• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Comfortable Food
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cooking
  • Seasonal
  • Regional
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Cooking
    • Seasonal
    • Regional
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Quick and Easy Recipes

    Corn Nuggets

    BY: Ben Rayl PUBLISHED: 8 Jun, '22 UPDATED: 8 Jun, '22 Leave a Comment

    RecipePrintComments
    5 from 2 votes
    Corn nuggets

    These easy 20-minute corn nuggets are so good that you'll never want to go back to store-bought again! Made with just a few simple ingredients, they're crispy on the outside and perfectly moist on the inside. Serve them as a snack or side dish - either way, they're sure to be a hit!

    Corn nuggets in a basket
    Contents
    • ⭐ Why this recipe works
    • 🍽 Key Ingredients
    • 🔪 How to make corn nuggets
    • 💭 Cooking tips
    • 📖 Recipe variations
    • 🥗 What to serve with corn nuggets
    • 🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 🧊 Storing and ♨️ reheating
    • 🍳 Related Recipes
    • 👪 Serving size
    • 📋 Recipe

    ⭐ Why this recipe works

    Homemade corn nuggets are so easy to make for any level home cook!

    All you need is a little bit of cornmeal, some flour, and some seasonings, and you're good to go. Just mix everything, form it into little nuggets, and fry them up.

    These crunchy vegetarian nuggets are delicious and have a nice sweetness from the sugar and corn, while the eggs help bind everything together. The soft center is nice and moist from the shortening while providing a bit of richness.

    The great thing about these corn nuggets is that you can customize the flavors. Make them spicy, savory, or even sweet. They're always a hit with family and friends, so make extra!

    This recipe is very budget-friendly as it only calls for a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Plus, corn is very affordable, so this is a great way to stretch your food budget. Serve them with dipping sauces or ketchup, and everyone will be happy.

    Corn nuggets are perfect for parties or as an after-school snack for kids. They're bite-sized, easy to eat, and always a hit with kids and adults. Another great refreshing appetizer is my cucumber sandwich recipe.

    🍽 Key Ingredients

    Corn nuggets are easy to make using essential pantry ingredients. All you need is:

    Corn nuggets ingredients

    Corn: I use canned corn, but you use frozen, fresh, or creamed corn if you prefer, as it all tastes the same.

    Flour: You'll want to use plain flour or all-purpose flour.

    Eggs: The eggs help to bind everything together and make the nuggets nice and moist.

    Oil: You'll need some oil for frying the nuggets. I prefer to use vegetable oil, but you can use any type of oil that you like.

    Shortening: Shortening is a good choice with nuggets to give them moisture.

    Cream and milk: For a creamier texture, use ⅔ milk and ⅓ cream, if you can. If you don't have cream, just use milk. Whole or semi-skimmed!

    Sugar: The sugar helps to give the nuggets a nice sweetness.

    Baking powder: This leavening agent helps the nuggets rise and become nice and fluffy.

    Salt: Salt is a key ingredient in any recipe, and it helps to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.

    Substitutions

    This recipe is very forgiving, so feel free to make substitutions as needed.

    Shortening

    Butter is the perfect substitute for shortening.

    Milk

    You can use buttermilk in equal quantities if you don't have milk.

    Flour

    You can use whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour.

    🔪 How to make corn nuggets

    Corn nuggets are so delicious and easy to make that you'll be wishing you made more after tasting them. They take 5 minutes to prepare, 1 hour to rest, and 15 minutes to fry!

    Preparations

    Step 1
    Whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a medium bowl until well combined.

    Corn nuggets prep flour

    Step 2
    In another bowl, whisk the egg, milk, heavy cream, and shortening.

    Eggs corn nuggets prep

    Step 3
    Now pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture and mix with a spatula or wooden spoon.

    Corn nuggets prep

    Step 4
    Fold the drained corn kernels into the batter.

    Corn nuggets prep

    Quick tip: wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour for extra crispiness.

    Cooking instructions

    Step 5
    Heat the oil in a deep-fryer or large deep skillet until it reaches 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celcius).

    Oil in a pan

    Step 6
    Use an ice cream scoop to spoon the corn mixture into the oil. Cook for a minute or two until brown, then flip the nuggets to cook the other half until golden brown.

    Corn nuggets frying

    Step 7
    Remove the golden brown corn nuggets from the hot oil onto a paper towel-lined plate to remove the excess grease.

    Corn nuggets

    Step 8
    Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

    Corn nuggets

    💭 Cooking tips

    No stick scoop

    If you find the batter sticks to the spoon, dip it into the oil first before the corn mixture or use cooking spray, and it will slide right off into the hot oil.

    Making big batches

    If you're making a big batch of corn fritters, you'll need to cook in double or triple. To keep the cooked nuggets warm while the remaining corn mixture cooks, line a baking sheet and preheat an oven to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the corn nuggets on the lined baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven.

    Corn nuggets

    📖 Recipe variations

    Corn nuggets are great for adding your favorite herbs and spices to the batter for a flavorful upgrade.

    Cheesy corn nuggets

    Make cheesy nuggets by adding ½ cup of shredded cheese to the corn batter. Mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and Pepper jack are some great options.

    Spicy corn nuggets

    Give your nuggets a spicy kick by adding 1 chopped jalapeno and 1 teaspoon chili powder to the corn batter.

    Herbed corn nuggets

    If you have some fresh herbs on hand, these corn nuggets work well with chopped parsley, chives, and marjoram. 2 teaspoons is enough to give them a lovely herby flavor. Use half the amount if using dried herbs.

    Corn nuggets

    🥗 What to serve with corn nuggets

    These corn nuggets are delicious, but they're also great with dipping sauces. Here are some of our favorites:

    Apart from some delicious dipping sauces like honey mustard, BBQ, ranch dip, or spicy buffalo to dip those deep-fried corn nuggets into, they also go great served alongside some tasty lunch and dinner recipes.

    Sloppy joes

    This sloppy joes  recipe is delicious, thick, and sweet - perfect for serving with crispy nuggets instead of fries.

    Chicken strips

    Chicken tempura strips are an excellent option for any tear-n-dip party - and these strips are made with a crunchy batter coating, and the chicken is basted in tempura to keep them succulently juicy in the middle. Serve them with a side of corn nuggets and your favorite dipping.

    Instant pot hot wings

    If you like your food spicy, then give these 15-minute crispy hot wings a try, cooked in the instant pot for a healthier option than fried wings. Corn nuggets and hot wings are a match made in heaven!

    These corn nuggets pair fantastic with some refreshing summer cocktails.

    🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

    What are corn nuggets?

    Corn nuggets is a snack coming from the Southern United States as a variation of the popular corn fritter. While corn nuggets are typically deep-fried per this recipe instructions and it definitely taste crispier than corn fritters.

    Why are my corn nuggets soggy?

    If your nuggets are coming out soggy, likely, the oil isn't hot enough. To get that nice crispy coating, the nuggets need to be cooked in hot oil (360 degrees Fahrenheit/180 degrees Celcius).

    Why do my corn fritters fall apart in the hot oil?

    If your corn fritters are falling apart in the hot oil, the batter is likely too wet. Be sure to drain any excess liquid from the kernel corn before adding it to the batter, and be sure not to overmix the batter.

    Corn nuggets

    🧊 Storing and ♨️ reheating

    Leftover corn nuggets can be stored in the fridge or the freezer for eating later on!

    Fridge - Transfer the leftover nuggets to an airtight container for up to 3 days.

    Freezer - Store the corn nuggets in a freezer-safe container or a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

    Reheating - The best way to reheat these corn nuggets is in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes (15 minutes for frozen corn nuggets). You could also reheat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through, but you won't get the crispy texture.

    Other alternatives are fried in a hot skillet for 5 - 7 minutes with a drizzle of oil and also in the air fryer at 350F for 4 minutes until nice and crispy.

    🍳 Related Recipes

    If you like my easy corn nuggets recipe then you must try one my delicious recipes full of comforting ingredient.

    • Kielbasa bake featured 2
      Turkey Kielbasa Pasta Bake
    • 30 chicken tenderloin recipes featured
      30 Easy Chicken Tenderloin Recipes
    • Breakfast burritos featured 1
      Chorizo Breakfast Burrito
    • Tiramisu featured 1
      Easy Tiramisu Recipe

    👪 Serving size

    This recipe yields about 24 corn nuggets, depending on the size of your scoop to make the nuggets. The recipe is easy to scale to cater for big parties or just for making a huge batch and freezing them for quick midweek meals.

    Serve them as a snack with your favorite dipping sauce., appetizer, or side dish with the main course, and watch as everyone devours them in seconds! The crispy golden texture of corn nuggets is simply irresistible and easy to make!

    Subscribe Now

    Never miss a recipe!

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    .

    Love this appetizer recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Try one of my comfort appetizer recipes for your next family meal! And if you have any questions, I'm here to help!

    📋 Recipe

    Corn nuggets

    Corn Nuggets (Easy 20-Minute Snack)

    These easy 20-minute corn nuggets are so good that you'll never want to go back to store-bought again! Made with just a few simple ingredients, they're crispy on the outside and perfectly moist on the inside.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved! Share
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 201kcal
    Author: Ben Rayl

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 cups all purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 eggs - beaten
    • ¾ cup milk
    • ¼ cup heavy cream
    • 2 tablespoon shortening
    • 2 cans corn - rinsed and drained
    • oil for frying

    Instructions

    • Whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a medium bowl until well combined.
    • In another bowl, whisk the egg, milk, heavy cream, and shortening.
    • Now pour the wet mixture into the flour mixture and mix with a spatula or wooden spoon.
    • Fold the drained corn kernels into the batter. For better texture you can wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
    • Heat the oil in a deep-fryer or large deep skillet until it reaches 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celcius).
    • Use an ice cream scoop to spoon the corn mixture into the oil. Cook for a minute or two until brown, then flip the nuggets to cook the other half until golden brown.
    • Remove the golden brown corn nuggets from the hot oil onto a paper towel-lined plate to remove the excess grease.
    • Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

    Notes

    No stick scoop
    If you find the batter sticks to the spoon, dip it into the oil first before the corn mixture or use cooking spray, and it will slide right off into the hot oil.
    Making big batches
    If you're making a big batch of corn fritters, you'll need to cook in double or triple. To keep the cooked nuggets warm while the remaining corn mixture cooks, line a baking sheet and preheat an oven to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the corn nuggets on the lined baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 301mg | Potassium: 209mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 317IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 2mg

    More recipes you may enjoy

    • Chicken tempura featured image 3
      Homemade Chicken Tempura
    • Featured white gravy 1
      Country Style White Gravy
    • Potato soup recipes with few ingredients featured
      35 Easy Potato Soup Recipes with Few Ingredients
    • Aunt jemima pancakes featured images 1
      Aunt Jemima Pancake Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Chef Ben Rayl

    Hi, I'm Ben!

    I believe comfort food unites us, and I want to inspire you to cook at home with everyday ingredients. It is easier and takes less time than you think, costs less than eating out, and tastes a million times better.Read More

    Feel free to share our recipes on your blog using a photo and link back to the original recipe.

    Cooking How-tos

    • How many ounces in a quart featured 2
      How Many Ounces in a Quart
    • Jasmine rice featured
      How to make Perfect Jasmine Rice
    • How to brine a turkey
      How To Brine A Turkey
    • What is wagyu beef explained
      What Is Wagyu Beef?

    Italian Recipes

    • Different types of pasta featured
      32 Different Types of Pasta
    • Pizza pasta featured 2
      Pasta Pizza Casserole
    • Pizza soup featured 3
      Pizza Soup
    • Fried spaghetti featured image 1
      Fried Spaghetti

    Comfort Casseroles

    • Featured chicken broccoli casserole
      Chicken Broccoli Casserole
    • Featured beef enchilada casserole
      Beef Enchilada Casserole
    • Featured chicken wild rice casserole
      Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
    • Featured pics
      Cabbage Roll Casserole

    Best Comfort Recipes

    • Soup recipes with few ingredients
      35 Easy Soup Recipes with Few Ingredients
    • Featured shredded chicken
      28 Easy Recipes with Shredded Chicken
    • Chorizo recipes featured
      26 Easy Chorizo Recipes
    • Cream of chicken recipes
      20 Easy Cream of Chicken Recipes
    • Panini recipes
      25 Best "Gooey Panini Recipes"
    • Easy kielbasa recipes
      30 Easy Kielbasa Recipes

    Footer

    Subscribe Now

    Never miss a recipe!

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    .

    About

    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Disclosure
    • Accessibility

    Recipes

    • Dinner Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes

    More

    • Cooking How tos
    • 35 Easy Soup Recipes with Few Ingredients

    Favorites

    • Bruschetta Recipe
    • Breakfast Casserole with Bacon
    • Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
    • Chicken and Biscuits
    • Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers

    ↑ back to top

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Comfortable Food · All Rights Reserved