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Southern Corn Fritters (+Video)

Corn Fritters with cornmeal are a great southern side dish for summer barbecues, as well as any gathering.

The cornbread fritters are easy to make using corn on the cob or corn right out of the can.

This simple corn fritters side dish only uses five ingredients for a quick and easy addition to a meal that everyone will love, and is a tried-and-true recipe that will surely bring back memories.

Crispy Corn Fritters

Picture of corn fritters

Y’all will love this recipe for corn fritters using canned corn because it’s so easy to whip up in about five minutes, plus ten more to fry them.

This is a bona fide recipe that has been on southern tables for generations.

The edges get crispy as they cook for the perfect dippings side dish.

Plus, the recipe is super inexpensive and versatile.

If you get on Pinterest, you can see a huge variety of ways to make the fritters from adding cilantro, onions, jalapeños, and so much more.

You can even add a little sugar to them for a sweet treat. You can also make them gluten-free, egg-free, or just about any way you’d like to.

This is one of my favorite recipes. The truth is, I will eat corn any way I can get it. I love the stuff.

My grandparents raised corn on their farm in Tennessee and my grandmother had it at almost every meal.

As a youngin’, I once ate twelve ears in one sitting. Yep, twelve full ears of corn. The only bad part is that I didn’t have room for pie after.

If you love cornbread, give this fried cornbread a try.

What are corn fritters made of?

  • Corn (you can use canned, frozen, or scrape off the corn on the cob), cornmeal, all-purpose flour, egg, grated parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

Where are corn fritters from?

  • They originated as a Native American cuisine and later became a southern side dish. You will find the southern corn fritters on tables all over the South. They are also a popular side dish in Indonesia.

What Ingredients Are Needed For Corn Fritters?

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed below in the recipe card.

Dry Ingredients

  • Whole corn kernels
  • Cornmeal
  • All-purpose flour
  • Grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper

Wet Ingredients

  • Egg
  • Vegetable oil

Step-By-Step Instructions

Picture of corn fritters

First, add the whole kernel corn to a medium-large bowl.

I used canned corn because I was in a bit of a hurry and this is a great recipe for corn fritters using canned corn.

You’ll need two cups of corn for this recipe, and it required about 1-1/2 cans of yellow corn.

You can use yellow or white corn and if you’d like them to be super fresh, you can scrape it right off the cob.

It will take several cooked ears to get enough corn to equal two cups.

Picture of corn and egg in a bowl

Second, add the beaten egg to the bowl.

The egg is one of the ingredients that will help hold the fritters together while frying.

Picture of corn and cornmeal

Next, you’re going to add the cornmeal to the bowl.

I did not use self-rising cornmeal for the recipe.

Picture of corn and flour

Now, add the all-purpose flour.

The cornmeal, egg, and all-purpose flour work together to hold everything together while frying.

If it still seems too dry, add another egg to the mixture.

Picture of corn and parmesan cheese

Next, add the grated parmesan cheese to the bowl.

You don’t have to add the cheese, but it does give it a lot of flavor.

I used store-bought pre-grated parmesan cheese. I didn’t want to spend a lot of time grating the parmesan, so I opted for the easy route, but still just as tasty.

Picture of corn and parmesan

Finally, add a pinch of salt and pepper and mix well.

If you’d like to add other ingredients, now is the time.

Picture of corn fritters in a skillet

Cooking the fritters

Heat oil in a frying pan on medium heat. I used enough oil to fill about 1/4-inch of the pan. (I used my big cast iron skillet for this recipe, but any skillet will work fine).

Spoon out some of the corn fritter mixture into your hand and create a ball before putting it in the frying pan, that way you will be able to keep it together.

Once you get it into the hot oil, take the back of a spoon and press it down with ease so it doesn’t fall apart.

Allow the corn fritters to cook for about five to six minutes on one side, or until they are golden brown.

Don’t be tempted to check before that time because the fritters might fall apart if you try to turn them over too soon – speaking from experience here.

Flip the fritters over and allow them to cook until they are golden brown and crispy all over.

Picture of corn fritters

After they cook, place them on paper towels to drain off the grease and set aside until you’re ready to eat them.

They have such a delicious crispy exterior after frying them.

You can add a little butter on top and let it melt.

Picture of corn fritters on a red plate.

I like to sprinkle a little bit of dried parsley on them if I have some in the cabinet. It just adds a bit of color.

Optional Ingredients:

  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Jalapeños
  • Shredded carrots
  • Green onions
Picture of corn fritters

What’s the difference between hush puppies and corn fritters?

You can make old fashioned corn fritters with corn, cornmeal, flour, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. They are formed into small flat patties and are fried until golden brown.

Hush puppies are small round balls with cornbread, buttermilk, and seasonings. You fry the hush puppies until they are golden and crispy on the outside.

How do you reheat corn fritters?

Corn fritters are best reheated in the toaster oven that way they will be nice and crispy again when done. You can pop them in the microwave, but they will not be crispy anymore and might end up tough to bite into.

What can be made with corn?

Oh, the options are endless. Here are a few ideas to make with corn:

Is white corn sweeter than yellow corn?

Depends on who you ask. I am in the yellow corn is sweeter camp. However, in reality, both white and yellow corn can be sweet, you’re only seeing a difference in color.

What can you dip corn fritters in?

Other dishes that go well with corn fritters:

Can fritters be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze fritters, just be sure to wrap them in an airtight container.

You can defrost them by setting them on the counter for an hour or so and then heating up in the toaster oven before serving.

Southern Corn Fritters

The southern corn fritters with cornmeal are a great side dish for summer barbecues, as well as any gathering.

They’re easy to make using fresh or canned corn and only requires a few ingredients.

These simple fritters will surely bring back memories of family gatherings past and can be served alongside many different main dishes. Get the full recipe here.

Picture of corn fritters

Corn Fritters (+Video)

Yield: 8 fritters
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Corn Fritters with cornmeal are a great southern side dish for summer barbecues, as well as any gathering. The fritters are easy to make using corn on the cob or corn right out of the can. This simple recipe only uses five ingredients for a quick and easy addition to a meal that everyone will love.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole kernel corn
  • 1/4 cup cornmeal
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • pinch of salt and pepper
  • vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Begin heating the vegetable oil in a frying pan on medium heat.
  2. Add the corn, cornmeal, flour, egg, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to a medium-sized bowl.
  3. Mix together and press into a ball in your hand to create a fritter.
  4. Add to the hot vegetable oil and press down easily with your spoon or spatula to make a patty.
  5. Fry on each side for five to six minutes or until the fritters are golden brown and crispy on each side.
  6. Remove from skillet and place on a paper town to drain the oil.
  7. Serve

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 fritters Serving Size: 1 fritter
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 114Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 133mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 5g

Nutrition is approximate.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Donna

Friday 24th of February 2023

Mine were corn fritter pancakes. I added some fresh grated parm and sharp chedder cheeses and cooked them in butter. Theyre darn good but not sure they go with baked salmon. I also heated up some of my home canned green beans. I'll definitely be eating some corn fritters for breakfast 😋.

Julie Pollitt

Saturday 25th of February 2023

That sounds like a really good meal, and with home canned green beans!

Gaile

Monday 5th of December 2022

What do you do with leftovers?

Julie Pollitt

Tuesday 6th of December 2022

Hi Gaile,

For reheating, corn fritters are best reheated in the toaster oven that way they will be nice and crispy again when done. You can pop them in the microwave, but they will not be crispy anymore and might end up tough to bite into.

To add to other items as a leftover, you can cut them up and eat them over mashed potatoes, slice on a salad (my husband does that), eat with some pork chops, cook an egg and eat it on top of the corn fritters.

Philip Dell

Thursday 15th of September 2022

Interesting recipe. It barely holds together, but it does. I halved the parmesan because I knew I was going with maple syrup. It was good. It's a little tricky getting it browned but not burned.

Julie Pollitt

Thursday 15th of September 2022

Glad you liked it! It does fall apart a little easily, but so delish!

Ray

Thursday 15th of September 2022

When my mom made these she added chopped green onions as well as the sugar you suggested. Then we topped the cooked fritters with butter.

I have to make these now as my mouth is watering. Think I'll double the recipe.

Julie Pollitt

Thursday 15th of September 2022

That sounds like a wonderful addition! Hope you love them!

Jill

Friday 26th of November 2021

So good. I dip mine in syrup.

Julie Pollitt

Friday 26th of November 2021

Yum!

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