Description
Crispy Okra Hush Puppies are a Southern classic with a crunchy exterior and tender okra inside. This recipe offers a delightful fusion of comfort food and fresh vegetable flavors, perfect as an appetizer or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- Vegetable oil for deep frying (canola or peanut oil recommended)
- 4 cups very thinly sliced okra
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1½ tablespoons sugar
- 2 cups self-rising cornmeal mix
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the okra. Slice it as thinly as possible, about 1/8 inch thick.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and sugar until well combined.
- Add the self-rising cornmeal mix, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the sliced okra, chopped onion, and fresh parsley until evenly distributed. The batter should be loose.
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy pot or deep fryer to approximately 375°F (190°C).
- Drop heaping tablespoons of the batter into the hot oil, frying in small batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the hush puppies are deep golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the hush puppies with a slotted spoon and drain them on a wire rack or paper towels.
- Serve your crispy okra hush puppies immediately while they are hot and crunchy.
Notes
- For the best texture, slice okra uniformly thin.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent tough hush puppies.
- Maintain consistent oil temperature for optimal frying.
- Fry in small batches to ensure the oil temperature stays correct.
- Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce for a spicy version.
- Consider adding ½ cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese for a cheesy upgrade.
- For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free cornmeal blend and add your own leavening if needed.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes or crisp them up in a skillet with a little oil.
- Freezing is not recommended as it negatively impacts texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hush puppy
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Crispy Okra Hush Puppies, deep fried okra hushpuppies, homemade okra hushpuppies, southern style okra balls, fried okra fritters, cornmeal okra bites, appetizer recipe