Hush puppies are pretty much the definition of southern comfort food. Kicking back with a basket of these fried balls of dough is one of our favorite ways to indulge. Combine them with some tartar sauce and fried fish, and it’s a ticket to a southern food lover’s paradise.
All across the south, you’ll find different variations on this beloved appetizer. From family recipes that have been passed down for generations, to prize-winning, top secret restaurant recipes, everyone has a special take on hush puppies. We wanted ours with a tad bit of spice, so we added a pinch of cayenne – but we also wanted a hint of sweet, which meant a touch of sugar. The result is that perfect blend of sweet, savory, and doughy…a forkful of delicious!
Southern Hush Puppies
Yield: approx. 30
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cayenne
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- canola oil (for frying)
Directions:
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cayenne.
- In a separate, medium bowl, combine milk, buttermilk, eggs, and chopped onion. Pour wet mixture over dry ingredients and stir together until just combined.
- Set the bowl aside to rest for one hour.
- In a largeskillet or dutch oven, heat about 2 inches of oil until it reaches 360 degrees F.
- Drop small, teaspoon-sized rounds of batter into the oil. Cook for about 3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.
- Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve with tartar sauce if desired. Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Saveur.
