These hush puppies are truly the best ever! Imagine biting into a golden, crispy exterior that gives way to a soft, tender, and slightly sweet cornbread inside. With a hint of fresh jalapeño and onion, these little fried delights are simply irresistible. And the best part? This hush puppy recipe is incredibly easy to follow, making it a perfect quick bread to whip up anytime.
A plate of golden brown hush puppies with a creamy dipping sauce.
Hush puppies are a beloved staple of Southern cuisine, and for good reason. They’re the ideal companion to classic dishes like fried catfish and other seafood feasts, such as Easy Boiled Shrimp Recipe. Forget about store-bought crab boil or seasoning packets; with just simple seasonings, lemons, fresh shrimp, and a pot of boiling water, you can have tender shrimp ready in minutes!
While tartar sauce is traditional, why not elevate your hush puppy experience with a flavorful Louisiana Comeback Sauce? This tangy sauce is similar to a Louisiana remoulade or Mississippi Comeback Sauce, adding a zesty kick to each bite.
At our house, we’re also big fans of dipping these crispy hush puppies in a creamy Remoulade Sauce. Its slightly sweet flavor, combined with fresh herbs, a touch of horseradish, and spicy mustard, creates a truly delightful dipping experience.
The Charming Tale Behind the Name: Hush Puppy
Have you ever wondered about the quirky name “hush puppy”? The story goes that these delightful fritters originated when fishermen were cooking their daily catch. To quiet their barking dogs, they would fry up spoonfuls of cornmeal batter and toss them to their pups, effectively telling them to “hush, puppy!”
Luckily for us, humans discovered these little fried snacks were just as delicious for themselves! Hush puppies are incredibly versatile, perfect not only for fish fries but also as a tasty snack, appetizer, or side dish for countless meals.
However, finding truly great hush puppies can be a gamble. Not every restaurant or kitchen nails the perfect texture and flavor. But with this hush puppy recipe, you can achieve consistently delicious results every time. The secret? Using a cornmeal mix, or the simple substitution we’ll share below.
Simple Ingredients for Southern Comfort
This easy hush puppies recipe uses just a handful of simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry.
- White cornmeal mix: This is the key ingredient, providing the perfect base and including leavening for effortless preparation.
- Granulated sugar: Just a touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
- Fresh onion: Adds a wonderful savory depth and aromatic touch.
- Fresh jalapeño pepper: Seeded for a mild warmth and chopped finely; keep some seeds for extra heat if you prefer.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
- Buttermilk: The secret to tender hush puppies, adding moisture and a subtle tang.
- Canola oil: A light-tasting oil with a high smoke point, perfect for deep frying.
Easy-to-Follow Instructions for Best-Ever Hush Puppies
This recipe is so simple, you’ll be making batches of these crispy treats whenever the craving strikes. My husband is a huge fan, and I’m always happy to whip up a batch. The thought of those hot, crunchy, flavorful balls of cornbread is enough to get anyone in the kitchen!
First, finely chop the onion and jalapeño pepper. A sharp knife works perfectly, but a food chopper can make quick work of it and ensure a fine, even texture.
Chopping fresh ingredients like onion and jalapeno for hush puppy batter.
Now, let’s make the batter. In a large bowl, combine the white cornmeal mix, sugar, chopped onions, and jalapeño peppers. Next, add the wet ingredients: the egg and buttermilk. Stir everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a slightly lumpy batter is perfectly fine.
Feel free to get creative and add other delicious ingredients to your batter! Corn kernels, chopped okra, cheese, bacon bits, or green onions would all be fantastic additions.
For the best texture, let the cornmeal batter rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before frying. This allows the cornmeal to hydrate and the flavors to meld.
Heat the canola oil to 375°F (190°C) in a deep fryer or a large, heavy-bottomed pot like a Dutch oven.
Using a rounded teaspoon or a small cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry in small batches for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Remove the hush puppies with a slotted spoon or frying basket and place them on a sheet pan lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Let them cool slightly before serving and enjoying their incredible crispy, tender goodness.
Helpful Hints for Hush Puppy Perfection
- Handle jalapeños with care: Wear gloves when handling jalapeño peppers, especially when removing the seeds and membranes. This will prevent skin irritation from the pepper’s oils – trust me, it’s a lesson learned!
- Cornmeal mix substitution: If you don’t have white cornmeal mix, you can easily make your own! For 2 cups of mix, combine 1 ½ cups regular white or yellow cornmeal, 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.
- Reheat for crispy leftovers: To revive leftover hush puppies, pop them in an air fryer for a few minutes. They’ll crisp up beautifully!
Simple Swaps and Substitutions
- Cornmeal mix variations: Yellow cornmeal mix can be used instead of white cornmeal mix. The texture difference is subtle, with white cornmeal mix being slightly lighter. The color is the main difference.
- Buttermilk alternative: No buttermilk on hand? Make a quick substitute by stirring 1 tablespoon of vinegar into 1 cup of milk (dairy or non-dairy like coconut milk). Let it sit for a few minutes to thicken slightly.
- Oil options: Vegetable oil can be used in place of canola oil for frying.
Delicious Hush Puppy Variations
Want to customize your hush puppies? After mixing the batter, stir in about ½ cup of your favorite additions. Some tasty ideas include:
- Cut or cream-style corn for extra sweetness
- Shredded cheese for cheesy hush puppies
- Chopped okra for a Southern twist
- Crispy bacon bits for smoky flavor
- Chopped green onions for a mild oniony bite
Storage Tips for Freshness
- Batter storage: Store hush puppy batter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before frying.
- Freezing batter: You can freeze leftover batter! Thaw it completely before frying.
- Leftover hush puppies: Refrigerate fried hush puppies in an airtight container and reheat them in an air fryer, microwave, or a 400°F (200°C) oven until heated through and crispy.
Kitchen Helpers for Easy Hush Puppies
These are a few of my go-to kitchen tools that make preparing hush puppies a breeze!
First up is the Kitchen-Aid 3.5-cup food chopper. It’s compact, powerful, and perfect for quickly chopping onions and jalapeños. It’s also easy to clean and store.
For frying, I rely on the T-Fal Ultimate EZ Clean Deep Fryer. This stainless steel fryer makes cleanup incredibly easy with its built-in oil filtration system. It maintains a consistent oil temperature, which is crucial for perfectly fried hush puppies. Setting it to 375°F ensures ideal frying conditions every time.
These handy tools are kitchen favorites that I use regularly, especially the Kitchen-Aid food chopper. They also make wonderful gifts for any home cook!
Top Tip for Extra Crispy Hush Puppies
Refrigerating the batter for at least 30 minutes, or even up to 12 hours, is key to preventing the hush puppies from spreading and becoming greasy in the hot oil. Chilled batter holds its shape better, resulting in perfectly round and crispy hush puppies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a hush puppy?
Hush puppies are a classic Southern side dish: deep-fried balls of flavorful cornmeal batter. They are traditionally served alongside fried fish and other seafood dishes.
What makes the perfect hush puppy?
The ideal hush puppy is crispy on the outside and wonderfully light and tender on the inside. It boasts a delicious balance of sweet cornbread flavor with the subtle savory notes of fresh jalapeño and onion.
What’s the basic process for making hush puppies?
To make hush puppies, you simply prepare a batter with cornmeal mix, onion, egg, and buttermilk, then deep-fry spoonfuls of the batter in hot oil until they turn a beautiful golden brown.
Craving More Quick Bread Recipes?
If you love this homemade hush puppy recipe and are looking for other easy quick bread ideas, be sure to check out these:
Perfect Pairings for Hush Puppies
These dishes are fantastic served with a side of crispy hush puppies:
Print Recipe
Ingredients
Basic Recipe
- 2 cups white cornmeal mix
- 1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ cup onion, finely processed
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped jalapeño pepper (about 1 pepper), seeded
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 64 ounces canola oil, for frying
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornmeal mix and sugar.
- Stir in the finely chopped onion and jalapeño pepper until well combined.
- Add the egg and buttermilk. Stir until just incorporated; do not overmix.
- Refrigerate the batter for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat canola oil to 375°F (190°C) in a deep fryer or heavy pot.
- Scoop rounded teaspoons of batter or use a small cookie scoop to form hush puppies. Carefully drop them into the hot oil in small batches.
- Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove hush puppies and drain on paper towels on a sheet pan.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Recipe Notes
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Cornmeal Mix Substitute: To substitute 2 cups of white cornmeal mix, combine 1 ½ cups regular white cornmeal, 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.
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Flavor Boosts: Stir in ½ cup of your favorite additions to the batter, such as corn kernels, seafood, cheese, or chopped okra.
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Dipping Suggestions: Serve with butter or dipping sauces like Homemade Ranch Dressing, Remoulade Sauce, or Louisiana Comeback Sauce.
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Make Ahead Tip: Batter can be made up to 12 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
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Author: Louisiana Woman
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Prep Time: 35 minutes
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Cook Time: 4-6 minutes
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Category: Side Dish/Appetizer
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Method: Frying
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Cuisine: American
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