Quick Jalapeno Hush Puppies

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Cook: 5 min./batch

Makes

2-1/2 dozen

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
The crunchy exterior of these southern-style snacks is a nice contrast to the moist cornbread. Jalapeno peppers and hot sauce add a hint of heat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Quick Jalapeno Hush Puppies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup 2% milk
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 teaspoon Louisiana-style hot sauce
  • Oil for deep-fat frying

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat the eggs, milk, jalapenos, onion and hot sauce. Stir into dry ingredients just until combined.
  2. In a cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat oil to 375°. Drop batter by tablespoonfuls, a few at a time, into hot oil. Fry until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm.
Chili Peppers - What's Hot?
When it comes to chili peppers, some are hotter than others. Can you please provide some guidance? TOH: When it comes to rating chili peppers' heat, looks don't help: It's the seeds and membranes that count. Scoville Heat Units (SHU), named after researcher Wilbur Scoville and used by heat experts, indicate the amount of capsaicin, a potent compound that gives chilies their sizzle. Although the method for determining SHUs relies heavily on subjectivity, the scale is a respectable gauge. Use the following information from chiliworld.com to put the heat into perspective: Sweet bell pepper - 0 Cubanelle pepper - 100-1,000 Texas Pete Hot Sauce, T.W. Garner Food Co. - 747 Anaheim pepper - 500-2,500 Poblano pepper - 1,000-2,000 Jalapeno pepper - 2,500-5,000 Chipotle pepper (a smoked jalapeno) - 5,000-10,000 Serrano pepper - 6,000-23,000 Tabasco brand Habanero Sauce, McIlhenny Co. - 7,000-8,000 Cayenne pepper - 30,000-50,000 Habanero pepper - 100,000-350,000
Peppers (Hot)
Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Nutrition Facts

1 hush puppy: 56 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 94mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.