Description

This Homemade Hush Puppies recipe delivers crispy, golden-fried cornmeal balls with a tender, flavorful interior. Perfect as a classic Southern side dish, these hush puppies combine cornmeal, sweet onion, and buttermilk for a deliciously moist and flavorful bite. Frying in hot oil creates a crunchy exterior while maintaining a soft, savory center. Serve warm with butter for a comforting accompaniment to seafood, barbecue, or any hearty meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 cup ground cornmeal (156 grams)
⅓ cup all-purpose flour (40 grams)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar (13 grams)
1 teaspoon baking powder (4 grams)
½ teaspoon baking soda (3 grams)
½ teaspoon kosher salt

Wet Ingredients

¾ cup buttermilk (170 grams, room temperature)
¼ cup grated sweet onion
1 large egg (50 grams, room temperature and lightly beaten)

For Frying

Peanut or vegetable oil (for frying)

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Instructions

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt until evenly distributed.
Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, grated sweet onion, and lightly beaten egg until well combined, creating a smooth wet mixture.
Mix Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and gently stir until just combined to prevent overmixing and ensure a tender hush puppy.
Rest the Batter: Let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the frying oil in a deep fryer or a Dutch oven to 365°F (185°C) to prepare for frying.
Portion the Batter: Using a medium cookie scoop or spoon, portion heaping tablespoons (about 2 tablespoons) of batter for each hush puppy.
Fry the Hush Puppies: Carefully drop the scooped batter into the hot oil, frying small batches for 2-4 minutes until the hush puppies turn golden brown on all sides.
Drain and Serve: Remove the hush puppies with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve warm, optionally with butter for added flavor.

Notes

Ensure the buttermilk and egg are at room temperature to help with batter consistency and baking reaction.
Resting the batter allows the cornmeal to absorb moisture, resulting in a better texture.
Maintain the oil temperature at 365°F to ensure even frying without greasiness.
Use peanut or vegetable oil for frying as they have high smoke points suitable for deep frying.
Do not overcrowd the frying vessel to prevent oil temperature from dropping.
Serve hush puppies immediately for best texture and flavor.