Restless Chipotle

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
×
Home » Recipes » Quick Bread Recipes

Southern Hushpuppies

Published: Aug 4, 2024 by Marye

Southern Hush Puppies with Jalapeno and Onion are crispy and spicy with a tender interior. A must have for any Southern-inspired seafood meal!
Total time for the recipe to be finished.Total Time 20 minutes minutes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
A basket of hushpuppies on a table.
Closeup of hushpuppies in a basket with title text overlay for Pinterest.

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!

Southern hushpuppies in a basket with jalapeno slices for garnish.
Table of Contents
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 📖 Variations
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🍴 Equipment
  • 🥫 How to store leftovers
  • Marye's Tip
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 🍽️ Repurpose leftovers
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.

🗝️ 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.

Labeled ingredients to make Southern hushpuppies.

📖 Variations

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Like the texture of corn in your hushpuppies? Add about a half cup of canned/drained or frozen/thawed corn kernels to the batter.
  6. 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.

Whisking the dry ingredients together.

In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients.

Adding the wet ingredients to the dry mixture.

Blend the wet ingredients. Add to dry mixture.

Adding the hushpuppy batter to the oil in a skillet.

Drop hushpuppy batter into hot oil in a deep skillet.

Finished hushpuppies draining on a wire rack.

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

  1. Large bowl
  2. Medium-sized mixing bowl
  3. Fine grater
  4. Cast iron Dutch oven or deep skillet (or electric deep fryer)
  5. 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.

An up-close view of a Southern hushpuppy with a bite taken out of it.

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

  1. 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.
  2. Use a deep-fry thermometer to keep the oil around 375 degrees.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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!

What is the best oil for deep frying hushpuppies?

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.

Are cornmeal fritters and hushpuppies the same?

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.

How do I tell if oil is hot without a thermometer?

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.

What sauces go with hushpuppies?

If you want to dip your Southern hushpuppies in something, try honey butter, tartar sauce from your fish fry, campfire sauce or hot sauce!

An up-close view of Southern hushpuppies in a basket.

📚 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.
  • A square of fluffy spoon bread on a white plate with butter melting on top.
    Southern Spoon Bread
  • Closeup of cornmeal muffins in the baking tin.
    Copycat Cracker Barrel Corn Muffins
  • Closeup of popovers in a popover pan.
    Easy Cornmeal Popovers Recipe
  • Overhead view of cornbread with a serving removed.
    Cornbread with Creamed Corn

🍽️ Serve with...

A panful of fried catfish.

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!


Overhead view of coleslaw for feature image.

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!


Closeup of the finished cake with white glaze and lemon garnish.

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

A basket of hushpuppies on a table.

Southern Hushpuppies

No ratings yet
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Southern Hush Puppies with Jalapeno and Onion are crispy and spicy with a tender interior. A must have for any Southern-inspired seafood meal!
Course Quick Bread
Cuisine American - Southern
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings:24
Calories:33
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • 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

Storage:
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.
Tips:
  • 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

Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 122mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.3mg

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.

More Quick Breads

  • Someone getting a cracker out of a bowl
    Saltine Cracker Recipe
  • French breakfast puffs muffins with cinnamon sugar topping.
    French Breakfast Puffs
  • Closeup of a finished roll for the feature image.
    Easy Easter Sweet Rolls (Made with Crescent Dough!)
  • A batch of brown butter banana pecan muffins cooling on a rack.
    Brown Butter Banana Pecan Muffins

Love it? Share it!

124 shares
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard

About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Love it? Give it 5 stars!




Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

Welcome to my kitchen! ☕

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

Find out more

🍉 Summer Cookouts

  • Overhead view of potato salad in a glass bowl
    Mom's Homemade Potato Salad
  • Overhead view of the finished watermelon basket filled with an assortment of fruit.
    How to Make a Watermelon Basket
  • Closeup of a finished hamburger in a bun.
    Retro Lipton Onion Soup Burger (Vintage Recipe)
  • Closeup of a star shaped cake covered in white chocolate with red and blue sprinkles.
    Zebra Cake Recipe: Little Debbie Copycat

🫖 Picklefork Stories

Picklefork town crest.
Click here to visit Picklefork

👑 Reader Favorites

  • Square overhead of chicken for feature image.
    Crockpot Angel Chicken
  • Close up of the sauce showing the creamy texture.
    Copycat Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe
  • Wooden spatula removing fried potatoes out of iron skillet.
    Crispy Fried Potatoes in a Cast Iron Skillet (Southern Style)
  • Blue cocktail with a red and white straw.
    Sex in the Driveway Cocktail
  • A sliced loaf of english muffin bread.
    Easy English Muffin Bread – No Knead, Perfect for Toasting!
  • Two finished loaves of Amish white bread cooling on a table.
    No-Fail Amish White Bread

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • About Marye Audet-White
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Contact
MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

Featured In:

Places Restless Chipotle has been featured

We improve our products and advertising by using Microsoft Clarity to see how you use our website. By using our site, you agree that we and Microsoft can collect and use this data. Our privacy statement has more details.

Copyright ©2006 - 2025 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC

Picklefork Tales Copyright ©2025 Marye Audet, Restless Chipotle Media

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required