Grits Fritters Recipe

Crispy Fried Grits Fritters made from cheese grits with bacon, corn, and green onion. Dip them in a sweet and spicy pepper jelly sauce for an appetizer with tons of southern flair.

I’m a big fan of anything that can be eaten with your fingers: hushpuppies, beignets, you name it. These grits fritters are so delicious, you’ll be popping one right after the other into your mouth.

The grits are made ahead of time and refrigerated to firm them up. If you cook a big batch of grits for breakfast, you could use the leftovers to make Grits Fritters.

Once chilled they are easy to shape into balls which are then dropped in an egg wash and rolled in Panko crumbs. Fry them in 350 degree oil until golden.

Easy Pepper Jelly Sauce

They are crunchy on the outside and creamy and cheesy on the inside. Grits Fritters taste great on their own, but even better dipped in a simple pepper jelly sauce made with jarred Red Pepper Jelly, apple cider vinegar, and dijon mustard.

If you have fun eating fritters with your fingers, you should also try Fried Pimento Cheese Balls and Crawfish Etouffee Balls.

Grits Fritters Recipe Tip

The grits will need to be made at least 4 hours in advance. Preferably a day in advance because you want them chilled so that they set up. This is necessary for them to hold their shape.

Recommended Equipment

• Dutch Oven- a Dutch Oven like this one is perfect for frying a holds a nice even temperature.
• Deep Frying Thermometer- not necessary but useful for keeping the oil temperature in the right range. I love this digital thermometer that can easily be clipped on the side of a Dutch oven.
• Strainer- this KitchenAid All Purpose Strainer is perfect for fishing fried foods out of the oil.

More Grits Recipes

• Crockpot Grits
• Cheesy Grits Casserole with Smoked Sausage
• Jambalaya Grits
• Cheese and Bacon Grits Casserole
• Creamiest Grits Ever
• Jalapeno Cheddar Grits

Grits Fritters

4.50 from 2 votes

By Christin Mahrlig

Prep: 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Cook: 12 minutes mins

Total: 4 hours hrs 32 minutes mins

Servings: 8

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Crispy Grits Fritters made with cheese grits flavored with bacon, corn, and green onion. Great on their own. Even better served with Red Pepper Jelly Sauce.

Equipment

• Dutch Oven
• Deep-Frying Thermometer
• Strainer

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Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup quick-cooking grits
• ▢ 4 cups milk
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded extra-sharp white cheddar cheese
• ▢ 6 slices bacon,, cooked and crumbled
• ▢ 2 green onions,, minced
• ▢ 1/2 cup corn kernels
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ 3 cups Panko crumbs
• ▢ Vegetable oil
• ▢ 1/2 cup Red Pepper Jelly
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ▢ 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions 

• Using 4 cups of milk and 1 teaspoon salt, prepare grits according to package directions. Remove grits from heat and stir in cheese, bacon, green onions, corn and both peppers. Pour into a lightly greased 8-inch square pan. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and chill 4 to 24 hours.
• Using your hands, roll grits into 1 1/2-inch balls.
• In a bowl, whisk together eggs and 1/4 cup water.
• Dip balls in egg mixture and then roll in Panko crumbs to coat.
• Pour 2-3 inches of oil in a Dutch oven or deep skillet. Heat oil to 350 degrees.
• Fry fritters in batches for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden brown on all sides.
• Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve warm.
• To make Pepper Jelly Dipping Sauce, combine pepper jelly, mustard and vinegar in a microwave safe bowl. Stir well. Microwave for 20 seconds or until warm.

Notes

Recipe makes about 32 fritters.

Nutrition

Calories: 364kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag us @spicysouthernkitchen on social media!

Recipe adapted from Southern Living The Way to Fry: Fresh, fabulous recipes for the modern Southern cook

Originally posted October 29, 2014.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.