Corn Fries
This Mexican-inspired side dish or snack is something everyone needs in their life. Crispy corn fries covered with flavorful seasoned batter are one of my all-time favorite snacks!
I truly love corn fries, the ones made from real corn, and stacked on a toothpick, but eating these from a toothpick can be a bit annoying. Also, I have some fear when serving these to kids, because I am always afraid someone may get hurt.
These corn fries are made from baby corn, so they have no toothpicks, and they come with a crispy coating and a perfect flavor!
How To Prepare The Baby Corn
Baby corn is young corn that is harvested before fertilization, which yields a mini, tender version or a mature cob. Baby corn comes from regular corn that has been harvested during its early growth stages and is super delicious.
Any variety of corn can yield baby corn if it is harvested early enough before the plant fertilizes itself.
Fresh baby corn can be found in the states, but most is imported. If you cannot find fresh corn, you can use frozen or canned corn.
Before you use the baby corn for the fries, you should prepare it properly. Although it is not as complicated to prepare as regular corn, it will still require some prep work.
An ideal way to prepare the corn is to boil it. Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Carefully dd your baby corn and reduce heat so that your water is simmering. This process will reduce some bitterness from the corn, and also make the texture tender, but not mushy.
Once the corn is boiled, remove it from the water and let it dry out completely, preferably on paper towels so any excess moisture can be captured. Once cooled, cut the baby corn into halves by length.
How To Prepare The Coating
The batter for these fries is very easy to make but creates an amazing twist. The secret here is to make the mixture with sparkling water (I love Perrier for this recipe). The sparkling water will make your batter light yet very crispy.
Besides sparkling water, you will need flour, cornflour, and of course, desired spices. I stick with a well-known mix of salt, pepper, and chili powder. You can stick with these too, or add whatever you like!
The batter for these should be somehow similar to pancake batter, but a bit thinner.
How To Make Them Extra Crispy
These fries are crispy enough to meet everyone’s needs, but just in case you fall into that group of people who like things extra crispy, here is how to achieve it:
Fry your fries twice! This is what makes them extra crispy. The first frying will cook them through, while the second fry will give them extra crips up.
Frying twice also has the advantage of letting you make them in advance. Just fry them once and let them drain on a kitchen paper towel, and when you’re ready to finish them off, pop them back in the pan for 2 minutes to allow them to crisp.
Note: After being fried, the internal moisture rises to the surface and makes your fries a bit soggy. The second fry will boil off more moisture and create drier and therefore crispier fries.
How To Serve Corn Fries
These fries are great as a snack, served with a bowl of dipping sauce of your choice. I usually serve these with spicy mayonnaise (made with mayo and Sriracha) or some spicy ketchup.
For a full meal, you can serve these for breakfast with some sunny-side-up eggs, or turn them into a quick supper, and serve them along with sausages and baked beans.
Another great idea is to serve these with fish to create a twist on popular fish and chips.
Corn Fries
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 0.5 lb baby corn
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tsp chili powder
- Sparkling water, as required
Instructions
1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add baby corn and simmer until tender (if using fresh corn). If you are using canned corn, make sure to rinse it well.
2. Place the corn on paper towels to drain.
3. Cut the corn into halves by length.
4. To make the coating, in a bowl, whisk together flour, cornflour, salt, pepper, and chili powder.
5. Add in enough sparkling water to make a batter, similar to pancake batter, just thinner.
6. Heat 2-inches of oil in a skillet.
7. Dip the corn into the batter and shake off the excess batter.
8. Fry the corn until golden brown on all sides.
9. Place the corn on paper towels to drain.
10. Serve fries warm and enjoy!
NOTE: You can also fry the corn in the air-fryer. Double frying is optional and not mandatory.
Corn Fries
This deliciously crispy recipe is perfect for an afternoon snack or easy side dish!
Ingredients
- 0.5 lb baby corn
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tsp chili powder
- Sparkling water, as required
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add baby corn and simmer until tender (if using fresh corn). If you are using canned corn, make sure to rinse it well.
- Place the corn on paper towels to drain.
- Cut the corn into halves by length.
- To make the coating, in a bowl, whisk together flour, cornflour, salt, pepper, and chili powder.
- Add in enough sparkling water to make a batter, similar to pancake batter, just thinner.
- Heat 2-inches of oil in a skillet.
- Dip the corn into the batter and shake off the excess batter. Fry the corn until golden brown on all sides.
- Place the corn on paper towels to drain.
- Repeat with the remaining corn.
- Serve fries warm.
Notes
You can also fry the corn in the air-fryer. Double frying is optional and not mandatory.
