Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly butter your pie dish. If you’re using fresh corn, cut it straight from the cob. Grate both cheeses and chop the onion, garlic, and chives so everything is ready to go.
In a skillet, melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for about 4 minutes until softened and lightly golden. Lower the heat, add the garlic, and cook for another 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
In a mixing bowl, combine the sautéed onion and garlic with the corn kernels. Add the milk, 1 1/2 cups of the cheese (half cheddar, half fontina), 1/2 cup panko, salt, white pepper, and most of the chives (save a little for garnish). Mix well, then stir in the eggs until everything is evenly blended. Pour the mixture into the prepared pie dish.
Melt the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of butter and mix it with the remaining panko, the rest of the cheese, a pinch of salt, and the reserved chives. Sprinkle this over the filling to create a crunchy, cheesy crust.
Place the pie dish on a rimmed baking sheet for stability and bake for 35 minutes, or until the pie is puffed and golden. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing so it holds together beautifully. Add paprika on top for a pop of color if you like.