Fritters in an air fryer need a stiffer batter than you would use in a pan, because there's nothing to hold the shape while they set. Thick enough to sit in a mound on a spoon is about right. They come out lighter than fried ones, which is no bad thing.
Everything you need
- 2 cups (308 g) sweetcorn, drained
- ¾ cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (57 g) shredded cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tbsp milk
- 4 spring onions, sliced
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp fine salt
- as needed oil spray
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
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Drain the corn thoroughly and pat it dry. Wet corn thins the batter and the fritters spread into flat discs.
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Whisk the eggs and milk, then stir in the flour, baking powder, paprika and salt to a thick batter. Fold in the corn, cheese and spring onions.
For this step
- ¾ cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (57 g) shredded cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tbsp milk
- 4 spring onions
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp fine salt
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Line the basket with perforated paper and spray it. Drop heaped tablespoons of batter on, flattening each slightly, leaving space between.
For this step
- as needed oil spray
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Spray the tops generously and air fry at 190°C / 375°F for 8 minutes.
For this step
- as needed oil spray
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Flip carefully with a thin spatula, spray again, and cook another 5 to 6 minutes until golden and firm.
For this step
- as needed oil spray
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Serve hot with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce, or with a fried egg on top for brunch.
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Air fryer notes
- Cook at 190°C / 375°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
Cook's tips
- Blitz a third of the corn before mixing. The starch released binds the batter and stops the fritters crumbling.
- Use the paper liner. Batter poured straight into the basket drips through the holes and welds itself to the drawer.
Make it your own
- Add chopped jalapeno and swap the cheddar for feta.
- Use gram flour instead of plain for a pakora-style fritter, adding a teaspoon of cumin.
Storing & reheating
Refrigerate for 3 days and reheat at 180°C for 4 minutes. They freeze well for 2 months, cooked and cooled first.
Frequently asked
How many grams is a cup of sweetcorn?
About 154 g per US cup drained, so the 2 cups here is roughly 308 g, which is two standard tins.
Why did my fritters fall apart?
The batter was too loose or they were flipped too early. Keep it thick, and wait the full 8 minutes before turning so the base sets first.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
More air fryer recipes
A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.