Hush Puppies

24 servings Prep: 10 m Cook: 8 m Total: 18 m Beginner
5.0/5 (1)
Hush Puppies
The first time I cooked these my Mom was frying shrimp. I asked if she could prepare hush puppies. She asked if I could do them as she had her hands full. As it turned out, my hush puppies came out great. Mom said they were better than hers. These crispy cornmeal fritters with onion and parsley are the perfect side for any fried seafood.

Ingredients

24 servings
  • 1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp red pepper
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion (or 1/4 onion and 1/4 green onion)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. In a medium glass bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
  2. Heat 2 inches of oil to 375 degrees in a heavy pot or deep fryer.
  3. Drop by teaspoonful into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, approximately 3 minutes. Turn occasionally for even browning. Goes great with fried shrimp. In fact, cooking the hush puppies in the oil that shrimp or fish has been fried in enhances the taste.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why are my hush puppies falling apart in the oil?

A: Make sure your oil is at the proper temperature (375°F). If the oil is too cool, the batter won't set quickly enough. Also, don't overmix the batter - stir just until combined.

Q: Why are my hush puppies greasy?

A: The oil temperature is likely too low. Use a thermometer to maintain 375°F. Also, drain them on paper towels immediately after frying.

Q: Can I make the batter ahead of time?

A: It's best to fry them immediately after mixing. The baking powder starts working as soon as it gets wet, and you want that leavening action to happen in the hot oil for the fluffiest results.

Tips and Techniques

For extra flavor, try adding finely diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the batter. Use two spoons to drop the batter - one to scoop and one to push it off into the oil for more uniform shapes.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • yellow cornmeal: white cornmeal
  • milk: buttermilk
  • green onion: regular onion only

Equipment Needed

  • heavy pot or deep fryer
  • candy/frying thermometer
  • slotted spoon
  • paper towels for draining

Historical Context

Hush puppies are said to have originated in the South when cooks would fry up balls of cornmeal batter and toss them to hungry dogs to “hush the puppies.” They became an essential accompaniment to fish fries throughout Louisiana and the Gulf Coast.