These corn nuggets are crispy and golden brown on the outside and filled with the flavors of cheesy sweet corn on the inside. Whether pan frying, air frying, or baking, this delicious snack is ready in just 20 minutes.
This post contains helpful tips and tricks! If you're in a rush, please use the "Jump to Recipe" below!
💭 Why you'll love this recipe
- Quick and easy to make using only simple ingredients!
- Vegetarian alternative that's full of creamy and savory flavors from sweet corn and cheddar cheese.
- A bite-sized appetizer, side dish, or snack that kids will love. Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or for a weekday treat!
📋 Ingredients and notes
To make corn nuggets, you'll need sweet corn kernels, all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour), baking powder, breadcrumbs, an egg, sharp cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. You'll also need avocado oil for pan frying.
Variations & Substitutions
- Corn. If you're using frozen corn, make sure to thaw it first before using it. If using canned corn, drain, rinse, and then add to avoid excess moisture.
- All-purpose flour. Substitute with gluten-free flour with a 1:1 ratio.
- Egg. Replace the egg with a flax egg to make this recipe vegan.
- Sharp cheddar cheese. Omit the cheese and add nutritional yeast to make this recipe vegan.
- Breadcrumbs. Substitute with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crackers.
- Avocado oil. You can use any neutral oil that you have on hand.
📖 How to make corn nuggets
Step 1:
Puree one cup of corn kernels in a food processor or blender.
Step 2:
Combine the pureed corn, remaining 1 cup of corn kernels, 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, ¼ cup of breadcrumbs, 1 egg, ⅓ cup of shredded sharp cheddar, 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt, and half a teaspoon of black pepper in a mixing bowl.
Step 3:
Heat 1 cup of avocado oil in a deep pot to about 360°F to 370°F. The actual amount of oil you use will vary on the size of the pot, but ideally, you want at least 1.5" to 2" high.
Step 4:
Then, using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, grab a tablespoon worth of the batter and drop it into the oil (get as close to the surface as you can to avoid splashing).
Step 5:
Let the fritters cook till they're golden brown. Remove them with a spider or slotted spoon and place them on a paper or kitchen towel-lined plate. Once the oil has drained, serve them hot!
To air fry the nuggets:
Step 1:
Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to scoop the batter to form a tablespoon-sized ball. Then, flatten that into a disc shape (so it can cook evenly in the air fryer).
Step 2:
Spray or brush the bottom of the air fryer with avocado oil. Then, spray the nuggets as well to make it extra crispy, but this is technically not needed! Then, preheat your air fryer to 375°F and then cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, making sure to flip them halfway through.
To bake the nuggets:
Step 1:
Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to scoop the batter to form a tablespoon-sized ball. Then, flatten that into a disc shape (so it can cook evenly in the air fryer).
Step 2:
Place the nuggets on a parchment paper or silicon lined baking sheet, and bake at 400F for about 18 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
To pan fry the nuggets:
Step 1:
Heat up a medium-sized non-stick skillet or cast iron pan on medium heat. Add a tablespoon of avocado oil.
Step 2:
Then, using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, grab a tablespoon worth of batter. Then, flatten into a disc using your hands. Once the oil is hot, put the nugget on the skillet.
Step 3:
Cook for about 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4 minutes. Both sides should be golden brown when done.
👩🏽🍳 Tips for the best corn nuggets
⭐ When dropping the batter into hot oil, do it gently and close to the surface to minimize splashing and ensure safety.
- To fry nuggets better, keep the oil temperature consistent. Use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature and adjust the heat as needed to keep it stable even when frying.
- Fry in batches. Avoid overcrowding the frying pan or fryer to ensure the nuggets cook evenly and maintain their crispy texture.
- Drain excess oil. After frying, place the nuggets on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil before serving.
👩🏽🍳 Troubleshooting FAQs
Yes, you can make egg-free corn nuggets by using flax egg as a substitute.
While this recipe uses all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs, you can substitute it with a gluten-free flour blend or cornmeal and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Yes, you can freeze corn nuggets to serve them later! After frying or baking, allow them to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. To reheat, bake them in a preheated oven or air fryer until heated through and crispy.
🍴 How to serve corn nuggets
You can serve these corn nuggets as appetizers, snacks, or side dishes for any occasion.
While you can enjoy them plain, you can make them more delicious by pairing them with creamy dipping sauces like basil aioli, ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard. If you have access to Tajin seasoning, that tastes great with corn nuggets too!
They pair well with various dishes like burgers, sandwiches, or salads. Some of our favorite recipes to serve them with are black bean quinoa burger, Fall kale salad, and Italian chopped salad.
🍴Storage and reheating suggestions
To store leftover nuggets, place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and keep them fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) to preserve the crispy texture.
To freeze the corn nuggets, transfer them to a well-sealed freezer bag and remove excess air. You can freeze them for 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw frozen corn nuggets in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat them in the oven or toaster oven to restore their crispiness.
🍴 More corn recipes
If you like this recipe, check out my other delicious corn recipes:
If you tried this recipe, don't forget to comment and rate! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📖 Recipe
Corn Nuggets
Ingredients
- 2 cups sweet corn kernels
- 1 cup all purpose flour, can use gluten-free flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For pan frying:
- 2 cups avocado oil
Instructions
- Puree one cup of corn kernels in a food processor or blender.
- Combine the pureed corn, remaining 1 cup of corn kernels, 1 cup of all purpose flour, 3 teaspoons of baking powder, ¼ cup of breadcrumbs, 1 egg, ⅓ cup of shredded sharp cheddar, 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and salt, and half a teaspoon of black pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Heat 1 cup of avocado oil in a deep pot to about 360°F to 370°F. The actual amount of oil you use will vary on the size of the pot, but ideally, you want at least 1.5" to 2" high.
- Then, using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, grab a tablespoon worth of the batter and drop it into the oil (get as close to the surface as you can to avoid splashing).
- Let the fritters cook till they're golden brown. Remove them with a spider or slotted spoon and place them on a paper or kitchen towel lined plate. Once the oil has drained, serve them hot!
Air fry or bake the nuggets
- Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to scoop the batter to form a tablespoon-sized ball. Then, flatten that into a disc shape (so it can cook evenly in the air fryer).
- If air frying: Spray or brush the bottom of the air fryer with avocado oil. Then, spray the nuggets as well to make it extra crispy, but this is technically not needed! Then, preheat your air fryer to 375°F and then cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, making sure to flip them halfway through.
- If baking: Place the nuggets on a parchment paper or silicon lined baking sheet, and bake at 400F for about 18 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Pan fry the nuggets
- Heat up a medium-sized non-stick skillet or cast iron pan on medium heat. Add a tablespoon of avocado oil.
- Then, using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, grab a tablespoon worth of batter. Then flatten into a disc using your hands. Once the oil is hot, put the nugget on the skillet. Cook for about 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4 minutes. Both sides should be golden brown when done.
Notes
- To fry nuggets better: Keep consistent oil temperature - Use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature and adjust the heat as needed to keep it stable for even frying.
- Fry in batches: Avoid overcrowding the frying pan or fryer to ensure that the nuggets cook evenly and maintain their crispy texture.
- Drain excess oil: After frying, place the nuggets on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil before serving.
- Store in an airtight container: Transfer the cooled nuggets to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag for up to 3 days in the fridge.
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