Description
This Mexican Street Corn Tostadas recipe offers a vibrant and creamy twist on traditional street corn, layered on crispy tostada shells and topped with cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. Perfect for a quick snack or a flavorful appetizer, these tostadas combine smoky, tangy, and spicy elements for a deliciously satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Street Corn Mixture
- 3 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (about 3 ears of corn, grilled and cut off the cob, or use canned corn)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sour cream or Mexican crema
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- 1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Assembly and Garnish
- 6 small tostada shells (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese (for topping)
- Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Corn: If using fresh corn, grill the ears until lightly charred and then cut the kernels off the cob. If using frozen, thaw it beforehand. If canned corn is used, drain well.
- Mix the Corn Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the corn kernels with mayonnaise, sour cream or Mexican crema, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper if using, garlic powder, and salt. Stir thoroughly until every kernel is coated with the creamy sauce.
- Incorporate Cotija and Cilantro: Fold in the crumbled cotija cheese and chopped cilantro gently into the corn mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- Assemble the Tostadas: Lay out the tostada shells on a serving platter. Spoon a generous amount of the corn mixture evenly across each shell, making sure it’s well distributed.
- Add Final Toppings: Sprinkle additional crumbled cotija cheese on top of each tostada, followed by a scattering of fresh chopped cilantro for garnish.
- Serve: Serve the Mexican street corn tostadas with lime wedges on the side for guests to squeeze over just before eating to add a fresh burst of citrusy flavor.
Notes
- Grilling the corn adds a smoky flavor that complements the spices perfectly.
- Substitute sour cream with Mexican crema for a more authentic taste if available.
- Add cayenne pepper gradually to control the level of heat.
- These tostadas are best assembled just before serving to keep the shells crisp.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure the cotija cheese doesn’t contain animal-derived rennet.
