Easy Gluten-Free Corn Fritters

If you’re looking for an easy gluten-free corn fritter recipe bursting with fresh flavors and a little spice, you’ve come to the right place. My delightfully crispy corn fritters make for a wonderful summer snack or dinner. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosures.

Fresh corn, jalapenos, and cheddar cheese take center stage in this flavorful gluten-free corn fritter recipe that I created using simple, fresh, and gluten-free ingredients.

If you’ve never had a corn fritter before, it’s a savory pancake made with corn and cornmeal, although, instead of cornmeal, I use a wonderful gluten-free flour blend that I think makes my corn fritters taste even better.

These corn fritters are a little sweet thanks to the fresh corn and a little spicy thanks to the jalapeno pepper and chili powder.

They also have a wonderful texture. They’re brown and crisp all around yet maintain a soft center.

On top of it all, these corn fritters are economical and filling, so if you’re on a budget, this recipe is for you!

Ingredients for Corn Fritters

To make these flavorful gluten-free corn fritters, you’ll need a few simple ingredients, many of which I bet you already have on hand!

• 3 cups of corn – see notes
• 1 jalapeno, stem and seeds removed, chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup green onion, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill All-Purpose Flour (in the red bag – see notes)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded – see notes
• 6 tbsp avocado oil, divided

The Corn: You can use fresh, canned, or frozen corn. If using fresh corn, you’ll need 3-4 cobs.

To prepare the cobs, add them to boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove the cobs from the hot water and allow them to cool before using a sharp knife to remove the kernels.

If using canned corn, rinse it well and pat it dry before combining it with the other ingredients. If using frozen corn, defrost and drain it, then pat the kernels dry before adding them to the batter.

The Flour: I highly recommend using Bob’s Red Mill All-Purpose Flour (in the red bag).

This flour contains a blend of garbanzo bean flour, potato starch, whole grain white sorghum flour, tapioca flour, and fava bean flour, and it adds a wonderful texture to the corn fritters.

I’ve tested this recipe with other gluten-free flour blends, and it works, but I do want to put in an extra plug for Bob’s Red Mill All-Purpose Flour for this particular recipe.

The Cheese: I used a block of medium cheddar cheese that I shredded with a cheese grater. You could experiment with cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or a cheese blend.

How to Make Corn Fritters

These corn fritters come together quickly and require very little preparation. Here’s how to make them:

Step #1: Combine the corn, jalapeno, cilantro, green onion, and lime juice in a large bowl and mix.

Step #2: Add the flour, baking powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper and combine well.

Step #3: Add the egg and milk to the mixture and mix well, then add the cheese and combine everything until the batter is mixed well and the cheese is evenly distributed.

Step #4: Heat a cast iron pan (preferable) or heavy-bottomed non-stick pan over medium-high heat, then add enough avocado oil to coat the pan.

When the oil is hot, add rounded scoops of the batter to the pan, pressing the mixture down slightly to form a pancake.

A tip to getting the corn fritters to hold their round shape is to add a scoop of the filling to a circle cookie cutter, press the batter into the cookie cutter, then remove the cookie cutter to allow the fritter to cook.

Work the batter in batches, so you don’t overcrowd each fritter. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until both sides are nicely browned.

Step #5: Use a spatula to transfer the fritters from the pan to a paper towel-lined plate. Add more oil to the pan between batches and cook until all the batter is used.

You can serve the corn fritters with choice toppings such as avocados, chopped green onions, tomatoes, sour cream, etc. They are plenty flavorful to enjoy as is, too.

Notes and FAQs

How Do You Store Leftovers? Store leftovers in a sealed container in your fridge. You can also freeze the cooled corn fritters to enjoy later.

When you’re ready to eat them again, simply reheat one or more in your microwave, add them to your air fryer, or pan fry them with oil to crisp them up.

Is there a Dairy Free Option? Unfortunately, there is no dairy-free option. While dairy-free milk would not affect the recipe, dairy-free cheeses might not offer the same taste or texture. You can, however, try it with dairy-free cheese.

Is there an Egg Free Option? The eggs are essential for holding the mixture together, and I haven’t tested it with egg replacers or other egg-free options.

Can I Add Different Seasonings? Yes, of course! Adjust the chili powder, add garlic and onion powder, and play with the flavor profile. I love the combination of sweet corn with the spicy jalapeno pepper and chili powder.

Where Do You Buy the Flour? I found Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Flour at the grocery store, and you can find it on Amazon. Don’t confuse the flour with Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Flour Blend. You want the All Purpose Flour in the red bag.