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This delicious sweet corn tamale cakes recipe is a healthy copycat makeover of the classic Cheesecake Factory dish! They're packed with flavor, easy to make, and have the perfect blend of wholesome ingredients. Served with a light and refreshing black bean salsa, this recipe is perfect for an appetizer or light dinner!
While my whole family loves Cheesecake Factory's corn cakes, they're not exactly the most budget friendly or healthy dish. So I decided to make over these sweet corn tamale cakes into a healthier, but still amazingly tasty version that's a real treat for the whole family!
These tender, sweet corn cakes are like bringing Cheesecake Factory to your kitchen - but in a much healthier way! I guarantee they actually taste just as good as the Cheesecake Factory version - with a crispy texture on the outside, soft on the inside, and topped with black bean salsa, pico de gallo, avocados, cilantro and sour cream (or Greek Yogurt).
One of the best things about this recipe is that it's simple and straightforward, making it a great choice for first-time cooks or busy parents! It's also really easy to make gluten free, so you can adapt it for different dietary needs.
We love these sweet corn cakes and we eat them at least once a month! They're great for a Mexican appetizer, snack, party dish, or light meal.
So, why not give this corn tamale cakes recipe a try? It's a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional tamales, and it's sure to become a new favorite in your household!
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👩🏽🍳 Why You'll Love This Recipe
🥘 Ingredients
The main ingredients of this dish are quinoa and corn kernels, which are both excellent sources of fiber and protein. The cakes are served with fresh salsa made from black beans, tomatoes, and jalapeno pepper, providing a burst of freshness and a hint of spice.
Making these quinoa and corn griddle cakes will be a breeze, as the ingredients are easy to source and may already be part of your pantry staples. Here's what you need:
For The Corn Cakes
- Quinoa: Quinoa adds a great texture to our sweet corn tamale fritters, and it's also a wonderful source of protein and fiber. It's a versatile grain that's easy to prepare and blends well with other flavors.
- Water & Reduced Sodium Vegetable Broth: These form the liquid base for cooking our quinoa. The vegetable broth adds a subtle flavor to the quinoa, making it even more delicious.
- Egg: The beaten egg acts as a binder in our quinoa corn tamale cakes, helping to hold all the ingredients together during cooking.
- Frozen Corn Kernels: Thawed corn kernels add a sweet, crunchy bite to these cakes. Corn is a classic ingredient in tamale cakes, bringing a touch of sweetness that balances out the savory elements.
- Scallions: These finely chopped green onions add a mild, fresh onion flavor to our cakes. They also add a nice pop of color!
- Low Fat Mozzarella Cheese: This cheese adds a touch of creaminess to the cakes without adding too many calories. It also helps to bind the ingredients together.
- Whole Wheat Flour & Milk: These two ingredients work together to create a light, fluffy texture in our corn cakes. We use whole wheat flour instead of regular flour for a healthy dose of whole grains.
- Salt, Hot Pepper Sauce, Ground Black Pepper: These seasonings bring out the flavors of the other ingredients and add a hint of heat to the cakes.
For The Salsa
Optional Toppings
- Prepared Salsa: This adds an extra layer of flavor and spice to our sweet corn griddle cakes. Choose your favorite kind!
- Fresh Avocado Or Prepared Guacamole: These add a creamy, rich element to our dish. Avocados are also packed with healthy fats and fiber.
🍲 Ingredient Substitutions
- Quinoa: You can replace quinoa with an equal amount of bulgur wheat or brown rice. Both options are healthy and provide a similar texture.
- Corn Kernels: Frozen sweet corn kernels can be replaced with fresh sweet corn kernels. If it's not corn season, canned whole kernel corn is also a good option.
- Whole Wheat Flour: If you don't have whole wheat flour, all purpose flour would also work. You can also try oat flour or corn flour for a gluten-free option. Corn flour also adds a nice flavor to the sweet corn cakes.
- Milk: Any plant-based milk like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk can be used in place of 1% milk.
- Black Beans: If you don't have black beans, kidney beans or pinto beans would work well in the salsa.
- Red Onion: Shallots or green onion can be used as a substitute for red onion.
🔪 How To Make Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes
Ready to make this copycat Cheesecake Factory sweet corn tamale cakes recipe? Here's how to whip up these delicious corn cakes that the whole family will love! For more detailed instructions and nutrition facts, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Prepare The Quinoa: In a small bowl, mix quinoa, water, and broth, then bring to a boil in a saucepan. Cover, reduce heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Once done, fluff it with a fork.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the fluffed quinoa and rest of the ingredients, excluding the oil.
Drop Mixture Onto A Skillet: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and spray with olive oil cooking spray. Scoop a generous 1/4 cup of the quinoa mixture at a time, drop onto the skillet, and flatten into 3-inch patties using the back of a spatula.
Cook The Corn Cakes: Cook the cakes until they're golden brown on one side, about 5 minutes, then flip carefully and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Prepare The Salsa: Combine all salsa ingredients in a large bowl and set aside. Allow it to marinate for 5-10 minutes at room temperature.
Serve the Dish: Serve two sweet corn cakes with ¼ of the black bean salsa mixture. Feel free to add any of your favorite things as optional toppings! Enjoy your sweet corn tamale cakes appetizer.
💭 Expert Tips
📖 Variations
- Southwestern Style: Give this sweet corn cake recipe a southwestern twist by adding a tangy southwestern sauce. To make the sauce, combine mayonnaise, white vinegar, water, and a few spices in a small bowl. Drizzle this sauce over your corn cakes for a flavorful kick.
- Double Corn Cakes: If you are a corn lover, double the amount of corn in this recipe. Use a cup of corn instead of half, adding both whole kernel corn and pureed corn. This will give your sweet corn cakes an extra corny flavor and a slightly chunkier texture.
- Spicy Corn Cakes: For those who love a bit of heat, add a spicy remoulade or a dollop of spicy salsa on top of the tamale corn cakes. This will give a nice contrast to the sweet cornbread-like base and make each bite exciting.
- Mini Tamale Cakes: For a fun appetizer or snack, make mini corn tamale cakes. Instead of forming the mixture into 3-inch patties, make smaller, bite-sized cakes. Serve them with fresh pico de gallo and a dollop of sour cream for a delicious treat.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
These sweet corn tamale cakes are versatile and can be served as a main dish or an appetizer, as well as paired with a variety of dishes. Plus, they're made with everyday ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, making this recipe a convenient choice for a weeknight dinner. What's best is that they're a healthy copycat makeover of the classic Cheesecake Factory recipe!
Here are some of our favorite serving suggestions for this delicious dish:
- Salads: These tamale corn cakes can be served alongside a fresh and tasty feta salad. Try pairing them with a southwestern-style salad, a black bean and corn salad, or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
- Mains: Tamale corn fritters can be served as a side dish for your main course. They pair well with vegan black bean tacos or this Mexican black bean soup. You can also serve them with a dollop of sour cream and fresh pineapple pico de gallo for added flavor.
- With Dipping Sauces: While these Cheesecake Factory corn cakes copycat are delicious on their own, they can be taken to the next level with a variety of dipping sauces. Try them with a tomatillo salsa, vegan bbq sauce, mustard bbq sauce, a salsa verde sauce, or a tangy southwest sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
🙌 Dietary Adaptations
This sweet corn tamale cakes recipe is already full of wholesome ingredients and is very close to being vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. However, with a few simple swaps, we can make it fit these dietary adaptations.
- Vegan And Dairy-Free Option: The main ingredients that need to be replaced to make this recipe vegan and dairy-free are egg, mozzarella cheese, and milk. For the egg, you can use a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water) or a commercial egg replacer. Replace the mozzarella cheese with a dairy-free cheese of your choice, or simply omit it. You can also use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without the dairy. Use plant-based milk like almond milk or soy milk instead of 1% milk.
- Gluten-Free Option: This recipe calls for whole wheat flour, which contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, you can use a gluten-free flour blend or corn flour, which will also enhance the corn flavor of the cakes.
🫙 Storage Directions
❓Recipe FAQs
Can I use a food processor to prepare the ingredients?
Yes, you can definitely use a food processor to chop up all the ingredients for the salsa and the cakes. This is a great shortcut that can save you a lot of time during prep.
What's the best way to shape the corn cakes?
I recommend using a large cookie scoop or a measuring cup to ensure the cakes are uniform in size. Once you've dropped the mixture onto your skillet, flatten them out slightly with the back of your spatula. They should resemble pancakes. This helps them cook evenly and gives you the best result possible.
Can I make these corn cakes ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the black bean salsa the night before to save time. As for the cakes, you can batch cook them and freeze for future use. This way, you'll always have a quick and healthy meal ready to go. Just remember to thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating.