Puzzling over how to reheat tamales without a steamer? What about how to reheat tamales in a roaster oven? And do you know how to reheat tamales in air-fryer? We have the answers you have been looking for and more in today’s excellent blog on reheating tamales.
What Are Tamales?
Tamales are Mexican in origin, and they are made from corn-based masa dough. The dough is then combined (filled) with beans and other sumptuous ingredients. This food is a staple in Mexico, and globally, it is also appreciated because it holds a universal appeal.
They are usually sold online and delivered frozen, which would explain why a lot of people are eager to learn how to thaw them out and cook them properly. While the steamer method is common, there are also other ways to reheat your tamales.
How to Reheat Tamales Without a Steamer
The most common method of heating tamales is by using a regular pan. If you are using this method, make sure that you have thawed out the tamales for at least half an hour. This method requires the tamales to be reheated with the husk on.
Place the pan on the stove and allow it gradually warm up. As the pan is warming, begin placing the tamales. Each side of the tamales should be reheated/cooked for at least five minutes, maximum of eight minutes.
After reheating, you can remove the corn husks. If you want crunchy tamales, you may remove the corn husk before reheating, though this might mean that the tamales will be prone to burning. Observe the food, so it gets just a little bit toasted instead of burnt.
The Pan Frying Method
You can also pan-fry your tamales. The method is similar to what has just been described previously. Warm your frying pan on the stove and add some oil or butter. Remove the corn husks and place the tamales uniformly on the pain. Allow the oil or butter to simmer on low heat.
Pan fry for a few minutes, and feel free to cook some eggs on the side if you are serving the tamales for breakfast. Oil or butter prevents the tamales from drying out, especially if the tamales are undressed before being cooked or reheated.
How to Reheat Tamales in a Roaster Oven
If all you have is a roaster oven, place the tamales on the pan side by side and set the oven roaster to medium. Be sure to turn the tamales after five or eight minutes to give each side adequate heat. Roaster ovens vary by brand, so you will have to experiment a little with this method.
Don’t have an oven roaster? Use an instant pot instead. Set your instant pot to high, and at the ten-minute mark, moisten the tamales. Cook everything for just ten minutes.
The important thing here is to maintain the distance or space between the frozen tamales so the tamales will cook properly. Crowding tamales together is bad news because there is a massive risk that the dough and its contents will not cook properly. If you need a faster method, check out the microwaving method below.
How to Reheat Tamales in Air-Fryer
How to reheat tamales in air-fryer: it is not that complicated – simply brush the tamales with a little oil and place them in the basket. Set the temperature to mid-range and cook for five to eight minutes as well.
You have the option of wrapping the tamales with aluminum foil, but make sure that the aluminum will not block any of the circulation channels of the air fryer.
How to Cook Tamales in the Oven
The oven method is considered the gold standard with cooking or heating tamales.
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut individual aluminum foil squares and wrap each of the tamales individually.
- When all of the tamales are wrapped with aluminum foil, stack them onto the tray or Pyrex dish.
- The tamales mustn’t touch each other while in the oven.
- Bake your tamales for 20 minutes or check the tamales for crispiness if that is your preference.
- Be sure to turn over your tamales at the ten-minute mark to make sure that they are cooking evenly and sufficiently.
- Tamales have to be thawed out properly before baking. Do not bake them frozen, as this will likely result in them being underdone and still cold in the middle after 20 minutes.
How to Cook Tamales in a Microwave Oven
It sounds too modern, but the method works and is one of your best options when you have a severe hankering for tamales, and you want to get cooking as quickly as possible.
After thawing out your tamales, wrap each one with a damp paper towel and place them on a large, microwave-safe dish. Do not stack them on top of each other and provide sufficient space between each one. You may microwave your tamales with the husk on as the husk will not heat up as much as the contents.
Microwave your batch of tamales for a few minutes. Since microwave radiation heats the molecules of the food, there is no need to turn them when you microwave tamales.
How to Cook Tamales Using a Steamer
For folks who do have a steamer, you are in for a treat. Simply prepare the steamer and place your tamales vertically on the steamer’s basket. Mexican cuisine indicates that steaming is the best way to preserve the moisture and flavors of tamales.
Turn the steamer to medium and allow your tamales to cook for 20 minutes. You may steam tamales even if they are frozen, but you need to extend the cooking time by ten minutes so everything will be cooked through.
