Description
Corn on the Cob Bites are your new favorite side! Easy to make and bursting with flavor, these little kernels bring summer vibes to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 4 ears fresh corn on the cob, shucked and cleaned
- Flavor Boosters:
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Pinch of salt and black pepper (to taste)
- Finishing Touches:
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- 1/4 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
Instructions
- Prep the Corn:: First things first, shuck that corn! Pull back the husks and remove all the silk. I usually give them a quick rinse too, just to be sure. Then, carefully cut each cob into 1-inch rounds. This is where the ‘bites’ come from, obviously! Be mindful with your knife; those cobs can be a bit slippery. I always feel a little thrill when I hear that satisfying ‘thwack’ as the knife goes through. It’s the start of something delicious, I tell ya.
- Melt the Magic Butter:: In a small saucepan, melt your unsalted butter over medium heat. Once it’s liquid gold, stir in the garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Let it simmer for about 30 seconds, just until it’s fragrant and those spices wake up. Oh, the smell! It’s warm and inviting. Be careful not to burn the butter here; I once walked away for ‘just a second’ and came back to blackened butter. Total disaster, had to start over!
- Coat the Corn on the Cob Bites:: Place your prepared corn rounds into a large bowl. Pour that glorious seasoned butter mixture all over the Corn on the Cob Bites. Toss them gently to ensure every single bite is coated evenly. Get in there with your hands if you need to, just make sure they’re clean! I love seeing the vibrant yellow corn transform with that reddish-orange spice mixture. It’s like painting with flavor, honestly.
- Roast to Perfection:: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the coated Corn on the Cob Bites in a single layer on a baking sheet. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or they’ll steam instead of roast, and we want crispy! Roast for about 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they’re tender and slightly charred in spots. That little bit of char is key for flavor, trust me, I’ve learned that the hard way. The kitchen starts smelling incredible at this point!
- The Finishing Touch for Corn on the Cob Bites:: Once roasted, transfer your beautiful Corn on the Cob Bites to a serving platter. Squeeze fresh lime juice all over them. This really brightens up the flavors and adds a zesty kick. Then, sprinkle generously with crumbled Cotija cheese. I usually go a little heavy on the cheese because, well, cheese! It’s such a simple step but makes such a difference to the overall taste and look of these Corn on the Cob Bites.
- Serve and Savor:: Serve these amazing Corn on the Cob Bites immediately while they’re still warm and the cheese is just starting to soften. They’re perfect as a side dish, an appetizer, or honestly, just a snack if you’re feeling peckish. The tender corn, the smoky spices, the tangy lime, and the salty cheese—it’s a symphony of flavors and textures. You’ll see, they disappear fast!