Hush Puppies are the perfect addition to accompany your Southern-inspired meal from fried chicken to shrimp and grits. Bites of corn batter fried until crisp on the outside and tender and fluffy inside!

Of course Hush puppies are great for snacking too! Slather them in a sweet Honey Butter, dip them in soups or even in a spicy mayonnaise.

Golden brown Hush Puppies in a bowl

Bites of Heaven

Small little handheld bites of heaven.

What Are Hush Puppies? Hush puppies are small bits of deep fried cornmeal batter. Unlike soft cornbread, they are crunchy and golden brown on the outside and melt-in-your mouth light on the inside. Typically, you’ll find them in golf ball sized globes or fingers, depending on how the cook drops them in the oil.

The main ingredient in hush puppies is always going to be cornmeal, we also add buttermilk, egg and a leavening ingredient, usually baking soda.

Hush Puppies batter in a bowl

These homemade hush puppies most often served with those other Southern classics: fried fish, shrimp boil, fried chicken and collard greens.

Can you freeze them? Sure you can! If you have leftovers or want to make extras, let them cool, and place them in a freezer bag for up to four months. The next time you’re hungry for some hush puppies, let them thaw and spread them out on a foil-lined cookie sheet, and warm them in a hot oven for 10 minutes to restore some of the crunchiness.

So Why are They Called Hush Puppies? It’s a much-debated question! It’s speculated (among many other stories) that fishermen would fry up the batter they used for fish fries, and toss them to yapping dogs to “hush” their barking. The true origins may be lost, but that doesn’t mean we enjoy this iconic Southern staple any less!

Hush Puppies in a yellow bowl

How To Make Hush Puppies

This is one time when you’ll want to get out your deep fryer. True hush puppies are golden crisp on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Here’s how to make this easy hush puppy recipe:

  1. Heat up your deep fryer. (If using a pan on the stovetop, you’ll need several inches of oil so the hush puppies will float as they fry.)
  2. Mix your ingredients and drop by spoonfuls into the fryer. Allow to cook until golden on the outside and tender in the middle.
  3. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

Peanut oil holds up well to intense fryer heat and doesn’t produce any off flavors. You can also use canola oil, vegetable oil or corn oil.

More Southern Favorites

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
Hush Puppies in a yellow bowl
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Easy Hush Puppies Recipe

If you need a side of bread to accompany your Southern-inspired meal, you won’t find anything more delicious than hush puppies. 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8 servings
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Ingredients  

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup buttermilk you may not use all of it
  • oil for frying

Instructions 

  • Preheat oil to 350°F.
  • Combine dry ingredients.
  • Beat egg. Add to dry mixture with most of the buttermilk adding more as needed to create a dough that is moist but not runny.
  • Drop mixture by teaspoon in hot oil. Cook 3-5 minutes until golden, turning once during cook time.
  • Place on paper towel to cool. Serve with honey butter.

Notes

If you do not have buttermilk on hand, you can make a buttermilk substitute!
Optional: add a tablespoon of minced onion.
4.91 from 55 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 124 | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 204mg | Potassium: 147mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American

Hush Puppies with writing

 

Hush Puppies with writing
Hush Puppies with title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. These turned out wonderful! Golden brown, slightly sweet and perfectly soft in the middle! As a whole, Spend With Pennies is my go to for recipes. Everything I’ve tried from them has been delicious!5 stars