Easy Corn Fritters a.k.a Bakwan Jagung Recipe - Much Butter (2024)

Look at the crisp! Corn fritters or bakwan jagung is an Indonesian snack with a super crunchy light golden brown exterior loaded with juicy sweet corn, savory flavor in every bite, and easy to make with everyday ingredients.

These dishes are vegetarian, adaptable & budget-friendly. Plus point you can make Gluten-free options as well.

Corn fritter a.k.a Bakwan Jagung or Perkedel Jagung is one of the most famous street foods throughout Indonesia and is popular in the mornings, and daytime and also makes for a great late-night snack. However, you can also make it homemade which is easier, healthier, and a lot more than buying from abang-abang (seller of Gorengan). Bakwan Jagung (ba-wan-ja-gung) (Indonesian Corn Fritters) is one of my favorite Indonesian dishes.Bakwan Jagung is a traditional Indonesian dish usually eaten as a snack or served as an appetizer accompanied by rice. Savory, sweet, and salty, it’s a taste that everyone would love!

Why do you need to use corn for fritter?

Here’s an interesting question why use corn, not zucchini, asparagus, or something else? Alright, I heard that, so I have some interesting offers and answers to why we need to use corn instead of any other veggies. By the way, I have made some fritters before, you can check them on my web.

Corn brings several benefits to the table (pun intended!) when it comes to making fritters:

• First, Sweetness and Flavor: Corn kernels are the star of the show. Their natural sweetness adds a delightful flavor dimension to the fritters. Even sweet corn varieties have a touch of starch, which complements the savory elements of the batter and dipping sauces.
• Second, Texture: Corn kernels provide a wonderful textural contrast in fritters. The soft batter gets a burst of juicy sweetness and a pleasant pop from the corn kernels when you bite into them.
• Third, Moisture and Binding: Corn kernels contribute some moisture to the fritter batter. This helps to keep the fritters from drying out excessively while frying. While the flour and egg act as the main binders, the corn itself helps hold the fritters together.
• Lastly, Accessibility: Corn is a widely available and affordable ingredient. This makes corn fritters a budget-friendly option for a delicious snack or side dish.

I love my veggies fritters, but this corn fritter just hit differently moreover the corn sensation pops in my mouth with sweet combined savory flavor. Yes, don’t forget to dip with to sweet spicy sambal. You have everything in the world!

I bet you need to make it first, then addicting later!

Ingredients of Corn Fritters

• Fresh Sweet Corn: These are the stars of the show! Corn is a cereal grain with kernels containing sweet, starchy insides. They add sweetness, texture, and a delightful corn flavor to the fritters. Actually, you can use a canned or frozen one, but I highly recommend using fresh corn for sweetness and texture-wise.
• Tapioca Flour: This is a gluten-free flour made from the cassava root. It acts as a binder in the recipe, helping the fritters hold their shape. Tapioca flour can be substituted with all-purpose flour if you’re not concerned about gluten-free.
• Garlic, minced: Garlic is an aromatic herb that adds a sharp, pungent flavor to the fritters. Mincing it finely distributes the flavor throughout the batter.
• Spring Onion: Also known as scallions, these have a milder onion flavor compared to regular onions. They add a subtle oniony taste and a pop of green color to the fritters. The white and light green parts are typically used.
• Celery: This adds a textural crunch and a subtle vegetal flavor to the fritters. You can use chopped stalks or even the leaves.
• Egg: This acts as a binder, helping all the ingredients stick together and form the fritter batter. The egg also contributes some richness and fluffiness.
• Salt: Salt enhances all the other flavors in the recipe. It brings out the sweetness of the corn and savory notes of the other ingredients.
• Pepper: Black pepper adds a bit of heat and complexity to the flavor profile.
• Water: Water is the liquid base in the batter. It helps to hydrate the tapioca flour and create a workable consistency for frying.
• Chicken Stock Powder: This concentrated powder adds a savory chicken flavor to the fritters. You can substitute it with vegetable stock powder if you prefer a vegetarian option.

Let’s Make Corn Fritters

First, we’ll focus on the star ingredient – the corn. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the kernels off the cob. You can do this by placing the cob on its end on a cutting board and running the knife down the cob, following the rows of kernels. Collect the kernels in a large bowl and set them aside.

Now, let’s add some flavor and texture to our fritters. Grab your spring onion and celery. Finely chop them both – you can use the white and light green parts of the spring onion. Add the chopped vegetables to the bowl with the corn kernels.

Next, In the same bowl with the corn and vegetables, add the tapioca flour, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, water, and chicken stock powder. Using a spoon, gently fold and stir all the ingredients together until they are well combined and you have a thick batter.

Fry the corn fritters!

Then, Let’s get cooking! Heat enough vegetable oil in a large skillet pan over medium-high heat. To test the temperature, you can carefully flick a drop of water into the oil – if it sizzles immediately, the oil is hot enough.

Now for the fun part! Using a spoon, scoop up some batter and gently drop it into the hot oil. You can flatten the top of the batter slightly with the back of the spoon for more even cooking. You need to fast in this step and add a few more spoonfuls of batter to the pan, leaving about 1 inch of space between each fritter to allow for flipping.

Next, Fry the fritters for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the bottoms are golden brown and crispy. Once the bottoms are golden, carefully flip the fritters using a spatula and fry for another 2 minutes or so, until all sides are golden brown and cooked through.

Once cooked, remove the fritters from the pan and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Repeat steps 5-7 with the remaining batter until you’ve used it all up. This recipe should yield around 15-20 delicious corn fritters.

Serve your golden corn fritters warm with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy your homemade easy corn fritters or Indonesian bakwan jagung!

Recipe Notes;

• Use fresh corn for flavor and crispness.If you have a fresh ear of corn, you will get a fresher and sweeter flavor. Canned or frozen corn kernels will also work, but make sure to drain off any excess liquid and pat dry as best as you can.
• Spice them up.You can substitute the scallions with celery to change the flavor. Add thinly sliced red chilis to make them a little spicy.
• No overcrowding.Fry the batter in batches of three or four in hot oil. Gently press the batter out to flatten with a spoon or spatula to help the fritters cook more evenly.
• Cheesy Goodness: For extra cheesy goodness, incorporate shredded cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, or a Mexican cheese blend into the batter. You can even add a sprinkle of cheese on top of the fritters before frying them for a delightful melted cheese crust.
• Healthy Alternatives: Looking for a lighter option? You can reduce the amount of oil used for frying by pan-frying the fritters with a little bit of oil or cooking them in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Try this Recipe!

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Find other street food Fried Snack such as;

Crispy Spinach Chips

Crispy vegetable fritters

See Also

16 Korean Recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner!

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Written by Silni Asfia