Description
These Spicy Mexican Corn Bites are a flavorful party appetizer featuring a creamy, tangy corn filling with jalapeño heat, nestled in crispy golden puff pastry shells. Inspired by classic Mexican street corn flavors, they’re perfect for entertaining or a tasty snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Corn Filling
- 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
- 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 jalapeño, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Puff Pastry Shells
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the corn bites.
- Prepare Corn Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the corn kernels, crumbled cotija cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, finely chopped jalapeño, chopped cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to create a creamy, flavorful filling and set aside.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 12 equal squares to form individual cups for the filling.
- Form Pastry Shells: Grease a mini muffin tin and gently press each pastry square into the cups, ensuring the pastry forms a little shell to hold the corn filling without breaking.
- Fill and Brush: Spoon a portion of the corn filling into each pastry shell, being careful not to overfill to avoid spills during baking. Brush the exposed edges of the pastry with the beaten egg to achieve a golden finish.
- Bake: Place the filled muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 15–18 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is lightly bubbling, indicating it is heated through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the corn bites to cool slightly in the pan before carefully removing them. Serve warm or at room temperature as a delicious appetizer or snack.
Notes
- For extra heat, substitute jalapeños with serrano peppers or add a pinch of cayenne pepper into the filling.
- These bites are perfect for parties and can be prepared a few hours ahead.
- Reheat in the oven before serving to regain crispness.
