Hush Puppies Recipe
Deep fried fritters made from cornmeal & spices. Served with honey butter.
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Ingredients
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Hush Puppy Batter
For Frying
Honey Butter (for serving)
Method
Hush Puppy Batter
Mix dry ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, granulated sugar, and kosher salt until evenly combined.
Prepare aromatics
Add the finely grated or minced onion and sliced scallions to the dry mixture and toss to distribute them evenly through the dry mix.
Combine wet ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, hot sauce (if using), and ground black pepper until smooth.
Form batter
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. The batter should be thick but scoopable — similar to a thick muffin batter. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are okay. If the batter seems too stiff, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of buttermilk to reach desired consistency.
Rest batter
Let the batter rest at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes. This hydrates the cornmeal and yields a better texture.
For Frying
Heat oil
Pour oil into a heavy pot or Dutch oven to a depth of about 2 to 2 1/2 inches (roughly 3–4 cups depending on pot size). Heat over medium-high until the oil reaches 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, test by dropping a small bit of batter — it should sizzle and rise steadily without browning immediately.
Portion batter
Use a small cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon to 1.5 tablespoons) or two spoons to form small balls of batter. Keep a bowl of cold water nearby to wet the scoop or spoon between portions to prevent sticking.
Fry hush puppies
Carefully lower several hush puppies into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot (work in batches). Fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 2 1/2 to 4 minutes per batch depending on size. Internal texture should be set and not doughy.
Drain and season
Use a slotted spoon to transfer fried hush puppies to a wire rack set over a sheet pan or paper towels to drain. While still warm, sprinkle lightly with a pinch of flaky salt or additional kosher salt to taste.
Maintain oil temperature
Between batches, allow oil to return to 350°F (175°C) before adding more batter to ensure even cooking and avoid greasy results.
Honey Butter (for serving)
Make honey butter
In a small bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the honey and salt until smooth and slightly fluffy. Taste and adjust honey or salt as desired.
Serve
Serve hush puppies hot alongside a small bowl of honey butter for spreading or dipping.