If you’re craving something both comforting and a little spicy, then I have to share this fan-freaking-tastic Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe with you. It’s one of those dishes that manages to be light, fluffy, and just seriously flavorful all at once. Every time I make this, my family goes crazy for it, and honestly, I’m always excited to see those crispy jalapeño bits on top bringing that perfect kick. Stick with me because I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know to nail this recipe and enjoy the experience as much as the final bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Light and Fluffy Texture: You’ll notice how the soufflé puffs up beautifully, giving you a tender yet satisfying bite every time.
- Perfect Balance of Sweet and Spicy: The sweet corn paired with crisp, spicy jalapeños creates a flavor combination that’s just irresistible.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether for a family dinner or a potluck, this dish disappears fast and earns those well-deserved compliments.
- Easy to Customize: You can easily tweak the heat level or add other ingredients to suit your taste buds and occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the magic in this Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe comes from a simple, fresh set of ingredients that blend together to produce those fluffy layers and spicy bursts you’ll love. When shopping, I recommend grabbing good-quality fresh or frozen corn and fresh jalapeños for the best flavor pop.
- Sugar: Balances the heat and enhances the natural sweetness of the corn.
- All-purpose flour: Helps give the soufflé structure without weighing it down.
- Baking powder: This is the secret behind the light, airy texture.
- Salt: Essential for bringing all the flavors together.
- Large eggs: They add richness and help with the soufflé rising.
- Heavy cream: Creates a silky batter that bakes into a creamy soufflé.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Adds moisture and a lovely depth to the dish.
- Corn kernels (fresh or frozen): Core ingredient that lends sweetness and texture.
- French’s Crispy Jalapeños: For that iconic crunchy spicy topping everyone raves about.
- Cooked roasted corn kernels: Optional, but I love the depth roasted corn gives.
- Jalapeño pepper (thinly sliced): Fresh heat and visual appeal.
Variations
I love that this Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe is a fantastic base for some creative twists. Feel free to make it your own by adjusting the heat, switching up the cheese, or trying different types of corn. These little changes can turn it from a weeknight favorite to a holiday star.
- Mild Version: I once made this for my in-laws who can’t do spice, and swapping fresh jalapeños for mild green bell peppers worked perfectly.
- Cheesy Kick: Adding sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese into the batter yields a rich, melty surprise inside.
- Roasted Corn: Roasting the corn beforehand adds smoky sweetness, which I like especially for fall gatherings.
- Herbs & Spices: Tossing in fresh chopped cilantro or a pinch of smoked paprika brings an extra layer of flavor when you want to get fancy.
How to Make Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dish
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and coat it generously with a nonstick spray. This step is crucial because soufflés love to stick if you’re not careful. I like to get this done right away so everything else flows smoothly.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. This blend gives the soufflé its foundation and sweetness balance. Combining these first makes mixing the wet ingredients later so much easier.
Step 3: Whisk Wet Ingredients Together
Next, in a larger bowl, whisk the eggs and heavy cream until smooth and blended—this is where that creamy goodness begins. Then, gradually whisk in the melted butter; just make sure it’s not too hot, or you’ll scramble the eggs. Getting this mixture silky is key for that perfect soufflé rise.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Now, whisk the dry ingredient mixture into the wet until everything’s just combined—don’t overmix here. Folding works best to keep the batter light and airy. If you see large frozen corn chunks, break those up gently so the texture stays consistent.
Step 5: Add the Corn and Pour Into Dish
Gently fold in the corn kernels, spreading them evenly through the batter. This is where the magic happens – those juicy bursts of corn are going to be the star texture. Pour the batter into your prepared dish and smooth out the top with a spatula.
Step 6: Bake and Finish with Toppings
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the soufflé is golden brown on top and set in the center. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean with maybe a few moist crumbs. Once out of the oven, top with French’s crispy jalapeños, extra roasted corn kernels, and the thinly sliced fresh jalapeño for crunch and heat. Serve immediately – this topping adds texture that’s best fresh.
Pro Tips for Making Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe
- Room Temperature Eggs: I learned the hard way that cold eggs can prevent the batter from mixing smoothly, so bring them out 30 minutes before you bake.
- Check Your Oven Temperature: Ovens vary, so I always use an oven thermometer to make sure 350°F is exact for the best rise and texture.
- Avoid Overmixing: Folding in ingredients gently keeps the soufflé light—stirring too much can deflate the batter.
- Add Crispy Topping Last: Put the French’s jalapeños on after baking; baking them on top can make them soggy instead of crunchy.
How to Serve Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of keeping the garnishes simple but impactful. The crispy jalapeños give crunch and spice, while a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or scallions adds a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes, I toss on a little crumbled queso fresco if I want extra richness.
Side Dishes
This soufflé pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, barbecue ribs, or even a fresh green salad when you want a lighter meal. For holidays, I like serving it alongside roasted vegetables and a tangy slaw to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve baked this soufflé in individual ramekins for a personalized touch—everyone loves having their own little fiery corn cloud. Another idea is to serve it right in a cast iron skillet for a rustic, cozy feel that’s perfect for fall gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any left (which is rare in my house!), cover the soufflé tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 3 days, though I recommend reheating quickly to revive the texture.
Freezing
I’ve frozen leftovers with decent results by wrapping the cooled soufflé tightly in foil and placing it in a freezer-safe container. Just note that the texture softens a bit after freezing, so it’s best used for a quick future meal rather than show-stopping presentations.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the soufflé in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, uncovered. This brings back some crispiness on top! I avoid microwaves because they make it soggy and rubbery in my experience.
FAQs
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Can I use canned corn for this Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe?
Yes, you can substitute canned corn if fresh or frozen isn’t available. Just make sure to drain it well and pat dry so the excess moisture doesn’t make the soufflé soggy.
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How spicy is this soufflé? Can I adjust the heat?
It carries a mild to medium heat from the fresh jalapeño slices and crispy jalapeño topping. If you’re sensitive to spice, reduce or omit the jalapeños, or substitute with a milder pepper. You can always add more heat on the side too!
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What if my soufflé doesn’t rise?
Make sure your baking powder is fresh and that you fold the batter gently to keep air in. Also, preheat your oven properly because sudden temperature changes affect rise. Lastly, avoid overmixing as it can deflate the batter.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
For a dairy-free version, try using coconut cream or a non-dairy heavy cream alternative, and swap butter for coconut oil or vegan butter. Keep in mind it may alter the flavor slightly but still tasty!
Final Thoughts
This Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—it’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug with a little playful kick. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner or your next potluck, I’m confident it’ll become a favorite in your recipe collection. Don’t hesitate to play around with the ingredients and make it truly yours. Happy baking, and here’s to many delicious bites ahead!
PrintJalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Jalapeño Corn Soufflé is a delightful, golden-brown baked dish that combines the sweetness of corn with a spicy kick from jalapeños and crispy fried jalapeño topping. Light and fluffy on the inside with a slight crust on top, it’s perfect as a flavorful side dish or a comforting main for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
Main Ingredients
- 6 cups frozen or fresh corn kernels, roasted if desired
- 1 cup French’s Crispy Jalapeños
- 1/2 cup cooked corn kernels, roasted if desired
- 1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prepare it for baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a larger bowl, whisk the six large eggs and two cups of heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Then whisk in the melted and slightly cooled butter until incorporated.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, whisking gently until just combined into a smooth batter.
- Add Corn: Gently fold in the six cups of corn kernels, breaking apart any large frozen chunks if necessary, to evenly distribute the corn in the batter.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the top is fully golden brown and the center is set and firm to the touch.
- Add Toppings and Serve: After removing the soufflé from the oven, top it with the crispy French’s jalapeños, extra roasted corn kernels, and the thinly sliced fresh jalapeño pepper for added flavor and crunch. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Using fresh or roasted corn kernels will enhance the flavor significantly.
- Make sure the melted butter is cooled slightly to avoid cooking the eggs when mixing.
- Breaking apart frozen corn chunks ensures even texture and prevents uneven baking.
- This soufflé is best served immediately to enjoy the crisp topping.
- You can adjust the amount of jalapeño to control the heat level according to your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10th of recipe)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg