Jalapeno Hush Puppies

Southern Quick Jalapeno Hush Puppies are little fried balls that are crunchy on the outside and soft, spicy, and sweet on the inside. How can you go wrong with serving deep-fried jalapeno hushpuppies? These come together quickly and will disappear even faster! A tip: You should double the recipe because they go fast! 

Here in the south, these babies are not just served with fish. I have seen them served with barbeque, as appetizers, or as a side dish for soup. Crumble some hushpuppies up in a bowl of soup, and you have some serious yum going on! You can’t go wrong serving them with chili, taco soup, salmon patties, or as a side to cabbage and onion.

Why Are They Called Hushpuppies?

Many stories are floating around about how hushpuppies got their name. This is the version I have always heard. When people would fry food outside, they would drop balls of batter into the hot grease, fry them up, and give them to their dogs to keep them quiet from barking (hushpuppies) and to keep them from jumping on them (begging) when taking the food back to the house. They are pretty intelligent dogs if you ask me. I, too, would get quiet if someone threw crunchy hushpuppies at me!

The Best Little Hush Puppies

Hushpuppies are made with a cornmeal batter with a bit of flour, sugar, and buttermilk. Corn and jalapenos are added for some thickness and flavor. This batter is mixed and then dropped by a spoonful into hot oil and fried until golden brown. They are removed and drained on a paper towels.

Ingredients for Jalapeno Hushpuppies

There are probably hundreds of hushpuppies recipes floating around, but this is my favorite recipe for jalapeno hush puppies. It is super simple to make, and most of the ingredients are probably in your pantry.

cornmeal– the main ingredient for hushpuppies

flour– gives the batter texture and holds the hushpuppies together

baking powder– helps the rise and provides texture

salt– just a pinch

sugar-to sweeten the hushpuppies slightly

buttermilk– adds acid and works nicely with the baking powder

egg-acts as a binder

creamed corn– adds a little something to the hushpuppies

onion– adds flavor and texture

diced jalapeno peppers– omit if desired, but I like the hint of spiciness

shortening– for frying

How to Make Southern Homemade Hushpuppies

For complete instructions, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Prepare the Oil/Shortening

Melt enough shortening in a heavy-bottomed pot, deep fryer, or dutch oven till it comes halfway up the sides—heat oil to 360 degrees. ( I usually don’t use a thermometer when I am frying these- I give it a quick test by dropping a little batter into the pot to see if it is ready and adjust the heat as necessary).

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl. 

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients; add onion and jalapeno peppers. Mix well. The batter will be thick.

Step 4: Fry the Hushpuppies

Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls into the hot shortening-Don’t overcrowd the pot and work in batches. Fry until golden brown, turning in the oil until all sides are brown, about 5 minutes. Continue with the remaining batter.

Step 5: Drain and Keep Warm

Drain hushpuppies on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven until all of the hushpuppies are ready to eat.

Pro Tips:

• Make sure your oil is hot before dropping the batter. You will end up with some soggy dough balls if it’s not hot. Not good!

• Use a large spoon or cookie scoop when dropping the dough into the grease. This will make more uniform hushpuppies.

• Spray the spoon or scoop with oil to help release the batter into the oil.

• I use vegetable oil/shortening when frying. 

• Don’t over-mix the batter.

• Remove hushpuppies from the hot oil with a slotted spoon.

• Keep cooked hushpuppies warm while cooking. Drain hushpuppies on a paper towel-lined plate, then transfer them to a baking sheet and place them into a preheated oven set on warm or the lowest temperature. 

Recipe Variations:

Green Onions- add flavor, texture, and color.

Whole Kernel Corn-white or yellow corn will work nicely

Cheddar Cheese- add some to the batter. 

Other seasonings- feel free to add some of your favorite seasonings such as: onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper.

Dipping Sauces for Quick Jalapeno Hush Puppies Recipe

Ranch Dressing

Tarter Sauce

Hot Sauce

Ketchup

Spicy Mayo

Spicy Chili Sauce

How Do Hushpuppies Taste?

Hushpuppies are very similar to cornbread. They are round buttermilk cornbread bites with bits of onion, corn, and jalapenos. They are fried to a golden brown and are crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside. 

Be sure to try my Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread — Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread cooked in a cast iron skillet is fluffy, tender, spicy, and golden brown. It comes together fast and is perfect as a side dish to soups and veggies. A savory cornbread with a slight kick in every bite.

Recipe FAQs

How To Reheat Leftover Hushpuppies

Place hushpuppies on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 400 degrees. Warm for 5-7 minutes or until hot all the way through.

More Delicious Southern Recipes To Try:

Fried Green Tomatoes
Skillet Fried Potatoes and Onions
Southern Tomato Pie
Southern Fried Salmon Patties