Use humble pancake mix and sweet corn to make easy corn fritters. Mix everything up and fry until crisp and golden on the outside but still soft inside.

Corn Fritters with Pancake Mix

It is pure pleasure biting into a warm, fried corn fritter that has cooled just enough to not burn your tongue. The shatteringly crisp batter gives way to a tender interior studded with sweet corn. But if you find frying to be a chore, give this easy corn fritter with pancake mix recipe a try. Using pancake mix ensures the batter mixes up quickly, and these fritters are shallow-fried, so they use a lot less oil.
Depending on how you serve them, they can lean sweet or savory. Drizzle fritters with hot honey, serve with your favorite dipping sauce or dish them up alongside barbecue chicken thighs.
Ingredients for Corn Fritters with Pancake Mix
- Pancake mix: Store-bought pancake mix already contains flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.
- Egg: Crack the egg into a separate small bowl before you start the batter for these fritters.
- Milk: Both dairy and nondairy milks work here. If you’re using a nondairy milk, though, look for one without added sugar or flavor.
- Canned corn: Use whole kernel corn, drained well.
Directions
Step 1: Make the batter
In a small bowl, stir together the pancake mix, egg and milk until just moistened.
Step 2: Add the corn
Next, stir in the corn.
Step 3: Fry the corn fritters
In a cast-iron or electric skillet, heat 1/4 inch oil to 375°F. Drop batter by 1/4 cupfuls into the oil, pressing lightly to flatten. Cook until golden brown, about two minutes on each side.
Editor’s Tip: Use a large cookie scoop to easily portion out the batter.
Corn Fritters with Pancake Mix Variations
- Go spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne, chili seasoning or chili powder to the batter, or stir in diced jalapenos.
- Add cheese: Fold in 1/2 cup of grated cheddar along with the corn.
- Mix in onions: For great onion flavor without having to saute first, stir sliced green onions or snipped chives right into the batter.
How to Store Corn Fritters with Pancake Mix
Store leftover corn fritters covered in the refrigerator for four to five days.
How do you reheat corn fritters with pancake mix?
Fried foods will lose some texture after being refrigerated. If you microwave the fritters, they will warm up but lose their crispness. To regain some crunch, warm them in a 350° oven for 10 to 15 minutes or use a toaster oven or air fryer. You can also use a lightly oiled skillet warmed over medium-high heat.
Corn Fritters with Pancake Mix Tips
What are some hints for frying food?
Frying food can be intimidating. Luckily, this recipe calls for shallow-frying, which is a little more user-friendly and uses less oil. However, a lot of deep-frying principles still apply.
The most important tip is to maintain a steady frying temperature. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature at a steady 375°. If the temperature drops, the fritters will take too long to cook and will absorb oil, resulting in a greasy, sodden fritter. If the temperature goes too high, the outside will get dark before the inside is cooked properly. Oil temperature will drop when you add batter, so let it come back to temp between fritters, and reduce the heat and take a break if the temperature gets too high.
How do you keep the fritters from getting tough or dense?
The key is to treat both the batter and the fritter gently. When stirring in the liquids, stir until just moistened. The batter will get another turn when you add the corn, and a few lumps are OK. If you stir too vigorously, the batter will develop too much gluten and toughen up. When scooping and flattening the fritters, use a gentle hand so you don’t compress them.
Can you use frozen corn instead of canned?
Yes, stir in an equal amount of frozen kernels and follow the recipe instructions. There’s no need to thaw the corn first.
Corn Fritter Patties
Ingredients
- 1 cup pancake mix
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons 2% milk
- 1 can (7 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
- Canola oil
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine the pancake mix, egg and milk just until moistened. Stir in the corn.
- In a cast-iron or electric skillet, heat 1/4 in. oil to 375°. Drop batter by 1/4 cupfuls into oil; press lightly to flatten. Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side.
Nutrition Facts
2 fritters : 228 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 590mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein.