Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Fritters with Chipotle Aioli.
Crispy and a touch spicy, these Jalapeño Cheddar Corn Fritters with Chipotle Aioli make for the best simple summer appetizer. In less than 30 minutes you’ll have a batch of golden crisp corn fritters seasoned with jalapeño, garlic, and chive. Serve these fun summer bites with creamy chipotle honey aioli to balance out the heat. The best, slightly addicting, summer appetizer that will be equally great for upcoming fall game days.
I’ve had these corn fritters on my list of recipes to make all summer long. But I wanted to wait until the corn was finally sweet enough to really be delicious. Not sure about you all, but around here our corn, tomatoes, and peaches have finally come in and they are perfectly sweet and ripe. I’m so glad I waited to make these until the corn was just right, because oh my gosh, you guys?
These are some of the best corn fritters. Think crispy, spicy, a little bit cheesy, and um, well, corny? Yes, that’s cheesy to say, but not really sure there’s a better way to put it, so I’m sticking with corny.
And then there’s that aioli? It adds that creamy touch that’s very much needed to balance out the heat from the jalapeños.
Definitely not your average corn fritters, but they sure are delicious. And fun….and only just a little bit addicting too.
The inspiration? Ok and a little story.
I couldn’t really tell you exactly when I had this idea, or how it came to be. But when creating this recipe I actually turned to an older recipe I shared way back in the day. If you’ve been reading HBH for a while, you might remember these chipotle cheddar burgers? I made them as a game day burger for the upcoming fall football season back in August of 2014. So six years ago…pretty close to the day.
Still can’t believe we’ve been working on HBH for so many years now. This October will be our eighth year working full time on HBH…craziness.
It’s so fun to look back at those old blog posts and see how far we’ve come. Six years ago I would have never imagined we’d be doing all that we’re doing today. Cookbooks, collaborations, and even cooking live on GMA. And more coming soon that I can’t wait to share. Anyway, seeing the growth excites me!!
Plus those burgers? I had completely forgotten about them. How did I even think those up? The photos are not my best, but they sound delicious. I really should remake them again…soon.
The details of these summer corn fritters…
Have you ever made corn fritters? There are a few ways to do so, but I went the more southern route and fried my fritters. I don’t normally love frying, but this time, I think it was a good idea.
Again. These. Are. So. Good.
And incredibly easy too. Essentially a corn fitter is just fried pancake batter with corn in the mix. They’re light and airy on the inside and crispy on the outside. These fritters, however, have a few additional flavors.
Enter the jalapeños, garlic, and cheddar. Just my three favorite foods to pair with sweet summer corn. Mix up the batter, flour, baking powder, garlic, and cheddar. Then add some milk, stir in plenty of corn, jalapeños, and chives.
Heat just a bit of oil, and fry um up. Then drain and that’s pretty much it. Easy, right?
Oh but, you do need that aioli.
For the aioli, I made a “cheaters” aioli. I just used my favorite avocado oil mayo, lots of fresh lemons, and a good pinch of chipotle chili powder…for some added smokiness. But the key to this aioli? A little touch of honey. The honey helps to balance the jalapeños in the fritters. It’s the perfect balance of spicy, smoky, and sweet.
Also, I want to note that the lighter colored sauce was just plain mayo with garlic, chives, and lemon. I was thinking about a two dip situation, but honestly, the chipotle aioli is all you need.
Once the fritters have all been cooked, serve immediately with aioli.
Oh. So. Very. Good!
This is very cheesy of me to say, but these fritters are a real summer treat and should be enjoyed properly. With double the aioli, your favorite drink in hand, and ideally on the porch while watching the sunset with friends…or family…or both…everyone loves corn fritters!
Everyone. So, on that note, maybe double the recipe. Yep, that would be smart.
Looking for other summer corn recipes? Try these:
Instant Pot Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chowder
Sheet Pan Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chicken Enchiladas
Grilled Street Corn Salad with Avocado “Mayo”
Lastly, if you make these jalapeño cheddar corn fritters with chipotle aioli., be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Jalapeño Garlic Corn Fritters with Chipotle Aioli.
The best simple summer appetizer...everyone loves a corn fritter!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 pinch of each kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 ears corn, kernels removed, from the cob (about 2 cups)
- 1 jalapeño, seeded, if desired and chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- oil, for frying
Chipotle Honey Aioli
- 1/2 cup avocado oil based mayo
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
Instructions
-
1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, cheddar, garlic, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Add the milk and egg, mixing until just combined. Stir in the corn, jalapeños, and chives.
2. Heat 1-2 inches of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drop tablespoons size balls of batter into the oil for 4-5 minutes or until golden and crisp on all sides. Remove and drain on a wire rack with paper towels underneath.
3. To make the aioli. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Season with salt. Serve the fritters with aioli for dipping. ENJOY!
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Browned Butter Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Hi for the fritter you did not mention the egg, it’s listed under ingredients but not mentioned in the actual recipe. Does that mean it’s optional?
Could you make these in the air fryer?
Hi Barbara,
So sorry but I am honestly not sure if that would work as I do not own an air fryer. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I was also wondering about the egg and wondering if I could cook these at pancakes? I don’t like to deep fry food but the ingredients look delicious!
Thank you!
Kristen Berry
Hi Kristen,
You could certainly do them as pancakes. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Yum!
Thank you Johanna! xTieghan
I read the comments about the egg, she probably just forgot it in the instructions. I would put the beaten egg in with the milk, as I have a similar recipe and that’s what you do. This sounds like a great recipe that I’m going to be making soon.
I hope you love this one, Charlotte! Thank you so much! xTieghan
This looks so delicious! I love your recipes. Do you think these could be cooked in the air fyer?
Hey Cameron,
So sorry I am honestly not sure how they would turn out as I do not own an air fryer. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Wow, these look fantastic! You have the best recipes! Can you cook them in an airfryer or as a pancake?
Hey Cyndi,
I don’t own an air fryer so I am honestly not sure how that would turn out, but you could certainly cook them as pancakes. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These look amazing! I also want to know if they would work in an air fryer or the oven to keep them a little healthier.
Hey Michele,
Sorry I am honestly not sure how they would turn out as I do not own an air fryer. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
So easy and delicious! Everyone loved them and requested that I make them again soon!
Thank you so much Tina! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
About the hot oil…other than keep on med-hi, do you have a recommended temperature?
Hi Staci,
I am not sure of the exact temperature as I did not use a thermometer. Another way to test is by adding a drop of water, if that sizzles then the oil is ready. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
So delicious
Thank you so much Rohtak! xTieghan
If I use cooked corn versus raw will it change the texture of the fritters?
Hey Michele,
No, that should be okay to do. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
If any of you have already tried to air fry these, please let us know how it went. Otherwise, I think I will give it a try this weekend. 🙂
Thank you so much Debbra! xTieghan
Can the batter be made ahead of time?
How would you reheat?
Hey Denise,
You can make the batter ahead of time, I would just bring it back to room temp before frying. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Any chance to cook these sans milk?
Hey Kate,
I would recommend using a coconut milk. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Can I bake these in the oven?
Hey,
If you choose to bake these in the oven I would recommend using a muffin tin, as they will not stay together. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Delicious!
I actually used a couple of cobs of corn that were previously roasted on the BBQ and worked just fine! Also I ran out of mayo half way through and subbed in some sour cream, but that worked too! Thanks!
Thank you so much Louise!! xTieghan
I made these today and they were so delicious, crispy but fluffy and full of flavor. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you Lola! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
These fritters were OUT OF THIS WORLD! Made them for a date night with my husband, and he declared them to be the best recipe we’ve had on a date night yet! He asked if there were thousands of amazing reviews, lol. I totally agree with him – these are light and fluffy but crispy on the outside and just YUM. Also good dipped in ranch (although your dip recipe was the best). We will make this often! Oh, and if anyone is wondering, einkorn flour works great as a sub!
Thank you Nicole!!! I am so happy these turned out so wonderful for you! xTieghan
Social distancing is still a thing. Not a fan of how you seem to have forgotten that there still is a global pandemic going on (talking about travelling, hanging with friends, etc.). You have a platform that reaches a lot of people, and with it you also have a responsibility. Encouraging unsafe behaviour at this time is not it. Sorry. These do look delicious though.
Hi! Yes, social distancing is still a thing, I never said it wasn’t. And I think there are a lot of measures we need to take before seeing our loved ones, but that should not stop us from spending time with each other, socially distanced of course. I am sorry if that came out wrong, I am not trying to encourage people to be unsafe. xTieghan
My husband who is a very picky eater even loved these! They are absolutely amazing! I think next time i’m going to mix some chipotle powder into the batter as well.
Thank you so much Erin!! I am really glad this recipe turned out so amazing for you both! xTieghan
Made these last night – they were SO good! And crazy easy. I was not confident they were gonna stay together (the batter is thinner than I imagined it would be) but they fried so nicely and paired with the aoili… *chef’s kiss*.
Haha love it!! Thank you so much for trying this recipe, Vanessa! xTieghan
If you did this in the oven in a muffin tin, how long and what temperature would you do?
And for the comment about unsafe behaviour? I live in Canada where seeing family and friends is allowed. It’s unfortunate you’re somewhere that you can’t, but don’t need to come for someone on their cooking blog. Be kind
Hey Rachel,
So I haven’t tried that baking method in a muffin tin, but I would do 350 for 15-20 minutes. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This was amazing!
Thank you Bella! xTieghan
I just made these and they turned out PERFECT! We wanted a yummy restaurant-worthy appetizer instead of going out for dinner… and this recipe definitely delivered! Thank you Tieghan!!
Thank you so much Jill! I am really happy this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Delicious and very easy!
Thank you Malia! xTieghan
These were incredible, the chipotle aioli is perfect. We added one zucchini (shredded and squeezed) to the mix and it turned out delightful!
Thank you so much Hannah! xTieghan
This was my first actual frying recipe. I’ve done fritters before but more like a pancake. This recipe is delicious and very easy to make. It was worth all the little oil spatters on my stove top. Everyone enjoyed them and I’m going to freeze the leftovers and pop in the oven later.
Amazing! I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Dawn! Thank you! xTieghan
Seriously good. Made exactly as written and served with the aioli as well as some spicy honey. Everyone loved them. They’re addictive.
Yes! I am really happy to hear that, Josie! Thank you so much! xTieghan
I just loved everything about this recipe! That chipotle aioli really compliments the Jalapeño cheddar corn fritters! This recipe had so much flavor and so easy to make! It is on my list to make frequently!
Love to hear that! Thank you so much Lisa! xTieghan
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YUMMY!!!!
Thank you Clare! xTieghan
I made these as a side dish to Instant Pot BBQ Ribs. My guests wondered if you couldn’t bring in a little more corn flavor by replacing part of the flour with cornmeal. I used pickled jalapenos left from making nachos. They were kind of mild so I also added 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper. Mine spread out more than Tieghan’s photo. If I made them again, I would use the suggested corn meal, keep the cayenne pepper and fry like a pancake on a griddle. Good to note: they reheated really nice on a cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven. The Aioli sauce is a winner!
Hi Deb! I am really glad these turned out well for you! If there is anything I can help with, please let me know! xTieghan
I just made thee for the 2nd time this week. They are So, So good! The sauce sounds basic, but the lemon really brightens it up. Love a fried dish that feels light!
That is really amazing to hear! Thank you so much for trying this Nikki! xTieghan
These look amazing I can’t wait to try them! If I make these as more of a side dish/appetizer, what are some main dishes you would recommend? Looking for something that will pair well with them. Thank you:)
Hey Hannah,
Heres some ideas that would work well with these fritters:
https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/melon-basil-burrata-salad/
https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/pesto-chicken-caesar-salad/
https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/4-cheese-caprese-mac-and-cheese/
https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/chicken-lazone/
I hope this helps! xTieghan
so good……gone very quickly. I suspect a new family favourite!
Yes!! So happy this turned out so well for you! Thank you! xTieghan
Followed the recipe to a T and these were phenomenal! And that aioli?!?! Girrrrrl!!! Your recipe brightened our day! Thank you so much. ♡♡
Yes!! I am so happy this turned out so well for you, Aimee! xTieghan
We had some friends over for game night this past weekend and I made this for us. It was a big hit! Thank you 🙂
Thank you so much Liz! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I tried them in the air fryer they stuck a little but this is also my second time using it so not really sure how to but the point is it did work and they are very good!
Thank you so much Kasey!! I am so happy you loved this recipe! xTieghan
I made these as part of our dinner tonight and they were fabulous! Will definitely be making them again. So easy and tasty! Thanks for this great savory recipe.
Thank you so much Jill! xTieghan
Hello Thiegan,
I couldn’t stop eating it was so delicious. I used more corn (canned) as we like that a lot. And the aioli was a dream. I could have fooled myself into that. And the crispy corn fritters with it are simply delicious. I can again … 😉
Greetings from Bavaria
Steffi
Wow I love to hear that! Thank you so much for trying this one!! xTieghan
I made these in the air fryer on a piece of parchment paper at 360 for about 10 mins! Worked great. It’s a wetter mixture to begin with so you’ll need the parchment paper so it doesn’t fall through the holes. Don’t skimp on the aioli. SO GOOD.
Yes! So happy this turned out so well for you, Allison! Thank you for trying this! xTieghan
Delicious but during making these, I remembered why I don’t fry food at home, smelly and messy but the fritters were great!
Thank you Melissa! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you!! xTieghan
These corn fritters are amazing! They bring summer together in a perfect appetizer! Easy to make and guests devoured them!
Thank you!! I am so happy this turned out well for you all! xTieghan
Took a chance and used the air fryer- they did not disappoint. Super quick to whip up and delicious.
Thank you so much Shaina! xTieghan
Incredible! Next time I’ll make them more spicy.
Love that! Thank you Holly! xTieghan
Would these work with a gluten free flour blend?
Hey Torrey,
Yes you can use an equal amount of gluten free flour. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi! I’m hoping to make these for a socially distanced backyard meal tomorrow. Should they be served immediately after frying or would it be ok to fry them 30 min to an hour beforehand? Thank you!
Hey Emily,
I like to serve these immediately after frying. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Just one comment: Double the recipe, because you are going to want to eat them ALL!
Haha love that! Thank you so much Wendy! xTieghan
I made these with a gluten free almond rice blend flour and they turned out amazing! Thank you!
Thank you Terah! I am really glad these turned out so well for you! xTieghan
OH EM GEE….SOOOOOO GOOD. My son said that I could open a restaurant and only serve this and make a killing.
Made these as an appetizer and then your chicken lazone (although we used tofu). So delicious but we definitely did not need the lazone. Next time will serve them alongside some roasted vegetables.
This is a keeper.
Cheers
Thank you so much Harley!! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Wow these are DELICIOUS!! I always try to make a fun new appetizer for my husband and daughters during football games. Today’s game and the extra corn created the perfect opportunity to make this recipe! It took me about 15 mins to prep everything and about 10 to make the entire batter. It was SO easy and fun. I was a little worried about the batter not being cohesive enough when I put it in the oil to fry but it turned out awesome. I didn’t have an avocado based mayo but it tuned out great still. Amazing recipe! Side note, I love your blog and hope you one day add more videos to your blog. I used your story highlight for this recipe and I really loved watching you make the recipe while I did. Thanks again!
Aw that is so awesome! Thank you for trying this recipe, Ting Ting! xTieghan
Hi- is here a substitute to the jalopeno that would fit this recipe just as easily?
Thanks
Hey Katherine,
You could use another pepper that you enjoy:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I just had them tonight and they’re awesome! Do you think they would work with beans or edemame instead of corn?
Hey Valentina,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, sure I don’t see why not! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Is it ok to use canned or frozen corn? Excited to try this after all the rave reviews!
Hey Rachna,
Yes, canned or frozen corn will work here! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Could you make these without the egg?
Hey there,
So sorry I have not tested this recipe without the egg! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Yum! Made these as a football watch party appetizer and they were a hit. Surprisingly light, but full of flavor.
Hey Kate,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
These look delicious! So excited to try them… any suggestions for vegetarian main dish to pair with them? Thank you!
Hey Emily,
Here are some ideas:
https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/gingery-coconut-sweet-potato-and-rice-stew/
https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/chipotle-bean-chili/
https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/broccoli-cheddar-orzo-bake/
https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/garden-greens-goddess-pizza/
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi, Can I use 2 cups of frozen corn?
Hey Allison,
Sure! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This was amazing! My husband rated it a 10/10. Is there any trick to getting an even shape to each fritter?
Hey Bre,
I so appreciate you giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! You could use a cookie scoop! xTieghan