This quinoa corn fritters are made with egg and green onion cooked in coconut oil and a fun way to change up your side dish.
Sometimes I make my way into the kitchen with just an idea. It starts out with a mental list of ingredients or chicken scratch on a post it note from the bright pink stack on my work desk when something randomly popped into my head (most likely while writing some boring proposal about facilities work on some college campus). I start combining ingredients, then begin to slightly deviate from the chicken scratch post it, poke through the pantry or fridge and throw some more random ingredients in here and there and before I know it, the dish has morphed into something completely different than what I set out to do.
Sometimes I probably would’ve been better off sticking to the post it note, other times it’s like divine intervention and it was meant to be.
Divine might be a stretch, but this is definitely one of those meant to be times.
Roasted corn, coconut oil, smoked paprika, almond meal and eggs. So weird, so many different flavors and yet, they work together magically in a way I never would’ve thought of on paper.
That’s why I love food. There are so many variations out there to play with. It’s like the world’s biggest blank canvas except instead of coming up with some crazy Bob Ross painting, you get fritters.
Delicious eggy, quinoa, corn fritters. They could be a great savory brunch dish, lunch or a side to dinner. A versatile flavor explosion in your mouth.
So if you have nothing to do this weekend, go play with your food!
Quinoa Corn Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup frozen roasted corn, or fresh off the cob
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, minced
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup egg whites, plus more on hand for cooking (see directions)
- 1/2 cup cooked red quinoa
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons almond meal/flour
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Combine corn, shallot, garlic, green onion, jalapeno, egg, 1/4 cup egg whites, quinoa, almond meal and spices in a medium bowl.
- Stir together until completely combined.
- Preheat a skillet to medium heat.
- Add 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil.
- Scoop mixture in approximately 1/4 cup spoonfuls onto hot skillet and press down into patty form.
- Carefully pour about 1 tablespoon of egg whites over fritter to help bind it together while cooking.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Set aside on a paper towel to drain.
- Repeat the same process in 1/4 cup spoonfuls until mixture is gone adding more coconut oil to the skillet as needed in 1/2 tablespoon increments.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
But I LIKE crazy Bob Ross paintings!!!
and quiona. and eggs. and corn
and you =)
ew. typo!
i mean to say quinoa. or keeeeeeeenwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah
I didn’t even notice! ;)
Anything frittery is a-okay by me! Sweet or savory. The combination of quinoa and corn sounds great! Perfect appetizer, simple to make and all sorts of nutritious! Have a great weekend!
Looks and sounds wonderful! I love that you used almond meal rather than breadcrumbs. I’ll have to try that in some of my patty/fritter recipes.
Yum these look incredible. I had planned to make some zucchini fritters this upcoming week, now I definitely need to rethink the recipe and add in some quinoa. Yum! Thanks for the inspiration :)
Bob Ross was the man!
I do the same thing – empty content of fridge/pantry into bowl…add eggs….mix. Close your eyes and pray :)
These look amazing
These would go perfectly as a side dish with so many meals – might be good with zucchini as well!
This idea for cooking is so foreign to me. I have like 5 meals that i make variations on everyday. I’m so boring.
Nothing like something in your mind coming together for the perfect bite!
I LOVE when that happens with random ingredients. I’ve tasted some pretty nasty things at my own hand in attempts to reach that random-deliciousness perfection. But when you get there, it’s so worth it.
Creative combination! I love when you throw random things together and you end up with a great meal!! I am loving your fritters, they look great! I will have to give this one a try this weekend!!! Have a nice weekend!