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Harina de Maiz is an easy cozy breakfast recipe that comes together in just 15 minutes. Topped with butter and cinnamon, this Puerto Rican style cornmeal porridge is creamy smooth and super comforting. This recipe makes 2 servings, but it’s super easy to double or triple for a crowd.

A bowl of harina de maiz.

Allow me to introduce you to the coziest of Puerto Rican recipes, Harina de Maiz. This creamy rich cornmeal porridge is a classic dish served for breakfast in households across the island.

It’s one of those recipes your mom makes you, because her mom made it for her, and so on. It’s an incredibly simple yet delicious tradition, kind of like this semolina soup.

Whisk up a bowl in just 15 minutes and fall in love with this velvety smooth and warm breakfast staple. Topped with a pat of butter, sprinkle of cinnamon, and some fresh fruit, it’s guaranteed to beat a bowl of cereal any day.

A bowl of harina de maiz.

Ingredients

  • milk (cow’s milk or a dairy free milk)
  • butter
  • sugar (or honey or maple syrup)
  • vanilla extract
  • salt
  • harina de maiz (corn meal) 
  • optional garnish: cinnamon, butter, honey

Find the full ingredient list with exact quantities in the recipe card below.

Bowls of vanilla, butter, salt and more.

How to Make Puerto Rican Corn Meal Pudding

Milk in a pot with butter, vanilla, and sugar.
In a small to medium sized pot whisk together the milk, butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Crank the heat up to medium while you continue to whisk to melt the butter and help the sugar dissolve.
Cornmeal porridge being whisked.
Add the harina de maiz and continue to mix everything together. The corn meal will begin to thicken quite suddenly, so keep a close eye on it at this stage and continue to mix. Once it thickens to your preferred texture, you’re good to serve it up and enjoy. If you’d like to take this simple breakfast to the next level, garnish with a small pat of butter and dusting of cinnamon.

Tip: If the porridge thickens too quickly, you can always thin it out by adding a splash or two of milk. 

Perfect Pairings

Harina de maiz makes a hearty breakfast on it’s own, but it’s also great for pairing with your favorite breakfast staples.

Top with some fresh fruit, serve with your favorite cup of coffee or tea, or enjoy with a hard boiled egg. You really can’t go wrong!

Puerto Rican Café con Leche

15-Minute Classic Fruit Salad

Homemade Cinnamon Tea (2 Ingredients)
A package of masa harina.

Picking the ‘Right’ Cornmeal

There are plenty of options out there when it comes to picking your cornmeal.

I’ll link a few options below, but know that as long as it’s called ‘corn flour’, ‘cornmeal’ or ‘harina de maiz’, what’s available at your grocery store should work great!

Corn flour is typically a finer ground while cornmeal can be a bit grittier, but both will work when making this cornmeal porridge.

A bowl of harina de maiz.

More Latin Breakfast Ideas

Pan de Mallorca (Puerto Rican Sweet Bread)

5-Minute Piña Colada Breakfast Smoothie

Arroz con Leche

30 Minute Mangu (Dominican Mashed Plantains)

Buen Provecho,

Salima written in cursive
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A bowl of harina de maiz.

Harina de Maiz (Puerto Rican Cornmeal Porridge)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Salima Benkhalti
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x
  • Category: breakfast, brunch, snack, dessert
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Puerto Rican, Latin, Spanish
  • Diet: Vegetarian
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Description

Harina de Maiz is an easy cozy breakfast recipe that comes together in just 15 minutes. Topped with butter and cinnamon, this Puerto Rican style cornmeal porridge is creamy smooth and super comforting. This recipe makes 2 servings, but it’s super easy to double or triple for a crowd.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2/3 cup harina de maiz (corn meal flour)
  • optional garnish: cinnamon, butter, honey

Instructions

  1. Combine base ingredients. In a medium sized saucepan combine the milk, butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Whisk together before turning the heat on to medium. Continue to whisk to melt the butter.
  2. Whisk in the harina de maiz (cornmeal). Once the butter has melted into the milk mixture, add the harina de maiz. Continue to mix everything together, watching as the corn meal thickens. Once it thickens to your preferred texture, remove from the heat and serve! Garnish as desired with cinnamon, butter, and/or honey.

Notes

  • You can use a dairy free milk and/or butter if desired.
  • If the porridge thickens too quickly, you can always thin it out by adding a splash or two of milk. 

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