Description
Southern Hush Puppies are a classic Southern side dish featuring crispy, golden-fried cornmeal balls with a hint of sweetness and spice. These fried hush puppies are perfect alongside seafood, barbecue, or any comfort food meal, delivering a crunchy exterior with a tender, flavorful interior.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Add-ins
- ½ cup finely diced yellow onion
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
For Frying
- Vegetable oil (about 2 inches for frying)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Then, stir in the finely diced yellow onion evenly into the dry mix.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and the large egg until smooth and well combined.
- Make the Batter: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter should be thick but moist—avoid overmixing to keep the hush puppies light.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), using a thermometer for accuracy to ensure proper frying temperature.
- Fry the Hush Puppies: Carefully drop rounded tablespoons of batter into the hot oil, working in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, turning occasionally, until the hush puppies are golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the hush puppies with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Keep them warm in a low oven if frying multiple batches. Serve warm alongside your favorite dishes.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding 1 tablespoon of finely chopped jalapeño or a pinch of garlic powder to the batter.
- Keep the hush puppies warm by placing them in a low oven while frying the remaining batches.
- Ensure the oil temperature stays consistent at 350°F for even cooking and to prevent greasy hush puppies.
- Do not overcrowd the pan during frying to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
