This Mexican Street Corn Pizza brings together the smoky, spicy, and creamy flavors of elote (Mexican street corn) with the comfort and satisfaction of pizza in the most delicious way imaginable. Imagine a crispy pizza crust topped with charred corn kernels, tangy lime crema, salty cotija cheese, and a sprinkle of chili powder that creates the perfect balance of heat and flavor in every bite. This creative fusion dish captures all the addictive qualities of Mexican street corn – that irresistible combination of sweet corn, creamy sauce, sharp cheese, and warm spices – while delivering it in pizza form that’s perfect for sharing. Whether you’re hosting a summer party, looking for a unique weeknight dinner, or want to impress friends with something completely different, this pizza proves that the best culinary innovations happen when you combine two things people already love.
Serves: 4-6 people (makes one large 14-16 inch pizza)
What You’ll Need
For the pizza:
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 3 ears fresh corn, husks removed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 jalapeños, thinly sliced (remove seeds for less heat)
For the lime crema:
- 1/2 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For finishing:
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 lime wedges for serving
Preparing the Star Ingredient
Start by charring your corn to get that authentic street corn flavor that makes this pizza special. You can do this on a grill, under the broiler, or even in a cast iron skillet over high heat. Brush the corn with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, then char it until you get beautiful blackened spots all around each ear, turning frequently to ensure even charring.
Let the corn cool slightly, then cut the kernels off the cob using a sharp knife. Try to keep the kernels in relatively large pieces rather than tiny bits – you want substantial bites of corn throughout the pizza. The charred bits will add incredible smoky flavor that’s essential to the street corn experience.
Making the Perfect Lime Crema
In a small bowl, whisk together the Mexican crema (or sour cream), mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, and salt. This creamy sauce replaces traditional pizza sauce and provides the tangy, rich base that’s essential to street corn. The combination of crema and mayo creates the perfect consistency for spreading, while the lime juice adds that bright acidity that makes street corn so addictive.
Taste the crema and adjust the lime juice or salt as needed. It should be tangy and flavorful enough to stand up to all the other bold ingredients on the pizza.
Preparing Your Pizza Foundation
Preheat your oven to 475°F and if you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats. On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll your pizza dough into a large circle, roughly 14-16 inches in diameter. Don’t worry about making it perfectly round – rustic shapes often look more appealing and taste just as good.
Transfer the stretched dough to a pizza pan or parchment paper if using a pizza stone. Brush the edges with a little olive oil, which will help create a golden, crispy crust that contrasts beautifully with all the creamy toppings.
Building Layers of Flavor
Spread the lime crema evenly over the pizza dough, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges for the crust. The crema should be thick enough to provide good coverage without making the pizza soggy, so don’t use too much – you can always serve extra on the side.
Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the crema. This mild cheese melts beautifully and won’t compete with the other bold flavors. Next, distribute the charred corn kernels across the pizza, making sure every slice will get plenty of that smoky corn flavor.
Adding the Finishing Touches
Scatter the thinly sliced red onion and jalapeños over the corn, distributing them evenly so every bite gets a little heat and sharpness. The red onion will become sweet and mild during baking, while the jalapeños add that essential kick that makes street corn so irresistible.
Finally, crumble the cotija cheese over the entire pizza. This salty, crumbly cheese is traditional on street corn and adds an authentic Mexican flavor that can’t be replicated with other cheeses.
Baking to Golden Perfection
Bake the pizza for 12-15 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and crispy, the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the corn has developed even more caramelized edges. The cotija cheese should be slightly golden in spots, and the edges of the crust should look beautifully bronzed.
If you’re using a pizza stone, slide the pizza directly onto the hot stone using a pizza peel or the back of a large baking sheet. The stone will give you an extra crispy bottom crust that’s absolutely perfect.
The Final Flourish
Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately sprinkle it with chili powder and smoked paprika while it’s still hot. The heat from the pizza will bloom the spices and make them incredibly fragrant. This spice blend gives you that classic street corn flavor that ties everything together.
Let the pizza cool for just 2-3 minutes, then sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro for color and fresh flavor. Cut into slices and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over individual slices.
Serving Your Creative Creation
This pizza is best enjoyed hot and fresh, when the cheese is still gooey and the corn is at its most flavorful. Each slice delivers all the flavors you love about Mexican street corn – smoky, creamy, tangy, and spicy – in the familiar and satisfying format of pizza.
Perfect for Sharing
The beauty of this fusion dish is that it introduces people to the incredible flavors of Mexican street corn in a format everyone understands and loves. It’s conversation-starting food that’s perfect for casual dinners, summer parties, or any time you want to serve something memorable and delicious that no one expects.
