Captain D’s Hush Puppies Recipe

Make Captain D’s famous hush puppies at home with this easy copycat recipe! Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside—perfect as a side for seafood, BBQ, or Southern favorites.

Bring the taste of Captain D’s right to your kitchen with these golden, crispy hush puppies!

This easy copycat recipe delivers that signature crunchy outside and soft, fluffy center you love, making them the perfect sidekick for fried fish, shrimp, BBQ, or any Southern-style meal.

With simple pantry ingredients and a few minutes of air frying, you can whip up a basket of these savory bites that taste just like the restaurant version—only fresher and hotter!

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• Restaurant-Quality at Home – Get that authentic Captain D’s flavor without leaving your kitchen.
• Crispy & Fluffy Perfection – Golden on the outside, soft and tender on the inside—just the way hush puppies should be.
• Simple Ingredients – Made with pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
• Quick to Make – Mix, fry, and enjoy in under 20 minutes.
• Perfect Side Dish – Pairs beautifully with fried fish, BBQ, or any Southern comfort meal.

Captain D’s Hush Puppies Ingredients

• Cornmeal – Traditional yellow cornmeal for authentic hush puppy flavor.
• All-purpose flour – Softens texture and balances dense cornmeal base.
• Baking powder – Ensures light, airy hush puppies every time.
• Salt – Simple seasoning that boosts all other flavors.
• Sugar – Adds subtle sweetness to balance jalapeño heat.
• Egg – Binds batter for perfect hush puppy texture.
• Buttermilk or milk – Moistens batter and adds tangy flavor.
• Onion (finely diced) – Savory crunch and flavor in each bite.
• Diced jalapeños – Spicy kick with bright, fresh pepper taste.
• Cooking spray – Helps hush puppies crisp perfectly in air fryer.

How To Make Captain D’s Hush Puppies Recipe

Step One: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until well combined. Stir in finely diced onion and diced jalapeños for that savory-spicy kick. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and buttermilk (or milk) until smooth.

Step Two: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until everything is just combined — don’t overmix or they’ll turn out dense.

Step Three: Spray your air fryer pan lightly with cooking spray. Fill each cavity with batter, then place the pan in the air fryer. Set the air fryer temperature to 350 degrees F and set cook for 5-7 minutes. Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer, so make sure the hush puppies are fully cooked before removing.

Captain D’s Hush Puppies Recipe Tips

• Don’t skip the jalapeños — they add a subtle heat that brings this recipe to life.
• Use fresh ingredients — especially fresh onions and buttermilk for the best flavor and texture.
• Don’t overmix the batter — stir until just combined to keep hush puppies light and fluffy.
• Space them out in the air fryer — overcrowding leads to uneven cooking and soggy pups.
• Check your air fryer’s temperature — every model heats differently, so adjust cooking time as needed.
• Serve immediately — hush puppies taste best hot and crispy, so eat them fresh.
• Try dipping sauces — tartar sauce, honey butter, or spicy mayo all pair perfectly.

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

• Storing: Store leftover hush puppies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer to keep the exterior crispy.
• Freezing: Freeze hush puppies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer until heated through and crispy.
• Reheating: Reheat hush puppies in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to restore their crunch. Avoid microwaving, as it will make them soggy.

Captain D’s Hush Puppies Recipe Faqs

Can I make Captain D’s hush puppies without jalapeños? Absolutely! Simply leave out the jalapeños if you prefer a milder flavor.

Can I bake these hush puppies instead of air frying? Yes, bake at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway until golden brown.

How do I store leftover hush puppies? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze Captain D’s hush puppies? Yes, freeze them in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.

What dipping sauces go well with these hush puppies? Tartar sauce, honey butter, spicy mayo, or classic ketchup are all great choices.

How do I make sure my hush puppies are crispy? Avoid overcrowding the air fryer and reheat in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.

More Copycat Captain D Recipes

• Captain D’s Tartar Sauce Recipe
• Captain D Fish Sticks Recipe
• Captain D’s Coconut Shrimp Recipe

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