If you’ve ever visited one of the roadside beer shops in Hanoi, you might have indulged in a plate of crispy buttery sweetcorn. It’s a must-have treat, perfectly paired with a cold beer and lively chat with friends or colleagues after a long day. The dish is so popular that it has found its way into family restaurants across Vietnam, becoming a side dish enjoyed by all ages – kids included.
This snack isn’t just for restaurants or beer shops, though. You can recreate it at home in just five minutes! Whether you’re binge-watching Netflix, having a quiet evening snack, or adding a unique touch to your holiday spread, crispy buttery sweetcorn is as versatile as it is delicious.
Ingredients
To make this simple yet delightful dish, you’ll need:
- Sweetcorn – Canned sweetcorn works best for convenience and doesn’t compromise the taste.
- Tapioca flour – You can use cornflour as alternative.
- Oil – For frying.
- Butter – To coat the sweetcorn.
- Optional seasonings – Garlic granules, paprika powder, or chilli powder for a spicy twist.
How to make Crispy Buttery Sweetcorn
Prep the sweetcorn
Open the can of sweetcorn and drain off excess liquid. Transfer the sweetcorn to a large bowl. The natural moisture in canned sweetcorn is perfect for helping the flour stick.
Gradually add tapioca flour, half a tablespoon at a time, and gently mix until each kernel is lightly coated. You’ll know it’s ready when the kernels separate easily. As simple shake of the bowl can help with even coating.
Fry the sweetcorn
Heat a generous amount of oil (about half to three quarters of a cup) in a flat, wide pan over medium to high heat. The oil should be enough to cover a single layer of sweetcorn.
Add the coated sweetcorn to the pan, ensuring the kernels are well separated. avoid stirring for the first couple of minutes to let the flour cook and crisp up. After that, stir gently for another minute until the kernels turn a slightly darker shade of yellow. Be careful not to burn them!
Remove the sweetcorn from the pan and place it on a plate lined with kitchen paper towel to soak up any excess oil.
Coat with butter and seasonings
Discard the oil from the pan, reduce the heat to medium, and melt the butter. Add the fried sweetcorn back to the pan, stirring gently to ensure every kernel is beautifully coated.
Transfer the buttery sweetcorn to a serving bowl and sprinkle over your choice of garlic granules, paprika powder, or chilli powder. Shake the bowl to distribute the seasonings evenly.
Time to enjoy!
That’s it – your Crispy Buttery Sweetcorn is ready to serve!
It’s quick, easy and endlessly adaptable. Serve it hot for the best experience and enjoy the satisfying crunch and rich buttery flavour that will have everyone coming back for more. It’s perfect for holidays, a casual evening, or at any time you need a quick bite.
Crispy Buttery Sweetcorn is a must-try! Let me know how you get on and if you try any fun variations.
Be sure to explore my other fun and delicious snack recipes here.
Crispy Buttery Sweetcorn – The Perfect Holiday Snack
Description
Crispy Buttery Sweetcorn: A quick and delicious Vietnamese-inspired snack make with sweetcorn coated in tapioca flour, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in melted butter with optional spices like garlic or paprika. Ready in just 5 minutes, it's perfect for holidays, family gathering or cosy Netflix nights.
Crispy Buttery Sweetcorn Recipe
Instructions
-
Prepare the Sweetcorn
- Drain the sweetcorn and place in a large bowl.Â
- Gradually add tapioca flour, 1/2 tablespoons at a time, mixing until each kernel is evenly coated.Â
-
Fry the Sweetcorn
- Heat oil in a flat, wide pan over medium-high heat.Â
- Add the sweetcorn in a single layer and fry for 2 minutes without stirring.Â
- Stir gently for another minute until golden and crisp. Remove and drain on kitchen paper towel.Â
-
Butter and Season
- Discard the oil from the pan, reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter.Â
- Add the fried sweetcorn and stir to coat evenly.Â
- Sprinkle with your choice of seasonings and toss gently.Â
-
Serve and Enjoy
- Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy warm!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 2
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 604.23kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 61.03g94%
- Saturated Fat 7.8g39%
- Trans Fat 0.21g
- Cholesterol 15.26mg6%
- Sodium 8.75mg1%
- Potassium 147.61mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 16.56g6%
- Dietary Fiber 1.15g5%
- Sugars 3.21g
- Protein 1.84g4%
- Vitamin A 54.73 IU
- Vitamin C 3.61 mg
- Calcium 14.68 mg
- Iron 0.77 mg
- Vitamin E 9.75 IU
- Vitamin K 49.17 mcg
- Thiamin 0.08 mg
- Riboflavin 0.03 mg
- Niacin 0.94 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.06 mg
- Folate 23.29 mcg
- Vitamin B12 0.01 mcg
- Phosphorus 49.14 mg
- Magnesium 21.7 mg
- Zinc 0.27 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Sweetcorn Choice: While fresh sweetcorn works too, canned sweetcorn is more convenient and gives excellent results due to its slight moisture, which helps the flour stick.
- Flour Alternatives: Tapioca flour gives the best crunch, but cornflour works just as well in a pinch.
- Oil Amount: Ensure there's enough oil to cover the sweetcorn in a single layer for even frying.
- Spice it Up: Add chilli powder for heat or experiment with other seasonings like onion powder or smoked paprika for unique flavours.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in a dry pan for a quick refresh.
