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.
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:
- 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.
- Cover and blitz so they break down somewhat, while there are still so whole pieces.
- Place your pinto beans in a bowl, along with egg, panko bread crumbs, corn, bell pepper, green onion, jalapeno pepper, cilantro and spices.
- Give everything a little mix to incorporate everything.
- Use a round ice-cream scoop to form into patties.
- Place patties on a lined baking sheet while you are preparing them all.
- Heat some oil in a skillet and cook fritters until golden brown.
- Then, flip to cook the other side.
- Now it’s time to dig in and enjoy these scrumptious bean fritters!
Best Bean to Use
Canned pinto beans were used here, but navy, white kidney or black beans would work too!
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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.
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
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.
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.
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Pinto Bean Fritters (with corn and bell pepper)
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 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.
- Combine pinto beans in a food processor and pulse to break some up, while leaving a little whole (or you can mash).
- Then, place beans, egg, panko bread crumbs, corn, bell pepper, green onion, jalapeno, cilantro, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl and mix to combine.
- 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 and cook fritters about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown and heated through. Enjoy!Note: Cook fritters in batches, about 4 at a time.
Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)
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.
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl
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!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Lol!! So true! Thank you Haylie 🙂
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
Okay so these bean fritters are seriously so fun. I think your spice blend is the secret to why these are so fabulous!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Heidi 🙂
David @ Spiced
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! 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
LOL…Thank you David! Hope you have a lovely week 🙂
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If that’s not the prettiest fritter I’ve ever seen! Loving how jam-packed with flavor this is!! Delicious!! XO
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you so very much!! XO
Ashlyn @ F5 Method
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!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
That’s awesome! Thank you Ashlyn 🙂
Leanne
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!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Leanne! They’re a staple around here! Have a great week 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
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!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo! Thanks Mary Ann! Enjoy 🙂
Valentina
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
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
What can I say…I love ’em 🙂 So happy to hear that! Enjoy!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
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!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Same here! Thank you Kelsie 🙂
Marissa
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!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Marissa!! Hope you have a lovely week 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Such a delicious way to enjoy a can of pinto beans! Love this 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Jennifer 🙂