Description
Southern Hush Puppies are crispy, golden fried bites made from a slightly sweetened cornmeal batter with a touch of grated onion. Perfect as a delightful appetizer or a classic side dish, these hush puppies deliver a wonderful balance of crunchy exterior and fluffy interior that pairs beautifully with many Southern meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup (138g) cornmeal
- 1/2 cup (71g) all-purpose flour (scooped & leveled)
- 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
- 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 (169g) buttermilk
- 1/2 small onion (grated, about 1/4 to 1/3 cup)
Frying
- Peanut or vegetable oil (for frying, about 2 inches deep)
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Mix: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir to evenly distribute all dry ingredients.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the lightly beaten egg and buttermilk until smooth. Add the grated onion and its juices to this mixture.
- Combine Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix to keep the hush puppies tender.
- Heat Oil: Pour peanut or vegetable oil into a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 375°F on a digital thermometer.
- Fry Hush Puppies: Using two spoons, carefully drop tablespoon-sized portions of batter into the hot oil, pushing the batter off with the back of one spoon. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and Cool: Remove hush puppies with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Keep an eye on oil temperature and adjust heat as needed to maintain 375°F while frying remaining batches.
Notes
- For an extra crispy crust, make sure the oil temperature stays consistent at 375°F during frying.
- If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.
- Use fresh grated onion for the best moisture and flavor in the batter.
- Work in small batches to prevent the temperature of the oil from dropping and to ensure even frying.
- Serve hush puppies warm for the best texture and taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 189 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 343 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg
