Hush Puppies Recipe

Crispy hush puppies packed with flavor—perfect for your next fish fry or Southern-inspired dinner!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Resting time 30

Total Time 45

Servings Servings

Calories 233kcal

Author Mirlene

Equipment

Ingredients

1 ½ cups yellow cornmeal; or you can use white cornmeal
½ cup all-purpose flour
2½ tbsp. sugar; I used cane sugar. Add more if needed
½ tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. parsley flakes
1 tbsp. garlic powder
2 large eggs
½ cup sour cream
½ cup milk
¼ cup grated onion
4 cups oil for frying; I used vegetable oil

Instructions

Mix all the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. In another bowl, add the eggs, sour cream, milk, grated onions, and mix together.
Next, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix everything together well with a rubber spatula. Don’t overmix – overmixing will toughen your hush puppies. Cover and allow to sit in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes or overnight.
When ready to fry, heat the oil in a deep fryer or Dutch oven at 350 degrees but no more than 375 degrees.
Use an ice cream scoop to transfer the hush puppies into the hot oil. My ice cream scoop is about 1 ½ tablespoon in measurement.
Carefully add the scooped batter to the oil. The hush puppies will begin to float then turn on their own, but feel free to help them if needed with a slotted spoon.
Fry for 3-4 minutes (test one if needed to make sure they are fully cooked), then transfer to a paper toweled plate. Repeat the process with the remaining batter. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

Storage Tips: Keeping the Crunch Alive

Let’s be real—hush puppies are best served fresh and hot, but sometimes you have leftovers (rare, but it happens). Here’s how I keep them fresh without losing that signature crunch:

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Let them cool completely, then place on a baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.

Reheating Tips That Actually Work

You don’t want soggy hush puppies, so skip the microwave. Here’s how to bring back the crisp:

Oven: Preheat to 375°F and place hush puppies on a baking sheet. Bake for 8–10 minutes or until hot and crispy.
Air Fryer: My personal favorite—air fry at 350°F for 5–6 minutes.
Avoid Microwaving: It softens the crust and takes away that irresistible crunch.

Tips for the Perfect Hush Puppy (And What to Avoid)

We’ve made hush puppies more times than I can count—here’s what I’ve learned from the occasional flop:

Tips:

Use fine-ground cornmeal for a smoother texture.
Add grated onions or scallions for depth of flavor. If you don’t have a grater, then you can finely chop the onions or scallions. This is the exact grater I like to use.
Let the batter rest 5–10 minutes in the fridge before frying to help everything bind.

What to Avoid:

Overmixing the batter: It makes them dense instead of fluffy.
Oil that’s not hot enough: This causes greasy, soggy hush puppies. Aim for 350–375°F.
Crowding the pan: It drops the oil temperature and ruins the crisp.

Ingredient Suggestions & Simple Swaps

The classic version is unbeatable, but we love playing with flavors. Here are a few swaps you can try:

Yellow Cornmeal: Try white cornmeal for a lighter color.
Add-ins: Grated cheddar, chopped jalapeños, sweet corn kernels, or a dash of Cajun seasoning for a kick.
Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based milk and vegan egg substitute.
Gluten-Free: Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend.

Perfect Pairings from Our Kitchen

Need ideas for what to serve with your hush puppies? Here are some all-stars from previous posts that pair beautifully:

From our sister site, Fried Red Snapper with Jacmel Seasoning – bold and flaky, perfect with hush puppies on the side.
Fried Whiting – spicy and crisp, balanced beautifully with hush puppies.
Fried Chicken Wings – serve as a crunchy combo for game day or backyard cookouts.
Fried Shrimp with Creole Dipping Sauce – seafood + hush puppies = unbeatable.
Louisiana Fried Chicken – Crispy, juicy, and your new favorite fried chicken recipe.

Add a side of coleslaw or remoulade sauce for dipping, and you’ve got yourself a spread.

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Calories are estimated per serving.

Nutrition