If you adore bold flavors and crave a mashup of street food flair with crave-worthy roasted vegetables, let me introduce you to your newest obsession: Street Corn Brussels Sprouts. This game-changing dish pairs crispy, caramelized Brussels sprouts with smoky Mexican-style roasted corn, tangy cheese, fresh cilantro, and a zesty squeeze of lime for a side (or appetizer!) that’s truly irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Maximum Flavor, Minimal Effort: With just a handful of shortcuts, you get all the punchy flavors of street corn and roasted veggies with almost zero prep.
- Crispy Meets Creamy: Air-fried Brussels sprouts become delightfully crunchy, pairing beautifully with tender, cheesy street corn for that ultimate texture play.
- Weeknight-Friendly: Ready in about 15 minutes—perfect when cravings strike but time is short.
- Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Street Corn Brussels Sprouts can easily flex to suit your tastes, making them a star at parties or a creative veggie-packed side for family dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how just a few quality ingredients transform into such a vibrant, flavorful dish. Each component brings its own character—crispness, color, or creamy richness—to these Street Corn Brussels Sprouts, and they’re all easy to find!
- Trader Joe’s Mexican Style Roasted Corn: This frozen gem comes with a cotija cheese packet and delivers all the smoky-sweet, zippy flavor you need.
- Brussels Sprouts (about 1 lb): Trimmed and halved for maximum crispy edges; fresh is best, but pre-washed works great too.
- Olive Oil: Just a tablespoon helps Brussels sprouts turn irresistibly golden and crisp in the air fryer.
- Salt: Enhances both the sprouts and corn, letting their true flavor shine.
- Lime Wedges: A finishing squeeze brings everything to life with bright acidity.
- Chopped Cilantro (optional): Adds herbal freshness and a burst of green—skip if you’re not a fan.
Variations
One of my favorite things about Street Corn Brussels Sprouts is how easy they are to riff on! Don’t hesitate to tweak the recipe to match your mood, what’s in your fridge, or your dietary needs.
- Spicy Street Corn Brussels Sprouts: Toss in a little chili powder, smoked paprika, or a dash of hot sauce for an extra fiery kick.
- Dairy-Free Version: Omit the cotija and try a vegan feta or cashew parmesan for that creamy tang without the cheese.
- From-Scratch Corn: Can’t find the Trader Joe’s blend? Use regular frozen fire-roasted corn, sauté with a pat of butter, and sprinkle in your own cotija or queso fresco.
- Loaded Up: Add diced red onion, chopped jalapeños, or black beans for extra substance and color.
How to Make Street Corn Brussels Sprouts
Step 1: Air Fry the Brussels Sprouts
Start by tossing your trimmed, halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil and a good pinch of salt in a big bowl—make sure everyone gets a little oil for even crisping. Transfer them into your air fryer basket in a single layer, and set for 380ºF. Let them sizzle for 6 minutes, give them a quick shake or toss, then go another 4–7 minutes until they’re gorgeously crisp and golden. The secret here is not to crowd the basket—plenty of space equals the crunchiest results!
Step 2: Prepare the Street Corn
While those sprouts are crisping up, grab your bag of Trader Joe’s Mexican style roasted corn and cook it in a skillet according to package instructions. This smoky, creamy corn is loaded with pops of flavor and takes just minutes on the stovetop.
Step 3: Combine and Toss
When both the sprouts and the corn are ready, bring them together in a big bowl. Add the cotija cheese packet (included in the TJ’s corn), sprinkle over cilantro if you’re using it, and gently toss to combine. That pop of cheese will melt slightly from the heat—pure magic!
Step 4: Finish & Serve
Pile the Street Corn Brussels Sprouts onto a serving platter, garnish with extra cilantro if you like, and serve with plenty of lime wedges for squeezing. Dive in while they’re piping hot and don’t be surprised if the bowl disappears in minutes.
Pro Tips for Making Street Corn Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Magic: For the absolute best crunch, use fresh Brussels sprouts and don’t overcrowd your air fryer—work in batches if you have to.
- Sprout Size Matters: Try to halve your Brussels sprouts as evenly as possible; smaller pieces crisp up quicker and give more surface area for flavor.
- Cheese Timing: Toss in the cotija cheese while the veggies are hot so it gets creamy and almost melty from the residual heat.
- Brighten with Lime: Always serve with fresh lime wedges—don’t skip it! That zesty squeeze ties every flavor together and lifts the whole dish.
How to Serve Street Corn Brussels Sprouts
Garnishes
For a true street corn experience, shower your Street Corn Brussels Sprouts with a snow of crumbled cotija (or feta, if you like), more chopped cilantro, and a dusting of chili powder or smoked paprika. A few quick shaves of lime zest add extra aromatic punch if you’re feeling fancy!
Side Dishes
These Brussels sprouts are outrageously good next to grilled steak, seared tofu, or tacos of any kind. I especially love serving them alongside a bowl of black bean soup or at a potluck for a veggie option that steals the show.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun appetizer, pile the Street Corn Brussels Sprouts into lettuce cups for handheld bites, or serve them with toothpicks at a party. They’re also gorgeous mounded over a big salad or even wrapped in warm tortillas for a unique veggie taco night!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers (I know, unlikely!), keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay tasty for up to 3 days, though the sprouts may soften a tad—still delicious!
Freezing
While it’s technically possible to freeze Street Corn Brussels Sprouts, they’ll lose some of that signature crispness after thawing. If you do freeze them, use a freezer-safe container and enjoy within a month.
Reheating
For the best texture, reheat leftovers in the air fryer or oven at 350ºF until warmed and re-crisped. The microwave works in a pinch, but you’ll lose some crunch. Always finish with a fresh squeeze of lime for that just-made flavor!
FAQs
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Can I make Street Corn Brussels Sprouts without an air fryer?
Absolutely! You can roast the Brussels sprouts in a regular oven at 425ºF on a parchment-lined sheet pan for about 20–25 minutes, tossing once halfway through until crispy and browned.
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Can I use a different brand or type of street corn?
Yes! If Trader Joe’s version isn’t available, any frozen Mexican-style street corn blend will work. You can also sauté regular frozen or canned corn with a little butter, a pinch of chili powder, and finish with your favorite crumbled cheese.
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Is this recipe gluten-free or vegan?
The recipe is naturally gluten-free! To make it vegan, simply skip the cotija cheese or swap in a plant-based alternative. Double-check the frozen corn ingredients, but most versions are also gluten-free and dairy-free until the cheese is added.
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How do I keep my Brussels sprouts from turning soggy?
The key is not to overcrowd your air fryer or oven sheet, and to get those sprouts completely dry before tossing in oil. Giving them space lets them roast rather than steam—crunchy perfection every time!
Final Thoughts
I truly can’t wait for you to try these Street Corn Brussels Sprouts—they’re everything a weeknight side or shareable snack should be: bold, modern, easy, and seriously addictive. If you give them a whirl, let me know how you serve yours, and don’t be shy about making them your own. Enjoy every crispy, tangy, street corn-studded bite!
Print
Street Corn Brussels Sprouts Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
- Category: Air Frying
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
A delightful twist on classic street corn using Brussels sprouts for added flavor and texture. This recipe combines the charred sweetness of Mexican-style roasted corn with crispy air-fried Brussels sprouts, finished with a sprinkle of cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. A perfect side dish for any meal!
Ingredients
For Brussels Sprouts:
- 1 lb. brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
For Street Corn:
- 1 bag of Trader Joe’s Mexican style roasted corn
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro, optional
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- For Brussels Sprouts: In a bowl, toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil and salt. Air fry at 380º for 6 minutes. Toss and continue air frying for an additional 4-7 minutes until crispy.
- For Street Corn: Cook corn in a skillet as per package instructions. Combine cooked corn with crispy Brussels sprouts. Mix in the cotija cheese packet from the corn. 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: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
