5 from 12 votes
Southern Hush Puppies
Southern hush puppies are deep-fried cornmeal batter balls flavored with jalapeno for subtle heat and seasoned with baking powder and soda for lightness. They have a crispy exterior with a tender, slightly lumpy interior. Fried in hot peanut oil, these golden morsels are a traditional side or snack offering a crisp texture paired with soft cornmeal flavor.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
9 mins
Total Time
14 mins
Servings:
12
servings
Calories:
119 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Bread
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 4 cups peanut oil (estimate only - see notes)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup cornmeal
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper ground
- 1 jalapeno pepper deveined and seeds removed, finely diced
- 2 egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Place a deep skillet or Dutch oven on medium high heat and add the oil to a depth of about one inch. Heat until the oil reaches 350 to 375 degrees (or a tiny amount of the batter dropped into the hot oil immediately sizzles on contact).
- While the oil is heating, add the dry ingredients (flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pepper) to a large mixing bowl. Mix well with a whisk.
- Stir in the diced jalapeno pepper.
- Add the eggs to the buttermilk and mix well to combine.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture and stir together.Note: Stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened and be careful not to overmix the batter. The batter will be slightly lumpy.
- When the oil has reached frying temperature, drop the hush puppies in one at a time. Once the oil has come to temperature using a small cookie scoop drop balls of the batter into the hot oil, carefully. Don’t overcrowd, you’ll be working in batches.
- Fry for about 3 minutes, turning half way, until they are a nice golden brown all over.
- Carefully remove from the oil using a metal slotted spoon or metal spider and drain on paper towel lined baking sheet. Place the hush puppies in a warm oven while you work on the next batch.
- Repeat until all the batter is used.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use a deep cast iron frying pan or Dutch oven with about a 1-inch oil depth; adjust oil volume as needed.
- Peanut oil is recommended for its high smoke point; canola or vegetable oil are acceptable alternatives.
- Choose plain cornmeal, not self-rising or cornmeal mixes for proper texture.
- Jalapeno pepper is optional; removing seeds and membrane reduces heat if a milder flavor is desired.
- Stir batter just until moistened to avoid overmixing and maintain lightness.
Nutrition Information
Serving
2
Calories
119kcal
(6%)
Carbohydrates
21g
(7%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
2g
(3%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
29mg
(10%)
Sodium
433mg
(18%)
Potassium
91mg
(2%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
86IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
70mg
(7%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 119
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2 | |
| Calories | 119kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 21g | 7% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 29mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 433mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 91mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 86IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 70mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.