Corn Kuku (کوکو ذرت) — Persian Corn and Herb Frittata
Kuku-ye Zorrat is a modern Iranian home-cooking favorite: a fluffy, herb-scented frittata where sweet corn meets warm spices. It’s commonly served as a light main or appetizer, especially with yogurt and pickles.

Printable Recipe Card
Servings: 4 · Total: 33 min · Difficulty: easy
Ingredients (quick list)
- 300 g Corn kernels (cooked, drained; canned or thawed frozen) (Pat dry to prevent a watery batter.)
- 5 Eggs (Large eggs, about 50 g each without shell.)
- 35 g All-purpose flour (Helps bind and keep the kuku sliceable.)
- 4 g Baking powder (About 1 tsp.)
- 120 g Yellow onion (finely grated) (Squeeze lightly to remove excess juice.)
- 60 g Scallions (thinly sliced) (Use both white and green parts.)
- 8 g Garlic (finely grated) (About 2 medium cloves.)
- 2 tsp Ground coriander
- 1 tsp Curry powder (Use a mild blend for a classic Persian-style warmth.)
- 5 g Fine salt (About 1 tsp.)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper (freshly ground)
- 30 ml Neutral oil (for frying, e.g., sunflower or canola) (For pan-frying in a nonstick skillet.)
Steps (summary)
- Prepare the corn and aromatics so the batter stays fluffy. Drain the corn very well and pat it dry with paper towels, then grat…
- Make the egg base for the kuku. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs for 30–45 seconds until the whites and yolks are fully blended…
- Add the binders and spices, then whisk again. Whisk in the flour and baking powder until no dry pockets remain, then add ground…
- Fold in the vegetables without overmixing. Add the corn, grated onion, scallions, and garlic, then fold with a spatula until ev…
- Heat the pan properly for an evenly browned crust. Warm a 24–26 cm nonstick skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes, add the oil…
- Cook the first side until set and deeply golden. Pour in the batter and smooth the top, then cover and cook for 8–10 minutes un…
+ 2 more steps in the full instructions section below.
Cultural Background
Kuku is a beloved Iranian category of egg-based dishes served from casual family dinners to picnic spreads. Corn kuku reflects contemporary home cooking, pairing pantry corn with familiar Persian aromatics for a quick, satisfying meal.
Equipment
💡 Tips
- For extra lift, whisk the eggs until slightly foamy before adding flour and baking powder.
- If your corn is very sweet and moist, reduce it to 260 g or pat it extra dry to prevent a soft center.
- Keep the heat at medium; high heat browns the outside before the middle sets.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using wet corn or watery onion, leading to a soggy center.
✅ Fix: Drain and pat the corn dry, and squeeze grated onion lightly before mixing.
❌ Cooking on high heat so the crust burns before the middle sets.
✅ Fix: Use steady medium heat and cover for the first side to set the center gently.
❌ Flipping too early, causing cracking and breakage.
✅ Fix: Wait until the edges are firm and the center only slightly wobbles, then flip using a plate.
🧊 How to Store
Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a covered skillet over low heat for 4–6 minutes or in a 180°C oven for 8–10 minutes; avoid microwaving too long to prevent rubbery eggs.
📅 Make Ahead
Mix the dry spices with flour and baking powder up to 2 days ahead and store airtight. You can also chop scallions and grate onion/garlic up to 12 hours ahead, but squeeze onion just before mixing to control moisture.
🍽️ Pairs Well With
- Mast-o-khiar
- torshi
- fresh herbs (sabzi khordan)
- lavash
- tomato-cucumber salad
Regional Variations
- Herb-forward version: add 30 g chopped parsley and 20 g chopped dill for a greener, kuku-sabzi-inspired profile.
- Oven-baked version: bake in a greased 20 cm pan at 190°C for 18–22 minutes for a lighter, less oily finish.
- Spicier version: add 1 g cayenne (about 1/2 tsp) with the spices for more heat.
Ingredients
- 10.5 ozCorn kernels (cooked, drained; canned or thawed frozen) (Pat dry to prevent a watery batter.)
- 5Eggs (Large eggs, about 50 g each without shell.)
- 1¼ ozAll-purpose flour (Helps bind and keep the kuku sliceable.)
- 4 gBaking powder (About 1 tsp.)
- 4¼ ozYellow onion (finely grated) (Squeeze lightly to remove excess juice.)
- 2⅛ ozScallions (thinly sliced) (Use both white and green parts.)
- 8 gGarlic (finely grated) (About 2 medium cloves.)
- 2 tspGround coriander
- 1 tspCurry powder (Use a mild blend for a classic Persian-style warmth.)
- 5 gFine salt (About 1 tsp.)
- ½ tspBlack pepper (freshly ground)
- 2 tbspNeutral oil (for frying, e.g., sunflower or canola) (For pan-frying in a nonstick skillet.)
🔄 Substitutions
- All-purpose flour→ Rice flour (35 g)
- Scallions→ Chives (40 g) plus parsley (20 g)
- Neutral oil→ Olive oil (30 ml)
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the corn and aromatics so the batter stays fluffy. Drain the corn very well and pat it dry with paper towels, then grate the onion finely and squeeze it lightly to remove excess liquid.
- 2
Make the egg base for the kuku. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs for 30–45 seconds until the whites and yolks are fully blended and slightly foamy, which helps the kuku rise.
- 3
Add the binders and spices, then whisk again. Whisk in the flour and baking powder until no dry pockets remain, then add ground coriander, curry powder, salt, and black pepper and mix until evenly scented.
- 4
Fold in the vegetables without overmixing. Add the corn, grated onion, scallions, and garlic, then fold with a spatula until everything is evenly distributed and the batter looks thick but spoonable.
- 5
Heat the pan properly for an evenly browned crust. Warm a 24–26 cm nonstick skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes, add the oil, and swirl to coat the base so the kuku releases cleanly.
- 6
Cook the first side until set and deeply golden. Pour in the batter and smooth the top, then cover and cook for 8–10 minutes until the edges are firm and the center is mostly set with only a slight wobble.
- 7
Flip carefully and finish cooking through. Slide the kuku onto a plate, invert it back into the pan, and cook uncovered for 5–7 minutes until the second side is golden and the center reaches a fully set, springy feel.
- 8
Rest, slice, and serve for the best texture. Let the kuku rest for 5 minutes so it firms up, then cut into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature with your preferred sides.
🪪 Recipe Passport
Cultural Background
Kuku is a beloved Iranian category of egg-based dishes served from casual family dinners to picnic spreads. Corn kuku reflects contemporary home cooking, pairing pantry corn with familiar Persian aromatics for a quick, satisfying meal.
Regional Variations
Researched from multiple sources and validated by the Zaffaron editorial team. Every recipe is tested for accuracy, measurements, and cultural authenticity.
Nutrition per serving
Pairs well with
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