What is a southern hush puppy?

A southern hush puppy is a small, deep-fried ball of cornmeal batter, seasoned with spices and sometimes onions or peppers. They’re crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside, and typically served as a side dish with fried fish or barbecue.

What do hush puppies have to do with slavery?

Some stories trace the origins of hush puppies back to the time of slavery, when resourceful cooks would fry cornmeal to feed themselves and their families with simple, inexpensive ingredients. Others suggest the name came from enslaved people throwing fried dough to quiet dogs while they attempted to escape. While exact origins remain debated, what’s certain is that the dish reflects resilience, creativity, and southern tradition.

Southern Hush Puppies: 7 Secrets to Crispy, Golden Perfection at Home

Name: Southern Hush Puppies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: Oil (for frying); 3/4 cup flour; 3/4 cup cornmeal; 1 tablespoon sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 2 teaspoons salt; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 large egg; 1 cup buttermilk; 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes; Tartar sauce (for serving)

Ingredients

Scale

Oil (for frying)

3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup cornmeal

1 tablespoon sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 large egg

1 cup buttermilk

4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes

Tartar sauce (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Pour about 2 inches of oil into a skillet and preheat to 365°F.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and pepper.

3. Stir in the egg and buttermilk until just combined.

4. Fold in the cubed cold butter. Batter should be thick.

5. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of batter into hot oil. Fry 2–3 minutes, turning until golden brown.

6. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels, and serve warm with tartar sauce.

Notes

Serve hush puppies fresh and warm for the best texture.

Pair with fried fish or barbecue for a classic Southern meal.

For extra flavor, add diced jalapeños or chopped onions to the batter.

Author: Aaron
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Southern