Spiced Corn and Cheese Humintas Wrapped in Corn Husks
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 snacks ready in about 85 minutes turns (about 5 ears) fresh corn kernels, (60 g) all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, melted 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
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 4 cups fresh corn kernels in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground, leaving some texture.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 4: Drain soaked corn husks and pat dry. Brush each husk lightly with 1 tbsp vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 7: Remove from steamer, let cool slightly, then unwrap and serve warm with a drizzle of honey or savory sauce if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Corn and Cheese Humintas Wrapped in Corn Husks take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (40 min prep + 45 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 Spiced Corn and Cheese Humintas Wrapped in Corn Husks?
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 Spiced Corn and Cheese Humintas Wrapped in Corn Husks?
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 Spiced Corn and Cheese Humintas Wrapped in Corn Husks for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Spiced Corn and Cheese Humintas Wrapped in Corn Husks?
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.
