There are certain recipes that simply evoke a sense of pure joy and celebration, and we believe this fantastic corn dip recipe is one of them. Picture a warm, bubbling, and wonderfully cheesy dip, bursting with sweet corn kernels, a subtle warmth from spices, and a zesty, fresh finish. It’s the type of appetiser that vanishes from the serving dish in moments, as friends gather around, crisps at the ready, eager for the next mouthful. We have served this recipe at countless garden parties, family gatherings, and relaxed evenings at home, and it consistently steals the spotlight. It is remarkably straightforward to put together, using ingredients you likely have on hand, yet it provides a taste that feels exceptionally luxurious. Prepare to meet your new favourite party food!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A Truly Compelling Taste: We have achieved the perfect harmony of creamy, cheesy, sweet, and savoury notes. The blend of rich cream cheese, zesty sour cream, sharp cheddar, and sweetcorn, all baked to golden, bubbling perfection, creates a flavour experience that is genuinely irresistible.
• Amazingly Simple and Swift: This recipe is ideal for those times when you are short on time but still want to make an impression. With a mere 10 minutes of preparation, you just need to mix everything in a single bowl and transfer it to the oven. It is a brilliant, no-fuss appetiser.
• Crafted from Basic Kitchen Staples: There is no need for a special shopping trip to make this dish. Our corn dip recipe utilises common, readily available ingredients such as tinned sweetcorn, cream cheese, and cheddar, making it both practical and kind to your wallet.
• The Ultimate All-Round Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you are planning a summer barbecue, a game day celebration, or require a comforting contribution for a potluck, this cheesy dip is perfect for any occasion. It can be served warm straight from the oven or even chilled, and it is simple to adapt to your personal taste.

Ingredients

For this particular recipe, we’ve found that using full-fat dairy products yields the creamiest and most decadent result. Although you can opt for lighter alternatives, please note that the texture of the final dip may be slightly altered. We also strongly suggest grating your own cheese from a block; it melts far more smoothly than pre-shredded types, which often include agents to prevent caking.

• 2 x 340g tins of sweetcorn, drained well
• 225g full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 120g full-fat mayonnaise
• 120g sour cream
• 250g mature cheddar cheese, grated (we’ll use this in two parts)
• 1 small red onion, very finely diced
• 2 spring onions, thinly sliced (plus extra for garnish)
• 1 jalapeño, deseeded and finely minced (optional, adjust to your heat preference)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for an extra kick)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Creating this wonderful party food is as easy as combining the ingredients and baking. The crucial element is ensuring your cream cheese has softened properly, which allows all the components to blend together into a smooth, luscious base. We suggest removing it from the refrigerator approximately 30-40 minutes before you plan to start.

1. Preheat and Prepare: To begin, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4). Lightly grease a 2-litre ovenproof baking dish or a 9-inch cast-iron skillet.
2. Create the Creamy Base: In a spacious mixing bowl, place the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Use a spatula or a low-speed electric hand mixer to blend them until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. This step prevents any lumps of cream cheese in your final dip.
3. Add Seasonings and Aromatics: Incorporate the garlic powder, smoked paprika, optional cayenne pepper, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir until everything is uniformly mixed. This is the perfect moment to add the finely diced red onion, sliced spring onions, and minced jalapeño (if you’re using it). Give it all a thorough mix.
4. Fold in the Stars of the Show: Add the thoroughly drained sweetcorn and roughly two-thirds of your grated cheddar cheese to the bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold everything together until the corn and cheese are evenly distributed throughout the creamy base.
5. Assemble the Dip: Transfer the mixture from the bowl into your prepared baking dish, using a spatula to spread it in a flat, even layer. Sprinkle the final third of the grated cheddar cheese evenly across the top.
6. Bake to Golden Perfection: Put the dish into the hot oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The dip is ready when it is hot and bubbling around the perimeter, and the cheese topping is completely melted and has a light golden-brown hue. For a more browned finish, you can switch to the grill for the final 1-2 minutes, but keep a very close eye on it to prevent burning!
7. Garnish and Serve: Carefully take the dish out of the oven and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes. This is a vital step as the dip will be incredibly hot, and this resting time helps it to set a little. Right before serving, scatter the fresh coriander and extra sliced spring onions over the top. Present your delightful cheesy corn dip while it’s warm, accompanied by your preferred tortilla chips, crackers, or vegetable batons.

Tips for the Perfect Corn Dip

We have prepared this recipe numerous times, and in doing so, we’ve discovered a few techniques to ensure it turns out perfectly every single time.

• Drain the Corn Thoroughly: This is an absolutely essential step! Any remaining water from the tinned corn can result in a watery dip. After draining, we suggest patting the corn dry with a paper towel to eliminate as much liquid as possible.
• Room Temperature is Key: To achieve the creamiest, smoothest consistency, ensure your cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream have reached room temperature. Chilled ingredients are significantly more difficult to combine and can lead to a lumpy texture.
• Don’t Be Shy with Cheese: We have recommended mature cheddar for its pronounced, sharp flavour, which beautifully complements the richness of the dip. However, we encourage you to experiment! A blend of Monterey Jack for its excellent melting quality and cheddar for its taste is a superb choice.

Delicious Variations to Try

One of the finest qualities of this corn dip recipe is its wonderful adaptability. It serves as an excellent foundation for your own culinary creativity. Here are some of our most-loved variations:

• Meaty Delight: Incorporate 150g of cooked, crumbled bacon or chorizo into the mixture prior to baking. The salty, smoky notes add a phenomenal layer of flavour.
• Smoky Chipotle Corn Dip: For a more profound, smoky warmth, replace the jalapeño and cayenne with 1-2 finely chopped canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
• Mexican Street Corn (Elotes) Inspired: Before serving, add 50g of crumbled cotija or feta cheese, an additional squeeze of lime juice, and a light dusting of chilli powder over the surface.
• Add Some Beans: Stir in a drained and rinsed 400g tin of black beans at the same time as the corn. This adds extra texture and fibre, making the dip even more satisfying. If you’re seeking another hearty, cheesy favourite, our Cheeseburger Lasagna Recipe is always a crowd-pleaser.

What to Serve With Your Corn Dip

This adaptable dip is a wonderful match for a broad selection of accompaniments. You can arrange a large platter and allow everyone to pick their favourite dipper!

• Classic Tortilla Chips: The robust, salty crunch provides the ideal contrast to the creamy dip.
• Vegetable Sticks: For a fresher, healthier alternative, offer sticks of carrot, celery, cucumber, and vibrant bell peppers.
• Crackers and Biscuits: Ritz crackers, water biscuits, or even seeded crackers are all fantastic pairings.
• Toasted Bread: Slices of toasted baguette or pitta bread are perfect for scooping up every last delicious bit.

This dip serves as a brilliant opening to a larger meal of party snacks. We particularly enjoy serving it alongside other easy-to-share appetisers, such as our irresistible Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders, for a truly unforgettable spread.

Frequently Asked Questions

And so, we present the ultimate cheesy corn dip recipe, which we guarantee will be a tremendous hit. It is the ideal, easy-to-prepare appetiser that draws everyone together. We are sure that after you’ve tried it, this will become a go-to in your recipe repertoire for all sorts of gatherings. It’s the kind of dish that helps create wonderful memories, one scoop at a time. For dessert, why not follow it with something equally straightforward and delightful, like our no-bake Biscoff Truffles?

If you decide to make this recipe, we would be thrilled to hear from you! Please leave a comment and a rating below to share how it went. Happy dipping!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2 x 340g tins of sweetcorn, drained well
• 225g full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 120g full-fat mayonnaise
• 120g sour cream
• 250g mature cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 small red onion, very finely diced
• 2 spring onions, thinly sliced (plus extra for garnish)
• 1 jalapeño, deseeded and finely minced (optional)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4). Lightly grease a 2-litre ovenproof baking dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Beat together until smooth.
3. Stir in the garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix in the red onion, spring onions, and jalapeño.
4. Fold in the well-drained sweetcorn and about two-thirds of the grated cheddar cheese until just combined.
5. Spread the mixture into your prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining one-third of the cheese over the top.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is hot, bubbly at the edges, and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
7. Remove from the oven, rest for 5-10 minutes, then garnish with fresh coriander and extra spring onions before serving.

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