The best cheese and corn balls are crispy on the outside, tender and cheesy on the inside. They are a delicious snack that can be baked or fried, and are perfect to serve with zesty sauces and sides. Here you’ll find my easy (no-fail!) Cheese Corn Balls recipe with step-by-step photos.
About Cheese Corn Balls
Cheese Corn Balls are a classic snack that we enjoy often in India. Here we prepare them similar to the European/French style of fried cheese and corn balls or puffs, known as gougeres. They are crunchy and crispy with a sweet and cheesy inside, and pair great with bright and tangy condiments.
We usually eat cheese and corn balls at restaurants, and thought it was time I developed an easy recipe to make at home.
I tried a variety of cheese, corn, and flour proportions, subbed ingredients and tested all kinds of frying methods. And after many trials I finally perfected this foolproof cheese corn balls recipe!
The secret for making the best cheese and corn balls is – not surprising – to use the right cheese and corn.
In India we have Amul, which is a processed cheese that is quite different in taste and texture than American processed cheese. Typically I buy Amul as a large, semi-hard block and grate it by hand for the best taste.
You can use shredded American-style cheese if Amul is not available. However, it won’t have same lovely rich and complex flavor that you get with Amul.
I use fresh corn kernels that are steamed and left whole. You can also use canned corn or frozen corn that’s thawed. Also, I prefer sweet corn for this recipe. But feel free to use unsweet corn for a more savory snack.
The corn cheese balls can be fried on the stovetop, or easily baked in the oven for a slightly healthier version.
The oven baked ones won’t be crispy like the fried cheese and corn balls. Instead they have a nice soft texture that is just as delicious. Either method you try is sure to make a tasty dish you’ll love!
Step-by-Step Guide
How to make Cheese Corn Balls
Cook Corn and Potatoes
1. First steam (or boil) 1 medium to large corn cob and 1 large or 2 medium-sized potatoes (150 grams). You can steam them in a pressure cooker, electric rice cooker, or a steamer.
In a stovetop pressure cooker, cook them for 3 to 4 whistles with 1.5 cups water. Let the pressure fall naturally in the cooker. Then only open the lid.
In an instant pot, steam on high pressure for 15 to 20 whistles with 2 cups water, placing them on a trivet directly or in a steamer basket placed on a trivet. Give a quick pressure release after 5 minutes and open the lid.
2. Once tender remove them carefully with tongs in a strainer. Drain all the water. Let the corn cob and the potatoes cool completely at room temperature.
There should be no water or moisture when you start mixing the corn and the potatoes. Carefully remove the corn kernels from the cooked cob with a sharp knife.
Make Corn Cheese Mixture
3. In a pan or bowl, mash the potatoes very well. There should be no lumps. You can choose to first grate and then mash the boiled potatoes.
4. Add the scraped corn kernels.
5. Grate 50 grams, roughly ½ cup, of processed cheese. Set aside.
6. Now add the seasonings – ½ teaspoon of garlic paste or minced garlic, ½ teaspoon of crushed black pepper (or pepper powder) and salt to taste.
7. Add the grated cheese to the corn and mashed potatoes mixture.
8. Then add ½ teaspoon of dried basil, ½ teaspoon of dried oregano and 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Feel free to use fresh herbs if you have them.
9. Mix very well. Check the taste and add some more pepper or salt if required.
10. Use your hands to form the mixture into small to medium sized balls. They should be roughly the size of a large golf ball or slightly smaller.
Fry Cheese Corn Balls
11. Heat oil on medium heat in a deep pan or wok (kadai). Check the temperature of the oil by adding a tiny ball made from the mixture.
12. The ball should rise to the surface steadily and gradually. If the ball comes up slowly, then the oil is not hot enough. If it comes up too quickly, the oil is very hot, so reduce the heat.
Also check to see if the corn cheese ball breaks apart in the hot oil. If it does, then add 1 to 2 tablespoons more of the all-purpose flour or as needed to the corn-cheese mixture and mix again.
13. When the temperature is right, carefully slide a few of the cheese corn balls gently into the hot oil.
14. Fry for a few minutes.
15. When one side turns golden, use a slotted spoon to turn them over. But don’t rush them!
If you poke them too much before they are ready the cheese balls are likely to break in the oil.
16. Turn again a couple of times to get an even golden color, and to ensure that they have cooked completely.
17. Transfer them with the slotted spoon to paper towels. This will help to absorb any excess oil and make them nice and crispy. Fry the remaining cheese and corn balls using the same steps.
18. Serve cheese corn balls hot or warm with your preferred dipping sauce.
