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"Cheat Code" One-Bowl Baked Elote Dip

"Cheat Code" One-Bowl Baked Elote Dip

Listen, if I'm at a pool party, I'm there to eat dip and judge the playlist. This baked Mexican street corn dip is exactly what you need when you want maximum flavor with zero effort. We literally dump everything into one bowl, give it a stir, and bake it until it's bubbly, golden, and aggressively delicious. Grab the sturdiest tortilla chips you can find.

Elena Reyes
Elena Reyes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
8
easy
snackappetizer
dippoolsidecheat-codeone-bowl+1

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Timeline

34 minutes
0m10m20m30m34m
Preheat Oven
10m
Mix Base Ingredients
3m
Fold In Corn
Bake The Dip
25m
Garnish and Rest
5m

Ingredients

  • 16 oz frozen sweet corn(thawed and patted dry (or 2 cans, drained like your life depends on it))
  • 8 oz cream cheese(softened to room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise(do not use miracle whip, I'm begging you)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream(full fat is best here)
  • 1 cup cotija cheese(crumbled and divided (feta works perfectly as a substitute))
  • 1 jalapeño(finely diced (remove seeds if you want it mild))
  • 1 tsp chili powder(plus extra for garnishing at the end)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 lime(juiced)
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro(chopped, divided (skip it if it tastes like soap to you))
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro(mentioned in step 3 and 5, but only 1/4 cup is listed in ingredients)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grab an 8x8-inch baking dish or a 9-inch cast iron skillet. You don't even need to grease it because of the dairy we're about to use.

    10 min

    Tip: If you're using a cast iron skillet, you can actually mix everything directly in the cold skillet to save washing a bowl. Truly a one-pan wonder.

  2. 2

    In a large mixing bowl, combine 8 oz cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, and 1/2 cup sour cream. Smash them together with a spatula or wooden spoon until smooth. It doesn't have to be perfectly lump-free, but you don't want giant chunks of cream cheese.

    3 min

    Tip: Softened cream cheese is non-negotiable. If you forgot to take it out of the fridge, microwave it on a plate for 15-20 seconds. Trying to mix cold cream cheese will only result in anger.

  3. 3

    Dump in the 16 oz frozen sweet corn, 1/2 cup cotija cheese (reserve the rest for topping), 1 jalapeño, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 lime, juiced, and 2 tbsp fresh cilantro (reserving the rest for garnish). Fold everything together until the corn is completely coated in that creamy, spicy mixture.

    2 min

    Tip: Moisture is the enemy of a thick dip. If your thawed corn is super wet, quickly pat it with a paper towel before tossing it in.

  4. 4

    Scrape the mixture into your baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cotija cheese evenly over the top. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling aggressively and the top is lightly golden.

    25 min

    Tip: For an extra crispy top, hit it with the broiler for 1-2 minutes at the very end. Just watch it like a hawk so it doesn't burn.

  5. 5

    Carefully remove the bubbling dip from the oven. Garnish with a light dusting of extra chili powder and the remaining 2 tbsp fresh cilantro. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving so people don't burn off their tastebuds on the first bite.

    5 min

    Tip: Serve with the thickest, sturdiest tortilla chips you can find. Flimsy chips will snap in this hearty dip.

Chef's Notes

You can absolutely make this a day ahead! Mix everything together, put it in the baking dish, cover tightly with foil, and leave it in the fridge. When you're ready for the pool party, just uncover and bake (you might need to add 5 extra minutes since it's going in cold into the oven).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does "Cheat Code" One-Bowl Baked Elote Dip take to make?

"Cheat Code" One-Bowl Baked Elote Dip takes about 30 minutes total. That includes 5 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 8 servings.

What skill level is needed for "Cheat Code" One-Bowl Baked Elote Dip?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for "Cheat Code" One-Bowl Baked Elote Dip?

The main ingredients are: frozen sweet corn, cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, jalapeño, chili powder, garlic powder, lime, fresh cilantro, fresh cilantro.

What type of meal is "Cheat Code" One-Bowl Baked Elote Dip?

"Cheat Code" One-Bowl Baked Elote Dip is categorized as: snack, appetizer.