Cinco de Mayo Elote Nachos (Printable Version)

Charred elote, melted Monterey Jack and cheddar, cotija, cilantro and smoky chipotle crema on crispy tortilla chips.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables & Base

01 - 4 cups tortilla chips
02 - 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
03 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
04 - 1 jalapeño, finely chopped (optional for heat)
05 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Dairy & Cheeses

07 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
08 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled

→ Chipotle Crema

10 - 1/2 cup sour cream
11 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
12 - 1–2 tablespoons chipotle in adobo sauce (minced, to taste)
13 - 1 teaspoon lime juice
14 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
15 - Salt, to taste

→ Finishing Touches

16 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
17 - Chili powder or smoked paprika, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the corn kernels until lightly charred, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - On the prepared baking sheet, arrange the tortilla chips in an even layer.
04 - Evenly sprinkle the sautéed corn, red onion, jalapeño, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheese over the chips.
05 - Bake in the oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
06 - Meanwhile, whisk together all chipotle crema ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust chipotle and salt to taste.
07 - Remove the nachos from the oven. Top with cotija cheese, cilantro, and green onions.
08 - Drizzle generously with chipotle crema.
09 - Sprinkle with chili powder or smoked paprika and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You can pile everything on one pan and still get big, fresh flavors—less fuss, more munching.
  • The chipotle crema is the shortcut to restaurant-style nachos, but with a smoky, creamy finish that keeps people guessing your secret.
02 -
  • Once, I layered everything before baking—including the cotija—and ended up with a rubbery mess instead of those crumbly bursts.
  • Lime wedges on the side weren't just garnish—they cut through the richness and kept everyone going back for another handful.
03 -
  • Layering cheese with every ingredient stop ensures gooey, even coverage instead of clumps.
  • Broil for the last 60 seconds for extra bubbly tops—watch closely!
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