Pan-fried corn fritters turn out golden and crispy on the outside with a tender, corn-filled center—sweet, savory, and perfect for summer.

Better Than The Rest: Here’s Why
✅ Super Versatile: Use fresh, canned, or thawed frozen corn—whichever you have on hand.
✅ Pairs Well With Many Dishes: Serve these fritters with grilled meats, eggs, roasted vegetables, or hearty salads.
✅ Restaurant-Quality Texture: A crisp golden exterior gives way to a pillowy interior filled with sweet corn and savory notes—ideal as an appetizer or side.
Corn Fritter Recipe: What To Know & Recipe Highlights
- Key Ingredient: Corn—fresh adds the sweetest flavor. Expect about 6–7 ears for 3 cups of kernels.
- Skillet: A 10–12 inch skillet with a deep, heavy bottom works best to allow oil to settle without splattering. Cast iron is ideal but any heavy pan will do.
- Best Oil for Frying: Use an oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable, canola, peanut, or safflower oil.
- Dips: These fritters are excellent with garlic aioli, chipotle lime aioli, or guacamole.
- Cheese Options: Mild or sharp cheddar both work; try Colby Jack or Havarti for variation.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour for all-purpose flour.
- Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

- Corn: Kernels provide sweetness and texture.
- Flour: Binds the mixture and gives structure.
- Granulated sugar: Enhances the corn’s natural sweetness.
- Baking powder: Lightens the fritters for a tender interior.
- Old Bay seasoning: Adds savory depth.
- Salt & black pepper: Balance and a slight kick.
- Eggs: Bind the batter.
- Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a tangy richness; regular milk is an acceptable substitute.
- Fresh parsley: Brightens flavor and color.
- Mild cheddar cheese: Melts into the fritters for creaminess.
- Vegetable oil: For pan-frying to a golden crisp.
👩🏼🍳 Scroll to the recipe card below for exact measurements and full instructions.
🥣 Here’s How To Make It

Step 1: In a large bowl combine the corn kernels, flour, sugar, baking powder, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Step 2: Stir the dry ingredients together until evenly combined.

Step 3: Add the eggs and buttermilk to the dry mix and stir until a thick batter forms.

Step 4: Fold in the chopped parsley and shredded cheddar cheese until evenly distributed.

Step 5: The batter should be thick and spoonable.

Step 6: Heat 1½ cups of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, drop 2-tablespoon mounds of batter into the skillet and lightly flatten each mound with a spatula.
Expert Tip: Drop a dime-sized bit of batter in the oil—if it sizzles and browns quickly, the oil is ready.

Step 7: Fry 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Cook in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan.

Step 8: Top with bacon, scallions, and extra cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Serve these hot as an appetizer, side, or snack. A creamy aioli or chipotle lime sauce complements the sweet corn and savory seasoning beautifully.

🙋🏼 Top Questions I Get Asked About This Recipe
Yes. Baking produces a less crispy exterior but still tasty results. Spray both sides with cooking spray, place on a greased baking sheet, and bake at 400°F for about 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.
Yes. Use 2–3 inches of oil heated to 350°F and fry spoonfuls of batter in small batches for 2–3 minutes per side until golden.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
An air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes works best to restore crispness. Alternatively, reheat in a 375°F oven for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway.

Expert Tips
- Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even browning.
- Wait until the bottom half is well-browned before flipping to prevent the fritters from falling apart.
- Let oil cool before disposing; pour cooled oil into a sealed container and discard with the trash.
- Garnish with shredded cheese, chives, sour cream, or aioli.
🥘 Here’s What I Serve With These Corn Fritters
Baked Bone In Chicken Thighs
Sous Vide Bacon
Summer Corn Salad
Smoked Pork Butt
😋 Next-Level Appetizers You Need To Try!
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Tangy Fruit Salsa With Baked Cinnamon Chips
Garlic Mayo Chicken Baguettes
Strawberry Cream Cheese Dip
If you try these corn fritters, please share how they turned out in the comments and leave a rating if you enjoyed them.
Corn Fritters
Equipment
- 1 deep, heavy-bottomed skillet
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 3 cups corn kernels
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ¾ cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1½ cups vegetable oil for pan frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the corn, flour, sugar, baking powder, Old Bay, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Add the eggs and buttermilk and mix until a thick batter forms.
- Fold in parsley and shredded cheddar.
- Heat 1½ cups vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Test the oil by dropping a dime-size bit of batter—if it sizzles and browns quickly, the oil is ready.
- Spoon 2-tablespoon mounds of batter into the hot oil and flatten slightly with a spatula.
- Fry 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Cook remaining batter in batches.
- Top with bacon, scallions, or extra cheese and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a 10–12 inch pan that’s deep enough for a layer of oil without splattering.
- Choose an oil with a high smoke point for frying.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches for even browning.
- Let the bottom brown fully before flipping to prevent the fritters from falling apart.
- Allow oil to cool completely before disposing; place it in a sealed container before discarding.
- Garnish with shredded cheese, chives, sour cream, or aioli.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Protein: 5 g
Fat: 31 g
Sodium: 332 mg