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These corn fritters with ham are everything you want in a comforting Southern-style treat—crispy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside, and packed with sweet corn flavor. The cream-style corn gives the batter natural moisture and richness, while the ham adds a savory pop that balances the sweetness beautifully. They’re satisfying on their own but even better paired with classic sides like applesauce, maple syrup, or a favorite dipping sauce.
Fritters like these are wonderfully versatile: serve them as a breakfast side or an anytime snack when you’re craving something warm and flavorful. They’re quick to mix together, use simple pantry ingredients, and fry up in just a few minutes. You can make them savory or slightly sweet, or add chopped vegetables for color and texture. Whether you’re using leftover ham or bacon instead, these fritters deliver reliable, crowd-pleasing flavor every time.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Simple, pantry-friendly ingredients. Everything comes together from basics you already have—corn, eggs, flour, and a bit of ham or bacon.
Soft inside, crisp outside. The cream-style corn keeps the interior tender while the hot oil creates a golden, crunchy shell.
Sweet or savory options. Add more sugar for a sweeter fritter or keep them fully savory with ham and vegetables.
Perfect for any meal. Serve as breakfast, brunch, snacks, or a fun side dish with dips and sauces.
Ingredient Notes
- Eggs: Help bind the batter and give the fritters a soft, tender interior.
- Milk: Thins the batter to the right consistency; whole milk adds richer flavor.
- Cream-style corn: Adds moisture, sweetness, and texture. It also replaces some of the fat you might find in other fritter recipes.
- Flour and baking powder: Work together to create lift and structure so the fritters puff nicely when fried.
- Sugar: Use just a tablespoon for lightly sweet fritters—or increase it slightly if you prefer a sweeter, breakfast-style fritter.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness of the corn and enhances the savory ham flavor.
- Ham or bacon: Adds salty, smoky depth. Finely chopped ham gives a uniform bite; bacon adds crisp, bold flavor.
- Bell pepper: Optional, but adds color and a subtle sweetness.
- Vegetable oil: Use a high-heat oil (like peanut, canola, or vegetable) for deep-frying.
Steps to Make Corn Fritters With Ham
- Whisk the eggs and milk together in a mixing bowl, then stir in the cream-style corn.
- In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- Combine the wet and dry mixtures and stir just until blended.
- Fold in the chopped ham or bacon and bell pepper, if using.
- Drop spoonfuls of batter into hot oil and fry until golden brown.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain briefly on paper towels before serving.
Tips for Corn Fritters With Ham
- Keep the oil at a steady temperature so the fritters cook evenly without absorbing excess oil.
- Mix the batter just until combined to avoid tough fritters—overmixing develops too much gluten.
- Use a small cookie scoop for evenly sized fritters that cook at the same rate.
- Drain fritters briefly on a paper towel to maintain crisp edges without becoming greasy.
- Add a little more sugar if you prefer a sweeter fritter, especially for breakfast or brunch.
- Fry a test fritter first to check seasoning and adjust the salt or sugar if needed.
Recipe Variations
- Sweet corn fritters. Increase the sugar and omit the ham for a dessert-style fritter. Serve with maple syrup, honey, or powdered sugar.
- Cheesy fritters. Add a handful of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack for extra richness and a melty interior.
- Spicy version. Mix in a pinch of cayenne, minced jalapeño, or a dash of hot sauce for heat.
- Bacon and scallion. Swap ham for crisp chopped bacon and fold in sliced green onions for extra flavor.
- Bell pepper blend. Use a mix of red, yellow, and green bell peppers to add sweetness, color, and texture.
- Herb fritters. Fold in chopped parsley, chives, or dill for a fresh, fragrant finish.
- Vegetable-packed. Add a small handful of shredded zucchini or finely grated carrot—great for stretching the batch.
What to Serve With Corn Fritters With Ham
- Serve with maple syrup, honey butter, or warm applesauce for a sweet contrast.
- Pair with scrambled eggs, omelets, or a breakfast casserole for a hearty brunch.
- Add a dipping sauce like ranch, chipotle mayo, or spicy ketchup to make them a fun appetizer.
- Choose a simple soup or chili if serving them as a casual side dish.
How to Store Corn Fritters With Ham
Refrigerate: Store leftover fritters in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Let them cool completely before sealing to prevent sogginess.
Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven or air fryer until crisp again. Avoid microwaving, which softens the exterior.
Freeze: Arrange cooled fritters on a parchment-lined sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They keep well for up to 2 months.
Corn Fritters With Ham
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 cup cream-style corn
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp sugar, or to taste
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅔ cup finely chopped ham (or 1/3 to 1/2 cup of diced cooked bacon), or 1/3 to 1/2 cup of diced cooked bacon
- ¼ cup finely chopped bell pepper, optional
Recommended Equipment
- Dutch oven
Instructions
- Heat about 2 inches of oil in a Dutch oven or deep fryer to 365°F.Vegetable oil for deep frying
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk. Stir the cream-style corn into the egg mixture.2 large eggs | 3/4 cup milk | 1 cup cream-style corn
- In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt; stir to blend. Add the dry ingredients to the first mixture and stir to blend. Fold in the chopped ham or bacon along with bell pepper, if using.2 cups all-purpose flour | 2 tsp baking powder | 1 tbsp sugar | 1/2 tsp salt | 2/3 cup finely chopped ham (or 1/3 to 1/2 cup of diced cooked bacon) | 1/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper
- With a tablespoon or small scoop, drop the batter, 4 to 6 at a time, into the hot oil and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown. Remove cooked fritters to a paper towel-lined plate or pan and repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve the fritters warm with syrup, hot sauce, ranch dressing or sour cream.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
