Southern Hush Puppies Recipe
Classic Southern Hush Puppies are crispy, golden fried cornmeal balls infused with a touch of sweetness, spicy jalapeno, and savory Creole seasoning. These bite-sized treats make a perfect side dish or appetizer, best served hot and fresh from the fryer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 24 hush puppies 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups self-rising cornmeal (yellow or white)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose Creole seasoning
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 large jalapeno, de-seeded & de-veined, finely diced
For Frying
- Canola oil (about 4 cups) for frying
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 200℉ to keep the hush puppies warm after frying. Prepare a wire baking rack set over a paper towel-lined baking sheet for draining oil.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl or measuring cup, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, and Creole seasoning thoroughly.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the buttermilk, beaten egg, finely diced onion, and jalapeno just enough to combine all ingredients. Let the batter rest while heating the oil.
- Heat Oil: In a large Dutch oven or cast iron skillet, heat 3 to 4 cups of canola oil to create 1 to 1.5 inches of depth. Heat over high until hot enough, approximately 365℉, or when a pinch of cornmeal sizzles on contact.
- Fry Hush Puppies: Use a cookie scoop to drop about 8 to 10 batter portions into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even golden browning. Adjust heat to maintain a consistent frying temperature, lowering to medium if needed during the first batch.
- Drain and Keep Warm: Transfer the golden hush puppies to the prepared wire rack to drain excess oil. Place the rack with hush puppies in the warm oven to keep them hot while frying remaining batches.
- Serve: Serve the hush puppies hot for best flavor and crispness. Enjoy them as a delicious Southern side or appetizer.
Notes
- Ensure oil temperature is maintained around 365℉ for perfect frying results.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep hush puppies tender.
- Use a wire rack over paper towels rather than just paper towels for better drainage and crispiness.
- Adjust the level of heat in the jalapeno to your spice preference or omit if sensitive to spice.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven to restore crispness but are best eaten fresh.
Keywords: Southern Hush Puppies, Cornmeal Fritters, Fried Appetizer, Creole Seasoned Snacks, Jalapeno Hush Puppies
Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/southern-hush-puppies-recipe/
