The favorite side dish for you Friday Fish Fry, Southern style Homemade Hush Puppies are little bites of fried dough that are savory and addicting. Made of cornmeal with specks of chopped chive, they come together quickly in under 10 minutes. Betcha can’t eat just one!

Hush Puppies in a white bowl.


Homemade Hush Puppies

If you’ve ever visited the south, it’s certain that you tried Homemade Hush Puppies in your lifetime. We used to order them all the time when we visited my mother in law in Hilton Head.

Almost every restaurant serves Hush Puppies alongside their seafood whether it’s fried or not. It’s kinda like the south’s version of a bread basket. And, technically, they are….bread. Hush Puppies, that is. They’re savory and addicting, crispy and tender, perfect in every sense of the word.

What are hush puppies?

Hush Puppies are small, round, balls of deep-fried cornbread batter that’s savory and crispy. They’re often served as a side dish with seafood or other fried food in the southern United States.

Most Hush Puppies are made of cornmeal, flour, eggs, buttermilk (or milk), baking powder and flavorings like onion, corn, cheese or herbs. You can find many varieties of Hush Puppies, sometimes they’re cheese stuffed, or studded with a variety of herbs before frying. 

Hush puppies in a white bowl with one with a bite out of it.

Why are they called hush puppies?

It’s said that Hush Puppies originated in New Orleans in 1727. Fishermen use to fry up the remaining batter from their fish fry to feed to their barking dogs to make them “hush.” Hence, the name Hush Puppies.

Whether that’s fact or not….I love the story and I’m sticking to it!

Overhead shot of ingredients for Hush Puppies.

How To Make Them

Making Hush Puppies from scratch is sooooo easy to do. Simply combine your cornmeal, flour, eggs, buttermilk, baking powder, seasonings and chives in a bowl. Stir until a moist dough forms.

Heat the oil in a large pot and drop tablespoons of dough into the hot oil. Fry your dough balls for 2-4 minutes until golden and crispy. 

Then, serve immediately! It’s so simple to whip up, they’re great for feeding a crowd because you can easily double or triple the recipe.

Hush Puppy Batter in a glass bowl.

What To Serve With Them

Generally, Hush Puppies are served alongside fried fish or other seafood. We love to serve them with this Shrimp Etouffee for Mardi Gras or a casual weeknight dinner because both are so quick and easy.

You can also serve them with this Shrimp Po’Boy or this Oven Fried Chicken for a little extra crispiness! 

Or you can make a whole southern style buffet with these Fried Green Tomatoes, cheesy Shrimp and Grits, and a pitcher of Sweet Tea. Sounds like a summer dream, to me!

Hush Puppies on a paper towel with a wire spider.

How To Freeze Them

You can certainly freeze your leftover Hush Puppies. Simply place them in a resealable freezer bag and press out the excess air. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. 

To reheat frozen Hush Puppies, allow them to thaw completely before arranging on a foil lined baking sheet. Reheat in a 400˚F oven for 10 minutes and then enjoy!

They’re a great way to mix up the bread basket when entertaining, too!

If you’re looking for even more easy southern recipes, we LOVE this Chicken Fried Steak with Country Gravy OR be sure to try this easy Seafood Gumbo! Don’t forget dessert…this Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie is simply TO DIE FOR.

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Shrimp Etouffee
Hush Puppies in a white bowl.

Get the Recipe: Homemade Hush Puppies Recipe

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Quick and easy, Homemade Hush Puppies are made in minutes from scratch. Simply mix and fry….easy peasy!
5 from 1 vote
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/8 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup low fat buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
  • Canola Oil for deep-fat frying

Equipment

  • stockpot

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, egg, buttermilk and chives until a moist dough forms.
  • In a large heavy bottom pot, add about 2 inches of oil and heat to 365˚F. Drop tablespoons of batter into the oil being sure not to crowd the oil. It's best to work in batches, so start with 4-5 dough balls at a time. Fry for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.
  • Using a slotted spoon or wire spider, remove the hush puppies from the oil and drain on a paper towel lined platter. Serve warm.

Notes

Deep frying is a quick cooking process so don’t leave your hush puppies unattended or they may burn. 
Freeze leftover hush puppies in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
 
Calories: 78kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Sodium: 119mg, Potassium: 93mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 63IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern