One-Bite Tamales

Total Time:Prep: 40 min. Cook: 3 hours 20 min.

By Taste Of Home Editorial Team

Recipe by Dolores Jaycox

Tested by Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Updated on Mar. 08, 2023

Clever little meatballs deliver the flavor and rich sauce of a traditional tamale in a bite-sized portion. They’re a delightfully different addition to a holiday spread. —Dolores Jaycox, Gretna, Louisiana

TEST KITCHEN APPROVED

One-Bite Tamales

Yield:about 5-1/2 dozen
Prep:40 min
Cook:3 hours 20 min

Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 cups cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 5-3/4 cups V8 juice, divided
  • 4 teaspoons chili powder, divided
  • 4 teaspoons ground cumin, divided
  • 2 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 pound bulk spicy pork sausage
  • Tortilla chip scoops
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Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Mix cornmeal, flour, 3/4 cup V8 juice, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder and cayenne. Add sausage; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-in. balls.
  2. Place meatballs on a greased rack in a 15x10-in. pan. Bake until cooked through, 20-25 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, in a 4-qt. slow cooker, mix remaining V8 juice, chili powder, cumin and salt. Gently stir in meatballs. Cook, covered, on low until heated through, 3-4 hours. Serve with tortilla chip scoops.