Print

Southern Hush Puppies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 91 reviews

Southern Hush Puppies are classic, crispy fried cornmeal balls infused with a bit of heat from jalapeno and a touch of Creole seasoning. These golden treats are perfect as a side or snack, boasting a tender inside with a crunchy exterior. This recipe yields perfectly spiced, fluffy hush puppies that stay warm and delicious thanks to a simple oven warming step.

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 and de-veined, finely diced

For Frying

  • About 4 cups canola oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200℉. Prepare a wire baking rack set over a paper towel-lined baking sheet to keep the hush puppies warm after frying.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl or measuring cup, mix together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and Creole seasoning until well combined.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients into Dry: Add the buttermilk, beaten egg, finely diced onion, and jalapeno to the dry mixture. Stir just until all ingredients are incorporated. Let the batter rest while you heat the oil for frying.
  4. Heat Oil: In a large Dutch oven or cast iron skillet, pour in 3 to 4 cups of canola oil, ensuring it’s deep enough to allow frying at about 1 to 1 1/2 inches depth. Heat over high until it reaches approximately 365℉, or until a pinch of cornmeal sizzles upon contact.
  5. Fry Hush Puppies: Using a cookie scoop, carefully drop 8 to 10 scoops of batter into the hot oil. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even golden browning on all sides. Adjust heat as necessary, often lowering to medium during frying to maintain a steady temperature.
  6. Drain and Keep Warm: Transfer the fried hush puppies to the prepared wire rack to drain excess oil. Place the rack in the preheated oven to keep them warm while you finish frying the remaining batter in batches.
  7. Serve: Serve the hush puppies hot out of the oven for the best crispy and fluffy experience. Enjoy!

Notes

  • If you prefer a spicier bite, leave some jalapeno seeds in when dicing.
  • Maintain steady oil temperature to avoid greasy hush puppies.
  • Use a slotted spoon for easier frying and draining.
  • Self-rising cornmeal already contains leavening, so no additional baking powder is needed.
  • You can substitute Creole seasoning with Cajun seasoning for a slightly different flavor profile.

Keywords: Southern hush puppies, fried cornmeal balls, Creole fried hush puppies, classic southern side, jalapeno hush puppies

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/southern-hush-puppies-recipe/