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Irresistible Southern Hush Puppies
Southern hush puppies are delightful, golf ball-sized morsels made from a light and flaky cornmeal batter that’s fried to a perfect golden brown on the outside while remaining soft and tender on the inside. These quick-to-make side dishes complement any southern meal beautifully!
Whether you’re enjoying fried seafood or classic southern favorites, these hush puppies are an ideal accompaniment. If you’re passionate about southern cuisine like I am, don’t miss out on trying my Chicken Fried Steak, Cajun Garlic Shrimp and Grits, or Best Oven Fried Chicken.
The Ultimate Hush Puppies Recipe
Crafted from a flavorful cornmeal batter infused with garlic powder, onion powder, and a dash of paprika for an extra kick, these hush puppies are sure to impress. The mixture combines flour, cornmeal, sugar for sweetness, and buttermilk for creaminess—resulting in a thick yet smooth batter that’s perfect for frying.
These bite-sized delights offer an irresistible combination of savory sweetness with just the right amount of spice. With their crunchy exterior and fluffy interior texture that melts in your mouth—these hush puppies will be the star of your next gathering!
Simply mix up the batter and drop spoonfuls into hot oil; this easy side dish pairs wonderfully with seafood or any deep-fried delicacy. Each bite is guaranteed to leave you craving more!
What Exactly Are Hush Puppies?
Hush puppies are small balls of deep-fried dough made primarily from cornmeal batter seasoned with various spices. A beloved staple in Southern cooking culture, they’re often served alongside seafood dishes.
Why Are They Called Hush Puppies?
The name “hush puppy” has several theories behind it: one suggests that these tasty treats were thrown at barking dogs to quiet them down; another posits that they were considered humble fare meant to be kept “hush-hush” when served at home. Regardless of their origin story, we can all agree they’re delicious!
How to Make Homemade Hush Puppies:
To achieve perfectly cooked hush puppies at home:
1. Preheat Your Oil: Heat about 2 inches of oil in a large skillet until it reaches 365°F.
- Prepare the Batter: In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, cornmeal, sugar baking powder salt garlic powder onion powder paprika pepper egg buttermilk until well mixed then fold in cubed cold butter.
- Fry Them Up: Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of batter into hot oil; fry until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes). Use a metal strainer to remove them onto paper towels before serving—pair them with tartar sauce if desired!
Pro Tip:
Incorporate small cubes of cold butter into your mixture! This technique creates pockets of moisture during cooking resulting in perfectly moist bites every time.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Hush Puppies:
Creating these scrumptious bites requires simple ingredients: - Oil: For frying
- Flour: Provides structure
- Cornmeal: Adds flavor
- Sugar: Balances taste
- Baking Powder & Salt: For leavening
- Garlic & Onion Powder: Infuses flavor without texture
- Paprika & Pepper: Adds subtle heat
- Egg & Buttermilk: Binds ingredients together while adding richness
- Cold Butter: Creates air pockets making them fluffy
Serve warm alongside tartar sauce or ranch dressing for dipping!
Expert Tips for Making Easy Hush Puppies:
- If using self-rising flour/cornmeal omit baking powder/salt.
- Spice things up by adding minced jalapeños or red pepper flakes!
- Avoid overmixing—the occasional lump is fine! 4.Use cookie dough scoops instead fingers when dropping into hot oil—it’s cleaner! 5.Spray utensils lightly with cooking spray before use. 6.Peanut oil works best due its high smoke point but vegetable/canola oils also suffice. 7.Keep finished hush puppies warm by placing them on an oven-safe pan set at low heat (200°F) while finishing batches—but avoid overbaking!
#### FAQs About Homemade Hush Puppies:
1) What’s the best frying oil? Peanut oil is preferred due its high temperature tolerance; vegetable/canola oils work too—avoid olive oil as it doesn’t hold up well under heat. 2) Can I bake hush puppies? Yes! They’ll resemble cornbread more than traditional ones but still taste great! Bake spoonfuls on greased sheets at 400°F until golden brown (12–15 mins), flipping halfway through.
3) How should leftovers be stored? While best enjoyed fresh out-of-the-oil warmth can be reheated gently in an oven after refrigeration overnight.
#### More Delicious Southern Recipes You Might Enjoy:
- Southern Caramel Cake Cookies
- Biscuits and Gravy
- Five Ingredient Corn Casserole
- Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits
- Easy Chicken And Dumplings
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