Hush puppies, those delightful, golden-brown bites of goodness, are the perfect addition to any meal. These fluffy, cornmeal balls have a reputation for being simple and comforting, but they can also surprise you with endless flavor combinations. Whether you’re aiming for a classic taste or something adventurous, there’s a hush puppy recipe here that will tickle your taste buds. Let’s dive into these 10 surprisingly easy hush puppies recipes that will impress family and friends alike!
Classic Southern Hush Puppies
Golden and crispy, these are the hush puppies you know and love.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- Oil for frying
Process:
- In a bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in buttermilk and egg until just combined.
- Heat oil in a skillet and drop spoonfuls of batter to fry until golden brown.
Make it Unique:
- Add chopped green onions or jalapeños for a kick!
Sweet Potato Hush Puppies
Sweet and savory, these hush puppies bring a twist to the table.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- Mix sweet potatoes, cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Stir in milk until just combined.
- Fry spoonfuls in hot oil until they turn golden.
Make it Unique:
- Serve with a spicy dip for contrast!
Cheesy Jalapeño Hush Puppies
These hush puppies are packed with cheesy goodness and a spicy tip.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup diced jalapeños
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- In a bowl, combine cornmeal, cheese, jalapeños, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix in milk, then drop spoonfuls into hot oil.
- Fry until golden and crispy.
Make it Unique:
- Swap cheddar for pepper jack for extra heat!
Corn and Zucchini Hush Puppies
Zucchini adds moisture to these vibrant hush puppies.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup grated zucchini
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- Mix cornmeal, zucchini, corn, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in milk and drop spoonfuls into hot oil.
- Fry until they are golden brown.
Make it Unique:
- Add feta cheese for a Mediterranean twist!
Spicy Sriracha Hush Puppies
These hush puppies pack a punch with sriracha.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Mix in buttermilk and sriracha until combined.
- Fry spoonfuls in hot oil until golden brown.
Make it Unique:
- Experiment with different hot sauces for varying spice levels!
Lemon Dill Hush Puppies
Bright and refreshing, these hush puppies are perfect as an appetizer.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- In a bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, dill, and lemon zest.
- Stir in buttermilk and drop spoonfuls into hot oil.
- Fry until golden brown.
Make it Unique:
- Serve with a lemony yogurt dip for an extra touch!
Bacon and Chive Hush Puppies
Bacon lovers will adore these savory bites!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- ¼ cup chopped chives
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, bacon, and chives in a bowl.
- Mix in buttermilk and fry spoonfuls in hot oil.
- Cook until they’re golden and crispy.
Make it Unique:
- Add some crumbled feta for a salty surprise!
Chipotle Black Bean Hush Puppies
A smoky flavor shines through with these clever hush puppies.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup flour
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon chipotle in adobo, minced
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- Mix cornmeal, flour, black beans, chipotle, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Stir in buttermilk. Drop spoonfuls into hot oil and fry until crispy.
Make it Unique:
- Serve with a cooling avocado dip!
Pumpkin Hush Puppies
Embrace the fall flavors with these pumpkin-infused hush puppies!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- Combine cornmeal, pumpkin, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Mix in milk and drop spoonfuls into hot oil.
- Fry until golden brown.
Make it Unique:
- Add a sprinkle of nutmeg for warmth!
Garlic Parmesan Hush Puppies
These hush puppies bring rich flavors of garlic and cheese to life.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- Mix cornmeal, parmesan, garlic, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add milk, drop spoonfuls into hot oil, and fry until crispy.
Make it Unique:
- Top with additional parmesan and fresh herbs before serving!
Mediterranean Hush Puppies
Transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean with every bite.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup chopped olives (e.g., Kalamata)
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- Combine cornmeal, olives, feta, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Stir in milk and carefully drop spoonfuls into hot oil.
- Fry until golden and crunchy.
Make it Unique:
- Add sun-dried tomatoes for an extra flavor punch!
Blueberry Hush Puppies
Sweet and fruity, these hush puppies are a brunch delight!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- In a bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, and blueberries.
- Stir in buttermilk and drop spoonfuls into hot oil.
- Fry until they are beautifully golden brown.
Make it Unique:
- Drizzle with maple syrup for extra sweetness!
Apple Cinnamon Hush Puppies
An apple a day? More like an apple hush puppy a day!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 cup diced apples
- 1 cup milk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- Mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Add diced apples and milk, then drop spoonfuls into hot oil.
- Fry until golden and cooked through.
Make it Unique:
- Enhance the flavor with a sprinkle of nutmeg!
Coconut Curry Hush Puppies
A burst of flavors awaits with these exotic hush puppies.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Oil for frying
Process:
- Combine cornmeal, coconut milk, curry powder, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Drop spoonfuls into hot oil and fry until golden brown.
Make it Unique:
- Pair with a tropical fruit salsa for added freshness!
Beetroot Hush Puppies
These eye-catching hush puppies bring vibrant color and earthiness.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup cooked and pureed beetroot
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- In a bowl, mix cornmeal, beetroot, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in milk, and drop spoonfuls into hot oil to fry.
Make it Unique:
- Add a hint of ginger to spice things up!
Cucumber Dill Hush Puppies
Light and refreshing, these hush puppies are great for warm weather!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup grated cucumber
- 2 tablespoons chopped dill
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- Combine cornmeal, cucumber, dill, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Stir in milk, drop spoonfuls into hot oil, and fry until golden.
Make it Unique:
- Serve with a zesty lemon yogurt sauce for dipping!
Spinach and Feta Hush Puppies
Mediterranean flavors shine in these savory bites!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup chopped spinach
- ½ cup crumbled feta
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- Oil for frying
Process:
- Mix cornmeal, spinach, feta, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Stir in milk and drop spoonfuls into hot oil to cook.
Make it Unique:
- Try adding sundried tomatoes for an Italian twist!
Final Thoughts
With these 10 next-level hush puppies recipes, you’re ready to impress! Each variation is easy to prepare and loaded with flavor. Whether you go with classic, savory, or fruity options, your family and friends will be clamoring for more. Dive into the fun of cooking and treat yourself to all these delicious bites! Happy cooking!