Fun with Fritters: How to Make an Affordable Family Dinner Out of Nothing

I know how it is. Money is tight. You need a new dinner dish that is affordable that the kids will actually eat... and you’re sick of mac and cheese. The answer? Fritters!

Fritters are a pancake-like food made from just about any leftover or cheap pantry staple you can think of. Tuna, mashed potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, canned chicken breast, and more are all great main ingredients. Kids love them because they are fun to dip, but because you can make them out of various veggies, they are also good for them, too.

When I was a kid my mom, a very frugal woman, whipped these up for us kids and now I whip them up for my girls. It’s fun to make a variety and serve them with homemade dipping sauces.

Here are some of our family’s favorite fritter recipes and simple dipping sauces you can make with the kids.

Classic Corn Fritters

• 2/3 cup flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 3 tsp cooking oil
• 2 cans creamed corn (You can substitute canned green peas, canned carrots, or regular corn off the cob as long as there is 2 cups worth and the veggies are somewhat mashed.)
• Butter for pan

Mix dry goods together, then add the wet ingredients.

Heat 1/4  cup of butter in a frying pan until boiling on low heat. (You can also use cooking spray for a lighter, healthier version.) Drop in a tablespoon worth of batter into the pan. When you see the edges of the fritter start to crisp or bubble, carefully flip. The fritter is done when both sides are a light golden brown and not mushy in the middle. Place on a plate covered with a paper towel to soak up any extra oil. Serve warm, or for a unusual, but good, breakfast serve cold with jelly.

Italian Tuna Fritters

• 2/3 cup flour
• 1 tsp seasoned salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 eggs
• 3 tsp cooking oil
• 2 cans tuna (If canned  in oil subtract the 3 tsp oil, above. You can use canned chicken, pork, salmon, or beef instead of tuna.)
• Extra oil for pan

Mix dry goods together, then add the wet ingredients.

Heat 1/3 cup of oil in a frying pan until boiling on medium heat. (You can also use cooking spray for a lighter, healthier version.) Drop in a tablespoon worth of batter into the pan. When you see the edges of the fritter start to crisp, carefully flip. The fritter is done when both sides are a light golden brown. Place on a plate covered with a paper towel to soak up any extra oil. Serve warm.

These fritters also make stellar sandwiches!

Mashed Potato Fritters

• 2/3 cup flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp dry chives (optional)
• 2 eggs
• 3 tsp cooking oil
• 2 cups of mashed potatoes (You can also used mashed, canned sweet potatoes or
• Extra oil for pan

Mix dry goods together, then add the wet ingredients.

Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a frying pan until boiling on medium heat. (You can also use cooking spray for a lighter, healthier version.) Drop in a tablespoon worth of batter into the pan. When you see the edges of the fritter start to crisp, or bubble, carefully flip. The fritter is done when both sides are a light golden brown. Place on a plate covered with a paper towel to soak up any extra oil. Serve warm.

Secret Sauce

• 1/2 a cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup Miracle Whip
• 1/4 cup pickle relish

Whip the ketchup and Miracle Whip in a medium sized bowl. Stir in lightly the relish.

Baked Potato Dip (For Mashed Potato Fritters)

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup bacon bits
• 1 tsp chives
• 1/3 cup shredded cheese

Mix all the ingredients together and chill.

As you can see, you can make fritters out of just about anything. So, next time you’re at your wit’s end trying to come up with a meal that’s affordable and fun look no further than the humble fritter.