Hush Puppies Recipe

Hush puppies are little crispy golden bites of pure Southern comfort! They’re crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and bursting with that sweet-savory corn flavor. 

They’re the kind of side that makes you want to grab “just one more” until the basket’s mysteriously empty. Not to mention, they’re super easy to make! Just mix, scoop, fry, and you’ve got a plate of happiness in minutes.

They’re perfect with fried catfish, barbecue, or honestly, just on their own with a little honey butter or remoulade for dipping. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll start looking for excuses to fry up a batch.

Why These Are The Best Hush Puppies

• Perfectly crispy outside, tender inside! That crisp texture is irresistible, you won’t be able to eat just one!
• Just the right amount of sweetness to balance the savory flavors and bring out the flavor of the cornmeal!
• Easy to make with simple ingredients! This is a great recipe to make when you don’t have a ton of time but you want something delicious on the table that everyone will love!
• Crowd-pleaser! They’re the perfect side dish and disappear faster than you can fry them.

(full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card below)

• Cornmeal brings the signature golden color, subtle sweet corn flavor, and a nice crunch that defines a hush puppy’s texture.
• All-Purpose Flour softens the crumb by blending with the cornmeal, helping the hush puppies hold together. It also creates just enough gluten to give them structure without making them tough.
• Just a little Sugar adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavors. It also enhances the browning when frying. 
• For seasoning the batter, we’re using garlic powder, onion powder, and cajun seasoning. ​These add flavor and depth to the 
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda work together to give a quick lift so the hush puppies are light and airy inside. 
• Buttermilk adds tangy flavor and keeps the interior moist and tender. Its acidity reacts with the baking soda for a soft and fluffy texture.
• Melted Butter brings rich flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It also helps create a crisp, golden crust when fried.
• Grated Yellow Onion adds moisture, sweetness, and savory depth. It infuses every bite with a subtle onion flavor that compliments the cornmeal.
• Eggs act as a binder to hold the batter together so the hush puppies don’t fall apart when fried. 
• Vegetable Oil is my oil of choice for frying but you can use any oil with a high smoke point – canola oil, peanut oil, avocado oil, grapeseed oil etc. Do not fry these in olive oil, the oil will burn and it’ll taste unpleasant. 

Substitutions and Variations 

• For a little heat, add in some cayenne pepper into the batter. 
• Creole seasoning works well here in place of Cajun seasoning. 
• For sweeter flavor without adding more sugar, you can use a sweet onion instead of a yellow onion. 

How To Make Hush Puppies

• Add about 5 cups of oil to a heavy-bottomed pot or large dutch oven, you should have about 4 inches of oil. Heat the oil to 350-365 degrees F. Place paper towels onto a large plate. Use a candy thermometer to measure the temperature of the oil!

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, kosher salt, back pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cajun seasoning. Whisk together. 

Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, grated yellow onion, and an egg. Whisk together until combined. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk together, then pour in the melted butter and continue to mix until a smooth batter forms. (Pro tip: Don’t overmix the batter. Stir the wet and dry ingredients together just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten, making them tough.) Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 10-15 minutes. 

• Step 3: Use a small ice cream scoop or small cookie scoop to scoop out the hush puppy batter and add to the oil. (if you don’t have an ice cream, you can use a spoon to scoop out a heaping tbsp of dough) Fry for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove from the hot oil and place the hush puppies onto the paper towel-lined plate to remove any excess oil. Add a sprinkle of salt and garnish with chopped green onion.

How To Serve Hush Puppies 

​Hush puppies are the ultimate Southern side, and they pair beautifully with just about anything fried, grilled, or smoky. 

They’re a classic match for fried catfish, crispy fried chicken, smothered turkey wings, or BBQ ribs as a easy side that adds texture and crunch! They also work great with shrimp and grits or a seafood boil for that coastal, down-home vibe. 

For classic southern meals, serve them with collard greens, baked macaroni and cheese, candied yams, and soul food potato salad. If you really want to take this to the next level, serve with a dipping sauce. For something sweet, add a honey butter. And for something savory, serve with remoulade sauce, spicy aioli, or keep it simple and serve with a bowl of sour cream on the side. 

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