Delicious Hush Puppies Recipe with Creamy Ranch Dressing (2024)

FAQs

Why are my hush puppies so dense? ›

If too much flour is used, the hush puppies become heavy, dense, and bread-like. After much experimentation, I landed on a 3:1 ratio: 1 1/2 cups cornmeal to 1/2 cup flour. The type of cornmeal you use is equally as important.

Hush puppies are made from a basic batter consisting of yellow cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, buttermilk or milk and eggs. Many recipes call for the addition of scallions or onions. The base lends itself to riffing, too, including the addition of spicy peppers, cheese, spices or even beer.

Besides fried catfish, shrimp, chicken, crab cakes, or bbq, you might want to serve a dipping sauce for you hush puppies. We like honey or ranch, but ketchup, tartar sauce, remoulade sauce, or Outback sauce are all great options that go well with the savory-sweet fried cornmeal dough.

If the pups are served as a side with fried fish—as tradition intended them—they might have a brush with condiments meant for the fish, like tartar or co*cktail sauce. If they are served with barbeque, as has become their fate, they'll roll up against a pile of coleslaw or slip on a fork with some savory field peas.

If your hush puppies are falling apart, you may have used too much cornmeal. Try adding a little more (but not too much) flour. If you add too much flour, they'll become dense. For healthier hush puppies, try baking them.

The one common thread is that this fried cornmeal was used to "hush the dogs." I have heard that Confederate soldiers used it to hush their dogs when the Union troops were getting near. I also have heard a similar story in which runaway slaves would use this favorite food to hush the dogs.

The main ingredients in hush puppies are cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Some recipes also call for egg, milk, and butter.

In fact, the Carolinas can proudly claim to be the birthplace of this now-iconic American food. A hushpuppy is a simple treat—thick cornmeal batter dropped in spheres (or nuggets or fingers) into hot oil and fried till crisp and brown.

The nuns converted cornmeal into a delicious food that they named croquettes de maise. The making of these croquettes spread rapidly through the southern states. An African cook in Atlanta is said to have given the name hushpuppy to this food.

Hush puppies have the same great taste as cornbread but with mild savory notes from the onion, garlic, and seasonings. Can hush puppies be left out overnight? You can leave cooked hush puppies out overnight in a storage bag or airtight container.

What is the flavor of hush puppies? ›

These heavenly bites boast a perfectly crunchy exterior, a soft and fluffy interior, and are bursting with rich, corn flavor. Bet you can't eat just one! Hush puppies are a beloved Southern dish that pair perfectly with seafood or BBQ.

For the best results, use a digital cooking thermometer to make sure that the oil is consistently around 350°F (177°C) as you fry. You can store leftover southern hush puppies in a container or sealed bag in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Hush Puppies vs. Corn Fritters. Hush puppies and corn fritters may be in the same family, but each is unique. They're both deliciously indulgent, deep-fried dough featuring corn, but hush puppies are made from a cornmeal-based batter, while corn fritters are flour-based and studded with corn kernels throughout.

Besides "red horse bread," Southerners had several of other names for what we now call hushpuppies, like "wampus" in Florida, and "red devils" and "three finger bread" in Georgia. But hushpuppy was the term that stuck.

Due to the deep-frying process, hushpuppies tend to have moderate levels of sodium and fat. Consuming them in moderation is recommended, especially for individuals with dietary restrictions or health concerns.

When the hush puppies turn golden brown, start temping them with your Thermapen. If the lowest temp you see is 165°F (74°C), the hush puppies are done! Remove the hush puppies to a paper towel-lined pan, bring the oil back up to heat, and fry the rest in batches as above.

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Hush Puppies vs. Corn Fritters. Hush puppies and corn fritters may be in the same family, but each is unique. They're both deliciously indulgent, deep-fried dough featuring corn, but hush puppies are made from a cornmeal-based batter, while corn fritters are flour-based and studded with corn kernels throughout.