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Old Fashioned Corn Fritters are a cinch to make in a pinch. Using your summer sweet corn, or your favorite frozen corn, these easy Corn Fritters are blended with cheddar and fresh basil for a fresh, cheesy twist to a classic southern staple.
Corn Fritters
We can’t get enough of summer sweet corn right now, especially when you learn how to grill corn on the cob. It’s like the main course for every meal with a side of burger or grilled chicken kabobs. But I, often, buy way more than I need so I’ve been coming up with more corn recipes to repurpose leftover corn so I don’t have to freeze corn.
These easy Corn Fritters are one of our favorite ways to use up that leftover corn on the cob. The come together super quick and I even made them cheesy so the kids dig them, too.
They’re a great addition to your summer dinner spread or family cookout instead of serving up the usual macaroni salad. And I love that they can be the main course without anyone giving you the side eye.
It’s just another way I like to transform corn on the cob like I did with this easy Corn Casserole.
What are Corn Fritters?
Corn Fritters are fried cakes of dough or batter featuring corn and are often made with flour or cornmeal. Originating in Native American cuisine, they are a traditional side dish or snack popular in Southern states of the US.
We love that Corn Fritters are quick and easy to make in about 20 minutes from start to finish.
Any type of deep fried dough can be considered a fritter whether sweet or savory….like these Apple Fritters we love to make in the fall.
A corn fritter is made by pan-frying corn kernels in a white flour batter. A hushpuppy, on the other hand, is made by deep frying dollops of corn meal or cornbread batter.
How To Make Corn Fritters
- Remove the kernels from the corn cob or thaw your frozen corn.
- Mix the corn and other ingredients until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
- Melt enough butter to cover the bottom of a frying pan generously.
- Drop the batter in the oil.
- Fry over medium heat until golden, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Flip the fritters and fry the other side until golden.
- Remove from pan and place fritters on a plate or platter and serve immediately.
How To Freeze Corn Fritters
You can make your corn fritters in advance and freeze them for even easier dinners.
Cook your corn fritters according to instructions and allow to cool on a cooling rack.
Place parchment paper in between each corn fritter and place in a freezer bag. Press out the air and seal.
Transfer to the freezer. Corn Fritters can stay in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in an over or toaster oven at 425 degrees or quickly in a pan. Reheating in the microwave is not recommended as the fritters will lose their crispiness.
What To Serve With Corn Fritters
You can serve your corn fritters just about anyway you want but I LOVE to serve them as the base for eggs Benedict or just topped with a poached egg.
They’re also fantastic with Oven Fried Chicken if you’re going the southern dinner route or serve them alongside a juicy grilled steak for a summer dinner that’s simple and spectacular.
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More Easy Corn Recipes
If you love this recipe you’ll also like this Corn Maque Choux…it’s easy, zesty and soooo good! Or try this easy Creamed Corn recipe and THIS Mexican Street Corn Salad!
Old Fashioned Corn Fritters Recipe
Equipment
- frying pan
Ingredients
- 4 ears of sweet corn, approximately 3 cups
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 6 scallions, finely sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped basil
- 1 cup shredded white sharp cheddar
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- kosher salt
- ground black pepper
- unsalted butter for frying
Instructions
- Slice the kernels off the corn and then reverse your knife and press out the milk.
- In a medium bowl, mix the corn and the milk with the eggs, scallions, herbs, cheese, flour, chili powder, and garlic powder until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
- Melt enough butter to cover the bottom of a frying pan generously.
- Divide the batter roughly into 8 and drop into the skillet. (I fried two at a time so they didn’t get crowded.)
- Fry over medium heat until golden, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Using a wide spatula, turn them over and fry the other side until golden.
- Remove from pan and place fritters on a plate or platter and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can these be air fried?
Delish! I subbed gluten free flour, oat milk, and vegan cheese because of dietary restrictions and it still came out great. It was also quick and easy to make with leftover corn on the cob. I love a recipe that adapts well to necessary changes and this was it.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing your substitutions! I’m so happy you enjoyed them.
Loved it! I had leftover sweet corn and was in the mood for something different to use it up. After I sliced the cobs, I didn’t really get milk from the kernels so didn’t worry about that step. We had eggs on top, as some reviewers mentioned. They were filling! My husband thought making them smaller would be good so he could get more eggs with them. Not a bad idea to make them smaller due to their filling nature and to manage the flipping. I preferred the fritters themselves, without the eggs on top. They were a bit sweet without any added sugar in them – awesome! We both thought freezing the leftovers was a good idea (high praise from him indeed! He usually just says to pitch leftovers if he doesn’t care for them.)
I’m so happy you liked them! They are my favorite way to use up corn.
I don’t see milk in the list of ingredients so how much do you use?
I fixed it….you’ll need 3/4 cup of milk or cream.
Looks so good! Can’t wait to try this out.
Oh my, these fritters sound incredibly delicious!! YUM!!
Oh my goodness I used your idea of serving them as a base to a poached egg and it was amazing, the crunchy crust with the sweet corn, these fritters were amazing. I have a girls brunch coming up next week and couldn’t figure out what to make I think I have now received my answer.
I’m so glad you loved them! I have a great jalapeno hollandaise that would go well with them, too!
Oh my, I want me some of these… And, I’ve pinned it!
Thanks for the pin!
This looks amazing!! Bookmarking it! thanks so much!! xoxo, felicia