These vegetarian Thai-inspired corn fritters are scrumptiously light and ludicrously crunchy all at the same time. Somehow, all the gorgeous ingredients come together and taste as if they are kissed by bacon, yet there is not a ounce in sight.
These corn fritters can be used as a snack food for entertaining, as a side dish to a main meal, or as a main meal in themselves with a simple leafy green salad on the side. Whatever your flavour, be sure to serve them with this zinging pineapple salsa to compliment. 
Thai-Inspired Corn Fritters
- Yield: 12-15 fritters 1x
Description
Served with a zing of pineapple sauce, these Thai-style corn fritters are crunchy on the outside with a touch of spice inside.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup rice flour or millet flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce (vegetarian if needed)
- 2 tablespoons tamari (or soy sauce)
- 1 cup firm tofu, grated
- 1 cup corn, fresh off the cob, or frozen if unavailable
- 2 spring onions, finely sliced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 cup fresh coriander, chopped
- 1/ 2 red capsicum, diced
- 1 fresh red chili, thinly sliced
- zest 1 lime
- juice of 2 limes
- 1/3 cup mashed potato
- soda water to bring to batter, around 1/3-1/2 cup
pineapple salsa:
- 1/2 cup cubed pineapple
- 1 tomato cubed
- 1/3 cup coriander
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon tamarind pulp
- juice of 1/2 lime
Instructions
- Place the tofu, corn, garlic, coriander, spring onion, mashed potato, capsicum, chilli, lime zest and juice, fish sauce and tamari in a large mixing bowl and stir together.
- Mix the baking powder with the flour. Add this dry mixture to the wet mixture stirring to blend it in and form a thick mixture. Now add the soda water slowly to bring to a thick batter.
- Taste for flavouring and add more tamari or fish sauce, or lime juice if needed.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. When bubbles begin to rise from the bottom of the pan, drop around 2 tablespoons of the mixture in to make a fritter. Continue till you have a batch sizzling away. Push lightly down on the fritter once whilst cooking to make sure it all holds together well. Be mindful of the corn heating as it will pop and potentially hit you!
- After 3-4 minutes flip fritters over. They should be golden brown underneath. Cook till golden brown on both sides then remove and keep warm whilst you finish the remaining fritters.
- For pineapple salsa, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
- Category: Appetizer, Side
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of cornmeal in the fritter batter?
You can substitute cornmeal with all-purpose flour or a gluten-free flour blend, but keep in mind that the texture may vary slightly.
How do I ensure my corn fritters are crunchy?
To achieve maximum crunchiness, make sure to use a hot oil for frying and avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the oil temperature.
What ingredients are essential for the zinging pineapple salsa?
The essential ingredients for the pineapple salsa include fresh pineapple, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and a touch of chili for heat.
