Crispy Corn Is The Salad Topping You Didn't Know You Need

Croutons are an essential ingredient to a well-rounded and textured salad. They're easy to make at home, they have a long shelf life if stored properly, and they're a great way to spice up a salad regardless of the season. If you're a crouton-lover and you want to change it up a bit, take advantage of the fresh corn that's on every corner during the summer, waiting to be taken home and utilized in salads. Enjoy it fresh, or try deep-frying it to replace your plain croutons with crispy corn: your new favorite seasonal crouton that's sure to add a satisfying crunch to every bite.

Crispy corn is quite simple to make, requiring just a few staple ingredients and a bit of confidence when it comes to deep-frying. To begin, heat a saucepan with your favorite cooking oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, you'll want to coat fresh corn kernels, or drained-and-dried canned corn, with cornstarch until each piece is lightly coated. Once the oil is up to temp, place the kernels in it a little at a time with a slotted spoon, leaving it in for two to three minutes. Remove the corn once each piece looks golden, letting it dry on a paper towel. Once it's cool, use it on a salad or another recipe of your choice. If you have leftovers, wrap the corn in a paper towel and store it in an airtight container — it may not be as crispy, but it will still add a refreshing kick to your salad.

In general, corn pairs well with a variety of spices, like paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, and just plain old salt and pepper. Try tossing the crispy corn in your favorite spice after deep-frying it for an even better flavor. Once it's seasoned to your liking, get creative with it. Use it as a crouton-like topping over classic corn chowder, or pair it with crispy potatoes with malt vinegar and corn for a double-crisp factor.

Of course, we're partial to sprinkling crispy corn over a salad like croutons. It works particularly well with the salads that you'd typically use fresh corn in: The flavor is still there, but the crunch factor brings a whole new layer to it. Try replacing fresh for crispy in this Mexican kale salad. Or, if you can't commit to just crispy corn, sprinkle a good handful of it into an Esquites, or Mexican street corn, salad for a subtle but surprisingly delicious change.