Hush Puppies in the Air Fryer
Air fryer hush puppies come out golden and crisp on the outside and soft and cornbread-like inside, with a fraction of the oil of deep frying. This recipe uses a thick, scoopable dough, so it holds its shape in the basket. You also get times for a boxed mix, frozen hush puppies and leftovers.
- Temperature
- 375°F190 °C
- Total time
- 45min
- Prep time
- 10min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 230kcal
Why the air fryer works for hush puppies
Hush puppies are a Southern side of seasoned cornmeal dough, usually fried in oil until crisp. The air fryer gives you a similar contrast, a firm golden crust over a soft, steamy middle, with a light coat of oil sprayed on the surface. The rapid airflow dries and browns the outside in about 10 minutes, while the interior stays moist from the egg and buttermilk.
There is one rule to remember: the dough must be thick. Wet batter, the kind you spoon straight into a fryer, runs through the basket holes and burns on the heating element. Hold the shape with a thicker mix, a short rest and damp hands. Compared with deep frying, the texture is slightly more like cornbread and a little less greasy, and the cleanup is a single basket.
How to make hush puppies in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mix the dry ingredients Whisk the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar in a bowl. Stir in the chopped onion so it is coated in flour and spread evenly.
- Make a thick dough Whisk the egg, buttermilk and melted butter, then pour them over the dry mix and stir just until combined. The dough should be thick enough to hold a mound on a spoon. If it is too stiff, add 1 tbsp more buttermilk. Let it rest for so the cornmeal softens.
- Shape Scoop 2 level tablespoons of dough and roll them lightly into 1½-inch balls with damp hands. Mist the balls on all sides with oil, because a light film of oil is what browns the crust.
- Preheat and arrange Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F for and lightly brush or mist the basket with oil. Place 6 to 8 balls in one layer with a little space between them. Cook the dough in 2 or 3 batches.
- Cook Cook for , shaking the basket or turning the hush puppies halfway, until deep golden and firm. A toothpick in the center should come out clean.
- Serve warm Let them stand for , then serve while the outside is still crisp.
Times and temperatures
| Hush Puppies | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade, 1½-inch ballsTurn halfway | 375 °F (190 °C) | 10 min |
| From boxed mix | 375 °F (190 °C) | 10–12 min |
| FrozenDo not thaw | 375 °F (190 °C) | 8–10 min |
| Reheat leftovers | 350 °F (180 °C) | 3–4 min |
| Mini, 1-inch | 375 °F (190 °C) | 7–8 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Rest the dough. Fifteen minutes lets the cornmeal absorb liquid, which makes the dough easier to shape and the inside tender.
- Use a small scoop. A 2-tablespoon scoop gives hush puppies of equal size, so they all finish at the same moment.
- Mind the onion. Chop it finely. Large pieces release water and make the dough fall apart.
What to serve with hush puppies
Hush puppies belong next to fried or grilled seafood. Serve them with fish fillets, shrimp or cod, along with coleslaw, tartar sauce or honey butter. They also work on a game day snack table, and onion rings go well next to them. For more appetizers and sides, see the snack recipes.
Storing and reheating
Keep leftover hush puppies in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat hush puppies in the air fryer at 350 °F for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking once, until hot and crisp again. The microwave makes them soft, so avoid it. For longer storage, freeze cooled hush puppies on a tray, then move them to a freezer bag for up to 2 months, and cook them straight from frozen.
Variations
- Jalapeño and cheddar: Add 2 tbsp minced pickled jalapeño and ¼ cup shredded sharp cheddar to the dough.
- Sweet corn: Fold in ½ cup drained corn kernels, patted dry, and omit the sugar if the corn is sweet.
- Spicy: Add ½ tsp cayenne pepper and ½ tsp smoked paprika to the dry mix.
- Dairy-free: Use plant milk with 1 tsp lemon juice in place of the buttermilk, and olive oil in place of the butter.
If it does not turn out right
- The hush puppies are pale or soft
- Mist them on all sides with oil, do not crowd the basket and preheat the air fryer. Cook them 1 to 2 minutes longer for a deeper color.
- The inside is doughy
- The balls were too large or the temperature too high. Keep them to 1½ inches, and lower the heat to 350 °F for 12 minutes if the outside browns before the center sets.
- The dough falls apart in the basket
- The dough is too dry or too wet. It should be a thick, scoopable paste. Chill it for 15 minutes and roll with damp hands.
Questions and answers
How long do hush puppies take in the air fryer?
Homemade hush puppies take about 10 minutes at 375 °F, turned halfway. Frozen ones need 8 to 10 minutes at 375 °F, and reheating leftovers takes 3 to 4 minutes at 350 °F.
Can I use a boxed cornbread mix for air fryer hush puppies?
Yes. Mix it with a little less liquid than the box says, so you get a thick dough, and add chopped onion or corn kernels. Bake at 375 °F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway.
Can I cook frozen hush puppies in the air fryer?
Yes, and do not thaw them. Mist them lightly with oil and cook at 375 °F for 8 to 10 minutes in a single layer, shaking once.
Can I make hush puppies in the air fryer with a wet batter?
No. A thin batter drips through the basket. A thick dough that you roll into balls works, and the result is closer to a baked cornbread bite than a deep-fried one.
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