Cheesy Masa Cups for Cinco de Mayo

 Cheesy Masa Cups are little bites that deliver some South of the Border flavor for your Cinco de Mayo celebration or summer fiesta!

You can make these cheesy corn flour cups ahead and serve them with a variety fillings.

I filled mine with a mixture of guacamole, corn, black beans, salsa and some with leftover pulled pork.

You can top them with Mexican crema or sour cream, cilantro, sliced jalapenos, tomatoes, green onion, pico de gallo, or cheese.

These cheesy masa cups are baked in a mini muffin pan for 15 – 20 minutes. You can bake them in advance and store them in an airtight container until ready to serve. Reheat before filling or serve at room temperature.

Cheesy Masa Cups, Makes 24 mini masa cups

Ingredients

2 cups instant Corn Masa Flour (I used Maseca)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cumin

1 cup grated cheese (cheddar, Monterey jack, or pepper jack for added heat)

1 stick cold butter, cubed

½ cup cold water (add additional tablespoons, one at a time if needed)

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray mini muffin tins with nonstick spray. Place masa flour into a medium bowl, add salt and cumin. Cut in butter using pastry blender until pea-sized chunks are formed. Add grated cheese. Add 1/2 cup cold water, until dough comes together to form a ball, adding additional an tablespoons of water at a time if dough is too dry. I put everything in the food processor and pulsed together for easy mixing.

Roll dough into 24 balls and place in mini muffin tin. Using spoon or melon baller press down in center to form a well for the filling.

Bake 15 – 20 minutes until golden in color. Half way through the baking time, I removed pan and used the back of spoon or melon baller to press down the center.

Cool 5 minutes in pan, remove to wire rack to finish cooling.

Serve with your fillings of choice and a cold cerveza or frosty margarita!

Print Recipe

Fiesta Cheesy Masa Cups

Cheesy Masa Cups are little bites that deliver some South of the Border flavor for your Cinco de Mayo celebration or summer fiesta. Serve with the fillings of choice and a cold cerveza or frosty margarita!

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Keyword: Cinco de Mayo, make ahead, masa harina, party bite

Servings: 24

Equipment

• food processor
• mini muffin pan

Ingredients

• 2 cups instant Corn Masa Flour I used Maseca®
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 cup grated cheese (cheddar, Monterey jack or pepper jack for some heat)
• 1 stick cold butter cubed
• ½ cup cold water add additional tablespoons, one at a time if needed

Instructions

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray mini muffin tins with nonstick spray.
• Use the food processor for easy mixing:
• Pulse the flour, salt, and cumin in a food processor to combine. Add the butter and cheese and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal with some pea-size bits of butter.
• Drizzle in cold water and pulse to combine. Add additional water a tablespoon at a time as needed if dough feels dry.
• Roll dough into 24 balls and place a ball in each well of a mini muffin tin. Using end of wooden spoon or melon baller press down in center to form a well for filling.
• Bake 15 - 20 minutes. Half way thru baking time, remove pan and use back of spoon or melon baller to press down the puffed dough in the center again.
• Cool 5 minutes in pan, remove to wire rack to finish cooling.
• Store in an airtight container until ready to fill and serve. Reheat or serve at room temperature.

Notes

• To make without food processor: Place masa flour into a medium bowl, add salt and cumin. Cut in butter using pastry blender until pea-sized chunks are formed. Add grated cheese. Add 1/2 cup cold water, until dough comes together to form a ball, adding additional an tablespoons of water at a time if dough is too dry.
• Serve these cups with a variety fillings including guacamole, corn, black beans, salsa, pulled pork or chicken. Top with Mexican crema or sour cream, cilantro, sliced jalapenos, tomatoes, green onion, pico de gallo, or cheese.

You can find masa on the Mexican food aisle or the baking aisle with other flours, depending on your grocery store.

If you’re looking for other bites for your fiesta, help yourself to some Cinco De Mayo Mini Taco Dips, mini layered taco dips for an individual or fiesta serving!

Dos Berry Salsa, full of flavor, colorful, and quick & easy to assemble!

South of the Border Flavor table inspiration and recipes for Red Chile Short Rib Tacos and Rose Sangria Spritzers!

 Corn and Bacon Guacamole

Put the Olé in guacamole with the addition of sweet roasted corn and smoky bacon!

And end your Cinco de Mayo celebration on sweet note with Key Lime Margarita Cupcakes!

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