanero Salsa, or with this Pico De Gallo and your favorite chips.
These are often our favorite options to go-to, especially during the summer.
With this Elotes, the ingredients are extremely fresh. Since we are talking about the ingredients, Elotes uses cilantro, and you can opt for dried as well as fresh cilantro.
Depending on what you have on hand, fresh or dry herbs will work, but nothing matches the deliciousness and freshness of fresh cilantro.
The flavor is enhanced even more when you combine everything in the creamiest sauce.
How To Make Mexican Street Corn?
The full recipe with the exact ingredients is listed in the recipe card below. For now, here’s a quick guide on how to make these delicious Elotes in your air fryer.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
Prepare your ingredients and set them aside. Place the cheese in a separate bowl and set the chopped herbs aside. Brush the corn with butter then air fryer for 10 to 15 minutes (longer if needed and depending on your air fryer).
While the corn is cooking, in a medium bowl, combine the salt, pepper, melted butter, chili powder, and sour cream.
Brush the corn with the creamy sauce, then add the cheese, and sprinkle the herbs on top. Finish it off with fresh lemon or lime juice.
Why do they call it Mexican Street Corn?
Well, it’s Mexican, so the flavors are the first thing that’s perfect about this corn recipe.
Also, corn on the cob is very popular in the streets of Mexico and elote means corn cob.
The corn cob is slathered in a creamy sauce and is garnished with the spicy and tangy seasonings that fill your mouth with flavors.
In addition, a pinch of lemon or lime juice on the top adds summertime freshness to this snack. The unique thing about Elotes is that they are equivalent to hot dogs in Mexico (yup, they are sold that much).
Where did Mexican street corn originate?
From Mexico City to finding its way around the country, corn has been a part of the Mexcian Street food for generations.
Elotes is basically corn, so you can enjoy the health benefits of corn in the form of this delicious snack.
It’s a healthy-ish dish as it boasts the balance of all three macronutrients, which promises sufficient calories to help you through the day.
To illustrate, it gives you carbs, healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants to help you meet your nutritional requirements.
Having said that, it’s a perfect choice for people who cannot ditch sour and tangy snacks but still want to follow a cholesterol-friendly diet.
Storing Options
If you want to store Elotes or this air fryer Mexican street corn on the cob, after cooking, ewe highly recommend that you allow it to cool completely. Allow the corn to let cool down before you transfer them in the refrigerator.
Once the corn is cooked, you can prepare the topping and store them in the fridge to be used later.
When you have to serve Elotes later, brush the corn with melted butter, air fry until it’s cooked (slightly charred – optional) and add the toppings.
On the other hand, you can freeze the boiled corn in the freezer for over six months but make sure that you use a freezer-safe container.
Serving Suggestions
This air fryer Mexican street corn on the cob is incredibly delicious on their own as a snack, but you can serve them with steak fajitas, chicken carnitas, or chicken burritos.
For more options, consider trying them with this Mexican Black Beans, this air fryer grilled chicken fajita skewers, this Haitian white rice, these air fryer plantains, or with these Jamaican Jerk Wings.
More Corn Recipes To Try
If you loved this air fryer Mexican street corn on the cob, try one of these corn recipes next:
Frozen Corn In Cob Instant Pot
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Air Fryer Mexican Street Corn On The Cob (Elotes)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 corn on the cob
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup cilantro
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup cotija Cheese or Parmesan Cheese
- lemon optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.Chop the cilantro and set aside. Melt the butter in a medium bowl. Using a pastry brush, coat the corn on all sides. Reserve the remaining butter to prepare the sauce.Place the corn into the air fryer basket and cook for 10-15 minutes. Flip or turn the corn to cook the corn evenly while cooking.
- While the corn is cooking, in a medium bowl combine the salt and pepper, remaining melted butter, chili powder, and sour cream. Mix well. Remove the corn from the air fryer and apply the sour cream sauce. Pour the cotija cheese in a large plate, apply the cotija cheese to the corn by either rolling the corn in the cheese or sprinkling the cheese over the corn. Finish it off by adding the cilantro and squeezing a little lemon juice for extra zest. Finally, ENJOY!
Video
Notes
- You can use feta cheese if it is difficult to find Cotija cheese. I have even used parmesan cheese as well.
- Depending on the air fryer you have, it may take about 15 minutes (or a little longer) for it to cook. Be sure to flip the corn on the other side for even cooking.
Preacher’s Wife says
I would love to try your recipe. I have been wanting to try street corn for a while. But I can’t eat dairy. I have substitutes for the cheese , but not the sour cream. Your recipe doesn’t call for mayonnaise. Can I use that in place of the sour cream or do you have a recommendation?
Please help
Preacher’s Wife
Mirlene says
Hello and thank you. Yes, you can use mayonnaise or vegan mayonnaise. You can also use dairy-free yogurt as a substitute. Thank you very much!
Katherine says
Can you use frozen corn on the cob? 🙂
Mirlene says
Yes, you can. Before adding the corn to the air fryer basket, be sure to rinse it under water first to help thaw it out.
Angella says
I can’t wait to make this.Angella
Mirlene says
Glad to hear it. Thank you
Jess says
Yessss! Immediately obsessed with this recipe.
Carrie says
The best side dish for almost any dish. I love it with shredded chicken tacos. So good!
Kerri says
I look for any excuse to use my air fryer, but I never thought of doing elote that way! I love this idea so much!
cam says
I loveee mexican street corn and this recipe turned out perfect!! I love how easy it was to make them in the air fryer!
Dana says
These came out absolutely perfect. I’d only had Mexican Street Corn Salad before, so it was a total treat to have the actual thing!
Lashica says
I’m in love with the Mexican street corn. I would love to try more of your recipes. Looking forward to it thank you so much
Mirlene says
Thank you so much, Lashica!
Patti says
This was so good and easy! Nice to not have to watch the grill. The spread was delicious, soaked right in. Thanks for the recipe!
Mirlene says
You are very welcome, Patti!
Traci Robertts says
We used frozen corn on the cob. Small pieces so the littlest could handle it. We loved it. Forsure will make again.
Mirlene says
Thank you, Traci! I am so glad to hear that.
Hilary Witt says
Loved it
So easy
Mirlene says
So Glad you loved it! Thank you.
Gloria says
Love….love…love Both my husband and Loved it.
Mirlene says
Thank you, Gloria!!! So glad to hear.
Sophia says
This looks amazing! I’ve never thought to cook corn in an air fryer. And the sauce you coat in it sounds so good! What a great recipe!
Stephanie says
This looks SO delicious! I can’t believe I haven’t had mexican street corn yet. We’ll have to try it on our grill since we don’t have an air fryer!
Lathiya says
What a perfect timing..i have two corn cobs and I would love to try this….the pictures are so tempting
Mirlene says
Thank you, Lathiya!
April says
I can’t believe how quick this recipe is! 10 minutes only? That is exactly what I have been looking for. And the fact that it is GF and low carb just makes it perfect!
Mirlene says
Thank you, April!
Jori says
Elotes are sooo yummy! They are an absolute summer favorite at our house but we always grill them. Therefore, we never have them in fall, winter. Thanks for the air fryer idea! Now we can have them year-round!
Mirlene says
Wonderful. I am happy to hear that. Thank you, Jori.
Jayashree says
I love corn on knob but never tried this way. It looks so yummy.
Maman de sara says
This corn must be delicious with the cotija cheese on top.
Karyl Henry says
I just bought some sweet corn at the grocery store so this is perfect timing! Can’t wait to try this one out with my new air fryer
Mirlene says
Good, Karyl! I hope you enjoy it!
Jacqueline Debono says
I still don’t have an air fryer (on my wish list!) but when I get one this corn is definitely on my list of recipes to make with it! It looks wonderful!
Mirlene says
You will love it. Between my air fryer and Instant Pot or Power Cooker, I have yet to turn on the stove for months.
Emmanuella Sjögren says
Am also a Haitian who love Mexican food. This corn on the cob recipe look delicious. I live in Sweden and we don’t have access to cojita cheese but we love feta so will try it with that. Thanks for the inspiration.
Mirlene says
Hello, my fellow Haitian 🙂 I hope you like it. I have used feta cheese and grated parmesan as well. They all work. Make the recipe your own and enjoy it. 🙂
Jeannette (Jay Joy) says
I almost passed by this recipe until I realized it said “air-fried” Mexican street corn. I mean I have had it grilled, boiled, and baked before as well I would love to try this in my new fryer!
Mirlene says
I am glad you decided to visit the site. Hope you enjoy the recipe.
Danielle Wolter says
Mexican street corn is the best! seriously. It has so many wonderful flavors. using the air fryer to make it is genius!
Jere Cassidy says
Wow, wow, wow. I don’t have an air fryer but I am going to make this anyway.All those flavors are amazing.
Mirlene says
Thank you, Jere!
Stine Mari says
Ohh I love elotes, it’s such a delicious summer side dish! And using an air fryer is genius, I would love to try it.
Mirlene says
Thank you, Mari. I love my air fryer.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy says
Totally LOVE my air fryer. This corn looks amazing. I need to make so much more in this FUN kitchen appliance. The food turns out delicious all the time.
Mirlene says
The Air Fryer is simply the best, right?! Thanks, Gloria.
Jenni LeBaron says
Yum! I love the seasoning mix you used on these. I especially love that they have a but of sour cream and cotija cheese. These are an awesome upgrade from traditional corn on the cob!
Mirlene says
Thank you, Jenni!
Amanda says
Oh, I’m so in love with your Mexican street corn! I’m all about that cojita and chili powder. And then you cook it in an air fryer? So brilliant! What a great recipe.
Mirlene says
Thank you, Amanda!