Introduction:

Want a simple but interesting appetizer that will leave your audience in awe? These delicious little jalapeño and cheesy corn tartlets will stand out as the ideal snack between meals. It is hard to resist their crunchy pastry cases filled with melted cheese, corn and jalapenos. These tarts are perfect whether it is a party or just you want to grab a quick snack!

 

Ingredients:

Mini tart shells (store-bought or homemade) – 12 to 15 shells

1 cup shredded cheese (Cheddar or a Mexican blend)

½ cup canned sweet corn, drained

¼ cup pickled or fresh jalapeños, finely chopped

3 oz cream cheese, softened

¼ cup sour cream

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper, to taste

Chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish (optional)

 

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven: Depending on how the mini tarts are constructed, the cooking may begin at a different step. Generally, preheat to 375 °F (190 °C).

Prepare the Filling:

In a medium mixing bowl combine room temperature cream cheese, sour cream and the mayonnaise content. Shake until thoroughly integrated.

Then add the spices: garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Combine.

Otherwise, thrust sweet corn, jalapeños, and cheese into the mixture.

Fill the Tart Shells:

The mini tart shells should be positioned on a baking tray.

Fill each tart shell very loadi with the cheesy filling using a spoon.

Bake:

Once the tarts are prepared, place them in the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes until the cheese is well melted and the surface has a slight golden hue.

Garnish and Serve:

Now remove the tarts from the oven and set them aside to cool off a bit.

Freshly chopped cilantro or parsley can be added if desired.

Serve warm and enjoy!

 

 

Hints for Success:

Cheese selection: Pick the cheese depending on the required purposes. Cheddar very well melts and in particular Monterey Jack or even Mexican cheese blend optimally.

Tart Shells: You can also use wonton wrappers, pressed into the muffin tins, if mini tart pans are not available or the phyllo cups that are pre-made.

Heat control: You can decrease or leave out the jalapenos if you do not want a hot version. Or on the other hand if you want it flaming hot fresh chili peppers which is finely diced can be poured in.

 

Health Benefits:

This particular dish is a cheesy surprise. It is indulgent meat and cheese but at least there is some good nutrition value:

Corn: High in dietary fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Jalapeños: High in vitamin C and help increase the body’s metabolic rates.

Cheese: Calcium and protein rich food, however, fatty foods should be taken in moderation, hence a serving of cheese is recommended.

 

Nutritional Information: (Per serving)

Calories: 110-150 (tart shell and cheese making differences)

Calories: 3-4g

Calories: 8-10g

Calories: 6-8g

Organics: 1g

Primary: 1-2g

 

Variations and Substitutions:

Vegetarian Option: This recipe is fully vegetarian but could be taken a step further by including some chopped bell peppers or zucchini.

Meat Lovers Alternative: For a heartier tart, crumble some cooked bacon or sausage meat or shredded chicken into the mixture.

Gluten-Free: In case if you already have gluten intolerant or gluten allergy then such gluten-free tart shells or phyllo cups would hardly present any trouble for this recipe.

Advantage of Different Cheeses: Instead of a single cheese try a combination of mozzarella, goat cheese or blue cheese for an entirely different flavor.

Sweet and Spicy: Some of the bowl fillings may consist of sweet ingredients like honey or maple syrup so that this sweet and spicy mixture can be relished.

 

Answers to Some Common Queries (FAQs):

Is it possible to make these mini tarts in advance?

Certainly, the filling can be prepared in advance and if desired, the tarts can be assembled a few hours before baking. Store in the refrigerator until ready to bake. You can even rivet them and then serve by warming them in the oven at 300-degree temperature for 5-7 minutes when it’s time to serve.

How can I make these healthier?

Ingredients such as full-fat cream cheese and sour cream can be replaced by low fat nutrition. Prefer a lighter cheese and increase the volume of tinned vegetables with other pretty healthy additions such as bell peppers or spinach.

Can I freeze the tarts?

On the other end, yes indeed! Bake, allow to cool entirely, and cover tightly and then place into the freezer, no longer than 2 months. Just warm in the oven or air fryer before serving.

What type of tart shells should I use?

Either you can use the readymade mini tart shells, or preparing pie crust or puff pastry will also work well. Wonton wrappers are also fantastic if you are feeling like it.

How long will leftovers last?

While these mini tarts can be refrigerated for up to three days. Make sure to keep them in an airtight container, and reheat them in the oven or air fryer to achieve the best results.

 

Conclusion:

These mini tarts with cheesy corn and jalapeño are surely the attention and chase stealing piece during a gathering or just as a snack craving. They are very simple to prepare with loads of flavor and with the ability to adjust the ingredients to your liking. If you have invited people over for a party or just wish to indulge in something savory, this dish is going to leave both, your fond guests or you, wanting more. Therefore, these mini tarts are worth giving a shot, and you will not be disappointing!