Air-Fryer Hush Puppies: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Hush puppies are a cornmeal-based dish that is traditionally deep-fried. However, air fryer hush puppies are a healthier alternative that still delivers a crunchy texture and tasty flavour. This guide will take you through the ingredients and steps to make delicious air fryer hush puppies.

Hush puppy ingredients and prep

Hush puppies are made with a cornmeal-based batter. You can use yellow cornmeal or plain cornmeal. You will also need all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour. The other dry ingredients are baking powder, sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. For the wet ingredients, you will need buttermilk, an egg, and butter. You can also add chives and hot sauce.

To make the hush puppies, start by whisking together the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Then, in a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. You can also add in the chives and onions at this point.

Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes or up to 30 minutes. This step will help the batter firm up and maintain its shape when transferred to the air fryer.

Air fryer settings

Air fryers are a great way to cook hush puppies without the mess and calories of deep frying. The settings you use will depend on the type of air fryer you have, but here are some general guidelines to help you get perfect hush puppies every time.

First, preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F. This temperature will give your hush puppies a golden, crispy exterior. While the air fryer is preheating, line the basket with aluminium foil or parchment paper. This will prevent the batter from dripping through the holes and making a mess. Some recipes also suggest spraying the foil or paper with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook your hush puppies. Place your hush puppy batter into the air fryer basket in heaping tablespoon amounts, leaving space between each scoop so that the hot air can circulate. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the hush puppies in batches.

Cook the hush puppies for 8-10 minutes, or until they are puffed and golden brown. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer, so it's important to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. If you are cooking in batches, place the first batch in a warm oven while you cook the second batch.

When the hush puppies are done, serve them immediately. They are best enjoyed fresh, but you can also store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze them for up to three months.

Shaping the hush puppies

Hush puppies are round, golden fritters made from a cornmeal-based batter. They are traditionally deep-fried and served with seafood platters and barbecue. However, you can also make them in an air fryer for a lighter, less greasy alternative.

The process of shaping the hush puppies is straightforward. First, you will need to prepare the batter by combining the dry ingredients, such as cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and spices, in a large bowl. Then, whisk together the wet ingredients, such as buttermilk and eggs, in a separate bowl. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

At this point, you should let the batter rest for a few minutes to thicken. This step is crucial as it allows the flour and cornmeal to absorb the liquid, resulting in a thicker batter that is easier to shape.

Once the batter has rested, you can start shaping it into mounds or balls. You can use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop portions of batter into the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each scoop. If you prefer, you can also roll the batter into balls with your hands, greasing your hands with a bit of non-stick spray to prevent sticking.

It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will affect the cooking process. Leave about 1-2 inches of space between each hush puppy to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the hush puppies in batches.

Finally, spray the tops of the hush puppies with a light coating of non-stick cooking spray or olive oil. This step will help them achieve a golden, crispy exterior during the cooking process.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking temperature and time for hush puppies in an air fryer will vary depending on the model of your air fryer and the size of your hush puppies. However, a general rule of thumb is to preheat your air fryer to between 350 and 400°F.

For the cooking time, you should allow 5–10 minutes for your hush puppies to cook, flipping them halfway through. You'll know they're done when they're crispy and golden brown on the outside.

• Preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Grease the air fryer basket with non-stick spray or line it with aluminium foil and spray that with cooking spray. Drop spoonfuls of hush puppy batter into the basket and cook for 5 minutes. Carefully flip them over, spray with more cooking spray, and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the basket, leaving a little space between each. Lightly spray the tops of the batter with olive oil and cook for 3 minutes. Open the air fryer, flip each hush puppy over carefully, and cook for another 3 minutes, or until they're browned to your liking and cooked through.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 10 minutes. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the basket, leaving about 1/4-inch space between each. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray and cook for 8 minutes, or until they're puffed and golden brown.
• Preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Line the basket with aluminium foil or parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the basket and cook for 9–10 minutes, or until they're crispy and golden brown.

Remember, these cooking times and temperatures are just guidelines. The exact time and temperature will depend on your particular air fryer and the size of your hush puppies, so be sure to keep an eye on them while they're cooking to avoid overcooking or burning.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer hush puppies are a great side dish to serve with seafood bakes, barbecues, or any outdoor gathering with lots of protein-based dishes. They can be served as an alternative to cornbread, biscuits, white bread, or any other starch used to mop up grease and sauces.

They are best served warm and can be paired with tartar sauce, white BBQ sauce, or comeback sauce for dipping. If you're feeling indulgent, you could even serve them with melted butter!

For a simple, light, and fresh meal, serve your air fryer hush puppies with air fryer catfish or air fryer fish sticks. They also go well with roast chicken or juicy pork chops.

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze them for up to three months. To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for about three minutes.

Frequently asked questions