Hush puppies, prepared from recipe
Whole food · Baked Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Hush puppies are golden-brown, deep-fried balls or fritters made from a cornmeal-based batter, often seasoned with onion and spices. They offer a satisfyingly crisp exterior that gives way to a soft, slightly sweet, and savory interior. Nutritionally, they are a calorie-dense side dish, primarily composed of carbohydrates and fat, with a modest amount of protein.
Calorie split: 9% protein · 55% carbs · 36% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love hush puppies for their irresistible combination of a crunchy, fried crust and a warm, tender, cornmeal-rich center. They are deeply tied to Southern U.S. culture, often served alongside fried catfish or barbecue, evoking a sense of tradition and comfort.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat and carbohydrate content can contribute to blood-sugar spikes and is a concern for those managing calorie intake or heart health. To counteract this, pair them with a protein-rich dish like grilled fish or a fiber-rich vegetable side, and practice portion control by limiting yourself to one or two. They are also a common allergen for those with gluten or corn sensitivities.
Key benefits
- Quick and easy to prepare from a simple batter
- Provides a source of energy from complex carbohydrates
- Adds a flavorful, textural contrast to meals
- Versatile as a side, appetizer, or snack
- A staple comfort food in Southern U.S. cuisine
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The name 'hush puppy' is said to originate from the practice of frying small bits of cornmeal batter and tossing them to barking dogs to 'hush' them while fishermen cooked their catch.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 29.0 g |
| Energy | 337 kcal |
| Energy | 1410 kj |
| Protein | 7.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 13.5 g |
| Ash | 3.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 46.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.8 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 278 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 3.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 24.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 189 mg |
| Potassium, K | 144 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 668 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.66 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.22 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 15.8 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.35 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.33 mg |
| Niacin | 2.8 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.36 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.10 mg |
| Folate, total | 89.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 69.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 20.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 137 ug |
| Choline, total | 32.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.19 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 41.0 ug |
| Retinol | 38.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 27.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 17.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 186 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 401 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 23.6 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.5 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.54 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.3 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 7.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 6.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.81 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 45.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.08 g |
| Threonine | 0.28 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.32 g |
| Leucine | 0.71 g |
| Lysine | 0.31 g |
| Methionine | 0.17 g |
| Cystine | 0.14 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.38 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.29 g |
| Valine | 0.39 g |
| Arginine | 0.35 g |
| Histidine | 0.20 g |
| Alanine | 0.38 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.50 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.8 g |
| Glycine | 0.27 g |
| Proline | 0.69 g |
| Serine | 0.41 g |
FAQ
What are hush puppies made of?
They are primarily made from a batter of cornmeal, flour, eggs, milk or buttermilk, and often include onions, baking powder, and spices like garlic powder or cayenne pepper.
Are hush puppies gluten-free?
Traditional hush puppy recipes typically contain wheat flour, making them not gluten-free. However, gluten-free versions can be made using alternative flours like rice flour or a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
How are hush puppies different from corn fritters?
While similar, hush puppies are a specific type of cornmeal fritter from the Southern U.S., usually smaller, rounder, and fried, whereas corn fritters can be larger, flatter, and may contain whole corn kernels.
Can hush puppies be baked instead of fried?
Yes, they can be baked at a high temperature (around 400°F or 200°C) to reduce fat content, though they will not achieve the same deep-fried crispness.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.37 kcal/g · 9% calories from protein · 2.8 g fiber · 2.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 4.64 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.