Golden crispy hushpuppies (Print Version)

Golden fried cornmeal balls with savory onion, perfect Southern-style comfort food.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 cup yellow cornmeal, medium grind
02 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1½ tsp baking powder
04 - ½ tsp baking soda
05 - 1 tsp sugar
06 - 1 tsp salt
07 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
08 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

→ Wet Ingredients

09 - ¾ cup buttermilk
10 - 1 large egg

→ Aromatics

11 - ½ cup finely diced yellow or sweet onion
12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or scallions

→ For Frying

13 - Vegetable oil for deep-frying (about 1.5–2 liters)

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne until well blended.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg until fully combined and smooth.
03 - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Stir gently until just combined—do not overmix to maintain tenderness.
04 - Fold in the diced onion and chives or scallions. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes to hydrate.
05 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F.
06 - Using two spoons or a small ice cream scoop, drop heaping tablespoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry in batches without overcrowding.
07 - Fry for 2–3 minutes, turning occasionally, until hushpuppies are golden brown and crisp throughout.
08 - Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The exterior shatters with a satisfying crunch while the inside stays impossibly tender
  • These come together in under 30 minutes but taste like they've been perfected over generations
02 -
  • Overcrowding the oil drops the temperature dramatically and results in greasy, soggy hushpuppies
  • The batter should be thick and sticky, not runny—if it's too loose, add another tablespoon of cornmeal
03 -
  • Letting the batter rest for those 5 minutes is non-negotiable—the cornmeal needs time to absorb moisture properly
  • Use fresh oil if possible, as old oil can give off-flavors that compete with the delicate corn taste
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