Tamales are a Mexican dish made with a corn dough surrounding various meats or beans, and wrapped in a husk for cooking. Save the time preparing them by using frozen tamales instead! I make Trader Joe’s tamales in the air fryer because they’re fast, easy, and delicious!
Trader Joe’s does it again with their incredible selection of frozen food offerings. TJ’s offers (or has offered) a variety of frozen tamales, in flavors such as:
Cheese and green chile (vegetarian)
Chicken and cheese
Pulled pork
Sweet corn
Beef
Chicken and chile
Chocolate raspberry (dessert)
Pork and red sauce
Black bean
Now, they rotate different flavors seasonally, and sometimes they don’t stick around (but even discontinued options can return occasionally). They’ve also changed the packaging a number of times, so don’t expect to always find them or that they’ll look the same!
But, regardless of which flavor you do nab, the great news is that Trader Joe’s frozen tamales are delicious and cook up in about 20 minutes in your air fryer for an easy meal or snack.
Each package of frozen TJ’s tamales usually contains 2 (though sometimes they sell 20-ounce packages containing 4 of certain flavors, and the dessert ones are 4 in a 10-ounce). That said, a serving size is considered 1 tamale. You can make as many at a time as fit in a single layer in your air fryer’s basket or rack without adjusting cooking time
If you don’t have a TJ’s near you, other brands of frozen tamales work as well! Try any wrapped frozen tamale brand like Cedarlane, Texas Tamale Company, or El Monterey
Trader Joe’s Tamales Air Fryer Instructions
Remove the tamales from the plastic packaging (but keep the corn husk wrappers on)
Place the frozen tamales into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, seam side down, allowing some air space between each one to promote even cooking
Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F (or the closest setting your air fryer has) for 15-20 minutes, pausing halfway through to flip them, until hot in the center (add additional time in small increments if needed)
Rest for 1-2 minutes, then peel back the husk and enjoy. Caution: they will be hot, so be careful!
Preventing Tamale Dryness in the Air Fryer
I tried a few different methods to keep my tamales from drying out when cooking them in the air fryer:
Nothing. This was my test group and I just cooked the tamales without doing anything at all to them, and the results were surprisingly very good! They did not dry out or get over browned
Water. I added 2 Tbsp water to the base of my air fryer’s basket (under the rack), and then placed the tamales on the rack. Every time I flipped my tamales, I added additional water to make sure it didn’t dry out. This group came out very well as well, and they also did not dry out or get too browned
Oil. I sprayed the corn husks with olive oil to add moisture. This was the only method that I was actually disappointed in. The tamales came out dry, so I would not recommend applying oil
Also of note, the fillings do make a difference. The green chile and cheese flavor has a LOT more cheese than the chicken and cheese variety. The cheese definitely added extra moisture as well and this flavor came out the most soft overall.
My personal preference is to add the water and “steam” them if you’re using a meat filling, but feel free to just toss them in with the vegetarian one.
However, if your air fryer doesn’t have a solid bottom basket that can hold water (or a rack to keep the tamales out of standing water), making any flavor without anything additional is also perfectly fine.
If your tamales do happen to dry out, just add a nice sauce to add moisture back before enjoying. Try a nice salsa, sour cream or crema, or even some guacamole to compensate for lost moisture.
What to Serve With Tamales
Refried beans
Black beans
Spanish rice
Cilantro lime rice
Street corn
Roasted potatoes
Avocado fries
Guacamole
Pico de gallo
Posole
Chicken tortilla soup
Chips and salsa
Green salad
Horchata
Agua fresca
Margaritas
There are lots of great sides, sauces, and drinks to pair with Trader Joe’s frozen tamales to complete your meal!
Trader Joe’s tamales are a popular Mexican dish made with seasoned meat or vegetables wrapped in masa dough and steamed in a corn husk.
They are sold frozen at Trader Joe’s stores in a variety of flavors that allow for convenient preparation at home.
Can You Air Fry Tamales?
Yes, you can absolutely air fry tamales. Prepared ones, like Trader Joe’s, may be cooked directly from frozen.
If they are not frozen, use a lower temperature (around 350°F) and cook for less time (usually 8-10 minutes) instead.
How Do I Cook Trader Joe’s Tamales in the Air Fryer?
To cook Trader Joe’s tamales in the air fryer, place the tamales in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching each other.
Cook for about 15-20 minutes at 375°F, flipping halfway through, until heated through and the masa dough is crispy.
What Ingredients Are in Trader Joe’s Tamales?
The ingredients in Trader Joe’s tamales vary depending on the flavor but typically include masa dough made from corn flour, filling ingredients such as pork, chicken, beef, or vegetables, along with various seasonings and spices.
If you have specific dietary needs, make sure to check the individual packages to see exactly what they contain.
Are Trader Joe’s Tamales Gluten Free?
Trader Joe’s tamales are not certified as gluten free. Some varieties may or may not actually be gluten free, depending on the specific ingredients used in the masa dough and filling.
Always check the product label for gluten-containing ingredients if you have dietary restrictions. Assume since they are not certified that they may also be exposed to cross contamination during production.
Can I Add Toppings or Sauces to Trader Joe’s Tamales?
Yes, you can add your favorite toppings or sauces to Trader Joe’s tamales to enhance their flavor.
Common toppings include salsa, sour cream, guacamole, chopped cilantro, or crumbled cheese.
How Long Do Trader Joe’s Tamales Last in the Freezer?
Trader Joe’s tamales can typically be stored in the freezer for several months.
Check the expiration date on the packaging for specific storage guidelines.
Can I Heat Trader Joe’s Tamales in the Microwave?
Yes, you can heat Trader Joe’s tamales in the microwave for a quick alternative. Wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave for 4-5 minutes (assuming a 1200W microwave) until hot.
Rest for about a minute to cool before enjoying.
Are Trader Joe’s Tamales Spicy?
The level of spiciness in Trader Joe’s tamales varies depending on the flavor, but none of the varieties are extremely spicy.
Flavors that include green chiles tend to be hotter than the other varieties, but still not “hot” by any means.
Recipe Pro Tips
I did not preheat my air fryer for this recipe. If you do, you can drop 2-3 minutes of cooking time generally (but it will vary between air fryers)
My tamales were hot after 20 minutes total (without preheating) in a Ninja air fryer. Other brands of air fryers and various models will vary slightly
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover tamales with their husks in an airtight container or zippered bag in the refrigerator for up to a week. I do not recommend refreezing after they have been cooked from frozen once
To reheat tamales in the air fryer, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer in the husk. Air fry at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, turning once, until re-heated through!
All in all, I was very pleased with Trader Joe’s tamales in the air fryer. Both cooking them as-is and adding water to the base of the air fryer basket yielded moist, delicious tamales in about 20 minutes.
They are great for a snack, but also would make a perfect meal paired with some other side dishes, like seasoned rice and black beans.
I tried 3 flavors: chicken and cheese, cheese and green chile, and beef. The winner for me hands down was the beef! It was tender, flavorful without being spicy, and a good shredded texture and consistency overall.
My second place would be the cheese and green chile. It had a little more spice (but wasn’t overly spicy) and a good flavor. However, it was texturally a little too soft in some cases due to all the cheese, which made it slightly harder to eat.
The chicken and cheese was a miss for me. I couldn’t really tell it was chicken honestly, and the cheese was nowhere to be found. It’s also shredded, like the beef, which I prefer over big chunks, so that was nice.
I would definitely get TJ’s tamales again (though I’ll personally skip the chicken and stick with beef, chile and cheese, or try a new flavor). I think they’re perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal, Cinco de Mayo, or anytime you want a Mexican inspired snack!
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe’s tamales are a great option if you’re craving a Mexican night and wanting to skip all the tedious prep work that normally comes with making them.
In fact, all you have to do is pop the tamales in your air fryer right from frozen, and in about 20 minutes you have warm, delicious tamales to enjoy!
They make a perfect snack, but can also be a meal when paired with some other side dishes. I always go with black beans and sometimes some seasoned rice to round things out.
With a variety of flavors to choose from, you can pick your favorite (or try them all). TJ’s tamales are a great option for an easy Cinco de Mayo, or anytime you’re craving Mexican inspired cuisine!
Trader Joe’s Tamales Air Fryer Recipe (Frozen)
Make Trader Joe’s tamales directly from frozen in your air fryer in only about 20 minutes. They’re available in a variety of flavors and perfect as a snack or main course!
Remove the tamales from the plastic packaging (but keep the corn husk wrappers on)
10 ounce package frozen Trader Joe's tamales
Place the frozen tamales into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, seam side down, allowing some air space between each one to promote even cooking
Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F (or the closest setting your air fryer has) for 15-20 minutes, pausing halfway through to flip them, until hot in the center (add additional time in small increments if needed)
Rest for 1-2 minutes, then peel back the husk and enjoy. Caution: they will be hot, so be careful!
Notes
Each package of frozen TJ’s tamales usually contains 2 (though sometimes it varies), and a serving size is considered 1 tamale. You can make as many at a time as fit in a single layer in your air fryer’s basket or rack without adjusting cooking time
If you don’t have a TJ’s near you, other brands of frozen tamales work as well! Try any wrapped frozen tamale brand like Cedarlane, Texas Tamale Company, or El Monterey
I did not preheat my air fryer for this recipe. If you do, you can drop 2-3 minutes of cooking time generally (but it will vary between air fryers)
My tamales were hot after 20 minutes total (without preheating) in a Ninja air fryer. Other brands and models of air fryers will vary slightly
Store any leftover tamales with their husks in an airtight container or zippered bag in the refrigerator for up to a week. I do not recommend refreezing after they have been cooked from frozen once
To reheat refrigerated tamales in the air fryer, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer in the husk. Air fry at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, turning once, until re-heated through!
Exact nutritional values will vary based on the variety of tamales, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only. Values are for Trader Joe’s beef tamales only (others will vary)
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
