Air Fryer Elote is made with 4 ears corn, olive oil, mayonnaise, Mexican crema or sour cream; air fry at 400°F for 12 minutes to serve 4. 220 calories per serving.
Ingredients
Equipment
Steps
- 1
Brush corn ears with olive oil.
- 2
Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until charred in spots and tender.
- 3
Mix mayo and crema together. Slather all over the hot corn.
- 4
Roll in crumbled cotija cheese. Sprinkle with chili powder and cilantro.
- 5
Squeeze lime juice over the top and serve immediately.
Tip: Authentic elote uses a 50/50 mix of mayo and crema — don't skip either. Cotija is the traditional cheese; feta works in a pinch. The char marks are essential for flavor. Apply the mayo mixture while corn is hot so it sticks, THEN add the cheese.
Why Air Fry This?
- ⏱️Ready in 12 minutes vs ~19 in a conventional oven — no preheating needed.
- 🔥Rapid air circulation delivers oven-quality results in a fraction of the time.
- ⚡Uses significantly less energy than heating a full-size oven for a single batch.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Cook Air Fryer Elote at 400°F for 12 minutes. Authentic elote uses a 50/50 mix of mayo and crema — don't skip either. Cotija is the traditional cheese; feta works in a pinch. The char marks are essential for flavor. Apply the mayo mixture while corn is hot so it sticks, THEN add the cheese.
You need: 4 ears corn, husked, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Mexican crema or sour cream, 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled, 1 tsp chili powder or Tajín, 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped, 2 lime wedges, Pinch of cayenne (optional). This recipe serves 4 with 220 calories per serving.
Air Fryer Elote takes 12 minutes total at 400°F. Squeeze lime juice over the top and serve immediately.
This recipe is rated Easy. It serves 4 and takes just 12 minutes at 400°F.
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