Air Fryer Elote Dip | Easy Creamy Corn Dip Recipe

Published Date: June 4, 2023
Last Updated: June 4, 2023

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Air Fryer Elote Dip is the deliciously easy air fryer appetizer you’ve been waiting for! Not only is it incredibly simple to make, but it’s also family-friendly, budget-friendly, and made in a flash with the help of your air fryer.

What Makes It So Craveable

It’s super simple. All you need to do to make this recipe is open a few cans, mix together a few simple ingredients, and toss them in the air fryer for a bubbly, creamy bite.

You don’t have to heat up the kitchen. Unlike some other creamy corn dips, this Air Fryer Elote Dip is cooked in the air fryer. So, there’s no need to heat up the whole house just to cook a dip in the oven.

It’s the perfect appetizer. It’s creamy, it’s cheesy, it’s crunchy, and it has the perfect blend of spices. Not only is it utterly delicious, but it also takes all of the best parts of traditional elote and makes it easier to eat.

What Is Corn Dip Made Of?

Many people love the flavors of elote, but have no idea what ingredients to combine to make those flavors we love and crave. While the ingredients I use below aren’t the traditional combination for a tasty elote, they give a very familiar flavor profile with some family-friendly ingredients.

Corn- I just use canned corn because I always keep it as a staple in my pantry. I buy it when it’s on sale and it lasts virtually forever. If you have fresh corn or frozen corn, you can use those as well. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can use grilled corn on the cob cut off of the cob for a more traditional smokey elote flavor.

Cream Cheese- This is the body of the dip and what gives it its irresistible creamy texture.

Sour Cream- Helps to thin out the consistency of the dip while adding a touch of tanginess.

Mozzarella Cheese- Creates that perfectly browned and bubbly layer on the top of the air fryer elote dip that everyone will be fighting for.

Elote Seasoning- My favorite version of this is Trader Joe’s elote seasoning. I could seriously eat that stuff on everything. If you don’t have one of those nearby, you can buy a very similar one at Aldi. No time to make a trip to the store? You can use equal parts paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to recreate your own at home.

Salt– Brings out the natural flavors of the other ingredients in the dish.

Parsley- Adds a pop of color and a touch of freshness for finishing. For an even more authentic flavor, you can use cilantro, I just don’t don’t enjoy the flavor, so I use parsley instead.

How To Make Air Fryer Elote Dip

Preheat your air fryer to 400F. Preheating your air fryer before you get started makes for a more accurate cook time and helps the top layer of mozzarella cheese melt quickly and completely.

Mix together the ingredients in your heat-safe pan. While your air fryer is preheating, mix together the drained canned corn, softened cream cheese, sour cream, half of the mozzarella cheese, and spices.

Top with cheese and air fry. Sprinkle on the rest of the mozzarella cheese, and a small amount of additional elote seasoning, and pop your heat-safe dish into your air fryer basket. Cook at 400F for 12 minutes, or until the dip is warmed through and the top layer of cheese is melted.

Serve and enjoy! Serve with your favorite dippers and enjoy!

Tips And Tricks

There’s not much that’s more simple than a pour and cook recipe, but if you want to make sure your air fryer elote dip turns out perfect every time, check out the tips and tricks below before you get started:

Allow your cream cheese to soften. About 20 minutes before you get started on your dip, place it on the countertop to help soften it. If you forgot to plan ahead, you can place the cream cheese in a bowl in the microwave (make sure you remove it from the foil wrapper first!) for 30-40 seconds until it is softened and easy to stir. This will make evenly incorporating all of the ingredients for your air fryer elote dip a breeze.

Don’t be afraid to season. If you’re not used to cooking with a lot of spices, elote seasoning can be a new experience. It’s easy to be intimidated and tempted to use a lighter hand with the amounts listed, but without the elite seasoning, this air fryer elote dip can be rather bland. So, trust the recipe and go all-in.

Choose the right pan. Be sure to check that the pan you plan on cooking this creamy corn dip in fits in your air fryer basket before you get started. As long as it is oven safe and has a small amount of space around the perimeter to allow airflow, your dip will turn out great!

Variations

Add some spice. If you’re like me, you like your food to have a kick. To add more spice, mix in some diced jalapenos, green chilis, or shake in some dried red pepper flakes before you cook your air fryer elote dip.

Use other varieties of corn.

Try adding mayo. Traditionally elote is made with mayonnaise. I don’t personally love the flavor, so I chose to use sour cream in the recipe instead. If you’re a mayo lover, just swap the sour cream for mayo and cook the recipe according to the recipe.

What To Serve With It

Trying to find the perfect dipper for this air fryer elote dip is actually much easier than you would expect! If you can think of something you love served with your other favorite cream cheese-based dips, they’re great with this air fryer elote dip too! Here are a few of my favorite things to dip in it:

  • Tortilla Chips
  • Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
  • Flamin’ Hot Doritos
  • Sliced Bell Peppers
  • Pita Chips

How Long Does It Last?

In my house, this dip lasts about an hour, if I’m lucky. Once you get your first taste, you’ll want to go back again and again. This is especially true if you’re sharing with a house full of hungry boys.

If you’re lucky enough to only have to share this with one or two more people or have a little more self-control than I do, you can keep this creamy corn dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

If it sits for too long, the moisture from the dairy may begin to separate, but you can give it a good stir before popping it back in the air fryer to reheat it. It will taste just as good as the day you prepared it.

Can You Freeze It?

While you technically can freeze this dip, I personally wouldn’t suggest it. Dairy has a tendency to change texture when frozen and defrosted, making this dip a little grainy after being frozen.

If you’re worried you won’t be able to finish it all before it goes bad, try cutting the quantities in half and air frying for the same time and temperature as listed in the recipe. Luckily it just takes a few minutes to make more if you end up not having enough!

More Amazing Appetizer Recipes

Creamy corn dip is a great savory appetizer for hosting friends or weekend snacking. If you love this Air Fryer Elote Dip make sure you share it with your friends on social media so they can try it too! Pin the recipe for safekeeping so you can make it again soon.

Air Fryer Elote Dip | Easy Creamy Corn Dip Recipe

Air Fryer Elote Dip | Easy Creamy Corn Dip Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes

Ingredients

  • 30 ounces Canned Corn
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
  • 2 tablespoon Elote Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400F. Preheating your air fryer before you get started makes for a more accurate cook time and helps the top layer of mozzarella cheese melt quickly and completely.
  2. Mix together the ingredients in your heat-safe pan. While your air fryer is preheating, mix together the drained canned corn, softened cream cheese, sour cream, half of the mozzarella cheese, and spices.
  3. Top with cheese and air fry. Sprinkle on the rest of the mozzarella cheese, and a small amount of additional elote seasoning, and pop your heat-safe dish into your air fryer basket. Cook at 400F for 12 minutes, or until the dip is warmed through and the top layer of cheese is melted.
  4. Serve and enjoy! Serve with your favorite dippers and enjoy!

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Hi! I'm Ashley.

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I'm married to my high school sweetheart and we have three amazing sons.

I love carbs, cheese, and all things spicy and deep fried. There's nothing that makes me happier than a full kitchen table and a family with a full belly!


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