Southern Hush Puppies Recipe

Golden fried hush puppies resting on a paper towel with a dipping sauce ramekin

This is the only hush puppies recipe you will ever need boos. They are crispy and golden on the outside and tender on the inside. I also add flavor from creole seasoning, onion, parsley and a little sweetness to balance it all. I recipe tested it until it was perfection. Serve them up with fried catfish and coleslaw and get your whole life!

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Hush Puppy Ingredient Notes

  • White corn meal: If white cornmeal ain’t around, yellow is totally fine to use.
  • All-purpose flour: You can also swap in cup-for-cup gluten free flour or self-rising but just leave out the baking powder.
  • Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar can also be used here.
  • Parsley: I use fresh but dried is fine too.
  • Milk : Whole milk keeps these moist. Select any milk you prefer.
  • Vegetable Oil: You can use any neutral oil.

How to Make Hush Puppies

These step-by-step photos show how to make easy hush puppies, but be sure to check the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and detailed instructions. Skip to the → Southern Hush Puppies Recipe

1. Whisk the cornmeal, flour, and seasonings together in a bowl

southern hush puppies recipe 2
Cornmeal, flour, and seasonings whisked together.

Mix until the dry ingredients are fully combined.

2. Stir in the egg, onion, and milk until a batter forms

southern hush puppies recipe 3
The thick cornmeal batter sits to hydrate before frying.

Let the hush puppy batter rest before frying.

3. Scoop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil

southern hush puppies recipe 4
Scoop-sized batter portions frying until golden brown.

Fry only a few at a time so the pan doesn’t get overcrowded.

4. Drain your homemade hush puppies on paper towels after frying

southern hush puppies recipe 5
Crispy hush puppies cooling on paper towels after frying.

Serve them hot while the outside is still crisp and golden.

Full Hush Puppies Recipe

southern hush puppies recipe 6
Perfectly golden fried hush puppies served with a side of sauce.

Hush Puppies Recipe

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Equipment

  • Deep Fryer Pot
  • Cast Iron Skillet
  • Saucepan Set

Ingredients

  • ▢ ¾ cup white corn meal
  • ▢ 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ▢ 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ▢ 1 1/2 tsp no-salt Creole seasoning
  • ▢ 2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
  • ▢ 1 large egg
  • ▢ 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
  • ▢ 6 tablespoons milk
  • ▢ 4 cups vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, Creole seasoning, and parsley.
  • Add in egg, onion, and milk and whisk until well combined. Batter will be thick. Let batter sit for 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat oil in a heavy medium sauce pan over medium heat. Once reaches 360F, scoop 1 tablespoon of batter (#60 scoop) and gently add to oil. Scoop and cook six at a time.
  • Cook until golden brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Allow oil to return to 360F before cooking second batch. Serve hot.

Notes

How to store & reheat hush puppies

How long will hush puppies last in the fridge?

Can I freeze hushpuppies?

Nutrition

Recipe Tips

  1. Don’t overmix boos: If you mix that batter too much, you will make those hushpuppies tough and dense. Stir the batter only up until the dry ingredients become moist.
  2. Keep that oil temp even: In order to make those hush puppies super crispy, make sure your oil is between 350°F and 375°F.
  3. Rest the batter: Giving that batter 10 minutes to sit and rest will let it set up and thicken. It will also let the hushpuppies hold their shape more.
  4. Scoop Evenly: I like to use a cookie scoop so I can keep the hushpuppies nice and even.
  5. Don’t Overcrowd: Don’t put too many in a pot. It will lower the oil temperature and make your hush puppies weighed down and soggy boos.

Serving options

  • Get Dipping: I love a dip like this remoulade sauce or tartar sauce .
  • Fried Up Southern Supper: Fried chicken gizzards along with some fried shrimp , fried pickles and fried okra are delish served along with some collard greens , potato salad , and candied yams .
  • Cornbread replacement: These are a great side with soups, stews, and chili . I love to have these on the table with a bowl of seafood gumbo , beef stew or red beans and rice .

Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?

I’ll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!

Recipe help

For sure boos. You can make the hushpuppy batter ahead of time and just pop in the fridge for up to 24 hours. However if you can, fry up fresh.

You probably overmixed them or your leavening isn’t fresh. When you overmix, it prevents the batter from staying super airy. The baking powder also gives a nice lift.

More Southern Bread Recipes

  • 7-up Biscuits
  • Southern Cornbread Recipe
  • Southern Johnny Cakes
  • Corn Muffin Recipe

This post was originally published in February 2014. It has been updated with new images and content.

Comments

  1. Definitely a keeper; delicious!! Reply Thanks, doll!

These are delicious!!! Thanks 🙂

  1. Thanks, doll!

what is a substitute for creole seasoning

  1. If you don’t have Creole seasoning, you can make a quick substitute with a few common spices. ½ teaspoon paprika ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon onion powder ¼ teaspoon dried oregano ¼ teaspoon dried thyme Pinch of cayenne (optional for heat) Pinch of black pepper hat will give you that same savory, slightly spicy flavor Creole seasoning brings to the hushpuppies. You can also use Cajun seasoning in a pinch. Just check the salt level since many Cajun blends already contain salt.

I can’t wait to make this recipe! What is the constant comment…boos? I have no idea what that’s referring to. Thank you.

  1. My boos are my besties. It’s a loving term that has been around for decades now.

Can you make the hush puppies in an air fryer ?

  1. Hi Karen, I didn’t test this recipe with an air fryer but I don’t see why you couldn’t see how they turn out for you. If you do try this, let us know how they turn out and we will recommend as a cooking option.

I love, love your hush puppies recipe. When I made and tasted them my family was like OMG mom, they tasted like my mother’s. I love this recipe so much I will be making Hush Puppies for our fish fry at my family reunion. Could you please help me with the measurement? I need to make enough for 100 people. Thank you

  1. Yay! So happy to hear that everyone enjoyed it!

Quick, Friendly, and versaTile Hush Puppy recipe. We stuffed the hush puppies with plant based chorizo, cooked according to instructions and paired them with salad greens for a complete meal. Thanks!

  1. ooo love that, sounds yummy!!
Print

Hush Puppies Recipe

This Southern Hush Puppies recipe is packed with addictive flavor, perfectly golden and crisp on the outside and tender on the inside!

  • Author: Maya Collins
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Yield: 12, 12 hush puppies 1x
  • Method: Side Dish
  • Cuisine: Southern

Ingredients

Scale
  • ¾ cup white corn meal
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp no-salt Creole seasoning
  • 2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 4 cups vegetable oil ( for frying)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, Creole seasoning, and parsley.
  2. Add in egg, onion, and milk and whisk until well combined. Batter will be thick. Let batter sit for 10 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a heavy medium sauce pan over medium heat. Once reaches 360F, scoop 1 tablespoon of batter (#60 scoop) and gently add to oil. Scoop and cook six at a time.
  4. Cook until golden brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Allow oil to return to 360F before cooking second batch. Serve hot.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 64 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 106 mg
  • Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 16 mg

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