Crispy Homemade Hush Puppies with Green Onion Recipe
Classic Southern-style Hush Puppies are crispy, golden-fried cornmeal balls seasoned with garlic, paprika, and green onions. Perfect as a side dish for seafood or BBQ, these savory treats offer a crunchy exterior with a moist and flavorful interior, made easy with simple pantry ingredients and fried to perfection in avocado oil.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 30 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup cornmeal (fine grind or medium grind)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free all-purpose flour)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2-3 Tbsp cane sugar (or coconut sugar)
Wet Ingredients
- 3 stalks green onion (finely chopped)
- 2/3 cup buttermilk (or cream)
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
For Frying
- 3 cups avocado oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cornmeal, flour, baking soda, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and sugar. Whisk thoroughly to combine all dry components evenly.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the finely chopped green onions, buttermilk, and lightly beaten eggs into the dry mixture. Stir until the batter is well combined and slightly thick.
- Heat Oil: Pour 3 to 4 cups of avocado oil into a large thick-bottomed pot or saucepan. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it reaches the proper frying temperature for crispiness.
- Form and Fry Hush Puppies: Using your hands, form the batter into tablespoon-sized balls. Carefully drop 3 to 6 balls at a time into the hot oil using a heat-resistant spoon, allowing space for them to cook evenly and turn naturally in the oil.
- Fry Until Golden: Fry the hush puppies for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides. The oil should bubble actively around the batter, turning them gently for even cooking.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the hush puppies with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve warm as a savory side dish or snack.
Notes
- Use avocado oil or another high smoke point oil to ensure a crispy and non-greasy finish.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best frying results; too low causes grease absorption, too high burns the exterior.
- Do not overcrowd the pot to ensure even frying and prevent temperature drop.
- Can be served with dipping sauces like ranch, spicy mayo, or honey butter.
- For gluten-free options, use gluten-free all-purpose flour as specified.
