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Corn vada recipe, How to make Corn Fritters

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Corn Vada or Sweet Corn Fritters — crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful inside — are now a beloved Indian tea-time snack, but did you know this viral recipe first appeared online right here at Sandyathome? Years ago, when no one had heard of combining ground corn and bread to create instant crispy vadas, I posted this unique version. It quickly gained popularity for being a 10-minute, instant snack using frozen corn — no soaking, no grinding of dals.

Today, corn vada has become a go-to recipe across kitchens — loved for its crunchy texture, quick preparation, and minimal ingredients. Whether you’re searching for South Indian corn fritters, instant vada for evening snacks, or easy frozen corn recipes, this one delivers it all — with the authenticity and simplicity that made it a trendsetter.

So if you’re looking to recreate the original viral corn vada recipe, you’ve landed in the right place. Let’s get frying of sweet corn fritter!

Bite of History: From Maize to Modern Vadas

Corn, or makka cholam, arrived in India through Portuguese traders around the 16th century. Though not native to Indian soil, it was quickly embraced in regional cuisines, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and tribal regions of Central India. In South India, corn vada (also known as makka garelu) became a creative blend of native vada traditions and foreign grain.

Unlike lentil-based vadas that date back to Sangam and medieval times, corn vada is a modern-era adaptation — using maize in a local, crispy format. What makes it special is how it aligns with revival food trends today: using fewer ingredients, less soaking time, and instant methods — without sacrificing the crunch or comfort of classic vadas.

Whether made the Andhra way with chana dal or like this instant version with bread and flour, corn vada represents how Indian kitchens adopt and adapt, turning even foreign crops into nostalgic snacks.

Jump to Recipe

Ingredients & Their Roles for Corn Vada recipe

Ingredient	Role in the Recipe
Corn	Provides base texture, natural sweetness, and moisture when ground coarsely
Bread	Acts as a binder, absorbs moisture, and helps hold the vada together
Maida	Adds body and structure to the dough; helps achieve a uniform fry
Rice Flour	Enhances crispiness; gives the vada a crunchy outer layer
Green Chili	Brings mild heat and sharpness to balance the sweetness of corn
Ginger	Adds aroma and aids digestion; deepens flavor (optional)
Cilantro	Adds freshness, aroma, and a subtle herbal layer
Salt	Enhances and balances the overall flavor
Oil	Used for deep frying to create a golden, crispy finish

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Corn vada recipe, How to make Corn Fritters

Recipe by Sandhya Riyaz

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: SnacksCuisine: IndianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Corn vada or sweet corn fritters are quick and crispy Indian snacks made using ground corn and bread. Perfect for tea time or surprise guests!

Ingredients for Corn vada

1 cup, 1 Corn (frozen or fresh)
2 slices. 2 Bread slices
(white part only)
3 tablespoon, 3 Maida
(all-purpose flour)
1 tablespoon, 1 Rice flour
(adds crispiness)
1 nos. 1 Green chili
(finely chopped)
¼ teaspoon, ¼ Ginger
(finely chopped, optional)
2 tablespoon, 2 Cilantro
(finely chopped)
Salt – to taste
Oil – for frying

Directions to make Sweer Corn Vadai

Prepare the Base
Grind frozen or fresh corn to a coarse paste using a blender. Trim the edges of the bread slices and tear the white portion into small bits.
Make the Dough
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground corn, bread pieces, maida, rice flour, chopped green chili, ginger, salt, and cilantro. Mix well into a soft dough. If it feels dry, sprinkle a little water.
Shape the Vadas
Heat oil in a pan. Take a small portion of dough, shape into a ball, and gently flatten it into a patty. Repeat until all dough is used.
Fry Until Golden
Drop the vadas into hot oil and fry on medium flame until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Serve Hot
Serve the crispy corn vadas hot with tomato ketchup or mint chutney.

Notes

1 cup = 250 ml

Directions to make SWEET CORN FRITTER WITH STEP BY STEP IMAGES

Prepare the Base
Grind frozen or fresh corn to a coarse paste using a blender. Trim the edges of the bread slices and tear the white portion into small bits.
Make the Dough
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground corn, bread pieces, maida, rice flour, chopped green chili, ginger, salt, and cilantro. Mix well into a soft dough. If it feels dry, sprinkle a little water.
Shape the Vadas
Heat oil in a pan. Take a small portion of dough, shape into a ball, and gently flatten it into a patty. Repeat until all dough is used.
Fry Until Golden
Drop the vadas into hot oil and fry on medium flame until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Serve Hot
Serve the crispy corn vadas hot with tomato ketchup or mint chutney.

Pro Tips for Perfect Corn Vada

Grind corn coarsely — don’t make a fine paste. Coarse texture gives better crunch and bite.
Use only the white part of the bread — it binds better and avoids sogginess.
Add rice flour for extra crispness — you can increase it by ½ tbsp if needed.
Don’t overcrowd the oil — fry vadas in batches on medium flame for even cooking.
Sprinkle a few drops of water only if the dough is too dry. Too much moisture makes it hard to shape.

Serving Suggestions

Serve corn vadas hot and crispy with tomato ketchup, mint chutney, or spicy garlic chutney.
Perfect as an evening snack with chai, or a starter for house parties.
Pack into kids’ snack boxes or serve during monsoon and winter evenings.