Flavorful Antojitos-Style Elote Cups
These antojitos-style elote cups are creamy, spicy, and tangy party snacks inspired by Mexican street food, perfect for casual gatherings and celebrations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 6 ears of corn) or thawed frozen corn
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (full-fat preferred)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Juice of 1 large lime
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (mild to medium heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (substitute with feta or queso fresco if needed)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tajin or chili-lime seasoning for sprinkling
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the corn by shucking and cutting kernels off about 6 ears of fresh corn, or thaw frozen corn overnight and drain excess liquid.
- Pulse the corn in a food processor 4-5 times to achieve a slightly chunky texture, not a puree. Alternatively, finely chop the kernels by hand.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Fold the pulsed corn into the sauce mixture gently until evenly coated. Stir in chopped cilantro if using. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Spoon the creamy corn mixture into small serving cups or mini mason jars, filling about 3/4 full.
- Sprinkle crumbled cotija cheese generously over each cup, then dust lightly with Tajin or chili-lime seasoning. Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim.
- Chill the cups for up to 1 hour before serving or serve immediately at room temperature.
Notes
Pulse the corn just enough to keep a chunky texture for the best mouthfeel. Use freshly squeezed lime juice for brightness. Add toppings just before serving to keep cheese fresh. For dairy-free, substitute vegan mayo and coconut yogurt, and use nutritional yeast or vegan cheese instead of cotija. Can prep corn mixture a day ahead but add toppings before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 small cup (1
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 210
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: antojitos, elote cups, Mexican street food, party snacks, corn cups, creamy corn, spicy snacks