Baked Creamy Corn Jalapeño Dip (Print Version)
Warm, cheesy corn and jalapeño dip with a creamy, golden-baked finish—ideal for parties and gatherings.
# What You Need:
→ Dairy
01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
02 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
03 - ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
04 - ¼ cup sour cream
→ Vegetables
05 - 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)
06 - 2–3 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely diced
07 - 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced
08 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
→ Spices & Seasonings
09 - 1 garlic clove, minced
10 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Optional Garnish
13 - Fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or butter.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, Monterey Jack cheese, and half of the cheddar cheese. Stir until smooth and well incorporated.
03 - Gently fold in the corn kernels, diced jalapeños, bell pepper, green onions, minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
04 - Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top.
05 - Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the dip is bubbling vigorously and the edges turn a deep golden brown.
06 - Remove from the oven and allow the dip to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro if desired.
07 - Serve warm alongside tortilla chips, sliced baguette, or crisp vegetable sticks.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It disappears so fast you might want to make two pans, which is something I learned the embarrassing way.
- The creamy base comes together in one bowl with zero fancy techniques, leaving you free to actually enjoy your own gathering.
02 -
- Do not skip softening the cream cheese first, because cold cream cheese will leave you with clumpy pockets no matter how hard you stir.
- Drain canned or thawed frozen corn thoroughly on paper towels before mixing, or your dip will weep liquid in the oven.
03 -
- Taste the raw jalapeños before you decide how many to use, because their heat can vary wildly from pepper to pepper.
- A quick blast under the broiler for the last 2 minutes gives you a gorgeous bronzed top that makes the dip look twice as impressive.