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Hush Puppies

Name: Hush Puppies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Cuisine: North America, Cajun, Southern
Ingredients: 1 cup yellow cornmeal; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten; 3/4 cup 2% milk; 1 small onion, finely chopped; Oil for deep-fat frying

24 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

Makes

2 dozen

Updated: Aug. 30, 2022

A fish dinner isn’t complete without a side of hush puppies, and my mom is well-known for this recipe. It's the best! —Mary McGuire, Graham, NC

Ingredients

1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten
3/4 cup 2% milk
1 small onion, finely chopped
Oil for deep-fat frying

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk the egg, milk and onion; add to dry ingredients just until combined.
In a cast-iron Dutch oven or an electric skillet, heat oil to 365°. Drop batter by tablespoonfuls into oil. Fry until golden brown, 2 to 2-1/2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm.

Serve hush puppies with sriracha mayo as a spicy dipping sauce for a fun kick.

Hush Puppies Tips

What oil do you use for hush puppies?

Peanut or vegetable oil are best for frying hush puppies. Both oils have a higher smoke point, which means they can be heated to a higher temperature before they start to break down. Read more about cooking oils and check out our other deep fryer recipes.

Why do my hush puppies fall apart?

The key to keeping hush puppies together is making sure the oil is heated to the correct temperature. Add 3-4 inches of oil to your skillet or Dutch oven, and using a thermometer, heat the oil to 365-375°. Periodically check the temperature while frying to make sure it remains between 350 and 375°. Be sure to follow our other frying tips.

What do you serve hush puppies with?

Hush puppies are fantastic as a snack when paired with spicy ketchup or aioli sauce. They are also a great complement to crispy fish and chips and family-favorite fried chicken.

Nutrition Facts

1 hush puppy: 55 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.