Chilli Corn Tamale Cakes

Golden, crispy, and bursting with bold flavors, Chilli Corn Tamale Cakes are a savory delight that combines the sweetness of fresh corn with the gentle heat of green chilies and optional jalapeño for a fiery kick. Made from a perfectly seasoned cornmeal batter enriched with cheddar cheese, these pan-fried cakes are delightfully soft on the inside with a satisfying crunch on the outside. Topped with a creamy dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of zesty lime, these tamale cakes offer a vibrant fusion of textures and tastes. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or light dinner, they’re easy to make in under 30 minutes and are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 0.75 cup whole milk
• 1.5 cups fresh sweet corn kernels (or thawed frozen corn)
• 1 medium green chili, finely diced
• 1 small jalapeño, finely diced (optional, for extra heat)
• 0.5 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
• 0.5 cup sour cream (for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• 4 pieces lime wedges (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

Step 2

Add the melted butter and milk to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.

Step 3

Fold in the sweet corn, green chili, jalapeño (if using), and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until evenly distributed.

Step 4

Using your hands, shape the mixture into small patties, about 3 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick. Depending on the size, you should get 8-10 cakes.

Step 5

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the vegetable oil.

Step 6

Place the tamale cakes in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the skillet, adding more oil as needed.

Step 7

Once cooked, transfer the cakes to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Step 8

Serve the tamale cakes warm, topped with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. Garnish with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1069.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2497.4

Total Fat 129.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 62.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 266.0mg	0%
Sodium 2166.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 295.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.6g	0%
Total Sugars 47.5g
Protein 55.0g	0%

Vitamin D 92.5IU	0%
Calcium 785.8mg	0%
Iron 10.4mg	0%
Potassium 1797.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.4%

Protein: 8.6%

Carbs: 46.1%