Crispy Corn Nuggets
Crispy fried corn nuggets made with sweet corn, sharp cheddar, and green onions in a light, golden batter. An easy summer appetizer or side that's made for dipping.
Servings: 24 nuggets
Calories: 128kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut oil (for frying)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1 ½ cups corn (fresh, from about 2-3 ears, or frozen and fully thawed)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup green onions sliced
Instructions
- Heat the peanut oil in a heavy, deep pot until it reaches 350°F.
- In a bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, and sugar.
- In another bowl, whisk the egg, milk, and melted butter until smooth.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined. Fold in the corn, cheddar, and green onions until the corn is well coated in batter.
- Using a small spoon, scoop small, round balls of the mixture and drop them carefully into the hot oil. Fry about 1 minute on each side, until deep golden brown.
- Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- If using frozen corn, thaw it completely and pat it dry first. Excess water keeps the nuggets from crisping.
- Keep the nuggets small, so they cook through evenly and are easy to manage in the oil.
- Watch them closely while frying. They reach a deep golden brown quickly and can burn fast.
- Keep the oil at a steady 350°F and let it come back up to temperature between batches so the nuggets don't turn greasy.
- For a spicy version, add cayenne to the batter or fold in chopped jalapeño.
- Best served fresh. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer, not the microwave, to bring back the crunch.
Nutrition
Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 114IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 0.4mg
