This is the only hush puppies recipe you will ever need boos. They are crispy and golden on the outside and tender on the inside. I also add flavor from creole seasoning, onion, parsley and a little sweetness to balance it all. I recipe tested it until it was perfection. Serve them up with fried catfish and coleslaw and get your whole life!
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Hush Puppy Ingredient Notes
- White corn meal: If white cornmeal ain’t around, yellow is totally fine to use.
- All-purpose flour: You can also swap in cup-for-cup gluten free flour or self-rising but just leave out the baking powder.
- Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar can also be used here.
- Parsley: I use fresh but dried is fine too.
- Milk: Whole milk keeps these moist. Select any milk you prefer.
- Vegetable Oil: You can use any neutral oil.
How to Make Hush Puppies
These step-by-step photos show how to make easy hush puppies, but be sure to check the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and detailed instructions. Skip to the → Southern Hush Puppies Recipe
1. Whisk the cornmeal, flour, and seasonings together in a bowl

Mix until the dry ingredients are fully combined.
2. Stir in the egg, onion, and milk until a batter forms

Let the hush puppy batter rest before frying.
3. Scoop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil

Fry only a few at a time so the pan doesn’t get overcrowded.
4. Drain your homemade hush puppies on paper towels after frying

Serve them hot while the outside is still crisp and golden.
Full Hush Puppies Recipe

Hush Puppies Recipe
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
Ingredients
- ¾ cup white corn meal
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp no-salt Creole seasoning
- 2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
- 6 tablespoons milk
- 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, Creole seasoning, and parsley.
- Add in egg, onion, and milk and whisk until well combined. Batter will be thick. Let batter sit for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a heavy medium sauce pan over medium heat. Once reaches 360F, scoop 1 tablespoon of batter (#60 scoop) and gently add to oil. Scoop and cook six at a time.
- Cook until golden brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Allow oil to return to 360F before cooking second batch. Serve hot.
Notes
How to store & reheat hush puppies
Homemade hush puppies are best eaten once they are hot out that grease boos. But if you have any leftovers, let them cool down and just store at room temperature for up to three days. When you wanna reheat, pop in the oven at 350° F or in the air fryer at 325° F until heated through.How long will hush puppies last in the fridge?
They will last for up to 5 days in the fridge.Can I freeze hushpuppies?
Yep for sure boos. Add to a resealable plastic bag and remove the air. Make sure you label with the date. They will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overmix boos: If you mix that batter too much, you will make those hushpuppies tough and dense. Stir the batter only up until the dry ingredients become moist.
- Keep that oil temp even: In order to make those hush puppies super crispy, make sure your oil is between 350°F and 375°F.
- Rest the batter: Giving that batter 10 minutes to sit and rest will let it set up and thicken. It will also let the hushpuppies hold their shape more.
- Scoop Evenly: I like to use a cookie scoop so I can keep the hushpuppies nice and even.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Don’t put too many in a pot. It will lower the oil temperature and make your hush puppies weighed down and soggy boos.
Serving options
- Get Dipping: I love a dip like this remoulade sauce or tartar sauce.
- Fried Up Southern Supper: Fried chicken gizzards along with some fried shrimp, fried pickles and fried okra are delish served along with some collard greens, potato salad, and candied yams.
- Cornbread replacement: These are a great side with soups, stews, and chili. I love to have these on the table with a bowl of seafood gumbo, beef stew or red beans and rice.
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?

Recipe help
For sure boos. You can make the hushpuppy batter ahead of time and just pop in the fridge for up to 24 hours. However if you can, fry up fresh.
You probably overmixed them or your leavening isn’t fresh. When you overmix, it prevents the batter from staying super airy. The baking powder also gives a nice lift.
More Southern Bread Recipes
This post was originally published in February 2014. It has been updated with new images and content.
Dude, seriously, I wished you lived next door! These look wonderful.
We need to arrange living next door to each other girl!
These look amazing- I’ve never has hush puppies before, but I really must try now! 🙂
They are awesome Jess!
I don’t think I have ever had hush puppies before but they look delicious!
They are pretty yummy Julianne! You have to try them one day!
I love fish fry and hush puppies! That’s so awesome that you had them every Wednesday, I would’ve loved to be a guest at your parents’ house growing up! 😉
We would have definitely invited you over to our house!!
These are gorgeous! I love how pretty your photos are, and I can only imagine how good these taste Jocelyn 🙂
Thanks so much Aimee!!
Oh my gosh I had hush puppies for the first time in North Carolina. Those + honey butter = PURE HEAVEN!!! I’ve been wanting to try making them at home…but also not, because I would eat them all. Seriously. Thanks for sharing such an easy recipe for when I do finally give them a try 😉
Absolutely Erika! That honey butter idea sounds amazing!
I’m not a fish fan BUT I love me some hush puppies. SO GOOD! These look super soft on the inside and nicely crispy on the outside. So basically, they’re perfect hush puppies! 🙂
Yes those are exactly how they taste too Ashley!
Wow – these look absolutely delish. Fried perfection! I’ve never had these, but must change that soon!!
Thanks so much Kathi!
I love these! I haven’t had them since I was a kid. I think its time for me to make them… this time homemade tho 🙂
Indeed homemade!!
I really miss our family Friday fish fry – and homemade hush puppies, yes please
Oh wow, you used to have the traditional Friday fish fry too? Awesome!