Cheesy Elote Nachos (Mexican Street Corn Nachos)

Experience the magic of elote nachos, combining smoky Mexican street corn with crunchy cheesy goodness in a single dish.

There’s something magical about elote—grilled Mexican street corn slathered in mayo, lime, cheese, and chili powder. And there’s something irresistible about a giant tray of cheesy nachos. So why not bring them together? Elote Nachos combine all the bold, tangy, creamy flavors of elote with the crunchy, gooey joy of nachos. It’s street food meets snack food—and it’s a total flavor explosion.

If you’re looking to bring bold, irresistible flavor to your next gathering, look no further than elote nachos. Inspired by the classic Mexican street corn, this vibrant dish layers charred corn, creamy cotija, zesty lime, and a touch of spice over a bed of crispy tortilla chips. It’s everything you love about elote—smoky, tangy, cheesy goodness—reimagined as the ultimate party snack. Perfect for game day, cookouts, or casual weeknight dinners, these nachos are a crowd-pleaser that disappears fast.

Why We Love Elote Nachos

We love Elote Nachos because they take everything we adore about Mexican street corn—bold flavor, creamy texture, smoky spice—and layer it over a pile of crunchy, cheesy nachos. It’s the best of both worlds: snacky, indulgent, and bursting with contrast in every bite.

Here’s why they’re so crave-worthy:

• Flavor explosion: Sweet corn, tangy lime, salty cotija, creamy mayo, and spicy chili powder come together in the most addictive way.
• Texture play: You get crisp tortilla chips, juicy corn, melty cheese, and crumbled toppings all in one mouthful.
• Crowd-pleasing & customizable: Perfect for parties, game day, or casual dinners—and easy to tweak with added protein or spice.
• Comfort food meets street food: It’s fun, nostalgic, and feels a little indulgent while still being fresh and vibrant.

When Should You Serve Mexican Street Corn Nachos

Cinco de Mayo

A no-brainer! Elote nachos are packed with classic Mexican street food flavor, making them the ultimate snack or starter for your Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Game Day or Super Bowl Parties

These Mexican street corn sheet pan nachos are cheesy, shareable, and packed with bold flavors—ideal for fueling up while watching the big game.

Casual Gatherings & Backyard BBQs

Serve them as a fun appetizer or side dish that guests can grab between drinks and grilled mains.

Taco Night (With a Twist)

Swap out your usual chips and salsa for a tray of elote nachos to shake things up and bring extra flavor to the table.

Key Ingredients for Mexican Street Corn Nachos

• Corn
  Corn is the star of elote. You can use fresh corn, canned, or thawed frozen corn—just make sure it’s sweet and juicy. Char it in a skillet or on the grill for smoky depth.
• Mayonnaise
  This is the base of classic elote sauce. It adds richness and helps the other ingredients cling to the corn.
• Sour cream
  Adds a tangy, cooling element that balances the chili and brightens the overall flavor. You can sub in Mexican crema for an even more authentic touch.
• Chili powder
  These spices bring smoky heat and depth. The paprika enhances that roasted, grilled flavor, even if you’re not using fresh grilled corn.
• Garlic powder
  A subtle savory note that gives the topping a boost of umami.
• Lime juice
  The essential acid. It lifts the richness and gives that signature elote zing.
• Salt
  Balances and intensifies all the flavors.
• Cotija cheese
  This salty, crumbly cheese adds umami, texture, and a punch of authentic flavor. If you can’t find it, feta is a decent backup.
• Fresh cilantro
  Bright and herbal, cilantro balances the richness and brings freshness to every bite.
• Tajín
  A chili-lime seasoning that adds a bold, tangy kick if you want extra zip.

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For the nacho base:

• Crispy Tortilla chips
  Go for sturdy, restaurant-style chips so they don’t get soggy under all those toppings.
• Shredded Cheese
• Melts beautifully and has a mild creaminess that lets the elote topping shine.
• Pepper jack Cheese (½ cup, optional):
  Adds a bit of sharpness and deeper cheesy flavor if you want to layer in richness.
• Jalapeño (1, sliced):
  For a little bite and heat. If you like it spicier, leave the seeds in.
• Hot sauce (for drizzling):
  Optional but recommended—adds that final punch and a vinegar kick to contrast the creaminess.
• Lime wedges & extra cotija (for serving):
  Fresh lime juice brings everything to life, and extra cotija on top ensures that salty, cheesy goodness hits every bite.

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How to Make Elote Nachos

1. Make the corn topping:
   If using fresh or thawed frozen corn, char it in a dry skillet over high heat until slightly blackened. Set aside.
   In a small bowl, stir together sour cream, mayo, olive oil, chili powder, garlic powder, lime juice, lime zest, salt and pepper to taste. 
2. Build the nachos:
   Spread half of the tortilla chips in a single layer out on a large baking sheet pan. Then top with half the cheese, half the roasted corn. Repeat layers.
3. Bake:
   Bake at 400°F for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
4. Top it off:
   Remove from oven and drizzle with elote sauce. Sprinkle Cotija, red onion, and jalapeño. Garnish with a drizzle of hot sauce, Tajin, extra cotija, cilantro, and a few squeezes of lime.

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Additional Recipes to Try

Strawberry lime margaritas! Need a refreshing margarita to pair with these nachos?  This margarita is the perfect sidekick! 

Corn and Pineapple Salsa – Elevate your dishes with corn and pineapple salsa. This refreshing recipe is perfect for grilled meats and dips.

Creamy Chimichurri Aioli – herb-packed chimichurri aioli made with a zesty blend of fresh herbs, garlic, and mayo is perfect for dipping, drizzling, and spreading.

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