Cornbread Tamale Bites with Jalapeno Cheese and Bacon
Bite sized comfort food!
It’s actually cooled off a few nights here and feels like Fall. Well at night it does, it the daytime it’s still in the 80’s. I love Fall, but still have trouble with the whole daylight saving concept. It’s getting dark early, they adjusted it so we turn the clocks back later. I’m still confused. I just want it to get dark at 8pm and sun rise at 6 am, am I being difficult? I don’t think so. If you have insight as to why it’s still so confusing to ME, fill me in. I confuse easily.
Once I fogot to change the clocks back and showed up an hour early for a job and the surprise on everyone face.
It was many years ago, there may or may not have been tequila involved, there may or may not have been no sleep that night, yes those types of funny memories. Funny how I can’t recall what I had for dinner two nights ago, but I can recall that time so vividly.
I was going to do a friends hair for her wedding. I showed up at 7am. not 8am like we planned. Everyone was buzzing around the house getting ready, they all had the biggest laugh. I was glad I knew them well. I enjoyed a plate of food for breakfast then got to work!
Onto the comfort food…
Cornbread is one of my favorite comfort foods. I knew I was going to Fill it like a Stuffed Jalapeno and bake it. Wrapping them in corn husks sure did pretty them up. I can see other great items baked in them too. It’s like some type of bite-size tamale. It’s comfort food at it’s best!
Prepare corn husks by soaking them in warm water so they are pliable. Cut corn husks into 4-inch squares, then place them into a cupcake pan. Lightly oil them for easy removal, spray oil works well.
Mix cornbread mix with egg and milk, add 2 tablespoons into each compartment.
Mix cream cheese with diced jalapenos, scallions, and cheese. Place 2 tablespoons of cream cheese mixture on top of cornbread mixture,
then top with bacon. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
These would be great for a party or anytime really. Why wait for a party! I like that they are snack size and so did everyone else.
I like that the few we had leftover reheated well, I may have even hidden one so no one else could find it, I do that sometimes, do you?
* NOTE: spraying the corn husks with an oil spray will help the corn bread not to stick to the husks. If you bake them in cupcakes liners, foil liners won’t stick as much as paper liners.
Cornbread Tamale Bites Printable Recipe
12 dried corn husks
1 package cream cheese
4 Jalapenos, roast then remove seeds
3 scallion chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese
1/3 cup cooked crumbled bacon
cornbread mixture:
1 package Jiffy cornbread mix
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids says
What a great idea. It looks fantastic! Pinning it right now. 🙂
Diane says
Thanks Natalie 🙂
Krista {Budget Gourmet Mom} says
Oh my goodness..Diane! These look positively delicious and so easy!
Diane says
they are easy, I LOVE that part!
SweetSugarBelle says
Hahahaha, yes…I have to hide food with three kids! One taste times 3 equals the whole thing! I love this recipe, Diane!!! Using corn husks as liners is GREAT!!!
Diane says
glad to hear I’m not alone 🙂
Sue/the view from great island says
This is one of those posts that just hits all my weak spots. These muffins look so good I can’t stand it.
Diane says
glad they have that effect 🙂
just don’t fall and get hurt that wouldn’t be what I wanted
Jeanette says
What a neat idea, so creative using corn husks to hold these tamale bites! So much less intimidating than actually making tamales.
Diane says
I feel the same way about tamales, they are so time consuming. This was the quick easy version 🙂
Fuji Mama says
These are so darn cool!!! You are a genius! Plus, they look delicious. Definite plus. 😉
Diane says
Thanks Rachael! Wonder why I never thought to use corn husks for corn bread before 🙂
JulieD says
I’m trying not to be so dramatic but OH MY GOD! These look so good and I don’t even eat bacon! What do you think I can sub for the bacon? I have to make these…!!!
Diane says
hmm…if you don’t eat bacon without will be just fine they are full of flavor!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Uh, yeah I maybe guilty of hiding food for myself *blushing*. 😀
Diane says
🙂
betty says
It is the best idea! really! tamales are hard to make and they take a lot of time, this ones are just perfect!
Curt says
This is an awesome recipe. I’ve pinned it to remember it. I will be making these at the next (wife’s) family get together. I always try to share something with a southern theme for all these Wisconsinites!
I love the husk idea, and btw, Jiffy mix is the best! Seems sweeter than the rest.
Diane says
Jiffy mix is the best! I recently tried a few others and was disappointed. Now I’m thinking of other ways of using the husks, I have more 🙂
alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
love this idea!
bridget {bake at 350} says
You had me at “tamale.”
Diane says
I LOVE tamales but have never made them, have you?
Chef Dennis says
what a clever way to make those tamale bites Diane! they do look delicious!
Diane says
Thanks Dennis!
Brian says
So freakin’ adorable! Love the little tamale bites!
Lauren says
This is such a great idea!! So fun and creative!
Diane says
Thanks Lauren!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
This is a brilliant recipe! I love how you added the corn husks. Such a beautiful and creative presentation!
Diane says
I just love the corn husks and hope to find other uses for them, have a bunch left, but don’t want to make traditional tamales (too time consuming) I get great tamales locally 🙂
Pam says
You are too funny! At least you had a good breakfast! I would devour all of these tamale bites, it’s all about the cornbread!
Diane says
I don’t know why I don’t make cornbread every week, I just bought a cast iron skillet and have visions of warm cornbread with more dinners 🙂 ah….breakfast too
Jessica says
Eek! These sound amazing! I love that you used the corn husks. So freaking cute!
Diane says
has me thinking hmmm…what else can I use the corn husks for, but not tamales too time consuming for me 🙂
angela@spinachtiger says
The husks is a nice touch. Love spicy corn bread and don’t forget to fall backwards and change the clock, but not yet.
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
Holy cow, these look so good! I know my boys would go crazy for them!
Diane says
wishing I had more of these right now, my daughter found the one I hid 🙂
Eve says
These look yummy! Where do you get dried corn husk from?
Diane says
I live in souther California, with Mexican food at abundance here they sell them almost everywhere. If you have an ethnic aisle in your local store try there 🙂
naomi says
I love this idea!!! The tamale wrappers are so cute and playful!!
Brandie (@ Home Cooking Memories) says
Not only is the recipe great, but I so love the use of the corn husks. I make homemade tamales every year and always have tons of corn husks leftover. This will be a great use for them!
Tammy says
I didn’t have corn husks, so I just used cupcake liners…the foil ones worked the best, the paper ones stuck 🙁
Now that I know it’s a hit at home, I will definitely make these again and cute them up with the corn husks! Thanks for a fabulous recipe! Had these with white chicken chili tonight.
shelly (cookies and cups) says
I can’t get over these…honestly!
Tasha @ ThatsSoYummy says
These look fantastic I could eat three.. and want more 🙂
ScampsGirl says
did you use full size muffin pans or mini muffing pans? the name (tamale bites) implies mini but the photo looks like large. if you used large, have you done mini?
thanks!
Diane says
I used the regular size muffin pan. They are not tiny bites, but more like a two bite amount. I have not made them in the mini pan,the corn husk will be more difficult to fit into those along with the filling. These really are a great size as they have a filling in the cornbread and all that will be more difficult in smaller size I think. I’ve made these many times and everyone loves the size.
ScampsGirl says
Thank you for the super quick reply – these are on my Thanksgiving menu!
Marci says
Hi, these look absolutely delicious. Can they be frozen a day ahead? Thanks!
Diane says
I haven’t frozen them. I do think they would be best not frozen as cream cheese has a tendency to get a little watery when frozen and thawed, but if you try it, let me know how they turn out.
Alternatively you can make the cornbread batter and filling separately and bake them fresh the next day, you may have better success that way.
Marci says
Thanks! I think I’ll set a couple aside and test them. God willing, I plan to make them for my Christmas gathering this year. I appreciate your quick response. God bless.