Crispy on the outside but sweet and tender in, Southern Hushpuppies are an absolute must for fish fries, barbeques, and even dinner on the patio. These delicious little morsels of cornmeal batter have jalapenos and onions for a hint of heat and great flavor.
Better yet, homemade hushpuppies are easy to make with simple ingredients—you'll be impressed with how quickly this popular side dish comes together!
Table of Contents
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🗝️ Key takeaways
- Hushpuppies strike the perfect balance of a little sweetness, a little savory, and a little spicy!
- This is a classic side dish you'll see at any fish fry, but it's also delicious with dinner alongside your favorite BBQ staples.
- The key to perfectly crisp/tender hushpuppies (that aren't oily) is monitoring the oil temperature—aim to keep it at 375 degrees F.
My hushpuppy recipe is a fun way to switch up your normal menu for dinners and potlucks. These little bites of deliciousness are impossible to resist—and so easy to make!
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Variations
- I prefer yellow cornmeal because the flavor is a little bit more prominent. However, if all you've got is white cornmeal, it'll do in a pinch.
- The jalapenos aren't too spicy since the hushpuppies are fried, but feel free to leave 'em out if you don't like spice at all.
- On the other hand, if you want to amp up the spice, feel free to add some cayenne pepper (heat) and smoked paprika (for smoky flavor). You can also give 'em a Cajun flair using your favorite Cajun spices.
- I don't specify which kind of onion to use because any white or yellow onion will work. To add a touch more sweetness, use sweet onions.
- Like the texture of corn in your hushpuppies? Add about a half cup of canned/drained or frozen/thawed corn kernels to the batter.
- Buttermilk substitutions (like milk + lemon juice) aren't as good as the real thing, but they will work okay in this hushpuppies recipe.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients.
Blend the wet ingredients. Add to dry mixture.
Drop hushpuppy batter into hot oil in a deep skillet.
Fry until golden brown. Drain on a wire rack over paper towels.
🤫 Cook's secrets -
Hint: Grated onion is the key to savory onion flavor in this delicious recipe. Grating it produces more juice than just mincing or dicing it.
🍴 Equipment
- Large bowl
- Medium-sized
mixing bowl - Fine grater
- Cast iron Dutch oven or deep skillet (or electric deep fryer)
- Deep-fry thermometer
🥫 How to store leftovers
Like most fried food, Southern hushpuppies taste best fresh out of the fryer—given some time to cool, of course.
If you have leftovers, store 'em in an airtight container for 2-3 days at room temperature. You can freeze leftover hushpuppies for up to 3 months.
Thaw at room temperature for a few hours if frozen. The best way to reheat hush puppies is in the air fryer for a few minutes or a 350-degree F oven. However, you can use the microwave, but they'll lose a bit of their crispiness.
Marye's Tip
Deep frying is all about the correct temperature of the oil. Too hot, and your hushpuppies will burn outside and be raw inside. Too cold, and hushpuppies will taste soggy. Prevent the oil from cooling by frying in small batches—don't overcrowd the pan.
💭 Things to know
- To properly fry the hushpuppies, you'll need a couple of inches of oil in the skillet, so don't skimp on this step. Use a large enough pan or fryer.
- Use a deep-fry thermometer to keep the oil around 375 degrees.
- I like to use two spoons to drop the golf ball-sized hushpuppies into the oil—one spoon holds the batter, and the other scrapes it off into the oil.
- Line a baking sheet with paper towels and lay a wire rack over top. Let the hush puppies drain and cool so they don't soak up extra oil.
- If it's your first time using an electric deep fryer, read the instruction manual carefully. Frying is easy, but it's important to know how to do it.
- If you have young kids or pets, I recommend keeping them out of the kitchen while you're frying. You don't want hot oil splattering out or anyone getting underneath your feet!
👩🍳 FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
Peanut oil is the best for frying because it has a high smoke point and a mild flavor. However, canola oil, vegetable oil, or even avocado oil will work, too.
Nope. A classic Southern hushpuppies recipe uses cornmeal and just a little flour. They have a similar flavor and texture to fried cornbread. Corn fritters have more flour and pieces of actual corn in them.
I like the bread trick! Drop a one-inch piece of white bread into the oil. It should take about a minute, or just under, to toast perfectly golden brown. Any sooner, and the oil is too hot. Longer, the oil is too cold.
If you want to dip your Southern hushpuppies in something, try honey butter, tartar sauce from your fish fry, campfire sauce or hot sauce!
📚 Related recipes
- Made in under an hour, Southern Fried Potatoes are crisp on the outside and so buttery—they're great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
- Nothing is more classically Southern than a side of juicy and crisp Fried Green Tomatoes, done in just 25 minutes.
- Sweet, meaty, and smoky, Texas Corn Dogs are just like you remember them at the State Fair but effortless and quick to make at home.
🍽️ Serve with...
Hushpuppies are a classic side dish for Air Fryer Catfish. This simpler version is easy to make on a weeknight for dinner and tastes just as good as your fish-fry favorite!
Crisp, cool, and refreshing, my tangy KFC Copycat Cole Slaw tastes great alongside any main dish. It's the perfect topping and side for fried fish and BBQ!
Made from scratch like Mom used to, Lemon Bundt Cake has a bright, lemony flavor and the moist, dense crumb you crave. It's the perfect finish to a hearty fried meal any time of year.
🍽️ Repurpose leftovers
Hushpuppies go FAST in my house, but if you have some leftovers, here are yummy ways to use 'em up:
- Southern Cornbread Salad—chop hushpuppies to use in place of cornbread
- Southern Corn Sundaes—use chopped hushpuppies and a drizzle of honey as a base for a French vanilla or butter pecan ice cream sundae
📞 The last word
I love hushpuppies with jalapenos as a side dish or a snack. They just round out any casual meal!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Southern Hushpuppies
Print Pin Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1-½ cups yellow cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
- ¼ cup grated onion
- Oil for deep-fat frying, peanut oil or vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs, milk, jalapenos, and onion.
- Stir into dry ingredients just until combined.
- In a cast-iron or other heavy skillet (or electric deep fryer), heat oil to 375°.
- Drop batter by tablespoonfuls, a few at a time, into hot oil.
- Fry until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes.
- Drain on paper towels.
Notes
- Don't overcrowd the pan.
- To properly fry the hushpuppies, you'll need a couple of inches of oil in the skillet, so don't skimp on this step. Use a large enough pan or fryer.
- Use a deep-fry thermometer to keep the oil around 375 degrees.
- I like to use two spoons to drop the golf ball-sized hushpuppies into the oil—one spoon holds the batter, and the other scrapes it off into the oil.
- Line a baking sheet with paper towels and lay a wire rack over top. Let the hush puppies drain and cool so they don't soak up extra oil.
- If you have young kids or pets, I recommend keeping them out of the kitchen while you're frying. You don't want hot oil splattering out or anyone getting underneath your feet!
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
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