Jalapeno Corn Nuggets Recipe
These Jalapeno Corn Nuggets are crispy, golden fried bites packed with sweet corn, sharp cheddar cheese, and spicy jalapeños. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, they offer a delightful combination of creamy and spicy flavors with a satisfying crunch.
- Author: Sophie
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 20 nuggets 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ½ cup (122.5 g) whole milk
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Additional Ingredients
- 1 can (15.25 ounces) sweet corn, drained (about 1 ½ cups kernels)
- 2 medium jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Parsley, for garnish
- Combine cheese with dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese, baking powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and granulated sugar until evenly combined.
- Whisk egg, milk, and butter: In a separate bowl, whisk the large egg, whole milk, and melted unsalted butter until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently and just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep the batter light.
- Fold in corn and jalapeños: Gently fold in the drained sweet corn kernels and finely diced jalapeños, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Heat oil for frying: In a heavy pot over medium heat, add vegetable oil and heat it to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer for accuracy.
- Drop batter into hot oil and fry: Working in batches, carefully drop 4-5 spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil. Fry each batch for about 2-3 minutes, or until the nuggets turn golden brown. Maintain the oil temperature at 350°F by adjusting the heat between batches.
- Remove nuggets and drain: Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried nuggets from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped parsley for a fresh touch and serve the jalapeño corn nuggets warm as a delicious appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the nuggets tender.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeño according to your preferred spice level.
- Use a thermometer to maintain consistent oil temperature for even frying.
- You can serve these nuggets with a dipping sauce like ranch or spicy mayo for added flavor.
- Drain the corn well to avoid excess moisture in the batter.
Keywords: jalapeno corn nuggets, fried corn nuggets, spicy corn appetizer, fried jalapeno snacks, cheddar corn nuggets