This Arthur Treacher’s Hush Puppies Copycat Recipe are crispy on the outside and tender inside—a perfect side for any seafood meal. Easy to make at home, they bring that classic Southern comfort right to your table.

Golden-brown Arthur Treacher’s hush puppies served in a basket lined with parchment paper.
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If you’ve ever loved the crispy, golden hush puppies served at Arthur Treacher’s, you know they’re the perfect seafood sidekick—crispy on the outside, tender and fluffy on the inside, and packed with just the right amount of seasoning.

This Arthur Treacher’s Hush Puppies copycat recipe lets you recreate that classic Southern favorite right in your own kitchen, without the drive-thru wait. Whether you’re pairing them with fried fish, shrimp, or just craving a delicious snack, these hush puppies will hit the spot every time.

Basket of golden Arthur Treacher’s hush puppies served on parchment paper, crispy and ready to eat.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Crispy golden crust with a fluffy, tender inside — just like the restaurant version.
  • Simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
  • Quick to mix up and easy to fry or bake at home.
  • Perfectly seasoned with a hint of sweetness and spice.
  • The ideal sidekick for seafood dinners or a tasty snack anytime.

Arthur Treacher’s Hush Puppies Ingredients

Ingredients needed for Arthur Treacher’s Hush Puppies Copycat Recipe on kitchen table.
  • Buttermilk: Buttermilk adds rich flavor and creates a tender hush puppy. 
  • Eggs: Eggs create the structure needed to form hush puppies.
  • Salt: A touch of salt helps create the perfect flavor. 
  • Butter: While this is a simple ingredient, it produces a powerful result. Be sure to melt the butter before adding it to the other ingredients. 
  • All-Purpose Flour: The mixture of flour and cornmeal create the unique flavor of hush puppies. Just be careful to follow the recipe. Too much flour makes the hush puppies heavy and bread-like. 
  • Yellow Cornmeal: If you use self-rising cornmeal and flour, simply omit the baking soda.
  • Granulated Sugar: It is important to add sugar to balance the flavor of savory and sweet. While this may seem like an odd ingredient, you will know exactly why it is there after the first taste of the air fryer hush puppies! 
  • Baking Soda: Similar to bread, baking soda helps the air fryer hush puppies rise. 
  • Jalapeño Peppers: Add some minced jalapeño peppers for some heat! 

How To Make Arthur Treacher’s Hush Puppies

Mixing buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and salt together in a large metal bowl.

Step One: Mix the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and salt in a large mixing bowl. 

Adding flour, cornmeal, sugar, and baking soda to wet ingredients, then folding in diced jalapeños in a mixing bowl.

Step Two: Then, mix in the flour, cornmeal, sugar, and baking soda. Mix until just combined. Fold in the diced jalapeños.

Step Three: Grease your air fryer pan with olive oil or cooking spray. Fill the pan with the batter. Be careful not to overflow the pan because the hush puppies will rise while cooking. 

Hush puppies cooking in an air fryer basket set to 350°F, turning golden brown and crispy.

Step Four: Place the pan in the air fryer and set the temperature to 350 degrees F (air fryer setting) for 5 minutes.  Ensure you fully cooked the hush puppies before removing them. They should be golden brown. The actual time will depend on the air fryer you are using.

Step Five: Allow the hush puppies to cool. You can serve them with your favorite dipping sauces or leave them as a delicious side. Enjoy!

 Plate of golden, crispy Arthur Treacher’s hush puppies served hot and ready to eat.

Arthur Treacher’s Hush Puppies Copycat Recipe Tips

  • Use fresh cornmeal for the best texture and flavor—old cornmeal can taste stale.
  • Don’t overmix the batter; mix just until combined to keep the hush puppies light and fluffy.
  • Add jalapeños or diced onions for an extra flavor kick, just like some restaurant variations.
  • Try baking—just adjust cooking time until golden brown.

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

  • Storing: Keep leftover hush puppies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure they’re completely cooled before storing to avoid sogginess.
  • Freezing: Place cooled hush puppies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months.
  • Reheating: Reheat hush puppies in a 350°F oven or air fryer for 5–7 minutes to restore their crispy exterior. Avoid microwaving, as it will make them soggy and less tasty.
Golden-brown Arthur Treacher’s hush puppies being dipped in homemade sauce.

Arthur Treacher’s Hush Puppies Copycat Recipe Faqs

What type of cornmeal works best for hush puppies? Medium or fine ground cornmeal works best for a tender yet slightly crispy texture. Avoid super coarse cornmeal for a smoother bite.

Can I make these hush puppies gluten-free? Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup for regular flour.

How do I get hush puppies crispy without deep frying? Try baking or air frying them at 350°F until golden brown, turning halfway through. The texture won’t be quite as crispy as frying but still delicious.

Can I add other ingredients to the batter? Absolutely! Chopped jalapeños, minced onions, or shredded cheese are popular add-ins to customize flavor.

How long do hush puppies keep after cooking? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best texture.

Why did my hush puppies turn out dense? Overmixing the batter or using too much flour can make hush puppies dense. Mix just until combined and measure ingredients carefully.

Basket of golden Arthur Treacher’s hush puppies served hot, lined with parchment paper.

More Copycat Arthur Treachers Recipes

Arthur Treacher’s Fish Batter Copycat Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Po Boy Sandwich

Arthur Treacher’s Tartar Sauce Recipe

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Arthur Treacher’s Hush Puppies Copycat Recipe

Arthur Treacher’s Hush Puppies Copycat Recipe

4.34 from 3 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 12 Servings

Description

Make crispy, golden hush puppies just like Arthur Treacher’s with this easy copycat recipe. Perfectly seasoned and tender inside, these hush puppies are a must-have side for seafood meals.

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup butter, unsalted, and melted
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 large jalapeno pepper, sliced

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, mix the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and salt
  • Then mix in the flour, cornmeal, sugar, and baking soda.
  • Mix well.
  • Fold in the diced jalapenos.
  • Then grease your air fryer pan with cooking spray.
  • Fill the cavities with the batter
  • Set the pan into the air fryer, and set the temperature to 350 degrees F (air fryer setting) for 5 minutes. Make sure they are fully cooked before you remove them. The actual time will depend on the air fryer you are using.

Equipment

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 224kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 5gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 349mgPotassium: 123mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 209IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg

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