Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Vegetables and Cheese
- 2 cups corn kernels (from about 3 ears fresh corn)
- ¾ cup chopped scallions (about 5), plus more for garnish
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Dry Ingredients
- 1½ teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Freshly ground black pepper (several grinds)
- ¾ cup cornmeal, spooned and leveled
- ½ cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
For Cooking and Serving
- Neutral oil (such as vegetable or canola) for the pan
- Sour cream, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and egg until blended smoothly. Add the fresh corn kernels, chopped scallions, grated sharp cheddar cheese, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Add the seasoning and dry ingredients: Sprinkle the sea salt, onion powder, baking powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and several grinds of freshly ground black pepper over the mixture. Stir thoroughly. Then sprinkle the cornmeal and all-purpose flour over the batter and fold in gently until the mixture is well combined and holds together.
- Heat the skillet: Coat the bottom of a cast-iron skillet generously with a neutral cooking oil and place it over medium heat. Allow the oil to get hot enough for frying but not smoking.
- Form and cook the fritters: Using a ¼-cup measuring cup, scoop the batter into the hot skillet. Use the back of the measuring cup or a spatula to gently flatten each scoop into a roughly 3-inch disk. Cook the fritters for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden-brown crust and the inside is cooked through. Work in batches to avoid crowding the pan. Between batches, wipe out the pan and add fresh oil as needed.
- Garnish and serve: Transfer the cooked fritters to a plate lined with paper towels if desired. Garnish with additional chopped scallions and serve warm with sour cream on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh corn kernels for sweetness and texture. Frozen corn can also be used if thawed and drained well.
- You can customize the spice level by adjusting or omitting the cayenne pepper.
- Neutral oil like vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil works best for frying without adding extra flavor.
- These fritters can be kept warm in a low oven while cooking in batches.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in a skillet for crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
