Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes (Cheesecake Factory Copycat!)

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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

• Plant-Based: This sweet corn tamale cake recipe is a fantastic plant-based dish that is sure to delight vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters alike. The use of quinoa, corn kernels, and black beans makes it a wholesome and nutritious main dish.
• Versatile: This Cheesecake Factory copycat recipe is incredibly versatile. Serve it as an appetizer, a main dish, or a light dinner. You can also add your favorite toppings like prepared salsa, sliced avocado, or even a dollop of sour cream.
• Simple Ingredients: The recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that are easy to find in any grocery store. From quinoa and corn kernels to fresh cilantro and red onion, each ingredient adds to the overall flavor and nutritional value of the dish.
• Better Than Fast Food: This recipe is a healthier alternative to fast food options and tastes even better than Cheesecake Factory sweet corn tamale cakes. It’s packed with protein and fiber from the quinoa and black beans, and it’s lower in sodium and sugar.
• Family Friendly: These corn tamale cakes are a hit with the whole family. They’re fun to eat, and kids love the sweet and savory flavor combination. Plus, they’re a great way to sneak some extra veggies into your child’s diet.

🥘 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

• Black Beans: Rinsed and drained black beans add a hearty, earthy flavor to our salsa. They’re also a great source of protein and fiber.
• Grape Or Cherry Tomatoes: These add a burst of fresh, juicy flavor to our salsa. They’re also packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
• Jalapeño Pepper: This pepper brings a spicy kick to our salsa. Remember to remove the seeds to control the heat level.
• Fresh Cilantro & Lime Juice: Cilantro adds a fresh, citrusy flavor to our salsa, and lime juice adds another layer of tangy freshness. Both of these ingredients brighten up the salsa, and are classic ingredients in Southwestern cuisine.
• Red Onion & Red Bell Pepper: These add a sweet, slightly sharp flavor to our salsa. They also bring a beautiful pop of color.

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

• Use A Food Processor: For this quinoa and corn griddle cake recipe, a food processor can be a real time-saver. It will help you chop up all the ingredients for the salsa and the cakes quickly and efficiently.
• Flatten Your Cakes: Make sure to flatten the cakes out slightly so they resemble pancakes. This allows them to cook evenly and gives you the best result possible.
• Prep Your Pan: Don’t forget to spray your pan with cooking spray before adding the cakes. This will ensure your cakes don’t stick when you try to flip them over.
• Prep The Salsa Ahead: You can make the black bean salsa the night before to save time. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and it’ll be ready to serve when you need it.
• Get Creative With Toppings: Feel free to get creative with your toppings. Fresh pico de gallo, tomatillo cilantro cream sauce, a tomato salsa, or remoulade can add a fun twist to this tamale cake recipe.

📖 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 vegan 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

• To Refrigerate: After enjoying your sweet corn tamale cakes, store any leftovers in an airtight container. They’ll keep well in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. 
• To Freeze: To freeze the griddle cakes, lay them on a baking sheet and freeze for 2-3 hours. After they have frozen solid, remove them from the baking sheet and put them in a freezer container or bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• To Reheat In The Oven: Place the corn cakes on a baking sheet and heat at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
• To Reheat On The Stovetop: Spray a large skillet with olive oil cooking spray. Add the cakes and cook on both sides until they are warmed through.
• To Reheat In The Air Fryer: Add the griddle cakes to the basket, so they aren’t touching, and heat them at 325 degrees for 5-10 minutes or until hot all the way. I don’t recommend reheating in the microwave as it won’t make your cakes nice and crispy!

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