Air Fryer Corn Nuggets recipe – Easy crispy fritters

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Corn nuggets air fryer recipe – delicious, easy, and 100% vegan air fryer corn nuggets recipe! These nuggets are perfect for dipping into your favorite sauce or just plain snacking! 

Air fryer corn nuggets are amazing for many reasons! Firstly, they are made with real corn kernels, which provide a deliciously sweet and crunchy texture that is hard to resist. Secondly, they are a healthier version of traditional fried corn nuggets as they are cooked with just a little bit of oil, making them crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Additionally, air fryer corn nuggets are super easy to make and perfect for a quick snack or dinner option. Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a tasty treat, these nuggets are sure to be a hit with everyone. So, go ahead and try them out! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Why you’re going to adore these tasty corn fritters

Corn nuggets are a tasty snack with a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. They are made from a mixture of sweet corn, flour, and seasonings, then deep-fried until golden brown.

When you take a bite of a corn nugget, you’ll first notice the crunchiness of the crispy coating, followed by the warm and savory taste of the fluffy corn-based filling. The sweetness of the corn mingles with the savory notes of the seasoning, making for a delicious and satisfying treat.

Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy your crunchy, delicious corn fritters! 

And don’t forget to add this delicious corn fritters recipe to your make-on-repeat folder, because your family and friends will love these popular corn snacks! 

The texture of corn nuggets is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, while the taste is a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors. They are true crowd-pleasers!

Origin of corn nuggets

Corn nuggets are a popular snack food in the United States, but it’s unclear where they originated. However, it is believed that they were first created in the Southern United States, where corn is a staple crop. They are typically made from a mixture of cornmeal, eggs, milk, and other ingredients, formed into small nuggets, and fried until crispy. They are often served as a side dish or appetizer and are sometimes dipped in ranch or other sauces. The exact origin of corn nuggets is unknown, but they are a beloved food in many parts of the country today.

Other names for corn nuggets

Corn nuggets are also known as corn fritters, corn pops, and corn bites. No matter what you call these delicious corn bites they are sure to satisfy your taste buds. 

Tips and Tricks for making vegan corn nuggets in an air fryer

1. Use fresh or frozen corn kernels, but make sure to thaw them completely before starting the recipe.

2. Make sure to pulse the corn and chickpeas mixture in a food processor or blender until it reaches a coarse texture, but not too smooth.

3. Add more breadcrumbs or flour if the mixture is too wet. The mixture should hold together well to form nugget shapes.

4. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can affect the cooking time and texture of the nuggets.

5. Preheat the air fryer before adding the nuggets to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.

6. Use cooking spray or oil to lightly coat the nuggets before air frying, as this will help them to crisp up nicely.

7. Flip the nuggets halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.

8. Serve the nuggets immediately after cooking, as they will lose their crispness if left to sit too long.

Enjoy your delicious vegan corn nuggets made in an air fryer!

How to cut corn off the cob:

1. First, start by shucking the corn and removing the husks and silk.

2. Then, using a sharp knife, hold the corn cob upright on a cutting board and carefully slice down the length of the cob, cutting off the kernels. 

3. Repeat this process on all sides of the cob until all of the kernels have been removed. 

4. You can also place the cob in a bowl or pie dish to catch the kernels as you cut them off.

Delicious vegan Corn Nuggets recipe made in air fryer. Here’s what you’ll need:

Corn Pops Ingredients:

• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Cooking spray

How to make corn bites Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.

3. Add the corn kernels to the dry ingredients and mix until the kernels are coated.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond milk and apple cider vinegar.

5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until well combined.

6. Using a tablespoon, form small balls with the mixture and gently flatten them to form nugget shapes.

7. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the nuggets in the basket, leaving some space in between each nugget.

8. Spray the nuggets with cooking spray.

9. Air fry the nuggets at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

10. Once done, remove the nuggets from the air fryer and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Enjoy your delicious vegan corn nuggets air fryer recipe!

How to deep fry corn nuggets

Although this is an air fryer corn nuggets recipe I know there are times where you want to take this recipe and make it in another way. But don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. Because this delicious vegan golden corn nuggets recipe can also be deep fried. 

Just follow these easy steps to make deep fried corn nuggets 

Make the corn nuggets wet mixture as instructed on the recipe card. 

1. Heat up some oil in a deep fryer or a pot until it reaches about 350°F.

2. Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the corn mixture into the hot oil.

3. Fry the corn nuggets for about 3 to 4 minutes or until they turn golden brown.

4. Use a slotted spoon to remove the nuggets from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate.

5. Serve and enjoy.

Baked corn nuggets – Easy way to bake corn nuggets in the oven

Making corn nuggets in an air fryer is great for making smaller batches for fewer people. It’s more budget-friendly than heating up an entire oven. But if you’re making large batches of corn nuggets for LOTS of people it’s often easier to make the corn nuggets in the oven. 

Here’s a simple way to make corn nuggets in an oven

1. Make the corn nuggets wet mixture as instructed on the recipe card. 

2. Grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.

3. Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the corn mixture onto the baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each nugget.

4. Bake the corn nuggets for about 15-20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.

5. Once done, remove the nuggets from the oven and serve. 

Delicious way to add extra flavor to corn nuggets

There are many ingredients and seasonings that you can add to corn nuggets to give them more flavor. Here are some suggestions:

1. Cheese: Adding grated cheese to the corn nuggets can add a creamy and rich flavor.

2. Nutritional yeast: try adding 1/2 cup (30g) nutritional yeast to your nuggets. It is a great way to add extra cheesy flavor to your corn nuggets.

3. Spices: You can use spices like paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, or onion powder to add some extra flavor.

4. Herbs: Adding fresh or dried herbs like parsley, cilantro, or thyme can give a fresh and aromatic touch to the nuggets.

5. Hot sauce: Adding hot sauce or chili paste can add some heat and flavor to the nuggets.

6. Smoked paprika: Adding some smoked paprika to the corn nuggets can add a smoky flavor.

7. Vegetables: Adding finely chopped vegetables like onions, bell peppers, or jalapenos can add some texture and flavor.

8. Cornmeal coating: You can try seasoning the cornmeal coating with salt, pepper, and spices to add some extra flavor to the nuggets.

Tasty Vegan cheese flavored Corn nuggets recipe

Here’s a recipe for Vegan Corn Nuggets with Cheesy Flavor:

Vegan cheesy corn fritters Ingredients:

• 2 cups of corn kernels (fresh or frozen, or canned corn)
• 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup of nutritional yeast
• 1/4 cup of cornmeal
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon of cumin

How to make the best cheesy corn nuggets Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, combine the corn kernels, flour, nutritional yeast, cornmeal, salt, and black pepper into a creamy corn batter.

3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the water, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cumin.

4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until well combined.

5. Form the mixture into small nuggets and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

7. Serve hot and enjoy

The best Spicy Corn Nuggets recipe

Here’s a recipe for Vegan Corn Nuggets with Spicy Flavor:

Plant based Spicy corn Nuggets Ingredients:

• 2 cups of corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup of cornmeal
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
• 1/4 cup of water
• Oil for frying

How to make spicy corn nuggets Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the corn kernels, flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the water and all the spices.

4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until well combined.

5. Take a spoonful of the mixture at a time and form it into small nuggets. Place the corn fritters on the prepared baking sheet.

6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

7. Serve hot and enjoy

More delicious Air Fryer recipes

How to serve Air Fryer Corn Fritters

1. As an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce such as sweet chili sauce, vegan ranch or chipotle mayo.

2. As a side dish with roasted vegetables and a salad.

3. In a wrap or sandwich with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and your favorite sauce.

4. As a topping for a salad or grain bowl.

5. On a platter with other finger foods like vegan chicken wings, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks.

6. With fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley and a squeeze of lime for added flavor.

7. With a side of vegan mac and cheese or Spanish bean salad for a classic comfort food meal.

Great sauces and dips to go with corn fritters

There are many sauces and dips that pair well with corn nuggets! Here are a few options that will add delicious flavor:

• Ranch dressing
• Barbecue sauce
• Sweet chili sauce
• Honey mustard
• Garlic aioli
• Sriracha mayo
• Chipotle sauce

Feel free to get creative and try out different sauces to find your favorite!

Fresh corn vs frozen corn in corn nuggets

Both fresh and frozen corn can be used to make corn nuggets, but each option has its own pros and cons.

Fresh corn has a sweeter taste and a crunchier texture than frozen corn. It also has more nutrients and vitamins, making it a healthier option. However, fresh corn can be more difficult to work with as you have to remove the kernels from the cob and it can be quite time-consuming. Another option is to use canned corn. That works really well in this corn nugget recipe to make the best crispy corn nuggets. 

Frozen corn is more convenient as it is already removed from the cob and ready to use. It is also available year-round and is a more cost-effective option. However, frozen corn may have a softer texture and may not have the same fresh taste as fresh corn.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what you have on hand. No matter which type of corn you use, you can still make delicious corn nuggets that are sure to be a hit!

Are corn fritters the same as a hush puppy?

Corn fritters and hush puppies are similar in that they are both made from cornmeal-based batter, but they are not the same.

Corn fritters are typically sweet and made from a mixture of corn kernels, flour, eggs, milk, and other ingredients. They are often served as a side dish or as a dessert.

Hush puppies, on the other hand, are savory and made from a mixture of cornmeal, flour, salt, eggs, buttermilk, and other ingredients. They are deep-fried and often served as a side dish with seafood or other fried foods.

While both are delicious, corn fritters and hush puppies have different flavors and textures.

FAQs – frequently asked questions and answers about corn nuggets air fryer recipe:

Storing and reheating Corn Nuggets FAQs