Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
Crispy Southern Hushpuppies are the perfect side dish for your BBQ or cookout. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting them golden and crispy every time. The aroma of these fresh, crispy hushpuppies will make your whole family beg for more. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Crab Rangoon Pinwheels with Puff Pastry and Creamy Pancetta and Porcini Potato Gratin Recipe.
Why This Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides Is Pure Comfort
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Golden and crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside
- Perfect for pairing with your favorite BBQ dishes
What You'll Need for Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 cups self-rising cornmeal mix
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Optional: Additional green onions, chopped (for garnish)
📝 Ingredient Notes
- self-rising cornmeal mix: You can substitute with 2 cups of cornmeal and 2 teaspoons of baking powder.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect frying → See on Amazon
- Deep Fry Thermometer — Ensures safe and consistent oil temperature → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal mix, flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt. Add the buttermilk and egg, and mix until just combined. Fold in the chopped onions and green onions.
- Heat the oil: In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 365°F (185°C).
- Form the hushpuppies: Using a small ice cream scoop or spoon, drop heaping spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and serve: Remove the hushpuppies from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with additional chopped green onions and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overmixing the batter. This can make the hushpuppies dense and tough. Mix until just combined.
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, add a tablespoon of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter.
- Pro tip: To keep hushpuppies warm while frying the rest, place them on a baking sheet in a 200°F (93°C) oven.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover hushpuppies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The batter can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 1 day.
Freezing Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
Freezing is not recommended for this recipe.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Microwave: Reheating in the microwave can make hushpuppies soggy. Not recommended.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter.
- Best substitution: If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute with 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
- Make-ahead: The batter can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 1 day. However, the hushpuppies are best enjoyed fresh.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your hushpuppies are not cooking evenly, try adjusting the oil temperature or using a thermometer to ensure consistent heat.
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Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups self-rising cornmeal mix
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Optional Toppings
- Additional green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal mix, flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt. Add the buttermilk and egg, and mix until just combined. Fold in the chopped onions and green onions.
- Heat the oil: In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 365°F (185°C).
- Form the hushpuppies: Using a small ice cream scoop or spoon, drop heaping spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and serve: Remove the hushpuppies from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with additional chopped green onions and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter.
- Best substitution: If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute with 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
- Make-ahead: The batter can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 1 day. However, the hushpuppies are best enjoyed fresh.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your hushpuppies are not cooking evenly, try adjusting the oil temperature or using a thermometer to ensure consistent heat.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover hushpuppies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for this recipe.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheating in the microwave can make hushpuppies soggy. Not recommended.
- Make ahead: The batter can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 1 day.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 140
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sat. Fat: 0.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides FAQs
Overcooking or overmixing the batter can cause hushpuppies to be hard. To prevent this, make sure to mix the batter until just combined and fry for no more than 2-3 minutes on each side.
While the batter can be made ahead of time, the hushpuppies are best enjoyed fresh. If you must make them ahead, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
Yes, you can make hushpuppies in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C), lightly grease the basket, and cook the hushpuppies for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Hushpuppies are a classic side dish for BBQ, fried chicken, or fish. They also pair well with coleslaw, baked beans, and corn on the cob.
If your hushpuppies are not cooking evenly, try adjusting the oil temperature or using a thermometer to ensure consistent heat. Additionally, make sure your hushpuppies are the same size for even cooking.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
