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Jalapeno Corn Nuggets Recipe

4.9 from 145 reviews

Crispy, golden jalapeno corn nuggets bursting with sharp cheddar and sweet corn, perfectly fried to create a deliciously spicy and savory snack or appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Main Ingredients

  • 1 can (15.25 ounces) sweet corn, drained (about 1 ½ cups kernels)
  • 2 medium jalapeños, seeded, finely diced
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • Parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Combine cheese with dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix the flour, finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese, baking powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and granulated sugar until they are well combined.
  2. Whisk egg, milk, and butter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the large egg, whole milk, and melted unsalted butter until fully blended.
  3. Combine wet and dry mixtures: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter to maintain a light texture.
  4. Fold in corn and jalapeños: Gently fold the drained sweet corn kernels and finely diced jalapeños into the batter, ensuring even distribution without overworking the mixture.
  5. Heat vegetable oil: Pour vegetable oil into a heavy pot and heat over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C), suitable for frying the nuggets.
  6. Drop batter into hot oil and fry: Working in batches, drop 4-5 spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry each batch for 2-3 minutes or until the nuggets turn golden brown, monitoring and maintaining the oil temperature at 350°F between batches.
  7. Remove nuggets from oil: Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the fried nuggets from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil and crisp up.
  8. Garnish and serve: Garnish the corn nuggets with fresh parsley and serve immediately while hot and crispy for the best taste and texture experience.

Notes

  • Maintain oil temperature at 350°F to ensure even frying and avoid soggy nuggets.
  • Seed jalapeños to reduce heat if you prefer milder nuggets.
  • Do not overmix batter to keep the nuggets light and fluffy inside.
  • Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor impact.
  • Drain corn well to prevent excess moisture in the batter.

Keywords: jalapeno corn nuggets, fried corn nuggets, cheesy corn snacks, spicy appetizer, jalapeño recipes, cheddar cheese nuggets