Healthy Corn Fritters

Corn fritters are one of my favorite savory summer treats! As a mid-Michigan native, I have wonderful memories of stopping by a farm stand to pick up fresh corn on the cob. Although nothing beats boiled corn with a little butter and salt, corn fritters are a close second! I’ve modified my traditional recipe to make healthy corn fritters.

Why Are These Healthy Corn Fritters?

Low Sodium Corn Fritters

These healthy corn fritters have a ton of flavor from garlic, pepper and a dash of cayenne. No need to pack them full of salt!

Lightly Pan Fried

Unlike traditional deep fried corn fritters, these healthy corn fritters are not cooked submerged in oil. Instead, they get their crispy outsides from just a little vegetable oil.

Source of Fiber

Corn may have a bad reputation because it is “too starchy”, but corn can absolutely be a part of a healthy eating pattern. Corn is packed with fiber at 3 grams per 1/2 cup.

Serving of Vegetables!

Yep! Corn is a vegetable! And, vegetables don’t have to be boring.

If you have diabetes or high blood sugar, count corn in your carbohydrate for the meal. Remember, the goal for diabetes is to eat the right amount of carbohydrate. Not completely cut it out.

Kidney Friendly Corn Fritters

Last (but certainly not least!), these healthy corn fritters are kidney friendly! Vegetables are irreplaceable in any kidney friendly diet.

Corn is a great low potassium veggie. And, corn is low in oxalate if you have high levels of oxalate and want to prevent kidney stones.

How to Serve Corn Fritters

I love to serve corn fritters as the main event. Serve them with a side salad (may with a succotash for a more Southern feel?) and call it a day!

Or, healthy corn fritters can also be a tasty side dish. They go great with fish, chicken or pork.

Healthy Corn Fritter Toppings

You certainly don’t need to top these corn fritters with anything. But, to spice it up a bit, try these scrumptious toppings:

Happy Eating!

Melanie

Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Healthy Corn Fritters

Quick and easy low sodium corn fritters. The perfect summer savory treat!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: healthy corn fritters
Servings: 4 2 fritters
Calories: 219kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 cups corn frozen or fresh cut off cob
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 2 dashes cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 1/3 cup low-fat milk
  • 1 tbsp canola oil

Instructions

  • Combine corn, flour, sugar, baking soda, spices, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Stir until combined.
  • Add egg and milk. Mix just until combined.
  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Drop 1/4 cup fritter batter onto heated skillet to make each fritter. Push batter down a bit to make the fritters a bit thinner (about 1/4 inch thick). Cook 3-5 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through.
  • Garnish with green onion or one of the recommended toppings if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

Nutrition Information (per 2 fritters): 219 calories, 6g fat, 1g saturated fat, 48mg cholesterol, 38g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 2g added sugar, 7g protein, 181mg sodium, 38mg calcium, 288mg potassium, 138mg phosphorus, 3mg oxalate

Author

  • Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, FNKF, FAND is a nationally recognized kidney stone expert and dietitian with over 12 years of experience. She is the Founder & CEO of Melanie Betz Nutrition, LLC & The Kidney Dietitian blog that and has helped thousands of people prevent kidney stones with food. As a leader in the field, she has published her research and speaks at numerous local, state and national professional conferences about kidney nutrition. She also holds an elected or appointed position in the National Kidney Foundation, Renal Practice Group, American Kidney Fund and the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. More about Melanie & The Kidney Dietitian.

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18 thoughts on “Healthy Corn Fritters”

  1. 5 stars
    Had a craving for corn fritters for a couple of weeks and saw this recipe. I’m on a low sodium diet and find most recipes bland without salt. I tried these and really enjoyed them. Will definitely make them again.

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed them. I try to make my low sodium recipes FLAVORFUL! Low sodium shouldn’t mean bland!!

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Yep! I know these exist. I try to make my recipes accessible to everyone with more mainstream ingredients that everyone can find. There are definitely cuts like this to help make it even lower in sodium!

  2. 5 stars
    Hi Melanie,
    Just like my Grandma used to make, my ex fiancé was also an RD and is Teaching in Charlottesville. I wish I could have found your recipe sooner so I could’ve shared it with her.
    Richard

  3. I need to watch my potassium intake. I am going to change to other ingredients for this recipe since I am on a plant-based eating regimen for Kidney disease. I’ve brought my eGFR level up from 41 to 61 plant based. But just got information regarding my potassium level being high. I need low potassium recipes. I will use pure almond milk, omit the baking soda..use olive oil and just an egg white (I think I can get away with eating minimal egg whites even doing plant based). I’ll let you know how it goes. I am trying a couple recipes on here. Cucumber salad for one. If there are more low potassium recipes, you have, I’d love to get them. Thank you so much!

    1. My eGFR is 45. I put myself on Renal diet. I’m inspired that you went from 41 to 61!! I will try YOUR substitutions! By the way egg white beaters are 75 mg Potassium (2%) per 3tablespoons. I’ll forgo the sugar. Sweet corn is sweet. And kidneys hate salt do that’s a no.
      Good luck

  4. Melanie- This recipes looks so good. I love corn. Are there alternatives to the all purpose flour?
    Whole Oat fiber work or coconut flour?

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      I love corn too! I bet that any of those flours would work just fine! I can’t say for sure since I haven’t tested it, but I don’t see any reason why not! If you do try it with a different flour, leave a comment to let me know how they turned out!

  5. You mention Baking Soda in the ingredients yet in the instructions you have Baking Powder please advise which one we should be using as I have shared this with my group? Thank you.

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Hi Victoria! My apologies! The recipe and nutrition information reflects baking soda. I’ll fix that right away!

  6. 5 stars
    Hubby has stage 3 kidney disease. We are from the south & love southern foods. Looking for healthy options for him. Could I use olive oil instead of canola oil for this recipe?

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Hi Sylvia! Thank you for your comment! You could definitely use olive oil in place of canola oil. I actually did just that when I made this recipe the other day. I hope you love it!

      1. Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge on this site. We are both new to this kidney disease & your site is very helpful. I will be going to this site for help.

        1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

          Thank you so much Sylvia! I’m glad you found my site and especially happy you’ve found it helpful! Welcome!

    1. Melanie Betz MS, RD, CSR, CSG

      Thank you! I honestly have never tried to air fry anything (I haven’t taken the leap to buy an air fryer yet!). But, I don’t see why not! I think that would be a GREAT idea.
      You could also try baking them in the oven at a high temp.
      Let us know if you try it and how it works out!

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