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    Home » Easy Dinner Recipes » Pinto Bean Fritters (with corn & bell pepper)

    Pinto Bean Fritters (with corn & bell pepper)

    April 17, 2020 By Dawn - Girl Heart Food 22 Comments

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    Pinto bean fritter drizzled with hot sauce and topped with green onion and cilantro.

    Using a humble can of pinto beans, along with some other basic ingredients, you can whip up these pinto bean fritters in minutes! They’re easy, flavourful and just hit the spot, especially when enjoyed straight out of the pan after they’ve been fried until golden brown and crispy.

    Pinto bean fritter drizzled with hot sauce and topped with green onion and cilantro.

    Hi friends!

    I can’t tell you how excited I am to be sharing this pinto bean fritter recipe with you guys!

    Yes, beans excite me. I live an extraordinary life, I know, LOL.

    But you know why this recipe excites me so much?

    The base is a humble can of pinto beans, that cost less than a buck. A buck!!

    Combine those with a few other basic ingredients, and you have the most delicious bean cakes (or bean fritters). Talk about a budget-friendly, versatile and comforting recipe!

    How to Make Bean Fritters

    Full details on how to make bean fritters are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:

    1. After your pinto beans are rinsed and well-drained, give ’em a little pat dry with a clean tea towel and place in a food processor.
    2. Process them so they break down somewhat, while there are still some whole pieces.
    3. Place your pinto beans into a bowl, along with egg, panko bread crumbs, corn, bell pepper, green onion, jalapeno pepper, cilantro and spices.
    4. Give everything a little mix to incorporate everything.
    5. Use a round ice cream scoop to form into patties.
    6. Place patties onto a lined baking sheet while you are preparing them all.
    7. Heat some oil in a skillet and cook fritters until golden brown.
    8. Then, flip to cook the other side.
    9. Now it’s time to dig in and enjoy these scrumptious bean fritters!
    Collage of steps to make pinto bean fritters.

    Best Bean to Use

    Canned pinto beans were used here, but navy, white kidney or black beans would work too!

    Bowl of canned pinto beans next to a checkered blue and white tea towel.

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    How To Keep These Patties Together

    These bean patties are held together using binders, such as egg and unseasoned panko bread crumbs.

    If you need to add more bread crumbs to hold them together, simply add more (a little at a time until you get things where you want them).

    Alternatively, if these patties are too dry, you can add a splash of water or lime juice to add a little moisture to the mix.

    Bean and corn cakes on wax paper before being cooked

    Make It A Meal!

    Honestly, these pinto bean fritters are delicious on their own, but also yummy with some sides, like:

    • Black bean and corn salad
    • Bowl of black bean and sweet potato soup
    • Your favourite chips and chunky salsa
    • A poached egg with hollandaise for breakfast
    • And, of course, a dollop or two of sour cream, Greek yogurt or homemade guacamole is always a good idea!
    • Drizzle of homemade hot sauce, store-bought hot sauce or sprinkle of freshly cut chili
    Bean patties garnished with green onion.

    More Tips & Variations

    Ensure your canned pinto beans are rinsed and well-drained before using.

    Canned corn was used, but you can opt for frozen or fresh should you wish.

    Don’t have green onion on hand? Try some minced chives or a little finely minced onion.

    Instead of smoked paprika, try chipotle powder or simply cayenne powder. Cayenne won’t yield the same smoky heat, but will give you a little spice.

    Have a small can of diced green chiles on hand? Mix those in instead of bell pepper. You may need to add a little more panko, though, to ensure these bean fritters bind together.

    A forkful taken out of a pinto bean patty, showing the interior texture.

    Hope you love these pinto bean fritters as much as we do!

    Did you make these pinto bean fritters? That’s awesome! Love it if you leave a comment below.

    Let’s Be Social!
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    Pinto bean fritter garnished with green onion, hot sauce and cilantro.

    Pinto Bean Fritters (with corn and bell pepper)

    Dawn – Girl Heart Food
    Using a humble can of pinto beans, along with some other basic ingredients, you can whip up these pinto bean fritters in minutes! They're easy, flavourful and just hit the spot, especially when enjoyed straight out of the pan after they've been fried until golden brown and crispy.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 22 mins
    Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 8 fritters
    Calories 83 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 15 ounce can of pinto beans , rinsed and well drained (about 2 cups or a 540 millilitre can)
    • 1 large egg
    • ½ cup unseasoned panko bread crumbs
    • ½ cup canned corn , well drained
    • ½ bell pepper , diced small (about ½ cup)
    • 2 stalks green onion , finely sliced
    • ½ jalapeno pepper , minced (about 1 heaping tablespoon)
    • 3 to 4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable or avocado oil (for frying)

    Instructions

    • After your beans are well rinsed and well drained, give them a little pat dry with a clean tea towel to remove excess moisture.
    • Place pinto beans in a food processor and process (just a little) to break some up, while leaving a little whole (or you can mash using a bowl and potato masher instead of a food processor).
    • Transfer beans to a medium bowl and add egg, panko bread crumbs, corn, bell pepper, green onion, jalapeno, cilantro, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix the ingredients together until well combined.
    • Form bean mixture into fritters, each about ¼ cup (a standard round ice cream scoop is a great tool to use, if you like). You can place the fritters on a wax paper lined baking sheet as you are forming them.
    • To cook fritters, heat oil (about 2 tablespoons to start, adding more, as necessary for the next batch) in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
      Note: You'll want to cook fritters in batches (4 fritters in the pan at a time), adding more oil to the pan between batches.
    • Place 4 fritters in the skillet and cook for 3 minutes on one side.
    • Flip fritters to the other side and continue to cook for another 3 minutes or until golden brown and heated through. Transfer fritters to a serving plate.
    • Repeat process to cook remaining 4 fritters.
    • Enjoy!

    Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)

    Calories: 83kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 341mgPotassium: 203mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 439IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.

    Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.

    Keyword bean cakes, bean patties, pinto bean recipe
    Tried this recipe? Snap a pic!Mention @dawn.girlheartfood or tag #girlheartfood

    © Girl Heart Food.  All images and content are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. Please do not use any images without prior permission.  Please do not republish this recipe.  If you want to reference this recipe, link directly back to this post. Thank you.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl

      April 26, 2020 at 9:03 am

      5 stars
      Beans excite me too, Dawn! Maybe that’s why we are friends lol!! They’re so cost friendly but you can make so many delicious recipes with them…these look particularly yummy! So crispy!! Definitely an awesome meatless dinner!!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        April 27, 2020 at 1:04 pm

        Lol!! So true! Thank you, Haylie. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Heidi | The Frugal Girls

      April 20, 2020 at 7:46 pm

      Okay so these bean fritters are seriously so fun. I think your spice blend is the secret to why these are so fabulous!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        April 27, 2020 at 12:59 pm

        Thank you, Heidi!

        Reply
    3. David @ Spiced

      April 20, 2020 at 8:09 am

      5 stars
      Now is that a Canadian buck or a US buck? Hah! 🙂 Either way, I love what you did with a simple can of pinto beans. I probably would’ve smashed ’em up a bit and turned those beans into a quesadilla, but the fritter is an awesome idea. I’ll have to try this idea out! Hope you had a great weekend, Dawn! 🙂

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        April 27, 2020 at 12:58 pm

        LOL…Thank you, David! Hope you have a lovely week!

        Reply
    4. [email protected]

      April 19, 2020 at 11:04 pm

      5 stars
      If that’s not the prettiest fritter I’ve ever seen! Loving how jam-packed with flavor this is!! Delicious!! XO

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        April 27, 2020 at 12:57 pm

        Thank you so very much!! XO

        Reply
    5. Ashlyn @ F5 Method

      April 18, 2020 at 9:09 pm

      I’ve been incorporating more meatless meals into my routine lately so these look great! I love a bean and also love how budget friendly this recipe is!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        April 27, 2020 at 12:54 pm

        That’s awesome! Thank you, Ashlyn!

        Reply
    6. Leanne

      April 18, 2020 at 8:12 pm

      5 stars
      Would you believe I’ve never had pinto beans!? These fritters look super crispy and tasty. Perfect as an appetizer or served up with a side salad. Happy weekend Dawn!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        April 27, 2020 at 12:54 pm

        Thank you, Leanne! They’re a staple around here! Have a great week.

        Reply
    7. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

      April 18, 2020 at 1:11 pm

      5 stars
      Lol! Beans excite me too Dawn! Can’t wait to give these fritters a try. I’ve been swapping out my usual ground beef burgers for healthier versions in 2020, so these will be perfect! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        April 27, 2020 at 12:53 pm

        Woo hoo! Thanks Mary Ann! Enjoy! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Valentina

      April 18, 2020 at 12:00 am

      5 stars
      You sure do make a lot of great, interesting savory “cakes” (like those with fish), and burgers. My younger son has decided he’s a vegetarian (well, who sometimes eats fish). So now I have one who’s vegetarian, and one who has to be GF. I will use GF breadcrumbs and both will love these! 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        April 27, 2020 at 12:53 pm

        What can I say…I love ’em! 🙂 So happy to hear that! Enjoy!

        Reply
    9. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen

      April 17, 2020 at 8:05 pm

      5 stars
      I always have a few cans of beans in the pantry. This is the perfect quick way to use them up. They look delicious! Have a great weekend, Dawn!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        April 27, 2020 at 12:52 pm

        Same here! Thank you, Kelsie.

        Reply
    10. Marissa

      April 17, 2020 at 6:32 pm

      5 stars
      You managed to make a can of beans into something fancy, Dawn! I love these – they look completely mouthwatering. Great party app, but I’d glad make a meal of them too! Have a wonderful weekend, friend!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        April 27, 2020 at 12:52 pm

        Thank you, Marissa!! Hope you have a lovely week.

        Reply
    11. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers

      April 17, 2020 at 11:25 am

      5 stars
      Such a delicious way to enjoy a can of pinto beans! Love this 🙂

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        April 27, 2020 at 12:52 pm

        Thank you, Jennifer.

        Reply

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    Hi and welcome to Girl Heart Food! I’m Dawn and I’m so happy you stopped by. I LOVE to cook and share my recipes. I’m obsessed with cheese, fresh veggies and homemade nut butters. Being in the kitchen is my happy place. Hope you find something that inspires you to get into the kitchen too.

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