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Crispy with a touch of spice, these corn fritter muffins are the ultimate easy snack or appetizer. In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a batch of golden corn bites baked with garlic, cheddar, and fresh thyme. Serve these warm with sweet-and-spicy chipotle hot honey for dipping. They’re fun, flavorful, and perfect for spring and summer entertaining.
Whenever I’m at the grocery store and spot fresh corn on the cob, I always grab a few ears. Sometimes the stores randomly have really great corn, even before summer officially starts.
When I arrived in Florida, I noticed most stores were already stocked with fresh corn, so of course I picked some up. I took it as the perfect excuse to recreate one of my favorite recipes from last summer—my easy corn fritter muffins. They’re not quite a fritter and not quite a muffin…kind of the best of both worlds, and I absolutely love them.
I first made these during those final golden days of summer. I had every intention of sharing the recipe, but by the time I perfected it, the season had already shifted, and I was deep into fall mode.
But now, we’re fully into spring, and I’m starting to feel those summer vibes creeping in, especially here in Florida. It’s such an exciting time of year—I always feel a fresh wave of inspiration this season.
So yes, I’m starting corn season a little early this year. Bake these for your first BBQ of the season—trust me, they’ll be the hit of the party, especially alongside grilled burgers and fresh pasta salads.
These are the details
Corn Muffin Ingredients
- all-purpose
- flour
- baking powder
- smoked paprika
- cheddar cheese
- garlic
- salt and black pepper
- whole milk
- an egg
- fresh or frozen corn kernels
- fresh thyme
- salted butter
Hot Honey Ingredients
- honey
- chipotle chile powder
- flaked sea salt
The Tools
To make these muffins, you’ll need a 12-cup mini muffin pan, though a standard muffin pan works too. If using a regular pan, fill each cup only about halfway.
You’ll also need a mixing bowl, a spatula, and a small saucepan.
Steps
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
Preheat the oven. Divide the butter evenly between 12 mini muffin cups. Place the pan in the oven for about 10 minutes, until the butter is melted and hot.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, smoked paprika, cheddar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the milk and egg, mixing until just combined. Fold in the corn and fresh thyme. Do not overmix.
Step 3: Fill the Pan
Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven. Using a cookie scoop, spoon the batter evenly into each cup.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the muffins are puffed and golden, with butter sizzling around the edges.
Step 5: Make the Hot Honey
In a small saucepan, gently warm the honey and chipotle chile powder over low heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring until smooth.
Step 6: Serve
Dip each warm muffin into the hot honey or drizzle it over the top. Finish with flaky sea salt and serve immediately.
My mom especially loves these—anything with corn and a little honey, and she’s completely sold. I’m already planning to make a batch for Mother’s Day this year.
They’re easy, a little special, and perfect for a spring brunch or backyard lunch. If you’re cooking for Mom, these are such a fun, unexpected addition to the table—especially with a bouquet of fresh peonies!
Looking for other corn recipes? Try these:
Instant Pot Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chowder
Sheet Pan Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chicken Enchiladas
Grilled Street Corn Salad with Avocado “Mayo”
Lastly, if you make these Easy Corn Fritter Muffins with Hot Honey, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Easy Corn Fritter Muffins with Hot Honey (Chipotle)
Ingredients
Corn Muffins
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- 6 tablespoons cold salted butter
Chipotle Honey
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1-2 teaspoons chipotle chile powder
- flaked sea salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Divide the butter between 20-22 mini muffin cups. Place the pan in the oven for 10 minutes.2. Meanwhile, make the batter. Combine the remaining ingredients in a bowl, mixing until just combined and smooth. Do not overmix. 3. Carefully pull the buttered pan out of the oven. Spoon the batter evenly into each cup. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the muffins are puffed up and the butter is sizzling around each.4. To make the chipotle honey, gently warm the ingredients on the stove for 2–3 minutes, until combined and smooth.5. Dip/drizzle each warm muffin in the honey. Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Can pre- boiled & cooled cooked kernels that have been cut off the Cob be used instead?
Hi there,
Sure, I don’t see why not! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it!
Don’t make this. It has no flavor without the honey. The texture is also not inspiring.
Very sorry to hear this, Makenzie. Thanks for trying the recipe and your comment!
What do you recommend serving these with?
Hi Mauree,
I think these are fun to do with burgers and salads, like a great side at a BBQ. Let me know if you give this recipe a try!
Is there anything I could replace the egg with?
Hi Cathy,
So sorry, I have not tested this recipe without the egg, but you could try just omitting it.
Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it!
These are insanely good! I divided them in 24 mini muffin cups and baked for 16 minutes. They are so perfectly poppable I ate 3 straight from the pan and had to stop myself from eating more!
Yay! Thanks so much, Bree! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your comment, love to hear they were enjoyed!
When I printed the recipe out, you had that it makes 12 mini muffins. I now see it has been updated to 20. Can you confirm how many mini muffins this makes?
Hi Miranda,
This recipe will make about 20-22 mini muffins.
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
How did yours turn out in round balls if made in a muffin tin? Mine look like actual muffins not balls. In the pictures it looks like you used a regular muffin size tin too-the pic with the butter in the tin.
Also, the butter burned in the pan while in the oven, do not leave it in the oven 10 minutes! In one spot of the recipe it says divide butter between 12 mini muffin cups and then later it says fill 20-22 mini muffin cups. I had enough batter for 2 dozen mini muffin cups. Maybe edit this recipe with correct info and pics!
Hi Kendall,
I’m sorry to hear you are having some issues with this recipe. They do kind of look like rounded balls, but I can promise you I used a mini muffin tin and that is what I have in the photo:)
You should have enough batter for 20-22 muffins.
Please let me know if I can help in any other way!
Is it possible to make these ahead and just warm before serving?
Hi Laura,
Sure, that would be perfectly okay for you to do! I would just warm in the oven on low. I hope you love these fritters!
Followed receipe exactly as written. My oven caught fire so never got to finish cooking.
Too much butter for a mini muffin tin. Recipe could have easily made 24 muffins – too much batter for 12. Did I miss something? Please help
Hi Evelyn,
Very sorry to hear this! The recipe makes 20-22 muffins, if using a mini muffin tin.
I hope this helps for next time!
How full do we fill each tin? 3/4? To the top?
Hey Erin,
You can fill each cup almost all of the way. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi! Sorry if this is a stupid question but if I’m using frozen corn, do I need to thaw it first or anything or am I okay to just throw it on in there?
Hi Shelby,
Not stupid at all, no need to thaw the corn, you can toss it right in:)
I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try!
Curious if anyone has tried these with gluten free flour?
Hi Kathy,
Gluten free flour should also work nicely for you!
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Hey Tieghan!
I noticed you mentioned whole milk in the post.
Would this recipe work with skim milk? Is that important to the consistency? If so, could coconut milk work as an alternative?
Thanks.
Hi Aless,
Another milk of your choosing should work just fine for you!
Please let me know if I can help in any other way, I hope you love this recipe!
If I only have one of those large size muffin tins, how long should I bake these for?
Hi Jojo,
You are going to fill them halfway and follow the baking instructions as written.
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Can Besant(chickpea flour) work as well?
Hi Wendy,
I’ve not tested this myself, but you could certainly give it a try! I hope you love this recipe!
Have a great Friday!
Do you think you could substitute some of the flour for cornmeal to amp up the corn flavor? If so, how much? These look delicious BTW and I love that there is no sugar in the batter!
Hey Paige,
Yes! I would just use 1/2 cup cornmeal and remove 1/2 cup flour. Please let me know if you have any other questions!