There are a few requirements for the perfect fritter: they should be tasty, easy to make, and quick to cook. These crispy corn fritters definitely hit the brief. It’s a quick and easy appetizer or side dish, and also very versatile. It’s also a great way to sneak more veggies into a meal, just what you need for those picky eaters in the family!
With only a handful of pantry staples like flour, eggs, and spices, cheese, and corn, you’ll be able to whip up these easy corn fritters in no time. Because it’s light, it’s perfect for summer along with zucchini fritters. Once pan-fried, they’re crispy on the outside but tender and soft on the inside. Serve them with sour cream or garlic aioli.
Corn Fritters Ingredients
Flour – use all-purpose flour.
Seasoning – for this recipe, a combination of paprika, garlic powder, salt, and sugar is just right.
Corn – use either fresh or frozen. If using frozen corn, do not thaw it first.
Eggs – eggs help to bind the mixture.
Cheese – plain cheddar will work.
Milk – use almond milk if you’re making dairy-free milk, otherwise, cow’s milk will work too.
Oil – use vegetable oil for frying. Do not use olive oil.
How To Cut Corn Off The Cob
When using fresh corn on the cob, there’s no need to blanch the corn first. Cutting corn off the cob can get quite messy. To prevent corn from scattering everywhere, you can follow the bowl method.
Get two differently-sized mixing bowls and place the smaller bowl upside down within the larger bowl (you can also use a Bundt pan if you have one). Place one end of the corn cob on the smaller bowl. Now use a sharp knife to cut downward, as close to the base of the cob as possible. Rotate the cob, and repeat until you’ve removed all the kernels.
How To Make Corn Fritters
Mix together the dry ingredients first. In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Whisk to combine. Add the corn and the eggs and mix again. Now add the cilantro, sugar, cheese, and milk and mix well to make sure all the ingredients are well combined.
To cook the fritters, heat a bit of oil in a pan over medium heat (the oil should be about 350°F). Once the oil starts to sizzle, you can add the batter. Drop spoonful of the batter into the hot pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press it down lightly. Continue to cook the rest of the fritters until all the batter is used.
How To Keep Corn Fritters Crispy
There are a few things you can do to ensure super crispy fritters:
Choose fresh corn instead of frozen
Don’t add more liquid to the batter
Ensure that the oil is hot enough before adding the batter.
Tips For Making Easy Corn Fritters
Use a neutral oil suitable for frying at higher temperatures like canola, peanut, sunflower, or corn oil.
Always cook the corn fritters a few at a time, so as not to lower the oil temperature too much. This will guarantee golden and crispy fritters.
If the fritters aren’t crispy, it could be because the oil is too cold, which means the fritters are absorbing too much oil. Also, make sure that the batter is ice cold.
To make these corn fritters gluten-free, you can use almond flour or any gluten-free flour blend.
Make sure to use garlic powder. Fresh garlic can burn easily, which will make the fritters bitter.
Corn Fritter Variation Ideas
To make it vegan, you’ll need to leave out the egg. Simply substitute it with 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water
Depending on your preferences, you can use goats’ cheese, feta, mozzarella, and even parmesan. Cheeses like mozzarella and cheddar will make the fritters stretchy, while parmesan will contribute more flavor.
Top the fritters with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro, or even a combination of the two. You can even use basil, which goes especially well with parmesan or feta.
You can use different vegetables for the fritters: Grated root vegetables (like carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes) can be used as is. Zucchini requires a little bit more effort, because of its high moisture content. Drain grated and salted zucchini for about 10 minutes. Squeeze out the excess moisture and let it dry on a kitchen towel.
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