9 December 2024

Sweet Corn Fritters

These golden, crispy Sweet Corn Fritters are incredibly easy to prepare yet packed with flavor, making them a total crowd-pleaser. This plant-based recipe suits any occasion, whether as a snack, appetizer, or side dish. When served with a sauce on the side, these healthy patties become even more delicious.

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The chickpea flour batter makes these Sweet Corn Fritters higher in protein, and spices such as paprika and chilli flakes enhance its flavor. When combined with water, the mixture is thick enough, allowing the patties to hold their shape while cooking in olive oil. When pouring a ladle of the mixture onto the pan, don’t worry if some corn tends to spread out; just try to shape it like a pancake. During cooking, the chickpea batter will become denser, holding everything together and making it easier to flip the vegan patties.

This recipe originated as a way to use the abundant leftover corn in the Southern U.S, where Sweet Corn Fritters are commonly enjoyed as a snack or side dish. Additionally, countries like China and Thailand have influenced this recipe by incorporating local spices, herbs and chili. While these patties are usually fried, I personally prefer to cook them whit a little olive oil in a non-stick pan, allowing all the flavors to be released.

There are plenty of sauces to choose from to serve with your plant-based Sweet Corn Fritters. I suggest dipping them in aioli, tomato sauce, or tzatziki. Once cooled, I store them in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 2-3 days. If you want to keep them for a longer period, you can place them in the freezer using suitable bags.

Ingredients for healthy corn fritters

Sweet-corn: this is the main ingredient, which adds an earthy flavor and crispy texture, complementing the other components. Sweet corn is a source of fiber, aids digestion, and provides a feeling of fullness. Additionally, it is rich in vitamins, such as A and B, along with folate and antioxidants. I use canned sweet corn to save time, but you can also choose freeze or boiled fresh corn.

Chickpea flour: it acts as a binder, holding the ingredients together and preventing the mixture from falling apart during cooking. In these Sweet Corn Fritters, chickpea flour creates a crispy exterior and adds a pleasant thickness. This flour is an excellent source of plant-based protein, making the patties even more nutritious and suitable for those following a vegan or keto diet. Moreover, chickpea flour is naturally gluten-free, making these savory pancakes a great alternative for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Cilantro: fresh cilantro adds a bright and refreshing flavor to the Sweet Corn Fritters. Additionally, this herb provides a vibrant green color, enhancing the visual appeal of the dish, and is also a good source of iron and potassium. Finally, cilantro is believed to have detoxifying properties, aiding digestion and helping to cleanse the body of toxins.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to prepare vegan patties

Mix the chickpea flour, salt, baking powder, paprika, chilli flakes and black pepper in a large bowl.

Add water to the dry ingredients and whisk to combine.

chickpea batter for vegan sweet corn patties

Incorporate the sweetcorn (previously drained), chopped onion and shallot, chopped cilantro.

Heat some olive oil on a saucepan and pour a tablespoon of the mixture, letting cook for some minutes on each side.

My tips for crispy sweet corn pancakes

Make sure to drain the sweet corn before adding it to the batter to remove excess moisture.

If the chickpea batter is too thick add more water to make it smoother.

Let the batter sit for about 10-15 minutes before frying. This gives the flour time to absorb moisture and helps the fritters hold their shape better during cooking.

Did you try this recipe? Don’t forget to share it with me tagging @nutritiouslysofia on Instagram!