Learn how to make crispy corn fritters at home. A great way to enjoy summer vegetables is this easy recipe that I learned from my mom. She has this super easy recipe for the beer batter that it fries up light and crispy, which is a perfect combination with this corn.
These corn fritters use fresh, whole kernels, and a simple batter. These corn fritters are the perfect side dish for any meal. With a crispy exterior and soft interior, they’ll have you asking for more!
If you’re looking for an easy, but impressive side dish that showcases the delicious taste of summer corn then these crisp cakes are perfect. I love how they can be served as is or with a variety of toppings like ketchup, mayo, French dressing, or as is.
How do You Cut Corn Off the Cob?
If you’re using fresh corn for these fritters, the best way to remove it from its cob before proceeding with this recipe is by cutting off any kernels with a sharp knife. There are also some simple methods that will make sure your kitchen stays clean while doing so. Lay an ear of corn flat on top a cutting board and carefully slice away at both ends until all traces have been removed. Another option is to stand the cob on end and place in a shallow bowl using a knife to cut down the side to remove the kernels.
Simple Recipe Ingredients
Pancake mix, eggs, beer, and of course corn. Then there is oil for frying. The corn can be fresh summer corn, frozen, or canned. No worries, it all works.
If you want to jazz up your recipe a bit, here are a few ideas of what to add to the original recipe.
Add cheese for a cheesy corn fritter. Just a cup or two does the trick.
Onions whether they are fresh chives, red onions, yellow onions, or green onions work well with this recipe. Just add a little for a lot of extra flavor.
My son-in-law loves his bacon and whenever I add cooked bacon to these, he just can’t help himself. He devours these either way but loves them best with the bacon. Just pre-cook to crispy and dice up in a fine dice so it is about the same size as the corn. I add just a cup or two.
Add fresh herbs such as parsley for a deliciously fresh taste and the added green color is so pretty with this.
If you prefer a bit of heat, dice up a jalapeno after the seeds have been removed.
Mix up a Batch of Corn Fritters for Dinner Tonight and Serve with Dips and Sauces
Here are a few ideas for you.
- Ranch Salad Dressing
- French Salad Dressing
- Honey
- Maple Syrup
- Sriracha Mayo
- Honey Garlic Butter Sauce
How to Make Crispy Corn Fritters Recipe
Whisk together the pancake mix, eggs, and beer. Stir to combine.
Remove the corn kernels from the cob if using fresh corn. If using frozen corn thaw and drain off the liquid. For canned corn, drain the liquid. Add to the fitter batter and fold in the corn.
Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add several tablespoons of corn batter to the hot oil. Fry on one side approximately 1 minute, turn and fry the second side. If it is not crispy and golden enough, continue frying a few seconds longer until the desired crispiness and color are achieved.
Drain on a paper towel-lined plate and serve while still hot and crispy.
Corn Fritter Recipe Pro-tips
Do not use a deep fryer for this recipe. If you try and drop spoons of the corn fritter batter into hot oil it will break apart, so just add about 1 cup vegetable or canola oil to a skillet when making these tasty treats. Use a tablespoon to drop the corn fritter batter into the skillet. The thick consistency allows them stay together while cooking, which creates beautiful golden edges once flipped over onto its opposite side.
Do not overcrowd the frying pan. This can lower the temperature and cause the fritters to cook longer and become soggy rather than crispy. Therefore, I generally fry 4 to 5 at once in a 12-inch skillet.
What to use in place of pancake mix? 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt.
Swap out the beer for lemon-lime soda. This will also add to the light and bubbly the batter. Milk will work too, but you will not have as light and crispy of a batter.
How Do You Keep These Corn Cakes Crispy?
You can keep your fritters crispy by placing them on a wire rack placed in a half sheet pan in single layer. If you stack the cakes together, they might steam and get soggy. It is best to just serve immediately after cooking so that doesn’t happen. However, when I am not serving them right away, I get them on the rack and place them in the oven on warm, 275 degrees Fahrenheit to keep them warm and crispy without overcooking them.
Can You Freeze These Homemade Corn Fritters?
You can freeze corn fritters for up to two months. Place them in a single layer on top of one another so they don’t stick together and place inside an airtight container or resealable plastic bag before freezing. Then when you want some crispy, warmed through deliciousness just take out as many pieces as you want.
How to Reheat Corn Fritters with a Golden and Crispy Outside
Let them thaw about 30 minutes and reheat them in a pan with hot oil frying on both sides about 1-2 minutes on each side.
You can also reheat these in a toaster oven or oven. They will be nice and crispy when heated at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes.
If you are in a pinch, you can reheat in a microwave, but they will have a soggy texture. They will still taste great, but they will lose that amazing crispy texture.
You haven’t lived until you try these fritters. They are the best way to experience fresh corn and it doesn’t even matter if your favorite is usually baked or fried, because we can guarantee that our recipe will win them over.
Do You Have to Cook the Corn First for Cooked Fritters?
No, you do not have to cook the corn first. In fact, if you have leftover cooked corn, you can use that to make fritters. However, you can cut the fresh kernels off the cob and use that fresh summer corn uncooked.
How to Make Crispy Corn Fritters
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 8 Cups Corn
- 2 Cups Pancake Mix
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 ½ Cups Beer Pale Light Beer Works Well
Instructions
- Whisk together the pancake mix, eggs, and beer. Stir to combine.2 Cups Pancake Mix, 2 Large Eggs, 1 ½ Cups Beer
- Remove the corn kernels from the cob if using fresh corn. If using frozen corn thaw and drain off the liquid. For canned corn, drain the liquid. Add to the fitter batter and fold in the corn.8 Cups Corn
- Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add several tablespoons of corn batter to the hot oil. Fry on one side approximately 1 minute, turn and fry the second side. If it is not crispy and golden enough, continue frying a few seconds longer until the desired crispiness and color are achieved.
- Drain on a paper towel-lined plate and serve while still hot and crispy.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
There is a Short Video on This Recipe
Corn Fritter Recipe Pro-tips
Do not use a deep fryer for this recipe. If you try and drop spoons of the corn fritter batter into hot oil it will break apart, so just add about 1 cup vegetable or canola oil to a skillet when making these tasty treats. Use a tablespoon to drop the corn fritter batter into the skillet. The thick consistency allows them stay together while cooking, which creates beautiful golden edges once flipped over onto its opposite side. Do not overcrowd the frying pan. This can lower the temperature and cause the fritters to cook longer and become soggy rather than crispy. Therefore, I generally fry 4 to 5 at once in a 12-inch skillet. What to use in place of pancake mix? 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt. Swap out the beer for lemon-lime soda. This will also add to the light and bubbly the batter. Milk will work too, but you will not have as light and crispy of a batter.Can You Freeze These Homemade Corn Fritters?
You can freeze corn fritters for up to two months. Place them in a single layer on top of one another so they don’t stick together and place inside an airtight container or resealable plastic bag before freezing. Then when you want some crispy, warmed through deliciousness just take out as many pieces as you want.How to Reheat Corn Fritters with a Golden and Crispy Outside
Let them thaw about 30 minutes and reheat them in a pan with hot oil frying on both sides about 1-2 minutes on each side. You can also reheat these in a toaster oven or oven. They will be nice and crispy when heated at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes. If you are in a pinch, you can reheat in a microwave, but they will have a soggy texture. They will still taste great, but they will lose that amazing crispy texture.You haven’t lived until you try these fritters. They are the best way to experience fresh corn and it doesn’t even matter if your favorite is usually baked or fried, because we can guarantee that our recipe will win them over.
