Fancy Hush Puppies
Crispy, golden hush puppies with a savory onion flavor and a hint of sweetness, perfect as a snack or appetizer for gatherings and casual meals.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sift together the cornmeal, salt, sugar, pepper, flour, and baking powder.
- Stir in the minced onion.
- Separate the eggs; beat the yolks with the milk.
- Stir the egg mixture into the dry ingredients.
- Beat the egg whites until smooth, not stiff.
- Add a light sprinkle of baking powder to the egg whites just before finishing beating them.
- Fold the egg whites into the batter until just mixed.
- Make into very small balls.
- Drop the balls into hot vegetable oil.
- Fry until golden brown.
- Drain on absorbent paper.
- Serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your hush puppies, consider adding finely chopped bell peppers or jalapeños for a spicy kick. For a gluten-free option, substitute the flour with a gluten-free blend. Make sure your oil is hot enough before frying to achieve that perfect golden brown color. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain the oil temperature.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these fancy hush puppies hot with a side of tartar sauce or a spicy remoulade for dipping. They pair beautifully with fried fish or shrimp, making them a great accompaniment to a seafood feast. For a complete meal, consider serving alongside a fresh salad or coleslaw.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover hush puppies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and crispy. Avoid microwaving as they may become soggy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Fancy Hush Puppies contains roughly 632 calories, with 4g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 56g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (88% of the Daily Value) and vitamin C (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2176mg per serving (95% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
It's best to use the batter immediately for the fluffiest texture. However, if you need to prepare ahead, you can mix the dry ingredients and store them separately. Just combine with wet ingredients right before frying for best results.
What type of oil is best for frying?
Vegetable oil is ideal for frying hush puppies due to its high smoke point. You can also use canola or peanut oil. Avoid using olive oil as it has a lower smoke point, which may cause off-flavors during frying.
Can I add other ingredients to the hush puppies?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix in ingredients like corn kernels, shredded cheese, or herbs to customize the flavor. Just remember to balance wet and dry ingredients to maintain the right batter consistency.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).