Description
Southern Hush Puppies are crispy, golden-fried bites of sweetened cornmeal batter with a hint of onion and cayenne, perfect as a delicious appetizer or side dish with a light and fluffy interior.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal (138g)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (71g), scooped & leveled
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (25g)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (169g)
- 1/2 small onion, grated (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup)
For Frying
- Peanut or vegetable oil, as needed
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir to evenly distribute.
- Combine wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the lightly beaten egg and buttermilk. Add the wet mixture along with the grated onion and its juices to the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined into a batter.
- Heat oil. Pour about 2 inches of peanut or vegetable oil into a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°F on a digital thermometer.
- Fry hush puppies. Using two spoons, carefully drop tablespoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, using the back of one spoon to push the batter off one at a time. Work in batches without overcrowding. Fry each batch 2-3 minutes, turning midway with a wire spatula, until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and cool. Remove hush puppies with a slotted spoon and transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Maintain oil temperature between 350°F and 375°F during frying, adjusting heat as needed.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate up to 1 week.
- Freeze cooked hush puppies in a single layer on a baking sheet for 1-2 hours, then transfer to a resealable airtight container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat thawed hush puppies in an air fryer or oven for best crispiness, or microwave a few at a time for convenience. Air frying for 3-4 minutes crisps them up nicely.
- Maintain oil temperature around 365°F for optimal frying; too low causes oily hush puppies, too high burns the outside before inside cooks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hush puppy (approx. 30g)
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
