The Best Southern Hush Puppies Recipe (Crispy, Golden & Perfectly Seasoned)

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 20 hush puppies | Calories: 75 kcal per hush puppy

Southern hush puppies are crispy fried cornmeal balls with soft centers. They are golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Every bite is savory with a hint of sweetness.

These are the real deal. Not too sweet. Not too heavy. Just perfectly seasoned cornmeal fritters that pair with fried fish, BBQ, or anything Southern.

Twenty-five minutes from start to finish. Twenty golden hush puppies that disappear as fast as you can make them.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Hush puppies are a Southern classic. Here is what makes this recipe the best one.

The texture is perfect. Crispy crunchy outside. Soft fluffy inside. Not dense or heavy.

The flavor is balanced. Savory with just enough sweetness. Onion adds flavor without being overpowering.

They are easy to make. Mix the batter. Drop spoonfuls in hot oil. Done. No complicated techniques.

They go with everything. Fried fish, shrimp, BBQ, coleslaw, or just eat them plain with butter.

Everyone loves them. Kids and adults both reach for seconds and thirds.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups (210g) yellow cornmeal
• ½ cup (65g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup (40g) finely diced onion
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Vegetable oil for frying (about 4 cups)

Equipment Needed

• Large pot or deep fryer
• Mixing bowls (2)
• Whisk
• Wooden spoon
• Slotted spoon or spider strainer
• Paper towels
• Plate or baking sheet
• Thermometer (candy or deep-fry thermometer)
• Cookie scoop or two spoons

Instructions

Step 1: Heat about 3 inches of vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Heat to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2: While the oil heats, make the batter. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne if using.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and sugar until combined.

Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined. Do not overmix. Lumps are okay.

Step 5: Fold in the diced onion.

Step 6: Let the batter rest for 5 minutes while the oil finishes heating. This helps the baking powder activate.

Step 7: Check the oil temperature. It should be 375°F. Drop a tiny bit of batter in. It should sizzle immediately and float to the top.

Step 8: Use a cookie scoop or two spoons to drop rounded tablespoons of batter into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd. Fry 5 to 6 at a time.

Step 9: Fry for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown on the bottom. Flip them over with a slotted spoon.

Step 10: Fry for another 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown all over.

Step 11: Remove with a slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels.

Step 12: Repeat with remaining batter. Keep the oil temperature at 375°F between batches.

Step 13: Serve hot. They are best right out of the fryer.

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Substitutes & Swaps

Buttermilk: Make your own with 1 cup milk plus 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice. Let sit 5 minutes. Regular milk works in a pinch.

Yellow cornmeal: White cornmeal works the same way. Self-rising cornmeal mix can replace the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.

All-purpose flour: Self-rising flour works. Reduce the baking powder to 1 teaspoon if using self-rising.

Fresh onion: Dried minced onion works. Use 2 tablespoons. Green onions or chives also work.

Cayenne pepper: Skip it for mild hush puppies. Add more for spicier ones.

Variations

Jalapeño Hush Puppies: Add 1 to 2 finely diced jalapeños. Spicy kick with every bite.

Cheese Hush Puppies: Fold in ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Rich and savory.

Corn Hush Puppies: Add ½ cup fresh or canned corn kernels (drained). More texture and sweetness.

Bacon Hush Puppies: Add ¼ cup crumbled cooked bacon. Smoky and delicious.

Sweet Hush Puppies: Increase sugar to ¼ cup. Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Dessert-style hush puppies.

Tips & Tricks

Get the oil to the right temperature. 375°F is perfect. Too hot and they burn outside before cooking inside. Too cool and they absorb oil and get greasy.

Use a thermometer. Guessing oil temperature leads to inconsistent results. A thermometer takes the guesswork out.

Do not overmix the batter. Stir just until combined. Overmixing makes them tough instead of fluffy.

Let the batter rest. Five minutes gives the baking powder time to work. Makes them lighter.

Do not overcrowd the pot. Too many hush puppies lower the oil temperature. Fry in small batches.

Keep oil temperature steady. Adjust heat between batches to maintain 375°F.

Serve them hot. Hush puppies are best fresh and hot. They get dense and heavy as they cool.

Nutrition Information (Per Hush Puppy)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	75 kcal
Total Fat	3g
Saturated Fat	0.5g
Carbohydrates	11g
Fibre	1g
Sugars	2g
Protein	2g
Sodium	160mg

Nutrition is based on one hush puppy from a batch of 20, fried in vegetable oil.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why are they called hush puppies?

Legend says hunters fried cornmeal balls to quiet barking dogs. They would say “hush, puppies” while feeding them. The name stuck.

Why are my hush puppies greasy?

The oil was not hot enough. Oil should be 375°F. Lower temperatures make them absorb more oil.

Can I bake these instead of frying?

You can but they will not have the same texture. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes. They will be more like cornbread bites.

Why did my hush puppies fall apart?

The batter was too thin. Make sure you measure ingredients correctly. Or the oil was too hot and they cooked too fast.

Can I make the batter ahead?

Make it up to 2 hours ahead. Keep it refrigerated. Stir gently before using. Do not let it sit longer or the baking powder loses effectiveness.

How do I keep them warm?

Place on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven while you fry the rest. Do not cover or they will get soggy.

Can I freeze hush puppies?

Yes. Let cool completely. Freeze in a single layer then transfer to a bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.

The Side That Steals the Show

Most side dishes play supporting roles. Hush puppies do not. People remember these crispy golden bites. They ask for the recipe. They reach for more before the main course is even finished.

Make a batch this week. Serve them with fried fish or BBQ. Watch them disappear.

Made hush puppies? Tell me in the comments what you served them with and if you added any mix-ins. I want to know what combinations everyone loves.