Description
Elote Stuffed Jalapeños are a delicious Mexican-inspired appetizer featuring halved jalapeño peppers filled with a creamy mixture of corn, cream cheese, cotija cheese, and spices. Baked until tender and golden, these spicy vegetarian bites are bursting with smoky and tangy flavors, perfect for parties or a flavorful snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 large jalapeño peppers, halved and seeded
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (plus more for topping)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the corn, softened cream cheese, crumbled cotija cheese, mayonnaise, minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are well incorporated into a creamy mixture.
- Stuff Jalapeños: Spoon the cheese and corn mixture into each halved and seeded jalapeño pepper, mounding the filling slightly above the edges to ensure a generous amount in every bite.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the stuffed jalapeño halves on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they have enough space for even cooking.
- Bake: Bake the stuffed jalapeños in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the tops are golden brown and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle additional cotija cheese and fresh chopped cilantro on top. Serve warm as a flavorful appetizer or snack.
Notes
- For extra heat, you can leave some seeds in the jalapeños before stuffing.
- Grilling the jalapeños instead of baking adds a delicious smoky flavor.
- If using frozen corn, make sure to thaw and drain it well to avoid excess moisture in the filling.
