Description

Classic Southern hushpuppies are crispy, golden-fried cornmeal balls that make the perfect snack or side dish. Flavored with a blend of spices including onion powder, garlic powder, and a touch of cayenne pepper for subtle heat, these tasty bites are fried until perfectly crunchy on the outside and tender inside.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 1/2 Cups Yellow Cornmeal
1/2 Cup All Purpose Flour
1/4 Cup White Sugar
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper
1/8 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Wet Ingredients

1 Cup Whole Milk
1 Egg

For Frying

Vegetable Oil (enough for about 2 inches depth in pot)

Instructions

Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, white sugar, baking powder, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper until evenly mixed.
Add wet ingredients: Pour in the whole milk and crack in the egg. Stir gently until the batter is just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the hushpuppies light and tender.
Heat oil for frying: In a deep pot or heavy-bottomed skillet, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C). Use a thermometer to maintain this temperature for even frying.
Fry hushpuppies: Using a small spoon or scoop, drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, frying a few at a time to avoid overcrowding. Fry the hushpuppies for 3-4 minutes, turning as needed, until they are golden brown and crisp on the outside.
Drain and serve: Remove the hushpuppies with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve warm as a delicious snack or side dish.

Notes

Be sure to maintain the oil temperature at 375°F to ensure the hushpuppies cook through and get crispy without absorbing too much oil.
Do not overmix the batter to keep the texture light.
Adjust heat carefully when frying multiple batches to keep oil temperature steady.
You can add finely chopped onion or jalapeños for extra flavor.
Serve hushpuppies with tartar sauce, honey butter, or your favorite dipping sauce for added enjoyment.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Southern American

Keywords: hushpuppies, fried cornmeal balls, Southern snack, cornmeal fritters, crispy hush puppies