Corn on the Cob — Elote (Mexican Street Corn)

Name: Corn on the Cob — Elote (Mexican Street Corn) (Air Fryer)
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 17 min
Yield: 4 half-ears
Ingredients: 2 ears corn, shucked and halved; Butter or oil; Salt; 2 tablespoons [For the elote toppings (apply after cooking)] mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons [For the elote toppings (apply after cooking)] cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta as a substitute); 1/2 teaspoon [For the elote toppings (apply after cooking)] chili powder (Tajin is ideal); [For the elote toppings (apply after cooking)] Fresh cilantro, chopped; 1 [For the elote toppings (apply after cooking)] lime, cut into wedges

Yield

Prep

Total

4 half-ears

17m

Spray SurfaceKid-FriendlyMeal-Prep

Classic Elote See all on food page →

Transform ordinary corn on the cob into authentic Elote, or Mexican Street Corn. This version involves air frying, then slathering with mayonnaise, cotija cheese, and chili powder. The recipe includes tips for perfect char and flavor balance.

Ingredients

2 ears corn, shucked and halved
Butter or oil
Salt

For the elote toppings (apply after cooking):

2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta as a substitute)
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (Tajin is ideal)
Fresh cilantro, chopped
1 lime, cut into wedges

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Season it upThis variation is self-seasoned

Steps

01Prep and air fry the corn per the base recipe.
02While still hot, brush each half-ear with a thin layer of mayo. The mayo is the glue for everything else.
03Roll in or sprinkle with crumbled cotija.
04Dust with chili powder.
05Squeeze lime juice over the top. Scatter cilantro.

The mayo sounds wrong but it's completely traditional and it works. It creates a creamy, tangy base layer that the cheese and chili stick to. Without it, the toppings slide off. Cotija is a dry, salty, crumbly Mexican cheese. Feta is the closest substitute. Don't use cheddar or mozzarella, they melt and that's not the texture you want.

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How to Air Fry It

Temp

Cook

Prep

Flip?

400°F

14m

Yes

01Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
02Lightly spray the air fryer basket and corn with oil, then season with the Elote or Chili Lime seasoning.
03Place the corn in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
04Cook for 14 minutes, turning the corn halfway through the cooking time.
05Carefully remove the corn from the air fryer and serve immediately.

Lightly spray the basket or tray before cooking.