Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
Crispy Southern Hushpuppies are the ultimate side dish for any meal. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting them perfectly crispy every time. The aroma of these golden, crispy hushpuppies will make your whole house smell cozy and inviting. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Burnt Basque Cheesecake Recipe With Creamy Texture and Creamy Zucchini Noodle Chicken Alfredo Recipe.
Why This Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides Is Pure Comfort
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Golden, crispy outside and tender inside
- Better than takeout and perfect for dinner sides
- Freezes well for meal prep
What You'll Need for Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 cups self-rising cornmeal mix
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Optional: Tartar sauce, for serving
📝 Ingredient Notes
- self-rising cornmeal mix: If you don't have self-rising cornmeal mix, you can make your own by combining 2 cups of cornmeal, 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, and 1 tablespoon of baking powder.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect crispiness → See on Amazon
- Deep Fry Thermometer — Ensures safe and consistent frying temperature → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, combine the self-rising cornmeal mix, all-purpose flour, buttermilk, egg, onion, bell pepper, parsley, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Form the hushpuppies: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the batter into 1-inch balls.
- Fry the hushpuppies: Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Carefully add the hushpuppies to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve: Serve the hushpuppies hot with tartar sauce for dipping.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
- Common mistake and fix: The #1 reason these hushpuppies can fail is if the oil is not hot enough. Make sure your oil is at 350°F before adding the hushpuppies. If they brown too quickly, reduce the heat.
- Pro tip: For extra crispiness, you can roll the hushpuppies in a little extra flour before frying.
- Pro tip: To keep the hushpuppies warm while frying the rest, place them on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover hushpuppies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The batter can be made up to a day ahead and stored in the fridge.
Freezing Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
Freeze uncooked hushpuppies for up to 2 months. Fry directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the cooking time.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until heated through. This can make them soggy, so the oven method is preferred.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter.
- Best substitution: If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute with 1/2 cup of milk mixed with 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
- Make-ahead: The batter can be made up to a day ahead and stored in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your hushpuppies are falling apart, try adding a little more flour to the batter. If they're not crispy, try frying them at a higher temperature or for a little longer.
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Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups self-rising cornmeal mix
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt, to taste
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Tartar sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, combine the self-rising cornmeal mix, all-purpose flour, buttermilk, egg, onion, bell pepper, parsley, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Form the hushpuppies: Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, form the batter into 1-inch balls.
- Fry the hushpuppies: Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Carefully add the hushpuppies to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve: Serve the hushpuppies hot with tartar sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter.
- Best substitution: If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute with 1/2 cup of milk mixed with 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
- Make-ahead: The batter can be made up to a day ahead and stored in the fridge.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your hushpuppies are falling apart, try adding a little more flour to the batter. If they're not crispy, try frying them at a higher temperature or for a little longer.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover hushpuppies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked hushpuppies for up to 2 months. Fry directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the cooking time.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or until heated through. This can make them soggy, so the oven method is preferred.
- Make ahead: The batter can be made up to a day ahead and stored in the fridge.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 140
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides FAQs
Yes, you can make the batter up to a day ahead and store it in the fridge. You can also freeze uncooked hushpuppies for up to 2 months.
If your hushpuppies are hard, it's likely because they were fried at too high a temperature or for too long. Try frying them at a lower temperature or for a shorter time.
Yes, you can make hushpuppies in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F, lightly spray the hushpuppies with oil, and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Hushpuppies are a great side dish for fried fish, BBQ, or any Southern-style meal. They also go well with tartar sauce, ranch dressing, or hot sauce.
If your hushpuppies are falling apart, it's likely because the batter is too wet. Try adding a little more flour to the batter.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe for Easy Dinner Sides and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
