Salvadoran Sweet Corn and Cheese Tamales
Steamed corn dough dumplings filled with sweet corn kernels and cheese, wrapped in banana leaves for a subtle earthy aroma. This latin american-inspired snacks ready in about 90 minutes turns masa harina, baking powder, salt into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups masa harina
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup softened unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels
- 1 cup shredded quesillo or mozzarella cheese
- 6 large pieces, softened banana leaves
- for tying kitchen twine
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, mix 3 cups masa harina, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp salt.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1/3 cup sugar until creamy. Gradually add 1 1/4 cups whole milk while mixing.
- Step 3: Combine the wet ingredients into the dry masa mixture and knead until a soft dough forms, about 4 minutes.
- Step 4: Gently fold in 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels and 1 cup shredded cheese into the dough.
- Step 5: Cut 6 large banana leaves into 10x10 inch squares and soften by briefly heating over a flame or steaming to make pliable.
- Step 6: Spread about 1/2 cup of dough onto the center of each banana leaf square, fold the leaf over to enclose the dough, and tie securely with kitchen twine.
- Step 7: Place tamales in a steamer basket and steam over boiling water for 1 hour, checking water level occasionally.
- Step 8: Remove tamales carefully from banana leaves and serve warm as a sweet and savory treat.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Salvadoran Sweet Corn and Cheese Tamales take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (30 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Salvadoran Sweet Corn and Cheese Tamales?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Salvadoran Sweet Corn and Cheese Tamales?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Salvadoran Sweet Corn and Cheese Tamales for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Salvadoran Sweet Corn and Cheese Tamales?
Latin American snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
