Make Your Chiles Rellenos Gluten-Free with Masa Harina

March 13, 2025

This chile relleno recipe stays true to tradition with a subtle twist: masa harina in the batter for a hint of corn flavor and a bit of crunch. Roasted poblano peppers are stuffed with creamy queso Chihuahua, tossed in masa harina, then dipped in a light, airy egg batter enhanced with a little more masa harina before frying to golden perfection. The result is both nostalgic and new. Finished with a simple salsa roja, this dish is comforting, flavorful, and better than any restaurant version you’ll ever try!

La Familia Masa Harina Bundle

Masa-Battered Chile Relleno

Masienda Team

Servings

4

Ingredients

blank

6 Roma tomatoes, quartered
½ small white onion
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 serrano pepper, stemmed and seeds removed
¼ cup packed cilantro
1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
1 tsp olive oil

blank

4 poblano chiles
8 oz queso Chihuahua, cut into ½ inch thick strips (substitute with queso asadero, queso Oaxaca, or Monterrey Jack if you can’t find queso Chihuahua)

blank

4 large eggs, separated
1/4 cup plus two tbsp masa harina, divided
¼ tsp salt
2 cups vegetable oil (enough to fry the chiles in a skillet, about 1-2 inches deep)

Directions

blank

Blend the Roma tomatoes, onion, garlic, serrano pepper, cilantro, and salt until smooth.
Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
Pour in the blended salsa and bring it to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Taste and adjust the salt if needed. Remove from heat and set aside.

blank

Preheat your oven to 450°F.
Place the poblano chiles on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally until the skin is evenly blistered and blackened.
Transfer the chiles to a grocery bag or ziplock bag, seal it, and let them sweat for 10-15 minutes.
Once softened, carefully peel off the charred skin using your hands or a paper towel.
Cut a small slit along the side of each chile and remove the seeds and membranes.
Stuff each chile with 1-2 strips of queso Chihuahua. Set aside.

blank

Whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold in the egg yolks until fully incorporated.
Sprinkle in 1 tbsp of masa harina at a time, folding gently to avoid deflating the batter.
Add the salt and fold gently to combine.
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Add ¼ cup of masa harina to a separate shallow bowl, and gently toss the stuffed chiles in the masa harina, ensuring each chile is evenly coated.
Dip each stuffed chile into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated.
Carefully place the battered chiles in the hot oil and fry until golden and crisp, turning occasionally for even cooking.
Transfer the fried chiles to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Place each chile relleno on a serving plate. Either pour the warm salsa roja over the chiles or spread the salsa on the plate and place the chiles on top.
Serve with beans, rice, and warm tortillas on the side.

2 comments

ALICIA | March 17, 2025

Thank you! I am loving your masa, tortilla press, comal, and your recipes.

CAROLINE LOPEZ | March 17, 2025

I made this recipe because I wanted to see/taste the difference between using flour vs masa. The masa gives the Chili Relleno a stronger structure and it definitely tasted like a tortilla was wrapped around the Chile Relleno. They turned out delicious.

Thanks,

Caroline