Hush puppies are a classic Southern side dish made of deep-fried cornmeal balls. They have a crispy exterior and soft, flaky interior. Hush puppies go great with many classic Southern comfort foods and make the perfect accompaniment to complete a down-home meal.
What are Hush Puppies?
Hush puppies are essentially balls of cornbread batter that are deep fried. The batter typically contains cornmeal, flour, baking powder, eggs, buttermilk, onion, and sometimes extras like garlic, herbs, or jalapenos. After being rolled into ball shapes, the batter balls are fried in oil until golden brown and crispy on the outside. Hushpuppies are a staple side dish in Southern cooking and soul food restaurants.
There are a few theories about the origin of the name “hush puppy.” One claims they were used to “hush the barking dogs” by tossing them leftovers during the Civil War. Another links the name to Southern hunters and fisherman who would fry up some to toss to their dogs and tell them to “hush, puppy.”
What to Serve with Hush Puppies
Here are some classic dishes that pair deliciously with hush puppies:
Fried Fish
Hush puppies are a natural match for fried fish dishes. Their crispy corn flavor perfectly complements crispy fried fish like catfish, cod, tilapia or flounder. The combination of fried fish with hush puppies is popular menu item at fish camps and seafood restaurants throughout the South.
Fried Chicken
Like fried fish, juicy pan-fried chicken or crispy fried chicken works great with hush puppies. The crunch and cornflavor of the hush puppies balances out the crispy, salty fried chicken. Serve hush puppies alongside your favorite fried chicken or chicken fried steak.
Barbecue
Barbecue sauce has a nice sweet and tangy flavor that pairs nicely with hush puppies. They go great alongside classics like barbecue pulled pork, smoked brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, or rotisserie chicken.
Gumbo and Jambalaya
For Louisiana-style dishes like gumbo or jambalaya, have some hush puppies as a crunchy side. The corn flavor will complement the rice, sausage, chicken, and vegetables in the stew.
Brunswick Stew
Brunswick stew is a hearty tomato-based stew with vegetables and smoked meat. Serving some hush puppies on the side helps soak up the delicious stew and adds some textural contrast.
Chili
For Southern chili, add some freshly fried hush puppies. They’ll add a satisfying crunch to contrast the textures of ground meat and kidney beans. The corn flavor also complements the warm spices used in chili.
Coleslaw
Creamy, vinegar-based coleslaw is another classic side dish in the South. The crunchy sweetness of the hush puppies helps balance the acidity of the slaw.
Collard Greens
Slow cooked collard greens flavored with smoked pork make a soulful side. The crispy hush puppies add some welcome crunch to contrast the tender cooked greens.
Pinto or Black Beans
Beans are a simple, protein-packed accompaniment to hush puppies. The corn flavor pairs well with creamy pinto beans or black beans seasoned with spices.
Potato Salad
Cool, creamy potato salad is a staple at Southern gatherings and picnics. Serve some hush puppies on the side for contrasting temperatures and textures.
Mac and Cheese
For ultimate comfort food, serve crunchy golden hush puppies with creamy, cheesy mac and cheese. The flavors and textures pair perfectly together.
Corn on the Cob
Since hush puppies are made from cornmeal, corn on the cob makes sense as an accompaniment. The fresh sweet corn complements the fried corn flavor of the hush puppies.
How to Serve Hush Puppies
Here are some serving tips for hush puppies:
- Serve hush puppies hot and fresh. Letting them sit too long can make them soggy.
- Provide small plates for everyone to have their own hush puppies.
- You can use tongs, a slotted spoon, or your hands to transfer them from the fryer to plates.
- Set out pepper vinegar or hot sauce as a dipping sauce.
- Ideally, the interior should still be a little moist and fluffy when bitten into.
- Sprinkle with a little extra salt right after frying for added flavor.
Classic Hush Puppy Recipes
Here are two classic hush puppy recipes to try:
Basic Hush Puppies
This simple recipe has cornmeal, onion, and buttermilk for moist hush puppies full of corn flavor.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cornmeal | 1 cup |
| All-purpose flour | 1/4 cup |
| Baking powder | 1 1/2 teaspoons |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Onion, finely chopped | 1/4 cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Buttermilk | 3/4 cup |
| Canola oil for frying | 3-4 cups |
- In a bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and onion.
- In another bowl, beat the egg, then whisk in the buttermilk.
- Stir the buttermilk mixture into the cornmeal mixture until just combined. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- In a heavy bottomed pot, heat the oil to 350°F.
- Carefully drop tablespoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry 3-5 minutes until golden.
- Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
Cheddar Jalapeño Hush Puppies
This spicy, cheesy take on hush puppies adds cheddar cheese and jalapeños.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cornmeal | 1 cup |
| All-purpose flour | 1/4 cup |
| Baking powder | 2 teaspoons |
| Cayenne pepper | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Milk | 1 cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Cheddar cheese, shredded | 1/2 cup |
| Jalapeño, diced | 2 tablespoons |
| Canola oil for frying | 3-4 cups |
- In a bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, cayenne, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and egg.
- Stir the milk mixture into the cornmeal mixture until just moistened. Fold in the cheddar and jalapeños.
- Refrigerate the batter for 20 minutes.
- In a heavy bottomed pot, heat the oil to 375°F.
- Carefully drop tablespoonfuls into the hot oil. Fry 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels. Serve hot.
Tips for Perfect Hush Puppies
Follow these tips for freshly fried, crispy hush puppies every time:
- Use freshly made cornbread batter for the best texture.
- Chill the batter for at least 15-30 minutes before frying.
- Fry at the proper oil temperature, between 350-375°F.
- Fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature.
- Try using half cornmeal and half self-rising flour.
- An egg helps bind the batter together when frying.
- Buttermilk or milk adds moisture for fluffy interior.
- Onion, garlic, or scallions add lots of flavor.
- Let excess oil drain off before serving.
- Eat hot and fresh for ideal crispy texture.
Hush Puppy Variations
There are many ways to adapt hush puppies by adding different mix-ins to the basic cornmeal batter:
- Cheese: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack
- Veggies: Onion, scallion, garlic, bell pepper, jalapeño
- Herbs: Chives, cilantro, parsley
- Seafood: Crab, shrimp, crawfish
- Meats: Bacon, sausage, canned tuna
- Spices: Cayenne, paprika, Old Bay seasoning
Get creative with different add-ins to make your hush puppies stand out!
How to Freeze and Reheat
To enjoy hush puppies long after frying:
- Allow freshly fried hush puppies to cool completely, then place in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to an airtight freezer bag.
- Hush puppies can be kept frozen for 2-3 months.
- To reheat, bake frozen hush puppies on a baking sheet in a 400°F oven until heated through, about 10 minutes.
- You can also re-fry frozen hush puppies in oil at 350°F until hot and crispy again, about 2-3 minutes.
Conclusion
With their crispy outer coating and fluffy interior, hush puppies are the perfect accompaniment to complete a Southern-style meal. They pair deliciously with fried fish, barbecue, chili, greens, or just about any soul food classic. Fry them up with a simple cornmeal batter or add cheese, herbs, seafood, or spice mixes to customize them. Hush puppies are best served hot and fresh alongside the entrée of your choice. With the right seasoning and frying method, you can enjoy crunchy, golden hush puppies anytime.