If you’re on the hunt for a show-stopping side dish that’s packed with flavor and perfect for sharing, I absolutely love this Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe. It’s got a beautiful golden crust, a light and fluffy interior, and that perfect kick of jalapeño heat that makes every bite exciting. When I first tried making this, I was blown away by how something so simple with corn and peppers feels so festive and comforting. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become a family favorite in no time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortlessly Impressive: It looks fancy, but the recipe is straightforward and easy to follow.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: Creamy, sweet corn with a spicy jalapeño crunch that wakes up your palate.
- Versatile Side Dish: Works just as well for casual dinners or holiday gatherings.
- Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for it, and friends always ask for the recipe!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe plays a crucial role — from creating the silky texture to bringing in the right amount of spicy bite. I always recommend fresh or frozen corn kernels for the best sweetness, and French’s Crispy Jalapeños add that unbeatable crunch.
- Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness that balances those spicy jalapeños perfectly.
- All-purpose flour: Helps give structure to the soufflé without weighing it down.
- Baking powder: The magic behind that puffed-up, fluffy texture.
- Salt: Essential for enhancing all the flavors.
- Eggs: They’re your binder and leavening agent—separating and whipping the whites can make it lighter, but this recipe keeps it simple.
- Heavy cream: Brings richness and moisture so the soufflé stays creamy inside.
- Unsalted butter: Melted and slightly cooled to blend smoothly into the batter.
- Corn kernels: Fresh or frozen works great; sometimes I roast extra kernels for a smoky note.
- French’s Crispy Jalapeños: Trust me, don’t skip these—they add a unique crispy heat boost.
- Extra cooked corn kernels: I like to add roasted for contrast on top before baking finishes.
- Fresh jalapeño pepper: Thin slices to garnish and amp up both color and spice.
Variations
I like to switch things up now and then with this Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe, tailoring it to whatever mood or occasion I’m in. You’ll find that little tweaks can make a big difference in flavor and texture.
- Mild Version: When I want less heat for kids or guests, I reduce the amount of jalapeños and skip the crispy topping—still delicious but gentler.
- Cheesy Twist: Adding sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese makes the soufflé even richer—my family loves this variation for game day.
- Smoky Flavor: Roasting the corn first or adding a touch of smoked paprika really kicks up the flavor.
- Vegetarian Variation: This recipe already is vegetarian, but you can swap butter for plant-based alternatives to make it vegan-friendly (just adjust baking powder accordingly).
How to Make Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Bakeware and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F so it’s nice and hot when your batter is ready. I always spray a 9×13-inch baking dish generously with nonstick spray or butter it well — nothing worse than having this beautifully puffed soufflé stick to the pan!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. I like to mix these separately so I’m sure everything is evenly distributed before combining with the wet ingredients.
Step 3: Combine Eggs and Cream
In a bigger bowl, whisk your eggs and heavy cream until smooth — this step helps create that luscious base. Then whisk in the melted butter, making sure it’s cooled just enough so it doesn’t cook the eggs.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Gradually whisk in your dry ingredients with the wet mixture until everything is combined, but don’t overmix — you want to keep it light. Fold in your corn kernels gently; if you see any big frozen chunks, break them apart so the texture stays consistent throughout.
Step 5: Bake and Top
Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and bake for 55 to 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is a gorgeous golden brown and the center is set (it shouldn’t jiggle). When it’s out of the oven, quickly add French’s fried jalapeños, some extra cooked roasted corn, and the thinly sliced jalapeños on top for a punch of texture and color. Serve immediately and enjoy the beautiful mix of creamy and crunchy!
Pro Tips for Making Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe
- No Overmixing: When combining wet and dry, mix just enough to combine—the secret to a light soufflé is gentle folding.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Eggs and heavy cream blend better when not straight from the fridge, helping to avoid lumps.
- Check for Doneness Carefully: The golden top and firm center mean it’s ready; underbaking leads to a soggy center.
- Add Jalapeños Last: Adding sliced jalapeños and crispy jalapeños at the end keeps their brightness and texture intact.
How to Serve Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this soufflé with fresh sliced jalapeños and extra crispy jalapeños for crunch and heat that really pop. A sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro or green onions adds brightness and a nice color contrast, too.
Side Dishes
This soufflé pairs beautifully with smoky grilled meats like brisket or chicken, and a simple green salad balances the richness perfectly. It also makes a fantastic companion to chili or Tex-Mex mains—you’ll find your guests reaching for seconds!
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I sometimes bake this soufflé in individual ramekins—it makes for impressive single servings and cuts down on portion control battles! You can also sprinkle a bit of smoked paprika on top before baking for a lovely color pop.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers store well covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. I recommend placing foil or plastic wrap directly on the soufflé’s surface to keep it moist and prevent drying out.
Freezing
While fresh soufflé is best, you can freeze portions individually wrapped in foil and plastic wrap for up to a month. When I tried this, I found letting them thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating works best.
Reheating
Reheat leftover soufflé in a 325°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, covered loosely with foil so it warms through without drying out. It retains its texture surprisingly well — just avoid the microwave if you can.
FAQs
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Can I use canned corn instead of fresh or frozen?
You can, but fresh or frozen corn tends to have more natural sweetness and texture. If using canned, drain well and maybe reduce added salt to avoid over-seasoning.
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Is the soufflé very spicy?
The heat is moderate and balanced by the creaminess and sweetness of corn and cream. You can easily adjust spiciness by reducing or omitting fresh jalapeños or crispy jalapeños topping.
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Can I prepare part of the soufflé in advance?
Yes! You can mix the batter and fold in the corn a few hours ahead, then cover and refrigerate before baking. Just give the batter a gentle stir before pouring it into the dish.
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What’s the best way to prevent the soufflé from deflating?
This recipe is less delicate than traditional soufflés since it uses whole eggs and cream, but avoid opening the oven door during baking to keep heat consistent and help it stay puffed.
Final Thoughts
I’ve made this Jalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe so many times now, and every time it surprises me with how comforting yet lively it is. It’s one of those dishes that feels cozy and special all at once — perfect for sharing with friends or family and guaranteed to get “wow” reactions. If you love a little spice balanced with creamy sweetness, you really should try making this soon. I can’t wait to hear how much you and your loved ones enjoy it!
PrintJalapeño Corn Soufflé Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Southern
Description
This Jalapeño Corn Soufflé is a rich and creamy baked dish that combines the sweetness of corn with a spicy kick from jalapeños. It’s a perfect side for holiday dinners or any comforting meal, topped with crispy fried jalapeños and roasted corn for an added texture and flavor contrast.
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
- 1 cup French’s Crispy Jalapeños
- 1/2 cup cooked corn kernels, roasted if desired
- 1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to ensure the soufflé doesn’t stick during baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. This mixture will provide structure and sweetness to the soufflé.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a larger bowl, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream until smooth, then whisk in the melted and slightly cooled butter to create a rich, creamy base.
- Make Batter: Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until fully combined. Gently fold in the corn kernels, breaking apart any large frozen clumps to ensure even texture.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set, indicating it’s fully cooked.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the soufflé from the oven and top with the French’s crispy fried jalapeños, extra roasted corn, and thinly sliced fresh jalapeño peppers for added heat and crunch. Serve immediately to enjoy the soufflé’s light and airy texture.
Notes
- Using fresh corn will offer a sweeter flavor, but frozen corn works well and is more convenient.
- Ensure the butter is not too hot when added to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
- You can roast the extra corn kernels in a skillet for a smoky flavor before topping.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeño for desired heat level.
- Serve the soufflé immediately as it can deflate upon cooling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/10th of the dish)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg