Hush puppies are a classic Southern side dish made of cornmeal, flour, eggs, and seasonings, shaped into little balls and deep fried. Their crispy exterior gives way to a soft, almost cake-like interior. Hush puppies are a staple at fish fries and barbecues throughout the American South.
What are hush puppies?
Hush puppies get their unusual name from their origins. It’s said that Southern cooks would fry up these fritters to “hush the puppies” – meaning to quiet hungry dogs who were begging for food scraps. The little fried corn fritters were tossed as a snack to keep the dogs occupied and quiet while dinner was being prepared.
Today, hush puppies are a beloved side dish across the South. The basic batter contains cornmeal, wheat flour, buttermilk or milk, eggs, onions, and a seasoning blend. After being mixed together, the batter is scooped and shaped into small balls, then dropped into hot oil to fry until crispy and golden brown.
The interior of a hush puppy should be moist and slightly sweet, while the exterior is crispy with a deep golden crust. They can be served plain as a side, or you may see recipes that add herbs, cheese, jalapeños, or other mix-ins to the batter for extra flavor.
Key characteristics of hush puppies
When cooked properly, hush puppies have a distinctive taste and texture:
- Crispy, golden fried exterior
- Soft, moist, slightly sweet interior
- Fluffy, almost cake-like crumb
- Slightly crunchy from the cornmeal
- Well-seasoned
This contrasts the crunchy exterior with the soft, moist interior. The cornmeal gives them a gritty texture, while the buttermilk or milk lends a hint of tangy flavor and helps keep them tender. Onions, garlic, and other seasonings add plenty of flavor.
Foods similar to hush puppies
The unique taste and texture of hush puppies makes them unlike most other foods. However, here are some dishes that share some similarities:
Cornbread
Cornbread shares the same base ingredient of cornmeal, so it has a similar gritty, coarse texture. Good cornbread should also be slightly sweet and moist. However, cornbread is baked rather than fried, so it lacks the crispy exterior coating.
Corn Fritters
Corn fritters are made of fresh corn blended into a batter, then fried. They are similar to hush puppies but have bigger, more distinct kernels of sweet corn in the batter. The texture is also less cake-like and a bit more dense and cornbread-like.
Hush Puppies Brand Shoes
Okay, not a food. But the popular Hush Puppies brand of shoes got their name from the fried corn fritters! The shoes aim to epitomize the comfort of hush puppies.
Funnel Cakes
Funnel cakes are another fried batter snack, made by pouring batter through a funnel into hot oil and frying it into twisted ribbons. While the shape is different, funnel cakes have a very similar taste and texture to hush puppies, with a crisp exterior and light, almost doughy interior.
Pakora
These fried fritters from Indian cuisine are made of vegetables, chickpea flour, and spices dropped into oil. Pakora can have a very similar exterior crunch and interior texture as hush puppies, although the seasoning is very different.
Fried Dough
Many cultures have their own version of simple fried dough snacks. From Italian zeppole to Native American fried bread, these all deliver the same crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside satisfaction as hush puppies.
Differences between hush puppies and similar foods
While the foods above share some textural similarities with hush puppies, there are also some distinct differences:
Food | Differences from Hush Puppies |
---|---|
Cornbread | Not deep fried, so lacks the crispy exterior. Baked instead which gives it a drier texture. |
Corn Fritters | Contain whole kernels of corn. Texture is more dense and less cake-like. |
Funnel Cakes | Made from a thinner, more pourable batter. Shape is unique twisted ribbons rather than small balls. |
Pakora | Savory spices rather than slightly sweet. Contain vegetables rather than just cornbread. |
Fried Dough | Often lacks grainy cornmeal texture. Can have different shapes like flat ribbons rather than balls. |
Best substitutes for hush puppies
If you don’t have the right ingredients for hush puppies, these substitutions can provide a similar taste and texture:
Corn Fritters
Corn fritters make an excellent sub for hush puppies. While the visible corn kernels give them a different look, the crispy outside and moist, cornbread-like interior is very similar. Swap in corn fritters and few people will notice the difference.
Funnel Cake
Funnel cakes require just basic pantry ingredients but perfectly mimic the light, fluffy interior encased in a crispy exterior. Cut funnel cakes into bite-sized pieces and they make a convincing hush puppy substitute.
Pakora
For those who don’t mind some spice, pakora can substitute for hush puppies in a pinch. They match the texture quite well. Just be aware of the different seasoning blend.
How to serve hush puppies
Hush puppies are served as savory side dishes, rather than sweet desserts. Here are some classic ways to enjoy hush puppies:
- As a side at a fish fry – hush puppies paired with fried fish, coleslaw, and french fries
- With barbecue – alongside pulled pork, ribs, baked beans, etc.
- For breakfast – with eggs, bacon, and grits
- On a sandwich – split and stuffed with fried fish or barbecued pulled pork
- As an appetizer – served before a Southern-style dinner
Hush puppies can be eaten on their own as a snack or paired with a variety of soul food classics. Their slightly sweet corn flavor complements rich, savory dishes. Dip them right into the barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, or other dipping sauces.
History of hush puppies
The origin of hush puppies can be traced back to the southern United States, although the exact details are fuzzy:
- One story claims they originated in the late 1800s in the Carolina coastal region. Cooks would fry up the batter to feed to their dogs and “hush the puppies.”
- They are also associated with hunting camps and fish fries along the Mississippi River, to appease hungry hunting dogs.
- Their name may come from Confederate soldiers frying up cornmeal balls to make their camp dogs hush.
However they were created, hush puppies became a staple side dish in the South. They could be made easily and cheaply with just cornmeal, buttermilk, and some basic seasoning on hand. The recipe spread as African slaves traveled and were later freed after the Civil War.
Hush puppies then expanded in popularity beyond the South. They are still a staple at seafood restaurants and southern-style cooking across the United States.
Regional variations
While the basic hush puppy recipe is fairly standard, regional differences can include:
- South Carolina – Often round ball shapes, flavored with onions
- Georgia – More irregular hand-shaped fritters with onions
- Alabama – Flatter and thinner hush puppies, crispy outside
- Mississippi Delta – Soft, almost hollow interior with crunchy crust
- Louisiana – Dense and bread-like texture, sometimes stuffed with seafood
Some other variations include adding creamed corn, jalapeños, cheese, or herbs to the batter for extra flavor. But the basic crispy fried cornmeal base remains consistent throughout the South.
How to make hush puppies
Making delicious hush puppies at home is simple. Here is an easy recipe to try:
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small onion, minced
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-3 cups vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the minced onions, buttermilk, egg, and garlic until just combined. Don’t overmix.
- Heat at least 2 inches of vegetable oil in a pot or dutch oven to 350°F.
- Carefully drop tablespoon-sized blobs of the batter into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, flipping halfway.
- Drain the fried hush puppies on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve warm as a side dish. Enjoy!
The possibilities are endless when tailoring this simple base recipe to your tastes. Add jalapeños, cheese, herbs, or seafood as desired.
Conclusion
With their crispy outside and soft interior, hush puppies are a one-of-a-kind Southern specialty. While foods like corn fritters, funnel cakes, and pakora share some similarities, nothing quite matches the unique taste of hush puppies. Their cornmeal flavor and impressive crunch sets them apart. Frying up a batch of hush puppies is a quick and easy way to round out a hearty Southern meal. Their sweet, crispy satisfaction will keep your puppies hushed and happy.