Print

Air Fryer Mexican Street Corn (Esquites)

A white bowl filled with delicious Air Fryer Mexican Street Corn, topped with crumbled cheese and cilantro.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of Mexican street corn, also known as esquites, made quick and easy in your air fryer. This recipe delivers perfectly crispy corn kernels coated in a creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce, finished with fresh cilantro and cheese.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ears of corn, husked
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese, plus more for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, plus more for garnish
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Cut the corn kernels off the cobs. You can do this by standing the corn upright on a cutting board and carefully slicing downwards.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the corn kernels, olive oil, mayonnaise, cotija cheese, lime juice, minced garlic, chili powder, and smoked paprika (if using). Season with salt and pepper. Toss everything together until the corn is evenly coated.
  4. Carefully place the corn mixture into the air fryer basket. Spread it out in a single layer as much as possible for even cooking.
  5. Air fry for 8-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the corn is tender and slightly charred.
  6. Once cooked, transfer the esquites to a serving dish.
  7. Garnish with extra cotija cheese, a sprinkle of chili powder, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the mayonnaise mixture.
  • If you don’t have cotija cheese, feta cheese can be used as a substitute.
  • Ensure the corn is not overcrowded in the air fryer basket for the best crispy results.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonsprout.com/air-fryer-mexican-street-corn/