Golden Crispy Cornmeal Balls (Printable Version)

Crispy cornmeal balls with tender interiors, seasoned with onion and chives, perfect for a Southern-style meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 cup yellow medium-grind cornmeal
02 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1½ teaspoons baking powder
04 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1 teaspoon sugar
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
08 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Wet Ingredients

09 - ¾ cup buttermilk
10 - 1 large egg

→ Aromatics

11 - ½ cup finely diced yellow or sweet onion
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or scallions (optional)

→ For Frying

13 - Vegetable oil for deep-frying (about 6–7 cups)

# Method:

01 - Whisk cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne in a large bowl.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk and egg until fully blended.
03 - Add wet ingredients to dry mixture and stir gently until just incorporated without overmixing.
04 - Fold in the diced onion and chives or scallions, if using; let the batter rest for 5 minutes.
05 - Warm vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C).
06 - Use two spoons or a small ice cream scoop to drop heaping tablespoonfuls of batter into hot oil; fry in batches to prevent overcrowding.
07 - Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally, until hushpuppies are crisp and golden brown.
08 - Remove hushpuppies with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels, and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They're crispy outside and soft inside without any complicated technique required.
  • A batch takes less time than ordering takeout, making them perfect for unexpected cravings.
  • They taste just as good alongside fried fish as they do eaten straight off the cooling rack with a pinch of salt.
02 -
  • Don't skip the five-minute rest—it's the difference between hushpuppies that feel like airy clouds and ones that have a slightly dense, heavy crumb.
  • The temperature of the oil is non-negotiable; invest in a simple thermometer because guessing will almost always result in either greasy disappointment or a burnt exterior with a raw center.
03 -
  • If you don't have buttermilk, whisk together regular milk with lemon juice or white vinegar and let it sit for five minutes—it's an instant substitute that works beautifully.
  • Letting the batter rest isn't just helpful; it's the single thing that separates average hushpuppies from the ones people actually ask you to make again.
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