← BlogJune 29, 2026

How to Make the Perfect Crispy Hushpuppies

American · Easy · 25 min · 6 servings

vegetarian
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These crispy golden hushpuppies are a kid friendly southern side dish that children absolutely cannot stop eating. Lightly sweet and savory cornmeal fritters fried to perfection make the best companion to any fish fry or barbecue meal.

Why this recipe works

This Crispy Hushpuppies recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 25 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 220 calories with 5g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.

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What you will need

This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:

  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1 2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 3 4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Step by step instructions

Step 1: Mix the Batter

In a large bowl whisk together cornmeal flour baking powder sugar and a pinch of salt. Add buttermilk and beaten egg and stir just until a thick batter forms. Do not overmix.

Step 2: Heat the Oil

Pour oil into a deep heavy bottomed pot and heat to 375 degrees. Use a thermometer to be sure the temperature is right for perfectly crispy hushpuppies.

Step 3: Fry the Hushpuppies

Drop rounded tablespoons of batter carefully into the hot oil. Fry in batches of 5 to 6 for 2 to 3 minutes turning occasionally until golden brown all over.

Step 4: Drain and Serve

Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with honey butter or ketchup for dipping which kids absolutely love.

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Easy substitutions

Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:

  • buttermilk → regular milk mixed with a teaspoon of vinegar for a quick substitute
  • all purpose flour → gluten free flour blend for a gluten free version

Common mistakes to avoid

Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:

  • Frying in oil that is not hot enough resulting in greasy oil soaked hushpuppies
  • Making the batter too thin which causes hushpuppies to fall apart in the oil

Nutrition facts

Per serving: 220 calories, 5g protein, 30g carbs, 9g fat, 2g fiber.

Ready to cook?

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