Southern Hush Puppies (Printable)
Golden, crispy cornmeal fritters with a tender interior, ideal as a side for fried fish, barbecue, or summer gatherings.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Dry Components
01 - 1 cup yellow or medium-grind cornmeal
02 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1½ teaspoons baking powder
04 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
06 - ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
07 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
08 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Wet Components
09 - ½ cup buttermilk
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
12 - ½ cup finely diced yellow onion
13 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives or green onions (optional)
14 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
→ For Frying
15 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, granulated sugar, cayenne pepper (if using), and black pepper.
02 - In a separate bowl, beat the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter until uniformly incorporated.
03 - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula just until the mixture is combined; avoid overmixing.
04 - Fold in the diced yellow onion, chopped chives or green onions (if using), and finely chopped jalapeño (if using). Allow the batter to rest for 5 minutes.
05 - In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat approximately 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
06 - Using two spoons or a small ice cream scoop, carefully drop tablespoon-sized portions of batter into the hot oil. Fry in batches to prevent overcrowding the pot.
07 - Fry the hush puppies for 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning as necessary, until they achieve a deep golden brown color and crisp texture.
08 - Remove the cooked hush puppies with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You'll adore how quickly these come together for such an impressive side dish.
- The way the crispy exterior gives way to a soft, flavorful interior is just magical.
02 -
- Overmixing the batter is the cardinal sin here; it develops the gluten too much, resulting in a tough hush puppy.
- Maintaining the correct oil temperature is non-negotiable for that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside texture.
03 -
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot; it retains heat better, leading to more consistent frying temperatures.
- Don't overcrowd the pot; frying in smaller batches ensures even cooking and maintains oil temperature.