Elote Loaded Fries

In the realm of comfort food, few dishes strike the perfect balance between crispy, creamy, savory, and zesty quite like Mexican Street Corn Fries. This innovative recipe takes the beloved flavors of authentic Mexican street corn, known as Elotes, and generously piles them atop a bed of golden, perfectly cooked french fries. It’s a genius fusion that promises an explosion of flavor and an utterly satisfying experience, ideal for a quick weeknight meal, a party appetizer, or simply an indulgent snack.

For those who adore the vibrant taste of Mexican street corn, this dish offers a delightful new way to enjoy it. If you’re already a fan, you might also love exploring other unique applications like Mexican Street Corn Chowder for a comforting bowl or the refreshing Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites). But today, we’re diving headfirst into the ultimate crispy, creamy, and undeniably delicious world of Mexican Street Corn Fries.

Contents

The Unforgettable Flavor of Mexican Street Corn

My journey into the world of Mexican street food began years ago with a single bite of Elotes, and it was love at first taste. The combination of sweet corn, often grilled to perfection with a slight char, mixed with creamy mayonnaise, a burst of fresh lime, a sprinkle of chili powder, and topped with salty, crumbly queso fresco, creates a symphony of flavors that is truly captivating. It’s a culinary experience that brightens the palate and leaves a lasting impression, a testament to the simple yet profound joy of authentic street food.

Traditionally enjoyed right off the cob, Mexican street corn, or Elotes, has inspired countless culinary creations. I’ve encountered its distinctive profile in various forms: as a vibrant salad, a hearty soup, topping for nachos, and even as an unconventional pizza topping. Yet, a truly comprehensive and easily accessible recipe for Mexican Street Corn on a bed of french fries felt conspicuously absent from the culinary landscape. It was a void waiting to be filled, a delicious opportunity to merge two beloved comfort foods into one extraordinary dish.

And now, that void is gloriously filled. Prepare to experience a taste sensation so delightful, you’ll want to face-plant directly into a pile of these incredible Mexican Street Corn Fries. It’s an indulgence that’s both unexpected and utterly satisfying, promising to become a new favorite in your recipe repertoire.

The Ultimate Shortcut: Perfectly Crispy French Fries

One of the best aspects of this Mexican Street Corn Fries recipe is its clever use of a shortcut that saves time without sacrificing flavor or texture. We start with high-quality, store-bought frozen french fries. This strategic choice allows you to achieve perfectly golden and crispy fries with minimal effort, making this gourmet-tasting dish incredibly accessible for any home cook. While you can certainly make your own fries from scratch, opting for a trusted frozen brand ensures consistency and convenience, allowing you to focus on crafting the flavorful corn topping.

For this recipe, I personally recommend using Alexia Yukon Select Fries, renowned for their excellent texture and flavor. However, feel free to choose your favorite brand or even experiment with different varieties to customize your experience. These Mexican Street Corn Fries are incredibly versatile and would also be fantastic with crispy sweet potato fries, offering a delightful sweet and savory contrast, or even on a bed of crunchy tater tots for a fun, nostalgic twist. The key is to get your base as crispy as possible, creating the perfect foundation for the creamy, zesty corn mixture.

Effortless Assembly: A Quick Path to Deliciousness

What truly sets this recipe apart is not just its incredible taste, but also how astonishingly quick and easy it is to prepare. The beauty of starting with frozen fries is that you simply pop them into the oven, allowing them to bake to golden perfection while you prepare the vibrant Mexican street corn topping. By the time your fries are crispy and hot, your corn mixture will be ready, minimizing prep time and maximizing enjoyment. This synchronized cooking approach means you’re mere minutes away from digging into a plate of loaded fries that taste like they came straight from a gourmet food truck.

Once your fries are done and your corn topping is assembled, it’s time for the final touches. We love to dollop a generous spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt right on top of the loaded fries. This adds an extra layer of cooling creaminess that beautifully balances the spice and tang of the corn. A final squeeze of fresh lime juice amplifies the bright, zesty flavors, tying all the components together into a harmonious and utterly satisfying dish. Each bite offers a delightful contrast of textures and tastes: crispy fries, tender sweet corn, creamy dressing, and savory cheese.

Crafting the Perfect Mexican Street Corn Topping

The heart of this dish lies in its authentic Mexican street corn topping. While Elotes is a traditional Mexican street food with many regional variations, this recipe strives for that perfect blend of sweetness, tang, and spice that makes it so universally adored. To start, choose between fresh corn on the cob during peak season for maximum flavor, or a good quality bag of frozen corn for year-round convenience. If using fresh, grilling the corn until it has a slight char adds a smoky depth that is absolutely divine. Alternatively, boiling or steaming will yield wonderfully tender kernels.

The magic truly happens in the creamy sauce. In a medium bowl, you’ll combine mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, chili powder, and kosher salt. The mayonnaise provides the rich, creamy base, while the lime juice introduces a crucial zing and brightness that cuts through the richness and awakens the palate. Chili powder adds a warm, earthy spice without being overly hot, complementing the sweetness of the corn beautifully. This simple yet powerful combination creates the iconic flavor profile of Elotes.

Once your corn is cooked and cooled enough to handle, carefully remove the kernels from the cob using a serrated knife. For frozen corn, simply thaw it slightly. Then, in a large skillet, heat a touch of olive oil and sauté the corn kernels. This step is vital for developing deeper flavor and achieving a slight caramelization or browning on the corn, enhancing its natural sweetness and adding textural interest. Cook without stirring too much initially to allow the browning to occur. Finally, toss the sautéed corn with the prepared mayonnaise mixture until every kernel is coated in that irresistible sauce.

Serving Suggestions & Customization

These Mexican Street Corn Fries are fantastic on their own as a hearty snack or a unique appetizer. For a truly elevated experience, serve them alongside a cold Mexican beer like a Modelo or Pacifico – the crisp, refreshing beer perfectly complements the rich and savory fries. A plate of these fries also makes an excellent side dish for grilled chicken, tacos, or a simple steak, adding a vibrant and exciting element to your meal.

While I believe this recipe is pretty perfect as written, offering a taste remarkably close to authentic street corn, feel free to adapt it to your preferences. You can adjust the amount of chili powder for more or less heat, or even add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick. For a different cheesy experience, consider cotija cheese, which is saltier and drier, instead of queso fresco. Some might enjoy a dash of hot sauce, finely diced jalapeños, or even a sprinkle of crumbled bacon for an added layer of flavor and texture. The beauty of Elotes is its adaptability, allowing you to truly make it your own.

Mexican Street Corn Fries

Author Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Prep 5 mins

Cook 30 mins

Total 35 mins

Yield 6 servings

These Mexican Street Corn Fries offer a fantastic shortcut with store-bought french fries. They’re topped with irresistible Mexican Street Corn for a crispy, sweet, savory, and zesty comfort food experience!

Ingredients

1 (22oz) bag Alexia Yukon Select Fries (or your favorite french fries)
4 ears corn (or 16oz bag frozen corn)
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup Queso Fresco cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

Cook french fries according to package directions until golden and crispy.
If using fresh corn, grill, boil, or steam until tender, about 6-7 minutes. If using frozen corn, you can skip this step and cook it directly in the skillet in step 5.
While corn is cooking (or fries are baking), in a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, and salt. Set aside.
When the fresh corn is cool enough to handle, using a serrated knife, remove kernels from the cob.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add corn kernels (fresh or frozen). If using fresh corn, cook without stirring for 3 minutes or until corn begins to brown on the bottom. If using frozen corn, cook until heated through and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from pan and add to the bowl with the mayonnaise mixture. Toss to combine thoroughly.
When the fries are done baking, immediately transfer them to a serving platter. Generously top with the prepared Mexican street corn mixture.
Garnish with crumbled queso fresco cheese, fresh cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt (if desired). Serve immediately with fresh lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of zest.

Courses Dinner

Cuisine Mexican

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 6 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 292
% Daily Value
Total Fat 15 g		23%
	Saturated Fat 3 g	15%
Cholesterol 14 mg		5%
Sodium 455 mg		19%
Total Carbohydrates 35 g		12%
	Dietary Fiber 5 g	20%
Protein 7 g		14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Chef’s Notes for the Perfect Experience

To truly enjoy these Mexican Street Corn Fries at their peak, I highly recommend serving them immediately while the fries are still hot and perfectly crispy. The contrast between the warm fries and the creamy, zesty corn topping is what makes this dish so spectacular. If left to sit, the fries may lose some of their crispness, becoming soggy. If you happen to have any leftover Mexican street corn mixture, rest assured, it’s also fantastic on its own as a side dish or even as a salsa for chips.

Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, looking for a unique appetizer, or simply craving an elevated comfort food experience, Mexican Street Corn Fries are guaranteed to impress. They bring the vibrant, authentic flavors of Elotes to your table in a fun, accessible, and utterly delicious format that everyone will love.