Description
Spicy Mexican Corn Bites are a flavorful and bite-sized appetizer that combines sweet corn with a zesty blend of spices, perfect for adding a little heat to your next gathering. These crispy, savory bites are topped with tangy cotija cheese and a kick of chili powder, offering a delightful fusion of Mexican-inspired flavors. Serve them as an appetizer, snack, or side dish at your next fiesta!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups frozen corn kernels (or fresh corn, cooked)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup grated cotija cheese (or Parmesan cheese as a substitute)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (for garnish)
- Additional chili powder and cotija cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Corn Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until the dry ingredients are well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, milk, and cilantro to the dry mixture and stir until smooth. Fold in the corn kernels and grated cotija cheese, making sure the corn is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Fry the Corn Bites: Once the oil is hot, spoon tablespoon-sized portions of the corn batter into the skillet. Flatten them slightly with the back of the spoon to form small fritters. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and Garnish: Once fried, remove the corn bites from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Drizzle with fresh lime juice and sprinkle with additional chili powder and cotija cheese for extra flavor.
- Serve: Serve warm as an appetizer, snack, or side dish. These corn bites are best enjoyed with a side of salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for dipping.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter.
- You can bake these instead of frying them by placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and baking at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- These can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven for a crispy texture.
- You can substitute cotija cheese with feta or even queso fresco if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 corn bite
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg