Southern Hush Puppies Recipe

Introduction

Southern Hush Puppies are crispy, golden fried cornmeal balls that make a perfect side dish or snack. With a tender, flavorful interior and a crunchy outside, they bring a beloved Southern comfort food right to your kitchen in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 cup finely diced onion
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, black pepper, and onion powder until well combined.
2. Step 2: Add diced onion, buttermilk, beaten egg, and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
3. Step 3: Let the batter rest for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the cornmeal to hydrate fully.
4. Step 4: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C).
5. Step 5: Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, carefully drop tablespoon-sized balls of batter into the hot oil.
6. Step 6: Fry the hush puppies in batches, turning occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
7. Step 7: Remove the hush puppies with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels or a wire rack to remove excess oil.
8. Step 8: Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as spicy mayo or honey butter.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add chopped jalapeños or shredded cheddar cheese to the batter before frying.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with regular milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar, let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Make sure the oil temperature stays around 350°F to ensure the hush puppies cook evenly without absorbing too much oil.

Storage

Store any leftover hush puppies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, bake in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes or until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make hush puppies without onions?

Yes, you can omit the onions if you prefer, but they add a nice flavor and texture to the hush puppies. You might consider adding a little garlic powder or chopped herbs as a substitute.

What dipping sauces go well with hush puppies?

Hush puppies are delicious with a variety of dipping sauces like spicy ranch, honey butter, remoulade, or even ketchup. Feel free to choose your favorite or try a few for a tasty variety.

Southern Hush Puppies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 63 reviews

• Author: Lana
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 20 servings 1x

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Description

Crispy and golden Southern Hush Puppies made from a flavorful cornmeal batter, fried to perfection and served warm as a delightful side or snack.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup finely diced onion
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon melted butter

For Frying

• Vegetable oil, for frying

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Instructions

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, black pepper, and onion powder until evenly combined.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the finely diced onion, buttermilk, beaten egg, and melted butter gently until the batter is just combined but not overmixed.
3. Rest Batter: Let the batter rest for 5–10 minutes to allow the cornmeal to hydrate and thicken slightly for better texture.
4. Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C), ensuring enough oil to submerge the hush puppies for even frying.
5. Scoop Batter: Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, carefully drop tablespoon-sized balls of batter into the hot oil, maintaining space between each for proper cooking.
6. Fry Until Golden: Fry the hush puppies in batches, turning occasionally, for 2–3 minutes per batch until they are golden brown and cooked through.
7. Drain: Remove the hush puppies with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels or a wire rack to remove excess oil.
8. Serve: Serve the hush puppies warm alongside your favorite dipping sauce such as tartar sauce or spicy mayo for a classic Southern treat.

Notes

• Ensure the oil is at the correct temperature (350°F) to prevent greasy or undercooked hush puppies.
• Do not overmix the batter to maintain a light, fluffy texture.
• Resting the batter allows the cornmeal to absorb moisture, improving texture and flavor.
• Use a slotted spoon to drain hush puppies properly and keep them crisp.
• Hush puppies can be kept warm in a low oven (200°F) while frying remaining batches.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Southern American

Keywords: Southern Hush Puppies, Cornmeal Fritters, Fried Cornbread Balls, Southern Side Dish, Crispy Hush Puppies