Kid-Friendly Esquites Cups Recipe Easy Flavorful Mexican Street Corn Snack
A quick and easy Mexican street corn snack that’s kid-friendly, flavorful, and perfect for parties or casual family treats. Creamy, tangy, and mildly spicy with a fresh lime and Tajín kick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 5–6 ears of corn), cut off the cob
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta as a substitute)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 large lime)
- 1–2 teaspoons Tajín seasoning
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
- Pinch of salt, to taste
- Light sprinkle of black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the corn by carefully cutting the kernels off the cob using a sharp knife, aiming for about 4 cups. If using frozen corn, thaw and drain well.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small pan or microwave-safe bowl until liquid but not browned. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, melted butter, fresh lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Toss the warm or room temperature corn kernels into the mayo mixture and stir gently to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle in the crumbled cotija cheese and 1 teaspoon of Tajín. Mix again and taste; add more Tajín if desired but keep it mild for kids.
- Fold in chopped cilantro and a light sprinkle of black pepper if using.
- Spoon the esquites mixture into small cups or serving containers for easy, kid-friendly portions.
- Just before serving, add a light sprinkle of Tajín and a squeeze of fresh lime on top for extra tang and color.
Notes
Use fresh corn for best flavor and texture. If mixture is dry, add more mayo or lime juice; if too wet, add more cotija cheese or corn kernels. Save some Tajín for sprinkling just before serving to keep crunch and color. For dairy-free, substitute mayo with vegan mayo and omit cheese or use plant-based cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 small cup (a
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Esquites, Mexican street corn, kid-friendly snack, Tajín, lime, cotija cheese, easy snack, party appetizer