Hush Puppies

MAKES: 2 1/2 dozen

COOK TIME: 15 Min

In the Old South, they used to make these yummy cornmeal balls so they'd have something to throw to the hounds to keep them from howling when Yankee soldiers approached. So if you've always wondered how Hush Puppies got their name, now you know!

What You'll Need

2 cups self-rising cornmeal
1 onion, finely chopped
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
Peanut oil for frying

What to Do

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except oil; mix well.
In a large pot over high heat, heat one inch of oil until hot but not smoking. Drop cornmeal mixture by rounded teaspoonfuls into oil to form hush puppies, being careful not to overcrowd them. Cook in batches 2 to 3 minutes, turning to brown on all sides.
Remove from oil with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined platter. Serve immediately.

Notes

If you want more classic Southern recipes, be sure to check out our free eCookbook, Down-Home Cookin': 24 Easy Southern Favorites.

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jthelander1231

Dec 11, 2015

I've always wanted to know how to make Hush Puppies--can't wait to try these out!

treva7 1363599

May 20, 2015

Answering Ships question You can make them like the recipe call for and instead of frying them, you can back them in the oven in a muffin pan at 350%.

bwinelan 5350935

May 20, 2015

I love hush puppies....but the secret ingredient is a little Thyme--must be added...I am sure people even in the Civil War days grew some herbs.

ship 1760271

May 12, 2015

Does anyone have a recipe for baked hush puppies? I cannot have fried foods, much less deep fried foods. HELP!!!

hairstylist44 9179 144

Mar 21, 2015

The Best Southern Hush Puppies you have it right all but one thing they should be maid with Beer just leave out the milk and add the Beer !!!!

babyruth281 613395 9

Mar 21, 2015

Wonder if I could use the corn muffin mix and add other ingredients to it.

cwlammers 4624405

Dec 31, 2014

Us kids used to make these for the Friday night movie at 10pm back in the 50's. Never could get enough onion flavor until years later I found the secret Onion Powder. No Hush Puppy recipe is complete without it. I tried boiling and even frying more onions, but nothing worked until the magic powder. Add 1/2 to 1 ts to this recipe for rave reviews. I would have given 5 stars if the recipe called for buttermilk not that wimpy, watery 2% Hippie buttermilk, but that good, thick clabber of Whole (staple of the deep South) Buttermilk. Enjoy!

wandalb 9880870

Sep 15, 2014

LOVE HUSHPUPPIES. WILL TRY THESE TODAY. I LIKE ONION & GREEN CHILIES IN MINE. SO GOOD.

jim517

Sep 09, 2014

I love Hush Puppies but I like to try diff. things. Sometime its onions, Chives. Scallions, even Jalapenos.

brownie09 4723783

Sep 13, 2013

Some people are just so rude, some people don't know how to cook, in the beginning I use to call my Mom a lot about recipes, grew up with them and loved them. She was always very helpful, with cooking, making jam, and tomato sauce that had everything in it, and then I added to it! Depends on your tastes if you like it hot or not so hot, like they say try and make it your own, these are basic formulas add to your tastes. Just experiment, you will be happy that you did. I love this site for recipes, try it first and then add to it to make it our own!!! Enjoy!!

brooksd2010 990761 3

Sep 10, 2013

When I make hush puppies I add bell pepper along with onion, and use buttermilk instead of regular milk. This is a must make side at my house when I fry fish for dinner.

dlita13 5413221

Feb 07, 2013

A li'l grated garlic in the batter is good too - and with the onion and jalapeno -is pro'ly to much for a Northerner to handle anyway!

grannyblu

Sep 11, 2014

Adding hot peppers hot sauce or cayenne does NOT make food taste better it just makes it hot AND EVEN AT TIMES STINGING Northern people have been eating garlic way before southern folks ever heard of it Garlic fresh garlic is Not a staple in a southern home I should know I lived in the deep south for many years my hubby is from the south and I am from the north and half Italian we now live back where we can breath and the dew points are normal with drier cooler air I use all kinds of herbs and spices and a little red pepper flakes not cayenne every now and then I grow many of my own herbs and veggies also grow my own garlic My Dad who is from Bario Italy his family used a bit in a few sauces but always with a very light hand it…Read More If it was used at all so the true taste of good food comes thru no need to cover up with hot peppers if the food is good

whosyournana 96222 26

Sep 17, 2012

sounds great.. i will probably drop these little jewels into ny bean soup

ARTIESPIGSCANFLY 2 575575

Feb 21, 2014

Would love a great old fashioned bean soup receipt.

LabRat90

Sep 17, 2012

Instead of milk and egg, try adding beer for the liquid. Oh, it's so good!

bjdodd

Sep 15, 2012

I love Hush Puppies I was born in California and was raised in Arizona Moved to the south in my earliy married life of yrs old and I was introduced to these hush puppies I loved these at first bite Now for the tex mex in me I add Jalapeos to mine along with all these other ingrediets you have put in this recipes Thanks for a memory down my lane Also I was taught never to say anything if it is not good Just don't eat it or buy it This is s Southern rule of thumb as well as Western don't know much about the north or eastern sayings though I have lived in the north for about years Thanks for this recipe I lost mine a few years ago and and as I usually just cook by adding a pinch of this and that here there lol Written…Read More recipes are great with the right amount of the ingredients and this is It is as you say OOH IT'S SO GOOD Thanks again

ldmff

Sep 11, 2012

I read sometime ago the history of the hush puppy Back in the day when the women folk would prepare the midday meal for the men working in the field the yard dogs would bark and pester the women as the tried to make their way to the wagon to take the meal out to the men They got tired of fighting off the dogs so they would put together scraps of dough and cornmeal and what all and fry it and when they went out the door they would toss these deep fried morsels to the pesky dogs to calm and quiet them down hence the name hush puppies Then they tried them just to see what they tasted like and probably added some onion and other seasonings and it caught on and spread to restaurants and cafes soon offered them on their menus I believe this started in the…Read More south as they deep fry everything just go to a county or state fair I hope you are entertained by this little food trivia L D

ljsgsll50 6294049

Feb 06, 2013

The origin sounds accurate but I beg to disagree with the "deep fry everything" remark,lol I'm born & bred southern and still live here in the south(NC) and don't know many that deep fry much of anything really. Just my 2 cents worth,lol have a great day<3

prestonkellyann 32 27658

May 15, 2012

What is Self rising Cornmeal? Never heard of it. Where do you buy it?

bskipp1 3709480

May 15, 2012

Look right next to plain cornmeal and you will find it!

gemini9gem 5156957

Mar 21, 2015

Can you improvise if unable to find self rising cornmeal? Maybe add baking powder and how much?

Test Kitchen Team

Mar 23, 2015

If you do not have self rising cornmeal on hand or are unable to find it, you can always add 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, which will activate the baking powder in plain cornmeal.

rjduckworth

Aug 20, 2015

Not sure where the Kitchen is, but self rising cornmeal is meal that has flour, meal, baking powder and salt in it. Aunt Jemima, Quaker, and others are some of the brands.