Spiced Corn and Cheese Humintas Wrapped in Corn Husks

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-09 · Updated 2026-06-09

Steamed Bolivian-style humintas made from fresh corn masa blended with spices and cheese, wrapped in corn husks for a tender, flavorful treat. This Latin American-inspired recipe, ready in about 85 minutes, turns fresh corn kernels, all-purpose flour, grated queso fresco or farmer’s cheese 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 180 calories and feeds 8, 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

• 4 cups (about 5 ears) fresh corn kernels
• 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (120 g) grated queso fresco or farmer’s cheese
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp ground anise seed
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 8 large corn husks, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil, for brushing

The food processor we’d make this in → Best Food Processors in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 4 cups fresh corn kernels in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground, leaving some texture.
2. Step 2: Transfer ground corn to a mixing bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground anise seed, and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup grated queso fresco and 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter to the corn mixture. Mix gently until combined into a thick batter.
4. Step 4: Drain soaked corn husks and pat dry. Brush each husk lightly with 1 tbsp vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
5. Step 5: Spoon approximately 1/3 cup batter onto the center of each husk. Fold the sides over the batter tightly, then fold the bottom up to secure.
6. Step 6: Place humintas standing upright in a large steamer basket. Cover with a clean towel and steam over boiling water for 45 minutes until firm and cooked through.
7. Step 7: Remove from steamer, let cool slightly, then unwrap and serve warm with a drizzle of honey or savory sauce if desired.