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Two plates with grilled tamales waffles topped with guacamole, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and salsa, set on a blue and white tablecloth with a small bowl of green salsa nearby.
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Tamales Waffles

Leftover tamales pressed in a waffle maker until crispy on the outside and warm inside, topped with avocado, salsa, and cheese. A fast, fun way to give leftover tamales a second life, ready in about 30 minutes.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: main, Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 207kcal
Author: Nancy Lopez & MexicanMadeMeatless.com

Equipment

Ingredients

Pico de Gallo Ingredients

  • 2 large roma tomatoes chopped
  • ¼ cup white onion finely chopped
  • 1 large serrano pepper or jalapeno finely chopped
  • 1 small lime juiced
  • ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped

Garnishes

Instructions

  • Mash the avocado and season with salt and lime juice, refrigerate until ready to use.
    A dish with tamales, a bowl of salsa, mashed avocado, and pico de gallo, all labeled, on a blue and white patterned table.
  • Mix all of the pico de gallo ingredients in a small bowl, refrigerate until ready to use.
    A colorful bowl of chunky salsa called pico de gallo made with chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeños sits on a wooden board. A blue spoon rests inside the bowl. A decorative cloth with strawberry prints is to the side.
  • Preheat your waffle maker according to manufacturer instructions.
  • Remove the tamales from their corn husks.
    Two hands unwrap a corn husk from a tamale over a waffle iron. Nearby are more tamales, a green sauce in a bowl, and a patterned blue and white tile surface.
  • Place each tamal whole or sliced in half if large, or use two if they're too small, directly onto the hot waffle iron.
    A tamale sits on a black waffle maker, surrounded by colorful dishes and food on a blue and white patterned table.
  • Close the lid and press gently until the tamal flattens slightly and grill marks form, 3 to 5 minutes.
    A hand holds the handle of a closed mint green Dash waffle maker on a blue and white tile table, surrounded by tamales, salsa, and other food dishes—making waffle tamales.
  • Check for a golden, crispy exterior. If needed, close the lid and cook another minute or two.
    Delicious bean tamale waffle with salsa, on the side and extra uncooked tamales off to the other side.
  • Carefully remove with tongs or a spatula and transfer to a plate.
    A cooked tamale waffle made with bean and cheese tamales is pressed in a waffle iron, held up on a wooden spatula, with more tamales and a waffle iron visible in the background.
  • Top with avocado, pico de gallo, salsa, cheese, sour cream, and cilantro. Serve right away.
    A plate with tamales waffles, waffle-shaped savory food topped with guacamole, diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and a dollop of salsa, set on a patterned tablecloth.

Video

Notes

No binder or added oil is needed, the shortening already in the tamales masa keeps the tamal from sticking.
For a dessert version, use leftover sweet tamales and top with butter, maple syrup, or fruit compote instead of the savory toppings.
Nutrition info only reflects the toppings listed above, since the tamal itself varies depending on which recipe or filling you use. For reference, see the nutrition info on the linked tamales recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 4servings | Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 626mg | Potassium: 449mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 771IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 1mg
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