Sweet Corn Tamalitos with Quesillo and Honey Drizzle

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

Steamed sweet corn tamalitos made from fresh corn masa and quesillo cheese, finished with a light drizzle of honey for a traditional Salvadoran sweet-savory treat. This Latin American-inspired recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, turns fresh corn kernels, masa harina, baking powder 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 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 fresh corn kernels
• 1 cup masa harina
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup quesillo cheese, shredded
• 2 tbsp honey
• for wrapping banana leaves or parchment paper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a food processor, pulse 3 cups fresh corn kernels until coarsely ground but still with some texture. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
2. Step 2: Add 1 cup masa harina, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter to the corn mixture. Stir thoroughly to form a soft dough.
3. Step 3: Grease banana leaves or parchment paper squares. Take about 1/4 cup of the dough and flatten into a 3-inch circle. Place 2 tbsp shredded quesillo cheese in the center, then fold edges over to enclose the filling, shaping into a small patty.
4. Step 4: Arrange tamalitos in a steamer basket, leaving space between each. Steam over boiling water for 20-25 minutes until firm and cooked through.
5. Step 5: Remove tamalitos from steamer and drizzle each with about 1/2 tsp honey while still warm. Serve immediately as a sweet and savory snack or side dish.