Street Corn Brussels Sprouts Recipe

If you love bold, zesty flavors and crave an irresistible side dish that doubles as a conversation starter, Street Corn Brussels Sprouts is about to become your new obsession. This easy recipe fuses roasted Mexican street corn and crispy brussels sprouts into a single, mouthwatering platter—bursting with smoky, citrusy, and cheesy perfection!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Ultra-Crispy Brussels Sprouts: Air frying guarantees those golden, crunchy edges everyone craves—no soggy veggies here!
  • All the Street Corn Flavor—No Fuss: Trader Joe’s Mexican style roasted corn brings smoky, savory, and tangy notes to every bite in minutes.
  • Topped with Dreamy Cotija Cheese: The included cheese packet melts into all those nooks, delivering salty goodness that ties the dish together.
  • Ready in Under 20 Minutes: From weeknight dinners to last-minute gatherings, Street Corn Brussels Sprouts are the speedy showstopper you can whip up anytime.
Street Corn Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how a short ingredient list creates such flavor fireworks! Each simple component of Street Corn Brussels Sprouts plays a starring role, delivering crunch, creaminess, brightness, and that signature street corn punch that makes every forkful unforgettable.

  • Trader Joe’s Mexican Style Roasted Corn (frozen): This magical shortcut brings roasted sweet corn, a lively sauce, and a packet of cotija cheese—flavors layered for instant authenticity.
  • Brussels Sprouts (1 lb, trimmed and halved): Their dense, leafy texture stands up beautifully to high-heat air frying, turning nutty and ultra-crispy.
  • Olive Oil (1 tbsp): Just enough to help those brussels sprouts crisp up and develop irresistible golden bits.
  • Salt (to taste): Essential for enhancing natural flavors and balancing out the richness of the cheese and corn.
  • Lime Wedges: A good squeeze adds freshness and zings up all the buttery-salty flavors.
  • Chopped Cilantro (optional): For a pop of color and a burst of herby brightness—totally optional, but such a nice touch!
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Street Corn Brussels Sprouts is perfect for customizing—make it spicier, dairy-free, or even heartier with simple swaps! Here are some playful twists you might love, depending on what’s in your fridge or your guests’ preferences.

  • Spicy Kick: Toss in a pinch of chili powder, smoked paprika, or diced jalapeños for an extra layer of heat and complexity.
  • Dairy-Free Swap: Skip the cotija cheese packet and sprinkle with nutritional yeast, vegan feta, or your favorite plant-based crumbles for all the fun—zero lactose.
  • Extra Veggies: Add roasted red peppers, sautéed onions, or zucchini for even more color and a bigger veggie bonanza.
  • Cheese Lovers’ Upgrade: Mix in some crumbled feta or queso fresco along with the cotija for an ultra-cheesy finish.

How to Make Street Corn Brussels Sprouts

Step 1: Prepare the Brussels Sprouts

Start by trimming the ends off your brussels sprouts and cutting them in half—this helps them roast up extra crispy and soak in all the flavor. Toss the sprouts in olive oil and a generous sprinkle of salt, making sure each piece is lightly coated.

Step 2: Air Fry to Absolute Perfection

Transfer your prepared brussels sprouts to the air fryer basket, spreading them out so they don’t overlap. Air fry at 380ºF for 6 minutes, give them a toss, then cook another 4–7 minutes. Watch closely—they’re done when caramelized and crisp.

Step 3: Sizzle the Street Corn

While the brussels sprouts are cooking, grab a skillet and prepare the Trader Joe’s Mexican style roasted corn as directed on the package. This gives you time to let those smoky flavors develop and the sauce bubble up beautifully.

Step 4: Toss and Finish with Street Corn Magic

As soon as the corn is hot and your brussels sprouts are irresistibly crispy, stir them together in a big bowl. Open the cotija cheese packet and sprinkle it over, tossing gently so everything gets coated. Scatter cilantro on top and serve with lime wedges for that finishing touch!

Pro Tips for Making Street Corn Brussels Sprouts

  • Ultra Crispy Trick: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer—work in batches if needed so every brussels sprout has room to get perfectly browned.
  • Cheese Timing: Always toss in the cotija cheese when the veggies are hot—this helps it melt slightly and cling to every bite.
  • Brighten with Lime: Give each serving a fresh squeeze of lime just before eating for a flavor punch that lifts the entire dish.
  • Customize Your Cilantro: If you’re not a cilantro fan, try thinly sliced scallions or chives for a gentler pop of green.

How to Serve Street Corn Brussels Sprouts

Street Corn Brussels Sprouts Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

Take Street Corn Brussels Sprouts absolutely over the top with a few quick garnishes. Try a final flourish of chopped cilantro, more cotija cheese, and a dusting of chili powder or Tajín for that classic street corn edge. Lime wedges on the side never go amiss!

Side Dishes

This dish is a scene-stealer at taco night, fits right in with burritos or grilled steak, and is brilliant alongside roasted chicken or burgers. Its bold flavors shine with just about any protein, and it works just as well as a veggie-forward main for lunch.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve Street Corn Brussels Sprouts family-style in a big rustic bowl, pile it atop a wooden board for casual sharing, or spoon it into individual ramekins as an appetizer. For the ultimate party snack, stuff leftovers into mini tortillas or lettuce cups and top with hot sauce!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cool your Street Corn Brussels Sprouts completely, then pop them into an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days, making leftover lunches exciting and easy!

Freezing

While you can technically freeze this dish, the brussels sprouts and creamy cheese lose their crisp, dreamy texture when reheated. For best results, enjoy fresh or refrigerated, and save freezing for the rare last-resort moment.

Reheating

Bring leftover Street Corn Brussels Sprouts back to life in a hot skillet or the air fryer for a few minutes—this helps restore some crunch. The microwave works in a pinch, but you’ll lose that lovely crisp-edged charm.

FAQs

  1. Can I use fresh corn if I can’t find Trader Joe’s Mexican style roasted corn?

    Absolutely! Just sauté fresh or frozen corn in olive oil with a pinch of smoked paprika and garlic powder, then add cotija cheese and a splash of lime. It won’t be exactly the same, but you’ll capture that irresistible street corn spirit!

  2. Do I need an air fryer for Street Corn Brussels Sprouts?

    An air fryer gives you super crispy results quickly, but you can roast the brussels sprouts in a very hot oven (about 425ºF) on a sheet pan—just flip once and roast until deeply golden.

  3. Is this recipe gluten-free?

    Yes! All the ingredients in Street Corn Brussels Sprouts are naturally gluten-free, but it’s worth double-checking the packaged corn mix if you have allergies.

  4. Can I double the recipe for a party?

    You sure can—just air fry or roast the brussels sprouts in batches to keep everything crispy, then combine with the hot corn and cheese right before serving.

Final Thoughts

Give Street Corn Brussels Sprouts a try the next time you want something ultra-flavorful with hardly any fuss. Whether you’re cooking for friends or simply jazzing up a weeknight meal, this dish brings the party right to your table—one zesty, golden bite at a time.

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Street Corn Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Street Corn Brussels Sprouts Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 548 reviews
  • Author: Paula
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 34 servings 1x
  • Category: Air Frying
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Description

A delightful fusion of Mexican street corn flavors with crispy Brussels sprouts. This unique dish offers a tasty twist on a classic favorite.


Ingredients

Units Scale

For Brussels Sprouts:

  • 1 bag of Trader Joe’s Mexican style roasted corn
  • 1 lb. brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt to taste

For Street Corn:

  • Lime wedges for serving
  • 1 tbsp chopped cilantro, optional

Instructions

  1. For Brussels Sprouts: In a bowl, combine Brussels sprouts with olive oil and salt. Add to air fryer basket and air fry at 380º for 6 minutes. Toss, then air fry another 4-7 minutes or until crispy.
  2. For Street Corn: Cook corn in a skillet per package instructions. Combine cooked corn with crispy Brussels sprouts. Mix in the cotija cheese packet. Top with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 180 kcal
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 320mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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