Pioneer Woman's Hush Puppies Recipe: A Deep-Fried Delight You Must Try

These crispy and savory hush puppies pieces are excellent served as an appetizer at a festive meal or as a simple snack. Their core is airy and soft even after cooling — unlike simple cheese balls where the middle hardens as they cool.

This recipe takes inspiration from the renowned Pioneer Woman’s hush puppies recipe, which has gained a reputation for being a true crowd-pleaser. It's hard to deny the sheer delight these hush puppies bring, and once you try them, you'll likely become addicted to their irresistible flavor and texture.

Try this recipe and savor the delightfully crispy crust, velvety smooth interior, and heavenly blend of savory flavors.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Pro Tips
• Pioneer Woman's Hush Puppies Recipe
• Comments

Ingredients

• Yellow cornmeal — 1 cup
• All-purpose flour — ⅓ cup
• Baking powder — 1 ½ tsp.
• Salt — 1 tsp.
• Red chili flakes — ½ tsp.
• Black pepper — ½ tsp.
• Sugar — ½ tsp.
• Buttermilk — ⅔ cup
• Egg — 1 pc.
• Onion — ⅓ cup, finely chopped
• Cheddar cheese — ⅓ cup, finely grated
• Vegetable oil — ¼ cup

Instructions

1. Combine the first 7 ingredients in a large bowl.

2. In a different bowl, combine the remaining ingredients except for the oil to form a smooth mixture.

3. While stirring gently, incorporate the smooth mixture into the dry one.

4. Allow the mixture to chill at room temperature for 8-10 minutes.

5. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep-frying pan over medium-high heat.

6. Using a spoon, take a portion of the batter and cautiously place it in the hot oil, being mindful not to overcrowd the pot or pan.

7. In a few batches, fry the hush puppies, flipping them occasionally until they get crispy and acquire a nice golden color.

8. Once done, use a wire rack to transfer the cooked hush puppies and allow them to cool down slightly before serving.

Substitutions

• All-purpose flour — It is not hard to guess that flour is a key ingredient when making hush puppies. However, if you don't have it at hand, you can use alternatives such as wheat flour or oat flour to achieve similar results.

• Red chili flakes — I like to incorporate a pinch of red pepper flakes in the mixture because they add a subtle yet delicious heat to the dish and are an accessible choice. The flakes' spiciness also complements the cornmeal batter's sweetness and provides a nice balance of flavors. If you don’t want to give up the spicy kick without using the red chili flakes, you can substitute them with diced Jalapeño or serrano peppers.

• Cheddar cheese — The cheddar cheese gives the hush puppies a gooey and slightly tangy taste when melted. Therefore, you may not want to give up its savory profile, but if you still want to replace it, Monterey Jack or Colby cheese can provide a similarly cheesy flavor.

Variations

• Bacon hush puppies — The bacon variation is my favorite because I like to give the hush puppies a meaty and savory touch. If you’re tempted and want to try this, fold about ¼ cup of cooked crumbled bacon in the mixture before frying.

• Garlic hush puppies — Add minced garlic to the batter for a pronounced garlicky tasty flavor.

• Herbed hush puppies — To add a refreshing flavor and a vibrant green pop of color, incorporate fresh or dried herbs such as parsley, thyme, or chives into the batter.

Equipment

• Measuring spoons and cups

• Stovetop

• Large bowl

• Medium bowl

• Whisk

• Spoon

• Heavy-bottomed pot or deep-frying pan

• Wire rack

Storage

• After frying, allow the crispy pieces to cool to room temperature before storing.

• Stored in an airtight food container, they can be refrigerated for up to three days.

• To preserve leftovers for longer, spread them in a single layer on a large plate or baking sheet and freeze them. After they become solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer for up to two months.

Pro Tips

• Oven method — I am always looking for healthier alternatives, especially when it comes to frying. Therefore, I got an excellent tip for you! To do this, I prefer to bake hush puppies at 400°F for 20-25 minutes instead of deep frying them. This method can significantly reduce the amount of oil and calories in the dish, resulting in a more nutritious hush puppies recipe.

• Reheating — To reheat leftovers, use the oven and bake them for 8-10 minutes to bring their crispy texture back to life.