Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe: Better Than Takeout

Crispy Southern Hushpuppies are the ultimate side dish, with a crispy golden exterior and a soft, tender interior. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the perfect hushpuppy is all in the frying. These hushpuppies are better than takeout and perfect for pairing with your favorite BBQ or fried chicken. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili Recipe and Fresh Grilled Corn Avocado Salad with Cherry Tomatoes.

What You'll Need for Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe: Better Than Takeout

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
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
• Optional: Your favorite BBQ sauce for dipping

How to Make Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe: Better Than Takeout

1. Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine self-rising cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using).
2. Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, chopped onion, green onions, and fresh parsley.
3. Combine ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined. The batter should be thick and lumpy.
4. Form hushpuppies: Using a spoon or small ice cream scoop, form the batter into 1-inch balls. Place them on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Fry hushpuppies: Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Carefully add the hushpuppies to the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Storing & Reheating Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe: Better Than Takeout

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover hushpuppies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Hushpuppies can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Freezing Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe: Better Than Takeout

Freeze leftover hushpuppies for up to 2 months. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat hushpuppies in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until crispy and warmed through. Microwave: Reheat hushpuppies in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or until warmed through. They may not be as crispy.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the batter.
• Best substitution: Substitute buttermilk with 1/2 cup of milk mixed with 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
• Make-ahead: Hushpuppies can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven or microwave.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If your hushpuppies are not crispy, try increasing the oil temperature to 375°F and frying for a shorter time.

Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe: Better Than Takeout

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

10 mins

⏳

Total

25 mins

🍽

Serves

Makes 24 hushpuppies

🥗

Diet

Gluten-Free

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups self-rising cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

Seasonings

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Toppings

• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
• Your favorite BBQ sauce for dipping

Instructions

1. Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine self-rising cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using).
2. Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, chopped onion, green onions, and fresh parsley.
3. Combine ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined. The batter should be thick and lumpy.
4. Form hushpuppies: Using a spoon or small ice cream scoop, form the batter into 1-inch balls. Place them on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Fry hushpuppies: Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Carefully add the hushpuppies to the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the batter.
• Best substitution: Substitute buttermilk with 1/2 cup of milk mixed with 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar.
• Make-ahead: Hushpuppies can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven or microwave.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
• Troubleshooting: If your hushpuppies are not crispy, try increasing the oil temperature to 375°F and frying for a shorter time.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftover hushpuppies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze leftover hushpuppies for up to 2 months. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
• Oven reheat: Reheat hushpuppies in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until crispy and warmed through.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat hushpuppies in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or until warmed through. They may not be as crispy.
• Make ahead: Hushpuppies can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 110
• Protein: 3g
• Fat: 3g
• Carbs: 19g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Cholesterol: 15mg
• Sat. Fat: 0.5g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe: Better Than Takeout FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Southern Hushpuppies Recipe: Better Than Takeout 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!