Description
These Crispy Cheesy Corn Sticks are a delightful vegan appetizer combining sweet corn and melty vegan cheese, coated in a crunchy panko crust and fried to golden perfection. Perfectly seasoned and served with your favorite vegan dips, they make a great snack or party finger food.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup vegan shredded mozzarella or cheddar
- 2 tbsp vegan cream cheese
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp paprika (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
For the Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup soy or oat milk + 1 tbsp cornstarch OR 2 flax eggs (as egg substitute)
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp dried parsley or oregano
For Frying
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Optional Garnish & Serving
- Chopped parsley
- Ketchup, vegan spicy mayo, or sweet chili sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a bowl, mix together the corn kernels, vegan shredded mozzarella or cheddar, vegan cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika (if using), and salt and pepper until the mixture is sticky and well combined.
- Shape and freeze: Form the mixture into sticks of your desired size. Place them on a tray and freeze for about 30 minutes to firm up, making them easier to coat and fry.
- Coat the sticks: Set up three separate dishes: one with all-purpose flour, one with the milk and cornstarch mixture or flax eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed with dried parsley or oregano. Dredge each corn stick first in flour, then dip into the milk mixture or flax eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Fry until golden: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully fry the coated corn sticks in hot oil, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Be sure to not overcrowd the pan.
- Drain, garnish, and serve: Remove the fried sticks and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately with your choice of ketchup, vegan spicy mayo, or sweet chili sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Freezing the sticks before coating helps maintain their shape during frying.
- You can use either soy or oat milk plus cornstarch or flax eggs as an egg substitute for coating, depending on dietary preference.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or chili powder to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F (175°C) for best frying results.
- To make these gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour and panko with gluten-free alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Vegan, American
Keywords: crispy corn sticks, vegan cheese sticks, fried corn appetizer, vegan snack, panko crusted corn sticks
