Delicious Hush Puppies Recipe with Creamy Ranch Dressing (2024)

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Learn how to make this easy, golden, deep-fried hush puppies recipe with broccoli stems and creamy homemade ranch dressing.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Delicious Hush Puppies Recipe with Creamy Ranch Dressing (1)

Hush Puppies are golden brown round balls on the outside that are light and flakey on the inside. They make an amazing side dish for your summertime BBQ or to pair with fried seafood, but they also make for a yummy mid-day snack. It doesn’t take many to fill your belly.

This hush puppies recipe uses broccoli stems instead of the head. Sounds weird, right? Aren’t you supposed to throw the broccoli stem in the trash, or better yet, the compost bin? No way! Broccoli stems are chock full of vitamins and nutrients. They have the same taste as broccoli heads, just a bit milder. These cheddar hush puppies made with broccoli stems are sure to delight.

The Official Broccoli Stem Hush Puppies Recipe

Ingredients & Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together 1-1/2 cups of cornmeal, 3/4 teaspoon of baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of sugar, 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon of ground black pepper until combined. Set aside the mixture.

In a separate, medium bowl, whisk together three large eggs (farm fresh is best!) and 1/4 cup of buttermilk until evenly combined. Stir in 1 cup of grated broccoli stems, 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese, 1/8 cup of finely chopped or grated onion, and 1/8 cup of finely chopped fresh parsley. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients mixed earlier until evenly combined.

Fresh onion can be substituted with 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder or 1-1/4 teaspoons of dried onion flakes.

Although fresh is best, fresh parsley can be substituted with two teaspoons of dried parsley.

You can use almost any oil for frying. Safflower oil has a high smoke point and neutral flavor. Peanut oil is a popular choice for frying, thanks to its high smoke point and nutty flavor, and is relatively inexpensive. Canola oil is one of the best choices when frying because of its neutral flavor, and it’s something you’re likely to already have in your cupboard. Vegetable oil is either a blend of oils or a generic term used by manufacturers for their packaging, so the smoke point will vary depending on the brand you get. That said, vegetable oil tends to be neutral in flavor and low in cost.

Heat 3 inches of oil over medium heat in a high-sided frying pan or saucepan until the oil reaches 325°F on your deep-frying thermometer. The batter should sizzle gently in contact with the hot oil. If it pops or burns quickly, the oil is too hot.

Spoon rounded tablespoons of batter into the oil. Don’t crowd, or they will stick. Fry until golden brown (2-3 minutes). Remove with a slotted spoon and let drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.

Storing Leftover Hush Puppies

You’re not likely to have any, but if you do, store leftover hush puppies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months.

To reheat, place the hush puppies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes or until warm.

Delicious Hush Puppies Recipe with Creamy Ranch Dressing (2)

Broccoli Stem & Cheddar Cheese Hush Puppies

These unique hush puppies utilize the under-appreciated broccoli stem. Chock-full of nutrients with a mild broccoli flavor. Kids love them!

Print Recipe

Prep Time:20 minutes mins

Cook Time:3 minutes mins

Total Time:23 minutes mins

This post may contain paid links. If you make a purchase using the links in this recipe, I may earn a commission.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, baking powder, salt, sugar, baking soda, cayenne pepper and black pepper until combined.

    1-1/2 c. Cornmeal, 3/4 tsp. Baking Powder, 3/4 tsp. Salt, 1/4 tsp. Sugar, 1/8 tsp. Baking Soda, 1/8 tsp. Cayenne Pepper, 1/8 tsp Ground Black Pepper

  • In a separate, medium bowl, whisk together eggs and buttermilk until evenly combined. Stir in broccoli stems, cheddar cheese, onion and parsley.

    3 Eggs, 1 c. Broccoli Stems – Grated, 1/2 c. Cheddar Cheese – Grated, 1/4 c. Buttermilk, 1/8 c. Onion – Chopped Fine or Grated, 1/8 c. Parsley – Finely Chopped

  • Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until evenly mixed.

  • Heat 3" of vegetable oil over medium heat in a high-sided frying pan or saucepan until the oil reaches 325°F. Batter should sizzle gently on contact. If it pops or burns quickly, the oil is too hot.

    Oil

  • Spoon rounded tablespoons of batter into the oil. Don't crowd or they will stick.

  • Fry until golden brown (2-3 minutes).

  • Remove with a slotted spoon and let drain on a paper-towel lined plate.

Notes

Serve hot.

Store leftover hush puppies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months.

To reheat, place the hush puppies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes or until warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 623mg | Potassium: 341mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1244IU | Vitamin C: 51mg | Calcium: 273mg | Iron: 2mg

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Keyword: Broccoli, Freezer-Friendly

Servings: 5 people

Calories: 255kcal

Author: Jessica Knowles

Need more broccoli stem recipes? Check these out:

It can be hard to tell when to harvest your broccoli. Here’s aguide to broccoli harvest.

Spicy Stir-Fried Broccoli Stems

This recipe forSpicy Stir-Fried Broccoli Stemsis for everyone who likes to nibble on the stems while cutting up the broccoli!

Broccoli Stem Pesto

Broccoli Stem Pestois a simple food waste recovery recipe using broccoli stalks and leaves in pesto sauce. Easy, tasty, and so versatile!

Broccoli Soup with Stalks

Thisbroccoli soupis a tasty and easy meal for a weeknight dinner. Make a big batch and save it for leftovers throughout the week!

Parmesan Roasted Broccoli Stalks

TheseParmesan Roasted Broccoli Stalksdisappear in a flash! They’re a terrific little snack and the perfect dinner side dish recipe. With just a couple of ingredients, they’re quick and easy, and they deliciously utilize a part of the vegetable that’s often otherwise discarded.

Broccoli Stem Slaw

Broccoli Stem Slawis crisp, colorful, and delicious. Made from simple, everyday ingredients, every bite of this salad is full of texture and bright flavors, all of which complement each other.

Making Homemade Ranch Dressing

Sometimes I like to top my hush puppies with sour cream, but other times it’s ranch dressing for me. I used to buy the pricey organic ranch dressing, but then I discovered how easy it is. This recipe makes one serving, just enough for dipping a batch of hush puppies.

Ingredients & Instructions

Whisk together four tablespoons of buttermilk, two tablespoons of mayonnaise, and 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives to taste.

Delicious Hush Puppies Recipe with Creamy Ranch Dressing (3)

5 stars

Creamy Ranch Dressing from Scratch

This ranch dressing comes together in minutes with ingredients you can keep on hand and is way better than anything you can buy in the store.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:5 minutes mins

Total Time:5 minutes mins

This post may contain paid links. If you make a purchase using the links in this recipe, I may earn a commission.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Whisk together buttermilk, mayonnaise, and vinegar.

    1/2 c. Buttermilk, 1/4 c. Mayonnaise, 1 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar

  • Season with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs to taste.

    1 tsp. Garlic Powder, Salt and pepper to taste., Finely chopped chives and/or parsley to taste.

Notes

Simply double or triple the recipe and store in a mason jar in the fridge to enjoy for salads, baked potatoes, or more!

Nutrition

Calories: 99kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 101mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Keyword: Apple Cider Vingear, Buttermilk, Mayo

Servings: 5 servings

Calories: 99kcal

Author: Jessica Knowles

Besides this hush puppies recipe, do you know what tastes amazing with a dollop of ranch dressing? Homemade potato pancakes!

If you’re hankering for more broccoli ideas, check out Broccoli Rice Casserole: A Cheesy Family Favorite.

Delicious Hush Puppies Recipe with Creamy Ranch Dressing (4)
Delicious Hush Puppies Recipe with Creamy Ranch Dressing (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in hush puppies? ›

Image of What are the ingredients in hush puppies?
Cornmeal is a meal ground from dried corn. It is a common staple food and is ground to coarse, medium, and fine consistencies, but it is not as fine as wheat flour can be. In Mexico, very finely ground cornmeal is referred to as corn flour.
Wikipedia

Do you put anything on hush puppies? ›

Besides fried catfish, shrimp, chicken, crab cakes, or bbq, you might want to serve a dipping sauce for you hush puppies. We like honey or ranch, but ketchup, tartar sauce, remoulade sauce, or Outback sauce are all great options that go well with the savory-sweet fried cornmeal dough.

Why did my hush puppies fall apart? ›

If your hush puppies are falling apart, you may have used too much cornmeal. Try adding a little more (but not too much) flour. If you add too much flour, they'll become dense. For healthier hush puppies, try baking them.

Why are my hush puppies so dense? ›

If too much flour is used, the hush puppies become heavy, dense, and bread-like. After much experimentation, I landed on a 3:1 ratio: 1 1/2 cups cornmeal to 1/2 cup flour. The type of cornmeal you use is equally as important.

What are original hush puppies? ›

In fact, the Carolinas can proudly claim to be the birthplace of this now-iconic American food. A hushpuppy is a simple treat—thick cornmeal batter dropped in spheres (or nuggets or fingers) into hot oil and fried till crisp and brown.

What is the flavor of hush puppies? ›

These heavenly bites boast a perfectly crunchy exterior, a soft and fluffy interior, and are bursting with rich, corn flavor. Bet you can't eat just one! Hush puppies are a beloved Southern dish that pair perfectly with seafood or BBQ.

What are Long John Silver's hush puppies made of? ›

In a large bowl, mix together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and sugar. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Do cooked hush puppies need to be refrigerated? ›

HOW DO I STORE LEFTOVER HUSH PUPPIES? I think homemade hush puppies are best eaten fresh, however, they can be refrigerated and/or frozen: To refrigerate: Once your hush puppies have cooled to room temperature, place them in a zip bag or airtight container lined with paper towels. Consume within a few days.

Why are hush puppies sweet? ›

Generally, the process of making sweet onion hush puppies begins with a batter featuring self-rising cornmeal flour, self-rising flour, salt, sugar, buttermilk, and eggs. My Sweet Onion Hush Puppies also call for a finely-chopped sweet onion to be added into the batter. This adds a sweetness and onion flavor.

How do you know when hush puppies are done? ›

When the hush puppies turn golden brown, start temping them with your Thermapen. If the lowest temp you see is 165°F (74°C), the hush puppies are done! Remove the hush puppies to a paper towel-lined pan, bring the oil back up to heat, and fry the rest in batches as above.

What does hush puppies have to do with slavery? ›

The one common thread is that this fried cornmeal was used to "hush the dogs." I have heard that Confederate soldiers used it to hush their dogs when the Union troops were getting near. I also have heard a similar story in which runaway slaves would use this favorite food to hush the dogs.

What is the brand hush puppies famous for? ›

Since 1958, the brand has defined authentic casual style for generations of consumers around the world. Today, Hush Puppies is the favorite shoe for all who embrace the lighthearted spirit and modern style of this iconic brand – represented by our lovable basset hound! We invented casual style, you make it your own.

What's the difference between a fritter and a hush puppy? ›

What's the difference between corn fritters and hush puppies? While both corn fritters and hush puppies are deliciously crispy fried treats, corn fritters require a key ingredient: corn. Whether fresh or frozen, corn is the main ingredient in fritters, while cornmeal is the star of hush puppy recipes.

Why was it called hush puppies? ›

In the instance of hushpuppies, the tale goes that Confederate soldiers were preparing food around a campfire and heard Union soldiers in the vicinity, so they pitched their yelping dogs some fried cornmeal cakes and ordered them to “hush puppies.”

Are hush puppies healthy to eat? ›

Hushpuppies can be a modest source of essential vitamins and minerals. They often contain small amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron, which play vital roles in supporting overall health and well-being.

What are hush puppies made of Long John Silver's? ›

ingredients
  • 14 cup milk.
  • 1 egg.
  • 12 cup cornmeal.
  • 14 cup flour.
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder.
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt.
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder.

Does hush puppies use pig skin? ›

Hush Puppies was founded in 1958 by Wolverine, who wanted to develop a casual and soft shoe, using pig skin.

Do hush puppies contain milk? ›

Typical hushpuppy ingredients include cornmeal, wheat flour, eggs, salt, baking soda, milk or buttermilk, and water, and may include onion, spring onion (scallion), garlic, whole kernel corn, and peppers.

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