This Indian-style masala corn dip is a delicious, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing appetizer — perfect for potlucks, game days, or holiday parties.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 30 minutes
  • Total time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Cuisine: Indian, Mexican

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon jalapeno ((deseeded), finely chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 cup onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 cup bell peppers (diced, (mix of red and green))
  • 2 cups frozen corn ((or roasted corn))
  • 1 - 1.5 tablespoons pav bhaji masala ((or taco seasoning))
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (optional)
  • salt, pepper (to taste)
  • 1/2 cup coriander leaves (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise ((or cream cheese))
  • 1/4 - 1/2 cup whole milk ((or heavy cream))
  • 1/2-3/4 cup shredded cheese (for mixing in, (I used mexican cheese blend))
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese (sprinkling on top)

Method

  1. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet/pan over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic, chopped jalapeno (de-seeded), chopped onion, and cook until soft, 1-2 minutes.
  2. Next, add diced bell peppers and saute for 1-2 minutes. Add frozen sweet corn, spices like pav bhaji masala, roasted cumin powder, oregano (or Italian seasoning), salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the corn is tender and softened.
  3. Reduce the heat to low. Mix in mayonnaise (or softened cream cheese), milk (or heavy cream) until creamy. Add more if required. Tip: When I run out of mayonnaise, I make it with softened cream cheese, which makes the dip extra rich and creamy.
  4. Then add chopped coriander leaves and Mexican cheese blend (or any other cheese, such as mozzarella or cheddar cheese), and stir until melted. If desired, thin the dip with milk.
  5. Spread the dip into an oven-safe dish or an iron skillet. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake at 350°F uncovered for 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly around the edges.
  6. Dont have an Oven ? You can skip baking and simply microwave the dip until it's hot and the cheese is melted. It will still taste delicious, though it won't have the golden, baked top. Tip: If microwaving, cover it and heat in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure it warms evenly.
  7. Top with garnishes like fresh cilantro, green onions if desired. Serve hot with tortilla chips!

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.