This Hush Puppies Recipe brings a crispy, Southern-fried classic to your dining table in minutes!
While I come from the northern states, my best friend was born in the south, so he grew up with a very different kind of cuisine. He’s used to fried foods, briskets at BBQ joints, Mardi Gras festivals, and grandmama’s kitchen table. In fact, not too long ago, he introduced me to one of his fun Southern favorites, a side dish called “hush puppies.” As a northerner, I may not be familiar with Southern cooking, but I know a good thing when I taste it, and these certainly qualify.
Hush puppies are similar to cornbread—they’re sweet, savory, and slightly spicy. Where they differ is that they’re rolled into balls and then fried in hot oil. I love how they’re crispy outside, contrasting with the soft, fluffy inside. Even better, hush puppies are just as tasty the next day, so don’t feel like you have to finish the whole batch at once.
When my friend first introduced them to me, he claimed, “If hush puppies are made right, they leave memories, baby!” He sure was right, because I’ll never forget it. Each satisfying bite takes him back to childhood, and me to a whole new world of flavors. It’s safe to say that hush puppies are a family-friendly finger food that can brighten any party.
Where did the name come from?
I’ve always wondered where the name “hush puppies” originated, and neither my best friend nor anyone else from the South has been able to give me a clear answer. Surprisingly, there’s quite a bit of mystery around these tasty little morsels. But one of the most popular origin stories centers around cooks using them to quiet dogs attracted by whatever they were cooking. Others suggest that escaping slaves in the 19th century used them to distract tracking hounds. While there’s no way to know if these legends are true or not, clearly the name has endured for generations and is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
How do I store leftovers?
Let your hush puppies cool to room temperature, and then transfer them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months and then thaw in the fridge overnight. To reheat, bake them at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, until they’re warm all the way through.
Serving suggestions
If you want to experience a taste of what it’s like to eat hush puppies down south, pair them with Cajun Shrimp, Slow-Cooker Ribs, or Cajun Wings with sides of Southern Green Beans and Southern Coleslaw. My best friend favors hush puppies with Grilled Lobster Tail—I know, right? So decadent! He also says that locals in the coastal cities of South Carolina enjoy Fried Catfish with their pups. So feel free to try them with both seafood and other kinds of meat to find your favorite pairing.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fine cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 small yellow onion grated (about 1/4 cup)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 4 cups canola oil or vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Line a large plate with a double layer of paper towels for draining the fried hush puppies.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, kosher salt, baking powder, baking soda, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and granulated sugar.
- Add the yellow onion into the bowl. Add the egg and buttermilk, then stir until just combined. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes.
- Pour the oil into a deep pot or Dutch oven to a depth of about 1 1/2 inches. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 365°F.
- Using a small ice cream scoop or two spoons, drop rounded dollops (about 2 tablespoons each) of batter into the hot oil. Fry in batches without crowding the pot, turning gently with a slotted spoon until the hush puppies are golden brown on all sides (about 3 to 4 minutes).
- Transfer the hush puppies to the prepared paper towel plate to drain. Serve them hot for best taste and texture.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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