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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Rest Batter: Let the batter rest for 5–10 minutes to allow the cornmeal to hydrate and thicken slightly for better texture.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Drain: Remove the hush puppies with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels or a wire rack to remove excess oil.
- 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
