Description
Classic Southern hush puppies are crispy, golden fried cornmeal balls with a tender interior, flavored with diced onion and a hint of spice. Perfect as a comforting side dish, they offer a delightful crunch and a subtle kick, embodying the essence of Southern comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup finely diced yellow onion
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
For Frying
- Vegetable oil (about 2 inches for frying)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir in the finely diced yellow onion to distribute evenly.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and the large egg until fully blended.
- Make Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. The batter should be thick and slightly lumpy; avoid overmixing to keep it tender.
- Heat Oil: In a deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to ensure accurate temperature for perfect frying.
- Fry Hush Puppies: Using a rounded tablespoon, carefully drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, working in batches to prevent overcrowding. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until the hush puppies are golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the hush puppies with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Keep warm in a low oven if frying multiple batches. Serve warm for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add 1 tablespoon of finely chopped jalapeño or a pinch of garlic powder to the batter.
- Keep hush puppies warm in a low oven while frying remaining batches.
- Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 350°F to avoid soggy or burnt hush puppies.
- Serve with tartar sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious accompaniment.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern
