Description
Creamy, zesty Mexican street corn nachos bring together classic nacho enthusiasm with elote’s bold flavors. Crisp tortilla chips layered with grilled corn, cotija cheese, and spicy seasonings create a mouthwatering street-style snack you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (12 oz/340 g) bag tortilla chips
- 3 cups (720 ml) fresh or frozen corn kernels (thawed if frozen)
- 2 cups (480 ml) shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese
- ¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
- ¼ cup (60 ml) crumbled cotija cheese (or feta as a substitute)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp (5 ml) chili powder
- ¼ cup (60 ml) chopped red onion
- ¼ cup (60 ml) chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Extra lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Corn Preparation: Heat a skillet over medium-high flame with olive oil. Roast corn kernels for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until achieving a golden, caramelized exterior with smoky undertones.
- Flavor Fusion: Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Incorporate charred corn kernels and cotija cheese, blending into a cohesive, zesty mixture.
- Nacho Assembly: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Layer tortilla chips across a baking sheet, covering completely with shredded cheese. Spread corn-cheese mixture evenly, then strategically scatter pickled jalapeños and red onion slices.
- Baking Transformation: Bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese melts into a bubbling, golden blanket that envelops the chips and toppings.
- Final Flourish: Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve with lime wedges, allowing guests to add a bright, citrusy finish to this vibrant nacho creation.
Notes
- Char Corn Carefully: Ensure even caramelization by constantly stirring corn kernels, preventing burning and achieving that perfect smoky flavor.
- Balance Moisture Levels: Pat corn kernels dry before sautéing to maximize crispy texture and prevent soggy nachos.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Use a combination of cheeses for optimal meltability and rich flavor profile, distributing evenly across chips.
- Temperature Control: Monitor oven closely during baking to prevent chips from becoming overly crisp or toppings from burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg