Charred elote and melted cheeses on crisp tortilla chips, finished with cotija, cilantro, and smoky chipotle crema.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables & Base
01 - 4 cups tortilla chips
02 - 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
03 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
04 - 1 jalapeño, finely chopped (optional)
05 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - 2 green onions, sliced
→ 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 in adobo, minced (to taste)
13 - 1 teaspoon 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
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper; arrange a single even layer of tortilla chips on the sheet.
02 - Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the corn kernels, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred and fragrant, about 5 minutes; remove from heat.
03 - Scatter the sautéed corn evenly over the chips, then add the diced red onion and chopped jalapeño across the tray.
04 - Evenly sprinkle the Monterey Jack and cheddar over the assembled chips to ensure uniform melting.
05 - Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, 8–10 minutes; monitor to prevent over-browning.
06 - While the chips bake, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, minced chipotle in adobo, lime juice, garlic powder, and salt until smooth; adjust chipotle for desired heat.
07 - Remove chips from oven and immediately sprinkle cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, and sliced green onions over the hot tray to meld flavors.
08 - Drizzle the chipotle crema generously over the nachos in thin ribbons to distribute flavor without sogginess.
09 - Lightly dust with chili powder or smoked paprika, serve with lime wedges, and offer suggested additions such as grilled chicken, chorizo, or black beans if desired.
