Easy Fried Corn Fritters

These Easy Fried Corn Fritters are the absolute best summer recipe! You simply need fresh, frozen, or canned corn to mix into a cheesy batter, and then pan fry the patties until you have a sweet and crispy dish. These cakes are a delicious, quick, and easy appetizer or side with a scoop of sour cream or aioli.

Perfectly crispy on the outside, filled with sweet Southern corn, and lightly fried until cooked through and fluffy…

These easy (and cheesy!) fried corn fritters are what summer dreams are made of! (And are pretty much a tie with these Crispy Zucchini Fritters!)

Seriously, they’re like sweet and savory corn pancakes that you’re allowed to eat for dinner. (If you’re a breakfast-for-dinner kinda person like me, you might also love these Savory Waffles!)

And the best part? You can use fresh corn on the cob, previously frozen, or even canned corn if you want to whip them up in a jiffy.

Serve them with a dollop of sour cream and enjoy them as a tasty side dish or appetizer.

What these Corn Fritters are NOT!

These are not a deep-fried mound of cornmeal. Nope, these have tons of fresh corn all throughout and are lightly pan-fried in oil JUST until crispy.

If you do anything, DO THIS!

There’s a little trick to ensure your batter holds together better… let it rest. It doesn’t take long, just 15-20 minutes will do the trick! By allowing the batter to rest, you can then flatten the corn fritters out into a thinner layer in the skillet and get even crispier edges!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Notes about the ingredients needed for this Crispy Corn Fritters recipe are below. Jump to recipe for the exact measurements.

• Corn. Use fresh, frozen, or canned corn. If using fresh, boil and cut off the kernels; thaw and pat dry frozen corn, and rinse and pat dry canned corn.
• Flour. All-purpose flour or a gluten-free 1-to-1 blend can be used.
• Eggs. Two whisked eggs act as the binding agent so the fritters don’t fall apart.
• Milk. Regular milk or a nut-based milk can be used.
• Cheese. Finely shredded cheddar cheese is best for even distribution. Monterrey Jack, a Mexican blend, or mozzarella can also be used. Substitute with vegan cheese if you’re dairy-free.
• Cilantro. Chopped cilantro adds fresh flavor; finely chopped basil also works well.
• Seasonings. Paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for simple seasoning.
• Oil. Use avocado, safflower, grapeseed, or olive oil. Avocado oil is preferred for its mild flavor and high smoke point, while olive oil has a stronger flavor and lower smoke point, so monitor it closely to prevent burning.

How to Make Fried Corn Fritters

Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts. Jump to recipe for the printable instructions

1. Mix together the corn fritter batter.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and sugar in a large bowl.

Then add the corn, cilantro, whisked eggs, milk, and cheese and stir until combined. Your corn fritter batter will be thick.

2. Measure and pan fry in a skillet.

Turn your stovetop to medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a stainless steel or cast-iron skillet and allow it to get hot. If the oil is too cool, the fritter might fall apart!

Measure ⅓ cup of the mixture. You should have enough to get roughly 10 fritters.

Place 4-5 fritters spaced without touching at a time into the preheated skillet. Press each one down lightly with the back of a spatula and cook for 3-4 minutes per side.

Look for the fritters to fluff up and turn lightly browned and crispy. Continue cooking until all of the corn patties are done.

3. Toppings to serve with.

There are so many ways you can serve these homemade corn fritters. A few of the best pairings include:

• With a bit of homemade aioli, mayonnaise, or even secret sauce.
• Add a dollop of sour cream, or even dairy-free and vegan sour cream.
• Sprinkle some cut green onions or cilantro on top.
• Make a breakfast dish out of it with a fried egg and sliced avocado.

Meal Prep and Storage Instructions

• Prepping Ahead: Make up a batch of these fritters in advance and reheat when ready to serve. You can also prepare the batter up to 24 hours in advance and fry them just before serving.
• Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing Place a piece of wax or parchment paper between each fritter before storing in a freezer safe container or storage bag for up to 4-6 months.
• Reheating: Add a bit of oil or butter to a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook them on both sides for 2 minutes or until heated through.

FAQs

More Easy Corn Recipes

If those sweet kernels are still on your mind, try out these recipes:

• Avocado Corn Salad
• Easy Mexican Street Corn Salad
• Homemade Honey Jalapeño Cornbread
• Black Bean & Corn Salsa Dip
• Corn Souffle