2 Hush Puppies Recipe

Mix dry ingredients

In a medium bowl combine 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/8 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt. Whisk to evenly distribute leavening and salt.

Combine wet ingredients

In a separate small bowl whisk 1/4 cup buttermilk with half of a large egg (crack an egg into a small bowl, whisk and measure roughly half — about 1 tbsp +). Add 1/2 tsp melted butter or oil and whisk until combined.

Fold and season

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Fold in 2 Tbsp finely chopped yellow onion, 1 Tbsp chopped scallion, 1 tsp chopped parsley, and optional 1/2 tsp finely chopped jalapeño. Season with 1/8 tsp black pepper and optional 1/8 tsp cayenne. The batter should be thick and scoopable; if it seems too dry, add up to 1 Tbsp more buttermilk.

Rest batter

Let the batter rest 5 minutes at room temperature to hydrate the cornmeal and allow the leavening to begin working.

Heat oil

Pour about 2 cups neutral oil into a small heavy skillet or saucepan (oil should be about 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep). Heat over medium-high until the oil reaches 350°F (175°C) or a small piece of batter sizzles and rises slowly to the surface.

Portion batter

Using two small spoons or a small cookie scoop (~1 Tbsp capacity) shape and drop batter into the hot oil. For '2 hush puppies' as a menu item prepare two hush puppies per order: drop two mounds spaced apart in the oil so they have room to brown evenly.

Fry until golden

Fry the hush puppies, turning occasionally with a slotted spoon, until deep golden brown and cooked through, about 2 1/2 to 3 minutes per side (total 4–5 minutes). Adjust heat as needed to maintain 325–350°F; if the outside browns too fast, lower the heat slightly.

Drain

Use a slotted spoon to remove the hush puppies and transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate or wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain and stay crisp. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of salt while still hot if desired.

Serve

Plate the two hush puppies immediately while hot and crisp. Serve plain or with sides such as tartar sauce, honey butter, or remoulade.