Crispy chips piled with charred elote, melty cheeses, cotija, cilantro and smoky chipotle crema.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables & Base
01 - 4 cups tortilla chips (store-bought or homemade, plain or lightly salted)
02 - 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen then thawed, or drained canned corn)
03 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
04 - 1 jalapeño, finely chopped (optional; remove seeds to reduce heat)
05 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
→ 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 peppers in adobo, minced (adjust to taste)
13 - 1 teaspoon fresh 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
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a small drizzle of oil. Add the corn kernels and sauté, stirring occasionally, until kernels develop light char marks and are heated through, about 4–6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
03 - Spread the tortilla chips in a single even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Scatter the charred corn, diced red onion, chopped jalapeño (if using), and both shredded cheeses evenly over the chips.
04 - Bake in the preheated oven until the cheeses have melted and are bubbling, about 8–10 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning the chips.
05 - While the chips bake, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, minced chipotles, lime juice, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning or chipotle amount for preferred heat.
06 - Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Sprinkle crumbled cotija, chopped cilantro, and sliced green onions over the melted cheese. Drizzle the chipotle crema over the top and finish with a light dusting of chili powder or smoked paprika.
07 - Serve immediately with lime wedges alongside for squeezing and offer additional crema on the side if desired.
