Fresh Corn Fritters

By
Molly Watson
Molly Watson
An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/24/21
Tested by
Diana Andrews
Diana Andrews
Tested by Diana Andrews
Diana has served as head recipe developer and editor for the Emmy-nominated PBS series Moveable Feast, food editor and test kitchen manager at Fine Cooking Magazine, and recipe developer and product tester at Food Network. 
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Corn fritters recipe

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Chill: 30 mins
Total: 55 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 8 fritters
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
263 Calories
20g Fat
19g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 263
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g 26%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 47mg 16%
Sodium 151mg 7%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 4mg 20%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 184mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

These easy corn fritters are sweet and delicate, and a great way to use fresh sweet corn, especially once the thrill of eating corn on the cob has worn off and you're looking for something new. Serve these fritters plain or with a spicy salsa fresca, cilantro sauce, or other zesty sauce to highlight their sweetness.

Do keep in mind that any stray corn kernels that hit the oil may pop, splattering hot oil. It is best to cover the frying pan with a splatter screen if you have one.

1:22

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"Sweet, crunchy, and incredibly delicious, fresh corn fritters are perfect any time and for any occasion. This recipe is easy to make and very flexible. You can use fresh, canned, or frozen corn. Bet you can't eat just one!" —Diana Andrews

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A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 4 ears sweet corn, or 2 cups fresh corn kernels

  • 1 large egg

  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • Neutral oil for frying, such as canola or peanut oil

  • Coarsely chopped fresh parsley, for garnish, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients corn fritters
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  2. Set one of the ears of corn tip-down in a large mixing bowl. Use a sharp knife (a paring knife is ideal) to cut the corn kernels from the cob into the bowl. Repeat with the remaining ears of corn.

    Cutting corn off the cob using a knife
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  3. Move the kernels to one side of the bowl and add the egg. Beat the egg with a fork on the corn-free side of the bowl until the white and yolk are combined, then combine the corn kernels and the beaten egg.

    Corn kernels in a bowl with egg added
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  4. Sprinkle the mixture with the salt and flour; stir to combine everything thoroughly. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.

    Bowl with corn kernels is covered in plastic wrap
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  5. Heat a generous layer of oil (about 1/4-inch deep) in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat to 350 F. If you don't have a deep-fry thermometer, drop a bit of batter into the pan—it should sizzle immediately.

    Batter being dropped into the oil in the frying pan
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  6. Carefully place 1/4-cup mounds of the batter into the pan and flatten each bit with the back of the spoon. You should be able to fit about 4 fritters in a large skillet at a time. Cook the fritters, undisturbed, until golden brown on one side, 5 to 6 minutes.

    Frying four fritters
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  7. Flip and cook until they are brown on the other side, 3 to 4 minutes more.

    Corn fritters browning on both sides
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

  8. Transfer the fritters to a paper towel-lined plate or a cooling rack set over a baking sheet to drain, and repeat making more fritters with the remaining batter. Serve immediately, or keep warm in an oven heated to 250 F. Garnish with parsley if using.

    Corn fritters on a cooling rack
    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga 

Tips

  • A great way to cut corn kernels off of the ears is by slicing off the kernels into a bowl, but if you have a tube or Bundt pan, that's even better. Place the narrow tip of the ear into the hole in the center of the pan and hold the ear upright. Slice downward, rotating the ear or pan as you go. The kernels will naturally fall into the base of the pan.
  • Don't skip the chilling time for the batter as it gives the flour a chance to absorb some of the egg and liquid from the corn and lets the batter settle, thickening it and resulting in more fritter-like, crispy, and lacy fritters.
  • If using frozen corn kernels, be sure to defrost them completely and drain off any excess moisture before adding the egg.

Recipe Variations

  • For creamier fritters, after you cut the kernels off the cobs, use a large-hole grater to grate whatever bits of corn remain on the cobs. Or you can cut the kernels off of 2 ears and grate the kernels off of the other 2 ears.
  • Add a little spice to the batter, such as cayenne pepper, cumin, or paprika. Or mix in a little fresh chopped herb like parsley or cilantro.

How Do I Make Crispy and Not Soggy Corn Fritters?

To achieve a crispy fritter, you need to be sure to follow a few steps. First, don't overmix the batter, and allow it to sit before frying so it thickens up. Also, do not overcrowd the pan, as this will lower the oil temperature and make the fritters absorb more oil and become soggy and greasy.