Homemade Corn Schnitzel Recipe -- Gluten Free, Vegan, Frugal, and Delicious

I am not quite sure why, but locally, there is this food dubbed "corn schnitzel". No, its not chicken or meat mixed with corn and made into schnitzel. In fact, it doesn't have any protein in it, but many people eat it as a protein substitute in vegetarian meals, since it is meat free. I have no idea where this dish even came from (but I'm sure there's a reason historically) but it is popular among the locals for whatever reason.

The one thing about corn schnitzel is that it is always sold frozen for ridiculous prices- I don't think I've ever purchased it since it costs so much for something that is essentially a crumb covered corn patty. But my kids told me they liked it, and I decided to see if I could make it myself at home, frugally, of course. And while I'm doing that, might as well do it gluten free and vegan to boot.

The first bite I took of my results, I thought to myself that it was a good start, but I didn't think I should share the recipe, but then I kept going back for another and another bite. It was addicting. I had my kids try it and they couldn't stop gobbling it up. It really is that delicious. They told me I absolutely must post it on my blog, so here it is.

These should freeze well as long as you heat them up in the oven or toaster. Unfortunately or fortunately, I haven't been able to have any of these last long enough for me to freeze them- my kids devoured them and then asked me to make more, which they then devoured as well.

While this recipe is totally gluten free, feel free to replace the gluten free flours and xanthan gum with gluten based flour if you desire. This recipe is also allergy friendly, not to mention pretty darn cheap. Just don't use it as a protein replacement since there is very little protein here. Use it as a starch in a meal, with a protein on the side.

Homemade Corn Schnitzel Recipe -- Gluten Free, Vegan, Frugal, and Delicious

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups corn (frozen or canned)
2 tablespoons water (use liquid from the can if using canned, otherwise regular water)
1 teaspoon sugar (leave out if using sweetened water from a can)
3 tablespoon oil
1 small onion
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons rice flour
1/2 cup potato starch
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
3/4-1 teaspoon salt                   
Corn flake crumbs or bread crumbs (make sure these are gluten free)
Sesame seed (optional)
Oil as needed

Instructions:
1. Take one cup of your corn and blend it up with water, sugar, oil, onion, and garlic, until smooth.

2. Mix this liquefied mixture with the rest of the ingredients aside for the crumbs and sesame seeds. You should have a sticky and somewhat loose dough.

3. Mix your crumbs with sesame seeds if using, and plop a soup spoon worth of dough onto the crumbs. Using a separate spoon, coat the top of the dough with more crumbs, making it now possible to handle without it all sticking to your fingers, and carefully remove the mixture from the container, attempting to keep it whole, and place it on a lined baking tray. If, when placing it on the tray, you have parts of the dough that are no longer covered in crumbs, crumb them as well.

4. Repeat this with the rest of the dough.

5. Pour some oil on the baking tray between the schnitzels, and bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes. Flip over, and add more oil (if desired) and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. These need to be cooked anywhere between 22 and 30 minutes, 30 minutes will result in something more crunchy, and 22 will have it be more soft.

6. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Note: If you want to make this gluten, replace the rice flour, potato starch, and xanthan gum with 1 cup wheat flour. If you want to make this with eggs, use one egg in place of the flax seeds and 2 tablespoons of water.

Have you ever had corn schnitzel before? Do you enjoy it? Does your family? Do you usually buy it, or make it from scratch? Does this look like a recipe you'd enjoy?