Crispy Southern Hush Puppies Recipe: A Homestyle Treat

Golden, crispy southern hush puppies dance with irresistible flavor, making this classic cornmeal fritter a true Southern comfort staple.

These little nuggets of deliciousness offer a perfect blend of crunchy exterior and soft, warm center.

Generations of cooks have perfected this beloved recipe, passing down techniques that create pure magic in every bite.

Deep-fried to a gorgeous golden brown, they complement seafood, barbecue, and countless Southern meals with their delectable crunch.

Each bite carries the warmth of Southern hospitality and culinary tradition.

Pop these addictive morsels alongside your favorite main dish and watch everyone’s faces light up with pure joy.

You won’t be able to resist these mouthwatering southern hush puppies that bring comfort and happiness to any table.

Why Southern Hush Puppies Are Always a Hit

• Quick and Easy Prep: Whip up these Southern hush puppies with minimal effort, using simple pantry ingredients that come together in just a few steps.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, these golden-brown bites deliver classic Southern flavor that everyone from kids to adults will absolutely love.
• Versatile Party Favorite: Perfect for backyard barbecues, game day gatherings, seafood dinners, or as a delightful side dish that steals the show with its irresistible crunch and spicy kick.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: Easily modify the recipe by adding jalapenos for extra heat, experimenting with different peppers, or keeping it mild for picky eaters – making these hush puppies a flexible crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients for Classic Southern Hush Puppies

• Cornmeal: A Southern staple with a sweet, grainy texture perfect for crispy hush puppies.
• Flour: Helps bind the ingredients together for a smooth batter.
• Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
• Baking Powder: Gives the hush puppies a light and fluffy texture.

• Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Salt: Classic spices that bring a warm, zesty kick to the hush puppies.

• Egg, Milk: Provide moisture and help create a rich, creamy batter.
• Melted Butter, Coconut Oil: Add richness and a hint of tropical flavor.

• Jalapenos: Bring a spicy, fresh punch for those who love a little heat.

• Oil: Essential for creating the golden, crispy exterior of traditional hush puppies.

How to Make Southern Hush Puppies at Home

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, and baking powder.

Whisk everything together until well blended.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

• Egg
• Milk
• Melted butter
• Coconut oil
• Jalapenos (if desired)

Mix until the batter becomes smooth and consistent.

Step 3: Chill the Batter

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a tight lid.

Place the batter in the refrigerator and let it rest for at least one hour.

This helps develop deeper flavors and improves texture.

Step 4: Prepare Frying Station

Select a Dutch oven, cast-iron skillet, or deep fryer.

Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches and heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Use a cooking thermometer to ensure accurate temperature.

Step 5: Fry Hush Puppies

Carefully drop tablespoon-sized batter balls into the hot oil.

Fry 6 pieces at a time to avoid overcrowding.

Cook for approximately 3 minutes.

Step 6: Rotate and Cook

Use a slotted spoon to gently turn the hush puppies.

This ensures even browning and consistent cooking on all sides.

Step 7: Drain and Cool

Remove hush puppies when they reach a beautiful golden brown color.

Place on a cooling rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 8: Complete Cooking

Repeat the frying process until all batter is used.

Serve hot and enjoy these crispy, delicious Southern treats!

Frying Tips for Crispy Hush Puppies

• Select crisp, vibrant jalapeños for maximum flavor and heat intensity in your hush puppies.
• Refrigerating the batter helps ingredients bind and creates crunchier, more structured hush puppies when fried.
• Maintain consistent 350°F oil to prevent greasy texture and ensure evenly golden-brown exterior without burning.
• Adjust cayenne and jalapeño quantities to match your spice preference, from mild to fiery hot variations.
• Use a wire rack instead of paper towels to prevent soggy bottoms and preserve the crispy texture of your hush puppies.

Store and Reheat Southern Hush Puppies

• Store leftover hush puppies in an airtight container and keep them chilled for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
• Wrap cooled hush puppies individually in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 1 month for longer preservation.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed hush puppies at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness and prevent sogginess.
• Crisp up cold hush puppies quickly at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, ensuring they return to their original golden-brown texture.

What Goes Best with Hush Puppies

• Crisp Beer Match: Opt for a light wheat beer or pale ale that cuts through the hush puppies' richness, offering a clean, refreshing contrast to the deep-fried goodness.
• Southern Comfort Dip: Whip up a zesty remoulade sauce blending mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, and chopped pickles for a tangy companion that elevates the traditional hush puppy experience.
• Cooling Coleslaw Sidekick: Create a creamy, slightly acidic coleslaw with a hint of apple cider vinegar to balance the crispy, spicy hush puppies and provide a refreshing textural complement.
• Citrus Summer Cocktail: Mix a bright lemon-lime mojito or a crisp gin and tonic with fresh lime to cleanse the palate and add a light, zingy note alongside the deep-fried treat.

Southern Hush Puppy Recipe Twists

• Gluten-Free Hush Puppies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free cornmeal blend for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Hush Puppies: Substitute egg with flax egg or mashed banana, use plant-based milk, and swap butter for coconut oil or vegan margarine.
• Spicy Herb Hush Puppies: Add fresh chopped herbs like cilantro or chives, increase cayenne pepper, and mix in diced green onions for extra kick.
• Low-Carb Hush Puppies: Use cauliflower rice or almond flour instead of cornmeal, reduce sugar, and bake instead of deep-frying for a healthier version.

FAQs

• What are hush puppies?

A traditional Southern deep-fried cornmeal fritter that originated in the Southern United States, typically served as a side dish with seafood or barbecue.

Legend says fishermen and hunters would fry cornmeal batter and toss it to their dogs to keep them quiet, literally telling them to “hush, puppy”.

• Can I make hush puppies without deep frying?

While deep frying is traditional, you can bake them at 425°F for about 15 minutes, though they’ll be less crispy and have a different texture.

• Are hush puppies spicy?

Not inherently, but this recipe includes optional jalapeños for those who enjoy a kick. You can easily omit them for a milder version.

Southern Hush Puppies Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Crispy Southern hush puppies dance with golden-brown perfection, blending cornmeal’s rustic charm and Southern hospitality. Irresistible bites of comfort connect generations, inviting you to savor a classic taste of comfort from the American South.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon baking powder

Fats and Optional Add-ins:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil (can substitute bacon fat)
• 1/2 cup jalapeños, seeded and chopped (optional)

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Instructions

1. Whisk together dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, creating a uniform base for the hush puppies.
2. Incorporate wet ingredients into the dry mixture, blending until a smooth, cohesive batter forms.
3. Gently fold in diced jalapenos for an optional spicy kick, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
4. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 60 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and batter to set.
5. Prepare a deep-frying vessel by heating oil to a precise 350°F, ensuring optimal frying temperature.
6. Using a tablespoon or small scoop, carefully drop batter portions into the hot oil, working in small batches of 5-6 pieces.
7. Fry hush puppies for approximately 3 minutes, periodically rotating with a slotted spoon to achieve uniform golden-brown coloration.
8. Once crispy exterior is achieved, transfer hush puppies to a wire rack or paper towel-lined surface to drain excess oil.
9. Continue frying remaining batter, maintaining consistent oil temperature and batch size.
10. Serve immediately while hot and crisp, accompanied by preferred dipping sauce or condiment.

Notes

• Chill the batter beforehand to help hush puppies maintain a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper or adding different types of peppers like serranos for extra kick.
• Use a small ice cream scoop for uniform-sized hush puppies that cook evenly and look professionally made.
• Check oil temperature with a thermometer to prevent burning or undercooking, maintaining consistent 350 degrees throughout frying process.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Southern (American)

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 267
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 460 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 27 mg