These easy-to-make Corn Fritters are crispy and golden on the outside and soft and perfectly seasoned and warm on the inside with juicy bursts of fresh sweet corn.
Corn Fritters
Turn fresh summer sweet corn into these perfectly crisp corn fritters is one of the fastest, easiest, cheapest, AND yummiest ways to turn corn into a full-blown, hearty, comfort food dinner.
Corn Fritters are both an amazing meal and side dish. They're golden and crispy on the outside and soft and warm with fresh sweet corn on the inside.
They're extremely versatile in flavor, ridiculously easy to make, and budget friendly.
What Are Corn Fritters?
Corn fritters are little fried dough cakes, usually made with flour and cornmeal, with whole corn mixed in. Other seasonings and herbs are often incorporated for flavor. They can be deep fried or pan-fried.
They were originally a Native American cuisine, but have been adopted in the Southern United States as a snack staple.
What Kind of Corn Should I Use?
Fresh and cut off the cob, canned, or frozen (and thawed) whole kernel sweet corn are all acceptable. You'll need about 2 cups of whichever you decide to use.
How to Make Corn Fritters Crispy
The best corn fritters are the ones that are perfectly crispy on the outside with a soft warm center. Here are some tips for getting your fritters just right.
- A batter that isn't too wet keeps the fritters crispier. Be sure if you're using frozen corn, it's thawed and patted dry, and canned corn is drained and patted dry.
- Make sure the cooking oil is hot enough before cooking. If it's hot right when you put it in, the oil will crisp up the corn fritter. If the oil is too cool, the fritter will immediately absorb the oil and you'll end up with a soggy fritter. To test the oil, throw a pinch of flour into the oil. If it sizzles, it's hot enough for frying!
- Serve right away. Fritters will be best and crispiest if they're served right after cooking, instead of sitting or being reheated. If you have to serve later or reheat, an air fryer or convection oven for reheating will give you the crispiest results.
What Kind of Oil Should I Use for Frying?
High smoke point oils are best for frying. The two I recommend and use most frequently are light olive oil and refined avocado oil.
How to Serve Corn Fritters
Corn fritters are delicious on their own, and also when you add some toppings for extra flavor such as sour cream and chives or homemade pico de gallo.
Corn fritters are light enough to be a side dish and hearty enough to be the main event.
As a side dish, you can serve them alongside nearly anything. This Cajun Baked Catfish or Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken are a couple of our family favorites.
As a main dish, corn fritters pair well with salads and light and bright flavors. Some easy suggestions are creamy coleslaw, baked vegetable tian, or dill pickle pasta salad.
Corn Fritter Variations
These corn fritters are fabulous as is, but sometimes it's fun to change things up. Here are some different flavor variations to consider.
- Bacon - Add some cooked and crumbled bacon right into the batter because bacon makes everything better.
- Peppers - Adjust the spice level by using different types of peppers. Use 2 tablespoons finely chopped bell pepper for no spice, or increase the spice level by using a seeded and chopped serrano or habanero.
- Red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne are more easy ways to add a little heat.
- Cheese - Experiment with your favorite cheeses. Try Parmesan, Gouda, or gruyere, or go a little spicy with a shredded Pepper Jack.
- Sauces - Serve your fritters with different sauces to change the flavors without changing the recipe. Try sour cream, remoulade, honey mustard, ranch, salsa, guacamole, or even pimento cheese.
More Corn Recipes You'll Love
- Southern Succotash - a classic side dish filled with fresh summer veggies, herbs, and bright lime juice.
- Southern Corn Pudding - a simple cheesy, warm comfort food made with cornbread mix.
- Cheesy Corn Bake - cheesy and gooey corn casserole with cream cheese, shredded cheese, and corn.
- Crockpot Corn Chowder - the best corn chowder you'll ever make. Perfect for using up summer corn, and easy to freeze for later!
Corn Fritters
Ingredients
- 2 cups corn (about 4 ears with the kernels removed)
- ½ cup cornmeal
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup shredded cheddar
- 1 jalapeno seeded and chopped
- ¼ cup fresh chives
- ½ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup oil for frying
Instructions
- Add all fritter ingredients except frying oil to a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil.
- When oil is hot but not smoking, spoon about 2 tablespoons fritter mixture to form each fritter, cooking in batches of 2-3.
- Flip each fritter after about 1½-2 minutes, when its golden brown (if it cooks quicker than that, reduce the heat). Repeat on the other side. Transfer cooked fritters to a paper towel- lined plate. Repeat for all remaining batter.
- Serve immediately with sour cream and fresh chives.
Notes
- Use a cookie scoop to scoop fritter batter for uniform size fritters.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet or it will be too hard to flip them and the temperature will differ too much, causing them to be soggy.
- Salt your fritters just after they cook while they're still warm.
- Corn Fritters are best served right away.
- Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat your fritters in a skillet, in the oven (or convection oven is even better), or in an air fryer until heated through and crisp. Microwave is not recommended for reheating because it will make the fritters soggy.
- Freezer Directions: Cover and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Or reheat in the air fryer or convection oven for about 8 minutes at 370°F or until heated through and crisp on the outside.
Nutrition
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Mairead says
What a tasty and versatile side dish. I love to serve corn fritters with salamon, and this recipe is perfect.
Mirlene says
These corn fritters are the perfect snack for my kids! Loving the golden color and the crispness. Perfect with some ranch dressing too!
Dannii says
My kids loved these. So easy to make too.
Kali A says
Corn fritters are a staple of mine! I love how easy this recipe is.
veenaazmanov says
Would love to try these amazing Fritter recipe on a rainy day. Thanks for your delicious recipe. So easy , quick and perfect.
Carrie Robinson says
These are a definite must-make with all of that fresh summer corn coming into season! Looks delicious. 🙂
Jill says
What a fabulous recipe for corn season. I'm excited to try these! Thanks for the recipe.
Janie says
These were so easy to make! I used canned corn and fried them up. It was crispy and delicious.
Tara says
Flavorful and bright appetizer! Perfect for gatherings or even a weeknight dinner.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
Love corn fritters and this version tastes gorgeous! I love the addition of cheese too.
Amy Nash says
These are officially my favorite way to enjoy summer corn. The flavor is so good and the texture is phenomenal! Fantastic recipe!
Ieva says
Great crunchy fritters, just how we like them! Very well flavoured with cheddar and jalapenos!
Toni says
I really love how easy this is to make! Perfect side dish for my family!
Katherine says
These corn fritters are so good and I love the kick of jalapeno heat!
gunjan says
So easy and so good and loved the chewy corns in a fritter form. We loved it and I am making these again tomorrow for my daughters birthday party appetizer.
Carrie Robinson says
Oh wow! These look like perfection to me! 🙂 Can't wait to try this recipe soon.
Gina Abernathy says
These were so good! I had to stop myself from eating so many. Perfect recipe!
Anjali says
This was such a delicious snack for my kids after school today!! They gobbled it up!
Sara Welch says
These were the perfect balance of sweet and savory! I love how versatile corn can be to cook with, and this was no exception! Easily, a new favorite recipe; my whole family loved them!
Chenée says
I made these to go with dinner yesterday and everyone loved them! Can't wait to make them again!