Spicy Hot Corn Dip with Cream Cheese and Jalapeños

Name: Spicy Hot Corn Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces cream cheese (softened); 8 ounces pepper jack cheese (shredded); 2 cans Southwest-style corn (drained, 15 ounces each); 12 ounces frozen corn; 1 cup sour cream; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1 can diced jalapenos (4 ounces); 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 4 green onions (diced)

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This spicy Hot Corn Dip combines cream cheese, pepper jack, sweet corn, and jalapeños for the ultimate party appetizer. Baked until bubbly and golden, it’s perfect with tortilla chips!

A blue and white speckled baking dish filled with creamy corn dip, topped with chopped green onions. A spoon rests in the dish, and corn chips are scattered on the wooden surface alongside.

Quick Recipe Overview

A blue and white baking dish filled with a cheesy corn casserole. A serving spoon is lifting a portion, revealing a creamy, golden-brown mixture with visible corn kernels.

WHAT: A creamy baked dip loaded with sweet corn, pepper jack cheese, jalapeños, and zesty spices that’s baked until hot and bubbly.

WHY: This crowd-pleasing appetizer feeds a party, comes together in minutes, and delivers irresistible creamy texture with just the right kick of heat.

HOW: Mix cream cheese, sour cream, corn, and jalapeños, spread in a baking dish, top with cheese, and bake until golden and bubbling.

Jump to Recipe

Quick Recipe Overview
Why I Love Making Hot Corn Dip
Ingredient Notes
Spicy Hot Corn Dip Recipe
How To Make Hot Corn Dip
Substitutions & Variations
FAQs for Hot Corn Dip
My Best Tips for Making Spicy Hot Corn Dip
What to Serve With Spicy Corn Dip
Similar Recipes to Try
Storage & Reheating Tips
Make-Ahead Tip
More Party-Worthy Dip Recipes To Try

Why I Love Making Hot Corn Dip

Every time I pull this hot corn dip from the oven with its golden, bubbly cheese topping, I know it’s going to be a hit.

The sweet corn kernels in a creamy, spicy base are perfectly balanced, and the pepper jack cheese adds just enough heat. The jalapeños provide bursts of flavor in every bite. Plus it’s easy to make with the combination of frozen corn and canned Southwest-style corn.

It works for any occasion—casual game days or more formal gatherings. The best part is watching it disappear within minutes, surrounded by a crowd armed with tortilla chips and Frito scoops.

🩷 Melissa

This hot corn dip is the ultimate crowd-pleaser that comes together in just 10 minutes of prep time.

What makes it special is the double-corn approach—frozen kernels for texture and Southwest-style canned corn for instant seasoning—so you skip all the spice measuring while still getting bold, restaurant-quality flavor.

Just mix, spread, top with pepper jack, and bake until it’s golden and bubbly. It’s the kind of dip that has people scraping the edges of the pan and asking for the recipe before the party’s even over.

Ingredient Notes

Southwest-style Corn: This is typically corn mixed with red and green bell peppers and sometimes mild chilies. If you can’t find it, use regular canned corn and add ½ cup diced red bell pepper and ¼ teaspoon of chili powder to the mixture.

Smoked Paprika: This adds a subtle smoky depth that elevates the entire dip. Regular paprika can be substituted, but you’ll miss that lovely background smokiness. Hungarian sweet paprika is another good option if you want a bit more sweetness.

Pepper Jack Cheese: Buy a block and shred it yourself rather than using pre-shredded. Freshly shredded cheese melts much more smoothly because it doesn’t contain the anti-caking agents found in packaged shredded cheese.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

A tray containing ingredients for a dip: canned southwest style corn, canned diced jalapenos, sour cream, sliced green onions, seasonings (salt, cumin, smoked paprika), frozen corn, mayonnaise, pepperjack cheese, and cream cheese.

A baked casserole topped with melted cheese, chopped green onions, and corn, partially served with a metal spoon in a blue and white patterned dish.

How To Make Hot Corn Dip

Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, cumin, and smoked paprika, stirring until the mixture is mostly smooth with no large lumps remaining.
Add both cans of drained Southwest-style corn, the frozen corn (straight from the freezer is fine), the jalapeños with their liquid, and half of the shredded pepper jack cheese. Stir everything together until evenly distributed throughout the creamy mixture.
Spread the corn mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish, smoothing it into an even layer that reaches all the corners. Sprinkle the remaining pepper jack cheese evenly over the top in a single layer.
Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, until the dip is bubbling around the edges and the cheese on top is melted and beginning to brown in spots. The center should be hot all the way through.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes to set slightly. Sprinkle the diced green onions over the top and serve warm with tortilla chips or Frito scoops.

Substitutions & Variations

Cheese Options

Swap pepper jack for a combination of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack if you want milder heat but still love great cheese flavor. For extra spice, use half pepper jack and half habanero cheese.

Make it Vegetarian

This recipe is already vegetarian! Just double-check that your mayonnaise and sour cream don’t contain any animal-derived enzymes if you’re serving strict vegetarians.

Add Protein

Stir in 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken, cooked crumbled bacon, or cooked chorizo to turn this into a heartier dip that can almost serve as a meal.

Mexican Street Corn Version

Add 2 tablespoons of lime juice, ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese, and 1 teaspoon of chili powder to give it those classic elote flavors.

Greek Yogurt Swap

Replace the sour cream with full-fat Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor and protein boost. Don’t use non-fat as it can make the dip watery when baked.

FAQs for Hot Corn Dip

How can I make this dip less spicy?

For a milder version, drain the jalapeños before adding them to the mixture, or reduce the amount to just 2-3 tablespoons instead of the full can. You can also substitute half or all of the pepper jack cheese with regular Monterey Jack or mild cheddar. The smoked paprika and cumin still give great flavor without the heat.

What’s the best way to serve hot corn dip?

Tortilla chips are the classic choice, but Frito scoops add extra corn flavor that complements the dip beautifully. You can also serve it with sturdy crackers, pita chips, or cut-up bell peppers for a lighter option. Keep the dip warm in a slow cooker set to low if you’re serving it at a party.

How do I know when the dip is done baking?

The dip is ready when it’s hot and bubbly throughout, with the cheese on top melted and starting to turn golden brown in spots. This typically takes 35-45 minutes at 350°F. If the top is browning too quickly before the center is hot, you can tent it loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.

A hand holds a chip topped with creamy, cheesy corn dip in front of a blue and white speckled baking dish filled with more of the dip.

My Best Tips for Making Spicy Hot Corn Dip

☞ Don’t Skip Draining The Corn: The canned corn needs to be drained to prevent a watery dip, but that jalapeño brine adds incredible flavor and heat. If you accidentally drain the jalapeños, you can add a splash of pickle juice or a squeeze of lime to compensate.

☞ Use Frozen And Canned Corn: The frozen corn kernels stay slightly firmer during baking, providing nice pops of texture, while the Southwest-style canned corn (which is already seasoned) adds extra flavor and a softer bite. This layered texture makes every scoop interesting.

☞ Spread In An Even Layer: This ensures the dip heats uniformly and the cheese melts evenly across the top. Use a spatula to smooth it into the corners of the pan. An even layer also helps prevent some areas from becoming too brown while others are still cool.

☞ Add Green Onions After Baking: Sprinkling them on top of the hot dip right before serving keeps them bright, fresh, and crisp. If you bake them with the dip, they become limp and lose their visual appeal and fresh onion bite.

What to Serve With Spicy Corn Dip

Tortilla chips are the classic pairing, offering sturdy scooping power and a neutral corn flavor that complements the dip. Frito scoops take it up a notch with their extra corn taste and cup shape that holds more dip per bite.

For a lighter spread, arrange colorful bell pepper strips, celery sticks, and jicama slices around the dip. The crisp vegetables provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy texture.

Sturdy crackers like wheat thins or pita chips work wonderfully if you want something beyond traditional chips. Toasted baguette slices or garlic bread also make excellent vehicles for scooping up this warm, cheesy goodness.

Similar Recipes to Try

Storage & Reheating Tips

Store leftover hot corn dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers just as delicious as the fresh batch.

To reheat individual portions, microwave for 60-90 seconds, stirring halfway through until heated to your liking. For larger amounts, return the dip to a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 325°F oven for 15-20 minutes until hot throughout.

This dip can be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. While the texture may be slightly grainier after freezing due to the dairy content, it still tastes great.

Make-Ahead Tip

Assemble the entire dip in your baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This is perfect for party prep when you want to minimize last-minute kitchen time.