Description
Homemade Hush Puppies are crispy, golden fried cornmeal balls that make a perfect Southern side dish. They are packed with savory flavors from onions, garlic, and spices, offering a delightful crunchy exterior and moist interior. Ideal for serving alongside fried fish, BBQ dishes, or dipped in remoulade or honey butter.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal (fine or medium grind)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Fresh Ingredients
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions or chives (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
For Frying
- Oil for frying (vegetable or peanut oil)
Instructions
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to evenly combine all the dry components.
- Add Onions and Scallions: Stir in the finely chopped onion and scallions or chives if using, to distribute them throughout the dry mixture for added flavor and texture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk with the egg until the mixture is smooth and well blended, preparing the wet base for the batter.
- Make the Batter: Pour the wet buttermilk and egg mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently just until combined, taking care not to overmix, as this will keep the hush puppies light and tender.
- Heat the Oil: Heat about 2 inches of vegetable or peanut oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Proper oil temperature is critical for achieving a crispy exterior without absorbing excess oil.
- Fry the Hush Puppies: Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, carefully drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, avoiding overcrowding to maintain the oil temperature. Fry the hush puppies for 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure they cook evenly and become golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Drain and Serve: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried hush puppies onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Serve them warm, ideally paired with fried fish, BBQ, remoulade, or honey butter.
Notes
- Best served with fried fish, BBQ, or alongside remoulade or honey butter.
- You can add chopped jalapeños or shredded cheese to the batter for extra flavor.
