Easy Hush Puppies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients for hush puppies? ›

Cornmeal

Hushpuppy / Main ingredient

Hush puppies are made from a basic batter consisting of yellow cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, buttermilk or milk and eggs. Many recipes call for the addition of scallions or onions. The base lends itself to riffing, too, including the addition of spicy peppers, cheese, spices or even beer.

Instructions. In a large bowl, mix together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and sugar. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Fry in Small Batches

Fry the hush puppies in small batches, which can help avoid overcrowding the frying pan or fryer. Cramming too many into the pan can lower the oil temperature and result in greasy hush puppies.

It is said that, during fish fries at the end of a day on the water, the anglers would put together simple balls of cornmeal and leftover ingredients to toss to their dogs to "hush" them. We can imagine why it worked so well--after all, nothing can quiet a barking dog much like a delicious, crunchy treat to dig into!

The main reason hush puppies fall apart isn't the batter, it's the oil. To ensure your hush puppies stay intact, make sure the oil is heated to the correct temperature. Add 3 to 4 inches of oil to your skillet or Dutch oven, and using a thermometer, heat the oil to 365° to 375°.

The main difference is that cornbread is baked and hush puppies are fried, hence the difference in texture—though hush puppies can be air fryed, too. "Typically hush puppy batter is a little thicker than cornbread batter, but that is just a matter of moisture. The basic ingredients are the same," Matijevich said.

Due to the deep-frying process, hushpuppies tend to have moderate levels of sodium and fat. Consuming them in moderation is recommended, especially for individuals with dietary restrictions or health concerns.

In the instance of hushpuppies, the tale goes that Confederate soldiers were preparing food around a campfire and heard Union soldiers in the vicinity, so they pitched their yelping dogs some fried cornmeal cakes and ordered them to “hush puppies.”

What is the flavor of hush puppies? ›

The texture of a hush puppy is crisp on the outside with a moist, tender middle. I would compare the flavor to that of buttery, salty cornbread that's fried until crispy. It's almost too good to be true!

If your oil is the correct temperature, the hush puppies should be golden on the outside and cooked on the inside. When golden on one side, if they automatically turn themselves over, you're cooking like a Pro.

The Perfect Cornmeal-to-Flour Ratio

If made from just cornmeal, hush puppies will fall apart in the oil. If too much flour is used, the hush puppies become heavy, dense, and bread-like.

(Leftover hush puppies can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 2 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in 350-degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.)

Typical hushpuppy ingredients include cornmeal, wheat flour, eggs, salt, baking soda, milk or buttermilk, and water, and may include onion, spring onion (scallion), garlic, whole kernel corn, and peppers.

Traditional hush puppies do not have meat in them – remember the tales of how they came to be. The best part about this hush puppy appetizer is how easy it is to throw together, how simple the ingredient list is, and how delicious they taste!

Helpful? No, the hush puppies do not contain shrimp or fish.