Cheesy Corn Fritters

This cheesy corn fritters recipe creates crispy, golden bites that are loaded with sweet corn and melty cheese! What makes our recipe special is using spreadable cheese, a Wisconsin favorite that’s super popular here for parties and gatherings. The spreadable cheese creates a smooth, creamy batter and adds so much flavor! The result is crispy on the outside, tender and cheesy on the inside, and absolutely irresistible! They’re easy to make, come together in about 25 minutes, and are delicious whether you serve them as an appetizer, side dish, or even topped with a fried egg for breakfast!

Corn is a big deal in the Midwest because this region (sometimes referred to as the Corn Belt) produces more than half of the country’s corn! As a big veggie lover, I’m always looking for new ways to use fresh produce beyond the basics. Fritters are one of my favorite methods because they’re such a fun way to showcase vegetables (have you tried our crispy zucchini fritters?!). This is a fun way to use those sweet kernels when they’re in peak season but also works beautifully with canned or frozen corn too, so you can make them year-round whenever the craving hits.

I originally developed this recipe to showcase spreadable cheese from a local Wisconsin cheese brand, but it turned out so good I had to share it with everyone! I’ve tested this recipe with several different spreadable cheese varieties to see what works best, and the results have been so fun to experiment with. If you’ve only used spreadable cheese on crackers at parties, you’re going to love how it transforms these fritters into something special!

Ingredients for Corn Fritters Recipe

• Spreadable cheese. The star ingredient! Spreadable cheeses in the cheddar family (like cheddar, cheddar gruyere, or sharp cheddar varieties) work best for this recipe, but using a bacon, pimento, onion, or parmesan cheese spreadable variety would be fun too! Just skip the sweet varieties like Swiss almond or port wine for these savory fritters.
• Milk. Helps thin out the batter and combine with the spreadable cheese (use 2% or whole milk).
• Large eggs. Provide structure and help bind everything together.
• Baking powder. The leavening agent that makes these fritters light and tender inside.
• Salt. Enhances all the flavors in the fritters.
• Chili powder. Adds a subtle warmth and depth without making them spicy.
• Black pepper. Provides a little kick and balances the sweetness of the corn.
• All-purpose flour. Gives the fritters structure and helps create that crispy exterior.
• Sweet corn kernels. The highlight of these fritters! Use canned (drained, rinsed, and patted dry), frozen (thawed and patted dry), or fresh corn cut off the cob.
• Fresh chopped green onions. Use just the green parts for mild onion flavor and color.
• Neutral oil for frying. Canola or vegetable oil works great for pan-frying.
• Optional toppings. More spreadable cheese, hot honey, crumbled crispy bacon, sour cream, or fresh herbs all taste amazing on these!

Complete ingredient measurements and recipe details can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Helpful Equipment

You’ll need a large skillet for pan-frying these fritters. A wire cooling rack is helpful for draining the cooked fritters and keeping them crisp (you can place the rack on a baking sheet and pop it in a low oven to keep the fritters warm while you finish cooking the batches). A ¼ cup measuring cup or scoop makes portioning the batter easy and ensures evenly sized fritters.

How to Make Corn Fritters with Cheese

Soften the spreadable cheese. Scoop the spreadable cheese into a large mixing bowl and microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften it slightly (his makes it easier to mix into the batter). Then mix in the rest of the wet ingredients by adding the milk and eggs to the bowl and whisking to combine.

Add the dry ingredients. Whisk in the baking powder, salt, chili powder, black pepper, and flour until mostly combined. Don’t overmix!

Fold in the corn and herbs. Add the corn kernels and chopped green onions or chives to the batter and stir to distribute them throughout. Make sure no streaks of flour remain.

Heat the oil. In a large skillet over medium heat, add enough oil to create a thin layer across the bottom of the pan (you can add more as needed between batches).

Cook the fritters. Once the oil is hot, scoop ¼ cup sized portions of the fritter mixture into the pan. Don’t overcrowd the pan! Plan to cook these in 2 to 3 batches. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the underside is deep golden brown (adjust the heat if they’re browning too quickly).

Flip and cook the other side for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

Keep warm and repeat. Transfer the cooked fritters to a wire cooling rack. If desired, place the rack on a baking sheet in your oven preheated to its lowest temperature to keep them warm while you finish cooking the remaining batches.

Serve and enjoy. Serve warm with your favorite toppings or dips, and enjoy!

Recipe for Corn Fritters Variation Ideas

• Make them spicy. Mix in 1 diced jalapeño (deseeded with ribs removed) at the same time as the corn for a kick of heat. Keep the seeds and ribs in if you want them extra spicy!
• Use shredded cheese instead. While our recipe uses spreadable cheese for a smooth, creamy batter (unlike most recipes that use shredded), you can easily substitute with shredded cheddar cheese or pepper jack if that’s what you have on hand. The texture will be slightly different but still darn delicious.
• Try different herbs. Fresh chopped cilantro, parsley, or dill mixed into the batter add different freshness and flavors.
• Make them sweeter. Add a tablespoon of sugar or honey to the batter if you prefer slightly sweeter fritters.
• Add bacon. Fold in some crumbled crispy bacon to the batter for extra savory goodness.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftover, fully cooled corn fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To keep them crispy, reheat them in a 350°F oven for about 5 to 7 minutes, or in an air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes, until warmed through. You can also reheat them in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side. In a pinch, you can reheat in the microwave but your fritters won’t stay crispy with this method.

These fritters also freeze well! Let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes until heated through and crispy.

How to Serve Corn Fritters

We love eating these topped with a fried egg for breakfast! The runny yolk combines with the crispy, cheesy fritters for an incredible morning meal.

They’re also a great side dish as a part of a dinner spread. I’ve topped them with our avocado cottage cheese dip and microgreens alongside our crockpot shredded chicken, black beans, and roasted sweet potatoes for a complete meal.

These fritters also work great as an appetizer for parties and gatherings. Serve them with sour cream, hot honey, extra spreadable cheese for dipping, or your favorite dipping sauce. They’re always a hit!

Recipe for Easy Corn Fritters FAQs