Southern Fried Corn Fritters Recipe

Today, we’re making homemade, crispy Southern-style fried corn fritters that you can enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

Looking for the perfect crispy, golden, Southern-style corn fritters you can serve up with just about any meal? These Southern Fried Corn Fritters are everything: crunchy on the outside, soft and flavorful on the inside, and packed with sweet corn in every bite. Whether you’re making Sunday dinner or just craving a good ol’ down-home snack, this recipe is sure to hit the spot!

What Are Southern Fried Corn Fritters?

Corn fritters are one of those classic soul food staples that deserve more love. They’re literally one of my favorites. I like to serve my corn fritters for dinner with smothered chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Mmm-mmm! They’re just so darn good!

These fritters are simple to make but bursting with flavor. It’s giving a corn-packed Hush Puppies vibe. Think a sweet little corn cake with a slightly creamy center and a perfectly golden crisp edge.

I was browsing through my blog and couldn’t believe I didn’t have a recipe post for corn fritters! However, that’s about to change. I’m honestly amazed that I haven’t shared this recipe before!

I’ve been making corn fritters for years. They’re easy enough to whip up for a weekday dinner, but they feel special enough for Sunday supper. Serve these babies up as an appetizer, snack, or side dish.

Oh, and feel free to play around with the seasonings here. Southern Fried Corn Fritters are just as deliciously sweet as they are savory.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Corn Fritters

Ready to get these little bites all fixed up? Here’s what you’ll need to make a batch of these homemade corn fritters. (Note, you may want to make a couple of batches—these go quick!):

Sour cream and green onions: Optional, but highly recommended. Sour cream and zesty green onions make the perfect garnish with corn. They bring those heavenly flavors all together!

Frozen corn (thawed): Fresh corn or canned corn works, but frozen corn holds its texture well. If you use fresh, cut it off the cob onto a cookie sheet with a raised edge—this will keep you from cleaning corn kernels off your floor for the next week.

All-purpose flour: Flour is your base that brings everything together. These fritters are pancake-like, and what’s a cake without flour?

Granulated sugar: Sugar is totally optional! Omit the sweet stuff for a savory fritter. This is an excellent recipe for trial and “error” (and you can even eat the mistakes)!

Baking powder: When baking powder does its thing, it helps to give the fritters a little puff. No one wants a flat, dense fritter!

Cayenne pepper: I like to add just a touch of cayenne for a spicy little Southern kick (as we do).

Salt and ground black pepper: We believe in seasoning, and you need a little salt and pepper to season things up just right.

Eggs: Without eggs, you’ll get a crumbly fritter, which isn’t bad, but is a lot harder to eat. The eggs help bind the batter and give it structure.

Heavy whipping cream: Cream is a must! You’ll get that incredible richness and tenderness inside that makes these to die for.

Vegetable oil or canola oil: For keeping things moving in the pan. These fritters get their crisp from a little light frying.

How to Make Southern Fried Corn Fritters

To get started with these corn fritters, we’ll simply combine all the ingredients in a bowl, mix them, and fry the southern corn fritters until they’re golden brown. It’s just that easy!

Don’t forget to save this Southern Fried Corn Fritters recipe on Pinterest for later!

You’re going to love how easy these are to cook—if you can make pancakes, you can make corn fritters!

Drain and garnish: Remove the fritters from the skillet and place on a paper towel–lined plate to drain. Serve warm, topped with sour cream and garnished with green onions. If you decide to go sweet, you may want to try a little butter and skip the onions (but you do you, darlin’).

Mix up the batter: In a large bowl, combine the corn, flour, sugar (if using), baking powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Add the eggs and cream, then stir the mixture well until everything is thoroughly combined.

Fry it up: Heat about ½ inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cast-iron works best, but any skillet or frying pan will do. When the oil gets hot, drop batter into the pan using a scoop or spoon. Whatever you do, give these babies some space and don’t overcrowd the pan! Fry for about 2–3 minutes per side until each fritter is golden brown.

Can I use canned corn instead of frozen?

Yes! Any kind of corn works just fine. The key is to get it as dry as possible, whether it’s thawed from frozen or drained out of a can. You want to ensure it’s dry so the batter doesn’t become too thin or watery.

If you use fresh cooked corn, you can cut it right off the cob. I always use a cookie sheet or a baking pan with an edge, so those little corn kernels don’t roll all over my kitchen. Use a sharp knife and slice off the corn from top to bottom. You’ll want to drain the milky liquid from the fresh corn, or it will make your corn fritter recipe soggy.

How do I store and reheat corn fritters?

Leftover corn fritters are a rarity, but they do happen (especially if you make a big ol’ batch). These little fritters keep quite well in the fridge. Simply pop them into an airtight container, and you can store them safely for about three days.

To reheat your fritters, use the oven or an air fryer. You want to keep the crispiness! If you put them in the microwave, they can get a little soggy (but even a soggy fritter is pretty yummy). You can also put them in a frying pan, but be careful that they don’t burn on the edges before the center heats up (keep them on low and slow).

Can I make these ahead?

Having your cousins over for a party? You can absolutely make these in a big batch ahead of time. For the best results, start frying them up a few hours ahead and then pop them into a warm 200°F oven until serving.

Corn fritters are forgiving, and everyone loves them. So definitely make a double batch and serve them up with hot sauce, sour cream, butter, or any other dressing that suits your fancy. The next time you have folks over, this is an easy recipe for a tasty side dish.

How to Make Southern Fried Corn Fritters

Southern Fried Corn Fritters are a classic side dish that can be served with just about any comfort food! Try these alongside some smothered chicken for a proper Southern comfort meal.

Ingredients

• 3 cups frozen corn thawed
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar, omit if you prefer a savory fritter
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 2 large eggs beaten
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• Vegetable or canola oil for frying
• Green onions and sour cream for garnish

Southern Fried Corn Fritters Recipe

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the corn, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
2. Add the eggs and heavy whipping cream and stir until well incorporated.
3. Fill the bottom of a large skillet with oil and heat over medium-high heat.
4. With a large spoon or an ice cream scoop, drop 4-5 scoops of corn fritter batter into the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes. Flip each fritter over and fry for an additional 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Drain the fritters on a plate or pan lined with paper towels.
6. Serve warm with sour cream and chopped scallions!

Last Step! If you loved this recipe, leave me a review below. This helps future recipe makers and ensures continued high-quality recipes for years to come!

Corn Fritter Tips and Variations

Now you KNOW, I’ve got your back when it comes to customizing and having fun with your corn fritters. Cousin Rosie would never leave you high and dry! Follow these tips to make the most of your next batch of these Southern fried corn fritters.

• Make it a sweet fritter: Add sugar and drizzle with maple syrup or honey for a breakfast-style fritter. These are bound to become a breakfast favorite!
• Spice it up: Need a little heat? Toss in some diced jalapeños or add a few extra shakes of cayenne. You can also serve these up with your favorite hot sauce so folks can adjust the heat to taste.
• Go cheesy: Add shredded cheddar or pepper jack to the fritter batter for a next-level treat. Warning: Cheesy fritters are addictive. Once you try these, you might not be able to stop!
• Swap the cream: The cream gives the fitters their velvety interior. If you don’t have any cream on hand, or prefer whole milk, use a little tangy buttermilk, if that’s your thing.
• Don’t crowd the pan: Give each fritter enough space to fry evenly. Overcrowding = soggy fritters. Believe me, no one wants a soggy fritter! These are best when they have plenty of room to crisp up right!

Whether you’re having a get-together or you just want a little comforting somethin’ somethin’ with your dinner, corn fritters are the perfect option. These make excellent breakfast treats, yummy lunches, and go with any dinner.

Loving corn season? Make these fritters any time of year, but if you’ve got a bumper crop of corn, try these recipes:

• Corn Pudding Casserole
• Tex-Mex Corn Casserole
• Oven-Baked Corn on the Cob

If you love these Southern-fried corn fritters as much as I do, leave me a comment below. Don’t forget to tag and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, and check out I Heart Soul Food and Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie, with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else.