Air Fryer Hush Puppies — Hush Puppies are a Southern specialty. They are traditionally deep-fried, but this version is done in the air fryer to make them healthier and easier!

Hush puppies are a Southern-fried cornbread ball that is usually served with seafood. But did you know they can also be made in the air fryer? This recipe for Air Fryer Easy Southern Hush Puppies will show you how to make this delicious dish without all of the oil and grease.
These can also be cooked up in the Ninja Foodi! So, good!
The hush puppy is a small fried cornmeal doughnut with fish, seafood, and other low country dishes. These little treats are often served as appetizers or side dishes at the south because they go down easy with drinks. The hush puppy was created by the Native Americans who used to fry up strips of cornbread batter before cooking it over an open flame for added flavor. Today you can find these delicious delights all around America!
If you are looking for a great cornbread to go with your meal, some of my favorite Air Fryer Cornbread Recipes are AIR FRYER CREAMED CORN CORNBREAD, AIR FRYER PUMPKIN CORNBREAD, AIR FRYER HONEY BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD, and AIR FRYER BOXED CORNBREAD.
What Are Hush Puppies?
Hushpuppies are a traditional Deep Southside dish or appetizer typically made of cornmeal and shaped into balls. The name “hush puppy” comes from the idea that they were originally given to hunting dogs as treats so they would be quiet when hunting game nearby. Today, we know them as easy finger food for any occasion!
Hush puppies are a type of cornbread that is traditionally fried. They are often served as an appetizer or side dish and are usually accompanied by spicy dipping sauces like honey mustard or ketchup.
Hush puppies have been around for decades, but their popularity has only grown in recent years with more people learning about these tasty treats. One example of hush puppies being used as an appetizer is at the famous Mardi Gras restaurant Galatoire’s in New Orleans. They serve them alongside crabmeat creamed spinach topped with Hollandaise sauce.
Why are Hush Puppies called Hush Puppies?
It’s a common question, why are Hush Puppies called Hush Puppies? The answer is actually quite simple. In the 1800s, when these fried cornmeal dumplings were invented, they were originally given to children to get them to be quiet and stop making noise. If they didn’t eat their “hush puppy,” then that meant that they weren’t being good and would have to go into time-out or get spanked (depending on how old you were). So, in essence, the term “Hush Puppy” comes from the fact that if you ate your food quietly while it was cooking in hot oil, then there would be no sizzling sound — hence the name.

The Best Hush Puppies Air Fryer Recipe Recipe
Hush puppies are made of a light and airy batter with just enough spice to please your taste buds. Made from cornmeal, flour, salt, along with sugar for sweetness, they become rich in flavor when dropped into heated oil before you crisp up these delicious treats! But, today, we used the air fryer, so they are not greasy, and they are a relatively healthy side dish!
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Hush Puppies

- Buttermilk
- Eggs
- Salt
- Butter
- All-Purpose Flour
- Yellow Cornmeal
- Granulated Sugar
- Baking Soda
- Jalapeno Peppers
How To Make Air Fryer Hush Puppies

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 ( I found this at Williams Sonoma, it’s called the Bitelet pan) with olive oil or 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.

Ingredient Tips:
- Cornmeal: If you use self-rising cornmeal and flour, simply omit the baking powder for a lighter batter.
- Add-Ins: Add in minced jalapeños or red pepper flakes for a little more heat. You can also switch out your favorite seasonings to make different variations like cayenne, smoked paprika, and dried chipotle chiles would be great additions!
- Mixing: Once the batter is combined, stop mixing. Otherwise, you will end up with dense Hush Puppies.
- Cooking spray: Either use olive oil or cooking spray to coat your pan. This way, they pop out at the end of cooking.
How long can hush puppies be stored?
It’s best to serve them right away while they are still warm, but you can store the bread in your refrigerator for up to three days.
Reheat in the microwave or air fryer, before serving them again.
Can you freeze them?
Yes! You can always find a way to use up your leftover hush puppies! You can also double the batch
After cooking and cooling, place them in an airtight freezer bag for 3 to 4 months. When it’s time for some fried goodness again but don’t want all those carbs? Thaw out one or two patties per person; spread onto a foil-lined baking sheet then broil for 8 minutes until heated through – restoring crunch that was lost during the freezing process. You can also heat these in the air fryer or microwave, heat them until warmed through.
WHAT PAN TO USE:
I purchased this pan at Williams Sonoma, which is perfect for Hush Puppies and Donut Holes, but if you don’t have a Williams Sonoma near you. These pans will also work:
Nordic Ware Busy Bee Bitelet Pan
MORE AIR FRYER CORNBREAD RECIPES:
- AIR FRYER SKILLET CORNBREAD
- AIR FRYER BOXED CORNBREAD
- EASY AIR FRYER SOUTHERN BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD
- AIR FRYER HONEY BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD
- AIR FRYER PUMPKIN CORNBREAD
- EASY AIR FRYER CREAMED CORN CORNBREAD
- AIR FRYER PILLSBURY CORNBREAD SWIRLS
Air Fryer Hush Puppies

Air Fryer Hush Puppies -- Hush Puppies are a Southern specialty. They are traditionally deep-fried, but this version is done in the air fryer to make them healthier and easier!
Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
- 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 jalapeno pepper, diced
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.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
Ingredient Tips:
- Cornmeal: If you use self-rising cornmeal and flour, omit the baking powder for a lighter batter.
- Add-Ins: Add in minced jalapeños or red pepper flakes for a little more heat. You can also switch out your favorite seasonings to make different variations like cayenne, smoked paprika, and dried chipotle chiles would be great additions!
- Mixing: Once the batter is combined, stop mixing. Otherwise, you will end up with dense Hush Puppies.
- Cooking spray: Either use olive oil or cooking spray to coat your pan. This way, they pop out at the end of cooking.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 199Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 338mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 2gSugar: 10gProtein: 5g
ForkToSpoon.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although we try to attempt to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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