Creamy Fried Confetti Corn Recipe

Cook Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

15 mins

Servings:

6 to 8

One of our most popular corn side dishes, confetti corn does not disappoint. The sprinkle of bacon cuts the creamy richness of the dish, making it easy for this corn casserole to pair with just about anything.

What looks like it probably took all day to make is actually thrown together in about 15 minutes. Bacon is cooked until crisp, and corn, onion, and bell peppers are sautéed in the drippings until tender. Cream cheese and half-and-half are stirred in for a creamy sauce that binds the veggies together, and sugar, salt, and pepper season the dish for a perfectly balanced bite. More crispy bacon tops it all off for a crisp, salty kick that makes this dish irresistible.

Set this on the table at your next gathering, and it's pretty much guaranteed to be gone in minutes.

Ingredients for Creamy Fried Confetti Corn

To make this popular side dish, you'll need:

Bacon slices: Cooked until crisp, with the drippings used to sauté the vegetables.
Fresh sweet corn kernels: Fresh is best, but frozen can also be used in a pinch.
White onion and red and green bell pepper: The variety of bell peppers provides different levels of sweetness to the dish, along with great pops of color.
Cream cheese: Adds a thick, creamy texture and tangy flavor.
Half-and-half: Thins the sauce lightly for a creamy, spoonable result.
Granulated sugar: Enhances the sweetness of the corn; can be skipped if needed.
Salt and pepper: For seasoning the dish.

How To Make Creamy Fried Confetti Corn

This dish comes together in about 15 minutes for a decadent side that pairs well with just about any meal. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp; remove and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet.
Step 2. Sauté corn, onion, and bell peppers in drippings 6 minutes or until tender. Stir in cream cheese and half-and-half, then sugar, salt, and pepper. Top with bacon.

Can I Make Confetti Corn Ahead?

Depending on when you plan to serve it, confetti corn can be prepared up to two hours ahead, and kept warm in a slow cooker for serving.

It can also be prepared up to two days in advance, and refrigerated in an airtight container. Store crisped bacon in a separate container and crisp up again in a pan or hot oven when ready to serve. Reheat corn on the stovetop and sprinkle with bacon before serving.

Variations for Confetti Corn

This dish might be just about perfect as written, but if you'd like to play around with flavors, you can try a few swaps and additions:

Swap the white onion for red onion.
Use cream in the place of half-and-half.
Top with sliced green onions or chives.
Top with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro.
Add diced jalapeño, red pepper flakes, or a pinch of cayenne for heat.
Add chopped spinach for a healthy twist.
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

More Popular Corn Side Dish Recipes You'll Love

From barbecues to holiday gatherings, you can never go wrong with corn.

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

8 bacon slices, chopped
4 cups fresh sweet corn kernels (about 8 ears)
1 medium-size white onion, chopped
1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup half-and-half
1 tsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. pepper

Directions

Cook bacon:

Cook chopped bacon in a large skillet until crisp; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Set bacon aside.
Cook vegetables:

Sauté corn, onion, and bell peppers in hot drippings in skillet over medium-high heat 6 minutes or until tender.
Add cream cheese and half-and-half:

Add cream cheese and half-and-half, stirring until cream cheese melts. Stir in sugar, salt, and pepper. Top with bacon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen or canned corn for confetti corn?

You can replace the fresh corn with frozen or canned for this recipe, if needed. If using canned corn, drain before using.
Should confetti corn be served warm?

This creamy fried confetti corn is best served warm, but leftovers can be enjoyed cold, at room temperature, or reheated.
Can I use low-fat options for the dairy in creamy confetti corn?

While standard cream cheese and half-and-half will yield the creamiest texture, 1/3 less fat cream cheese and milk can be used in their place (you may need to cut back on the quantity of the milk to keep the corn creamy and thick).