These easy 4-ingredient corn fritters are a simple and flavorful vegan dish. Imagine the taste of sweet corn kernels with savory scallions. These corn fritters are very quick to whip up, can be pan fried with or without oil and can also be made gluten free

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The flavor has sweet and savory elements, and the sweetness of the corn is complemented by the savoriness of the scallions.
- It’s perfect for lazy people (this can be me at times) as this recipe uses minimal simple ingredients and it's easy cooking! I do however discuss below in the ingredients additions and substitutions for those who want more than 4 ingredients.
- Dietary friendly, not only is this recipe vegan, it can easily be made gluten-free, I make the GF version for myself all the time. It can also be prepared without any oil, I show you how to do this in the video.
Ingredients You'll Need
Notes on some of the ingredients, the full list of ingredients and their measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
- The key ingredient is sweet corn kernels, you can use fresh corn or canned corn. I used canned when making this recipe. Just drain the excess liquid prior to using the corn kernels.
- Scallions (green onions) add the tastiest contrasting savory flavor to the sweet corn. These should be sliced up thinly. You can use any type of herb instead, think garlic chives, plain chives, parsley, dill etcetera.
- All-purpose flour, aka plain flour, will bind all the ingredients together. You can use self-raising flour instead. To keep this a true 4-ingredient corn fritter recipe, I really did use minimal ingredients, however, you can add a touch of baking powder if you like to the all-purpose flour to create fluffier fritters.
- Dairy-free milk, you can use your preferred variety.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Optional Neutral oil for pan frying. You can pan fry these fritters without oil, just use a nonstick frying pan. Both ways work fabulously.
Optional Ingredients For Extra Flavor
- For a cheesy flavor add some nutritional yeast.
- Fresh garlic or garlic powder can also be added to taste. You could even try some onion powder.
- Chili (either fresh or powdered, such as cayenne pepper) can be added to taste.
Make These Gluten Free
Replace all-purpose flour with all-purpose gluten-free flour. I make these for myself and they are delish!
How to Make 4-Ingredient Corn Fritters
Toss the corn kernels and scallion in the flour, by adding them to a medium mixing bowl along with the salt and pepper. Mix these through ensuring the corn is coated well in the flour.
Add the milk to the floured corn and mix this through, this should result in a thick batter.
Heat up your frying pan or griddle. I like to heat up my pan on high and then turn it to medium heat once it is hot (I am using a gas stove, so it's very hot - this may vary between stoves). If you are using a griddle, turn it to high, once it is hot, turn it down one or two notches.
If using oil (such as vegetable oil or avocado oil), make sure it is hot oil prior to pan frying. You don't need too much oil. Otherwise, these can be pan-fried without oil in a non-stick frying pan or griddle.
Cook the corn fritters by placing a spoonful (I used a soup spoon or dessert spoon, you can use a cookie scoop too) of the corn mixture on the pan or griddle, about an ⅛ of a cup size (I like making small fritters), and then gently flattening with the back of a spoon.
Let it fry for about 1½ minutes before flipping and then fry the other side for 1½ minutes. A spatula should easily be able to slide under the fritter to flip if it doesn’t let the fritter fry for another 30 seconds or so.
Flip two more times or until golden brown. Use paper towels to line a plate and to place the crispy fritters onto to soak up excess oil. Repeat until all the remaining batter is used.
Serve warm with your favorite sauce, see suggestions below.
Make This Recipe Next...
When you're done making this recipe, you should make my popular air fryer corn ribs recipe. Another fun way to use delicious corn.
Pro Tips
Have a secondary spoon to help flatten the batter in patties and to flip. If the batter is sticking to the spoon, you can gently wet the back of the spoon.
How To Store Fritters
Allow the fritters to cool down to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container and then place them in the fridge for up to 5 days. They will turn soft, but you can reheat these back on a frying pan with a little bit of oil to crisp them up again.
Serving Suggestions
These vegan 4-ingredient corn fritters make a great side dish or enjoy them with other side dishes. I personally love to wrap my fritters in an iceberg lettuce leaf with whatever type of sauce I feel like at the time for a burst of flavor.
Here are some suggestions:
Try it with either a creamy cashew vegan ranch dressing which is thick enough to dip into, or place a dollop of this cucumber and yogurt on top (as pictured). You could squeeze some lemon or lime juice on top with a smear of vegan mayo.
Otherwise, try it with your favorite relish or chutney or a dollop of sour cream (plant based of course).
Or if you love a bit of heat (spicy kick), try it with some homemade hot sauce.
A side of salad is refreshing too, try it with raw mushroom salad or tomato and onion salad.
More Vegan Corn Recipes
Have you tried air fried corn ribs yet? They are a fun way to serve and eat corn.
Check out this corn pancake recipe, they are filling and fluffy! Or this perfect vegan gluten free cornbread, so good!
These vegetable curry puff feature corn kernels as part of the veggie filling.
You might also enjoy these sweet potato and zucchini fritters.
Did you make this? I'd love to know! Leave me a comment below with a ★★★★★ rating or tag @plantbasedfolk on social media.
Easy 4-Ingredient Corn Fritters (Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Corn kernels if using canned, drain the brine
- ½ cup All purpose flour aka plain flour
- ¼ cup Scallions finely sliced
- ¼ cup Dairy free milk
- ½ teaspoon Salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon Cracked black pepper or to taste
- 1 tablespoon Neutral oil Optional see notes. Use as needed.
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, toss the corn kernels and scallions in the flour, with the salt and pepper. Ensure the flour is evenly coating the corn and scallions. See note 1.1 cup Corn kernels, ½ cup All purpose flour, ¼ cup Scallions, ½ teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Cracked black pepper
- Add the milk to the bowl and mix until a thick even batter is formed.¼ cup Dairy free milk
- Heat up a non-stick frying pan or griddle. I like to heat up my pan on high and then turn it to medium heat once it is hot If you are using a griddle, turn it to high, once it is hot, turn it down one or two notches. If using oil (such as vegetable oil or avocado oil), make sure it is hot oil prior to pan frying. You don't need too much oil. Otherwise these fritters can be pan fried without oil.1 tablespoon Neutral oil
- Cook the corn fritters by placing a spoonful of the corn mixture on the pan or griddle, about an ⅛ of a cup size (I like making small fritters , and then gently flattening with the back of a spoon. Let it fry for about 1½ minutes before flipping and then fry the other side for 1½ minutes. A spatula should easily be able to slide under the fritter to flip if it doesn’t let the fritter fry for another 30 seconds or so. Flip two more times or until golden brown. Use paper towels to line a plate and to place the crispy fritters onto to soak up excess oil. Repeat until all the remaining batter is used. Serve warm with your favorite sauce, see serving suggestions in above post.
Video
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
N.B., nutrition info is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. This will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
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