Air Fryer Hush Puppies (Easy Recipe)

Air Fryer hush puppies are crunchy on the outside and oh-so-tender and fluffy on the inside.

They’re like crispy golden fried balls from heaven that pair well with everything from roast chicken to juicy pork chops.

The best part? These guys are fried to perfection without using oil.

That’s the power of the Air Fryer.

Thanks to this seemingly magical kitchen appliance, healthy eating has never been easier.

So, check out these tasty Air Fryer hush puppies and let me know how much you love them!

Air Fryer Hush Puppies

So, how’s your new year’s resolution going? 

If it’s getting harder and harder to maintain a healthy lifestyle, I highly recommend investing in an Air Fryer.

Seriously, this appliance is a godsend! It allows you to cook deep-fried favorites without oil, making them essentially guilt-free. 

With the Air Fryer, you can whip up classic comfort foods such as fried chicken, crispy fries, popcorn shrimp, and yes, even hush puppies.

These crunchy cornmeal-based bites are sensational! Trust me; they taste just as good without the oil. 

How Did Hush Puppies Get Their Name?

Hush puppies got their name because anglers used to toss balls of fried dough to their dogs to keep them quiet. The dough was leftover from their fish fry and was used to “hush the puppies.” Stories also suggest that soldiers during the Civil War did the same to keep their dogs from barking.

There are a few other stories, but I like this one the best!

Should I be offended that one of my favorite snacks in the world started out as dog food?

They’re so freakin’ good; I don’t even care. 

Ingredients

• Yellow Cornmeal – It gives the hush puppies its iconic yellow hue and a mild corn flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour – It gives the hush puppies a tender crumb.
• Baking Powder – The leavening agent that lifts the hush puppy batter.
• Salt – To taste.
• Cayenne Pepper – For a bit of a kick. Feel free to adjust the measurement to suit your taste.
• Garlic Powder – For a savory and peppery flavor.
• Minced Onion – Onion is one of the primary flavors you’ll taste in hush puppies, so you can’t skip this out! If you don’t have fresh onion, onion powder works, too.
• Minced Bell Pepper – Red, green, yellow, orange – any color works.
• Low-Fat Buttermilk – To moisten and enrich the batter. 
• 1 Large Egg – To bind the ingredients together.
• Non-Fat Cooking Spray – You’ll grease the tops of the hush puppies to give them a golden finish.

How to Make Hush Puppies in the Air Fryer

Air Fryer users all know we’re not supposed to put wet batter in the basket because the hot air will cause it to splatter, creating quite the mess.

But, this rule only applies to loose batters, the likes of crepes, pancakes, and waffles.

It does not apply to thick, dough-like batters that you have to scoop instead of pour – like hush puppy batter!

Here’s how to make them:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line the basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper to prevent the batter from dripping through the holes.

Step 2: Make the batter.

Combine the dry ingredients – cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and spices.

Whisk the wet ingredients together, then slowly combine them with the dry. Expect the batter to be thick with lumps.

Mix in the minced onion and bell pepper. 

Step 3: Let the batter rest. 

It’s crucial to give the flour and cornmeal time to absorb the buttermilk, as this will thicken your batter. 

Step 4: Shape the batter into mounds.

Drop spoonfuls of batter into the Air Fryer basket using a cookie scoop. Spray the tops with non-fat spray.

Step 5: Air Fry the hush puppies.

You’ll know they’re ready when they’re crispy and golden on the outside. This will take about 9-10 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Hush Puppies

Guarantee crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside hush puppies with these tricks:

• Don’t overmix the batter; otherwise, your hush puppies will be dense and rubbery. Stop as soon as the ingredients are well-combined – lumps are totally fine!
• No onion? Use onion powder. 
• Let the batter rest for at least 5 minutes to thicken. You don’t need to cover it – just let it sit on the counter.
• Line the basket with either aluminum foil or parchment paper. You don’t want the wet batter to drip through the holes.
• You can either drop mounds of batter directly onto the Air Fryer basket or roll the dough into balls. Grease your hands with a bit of non-fat spray to keep the batter from sticking.
• Don’t crowd the basket. There must be enough space for the hot air to circulate throughout the Air Fryer to cook food evenly.
• This recipe yields 12 hush puppies, but don’t cook them all at once. Instead, give them about 1-2 inches of space in between. 
• Air Fryers don’t all operate the same way – some run hotter than others; some have a bigger capacity, etc. That said, the length of cooking will vary from one Air Fryer to another. The average is 9-10 minutes, but this may not always be the case, so check for doneness after 7 minutes to be safe.
• Also, note that the Air Fryer will get hotter the longer it stays on. Keep this in mind when cooking in batches. The hotter the temperature, the shorter the cooking time should be.
• Keep the hush puppies warm while cooking the rest of the batter by placing them in a 200-degree-Fahrenheit oven. Make sure they’re spaced apart to keep from steaming and going soggy.

Recipe Variations

This is a basic recipe for hush puppies, so there’s so much room for tweaking!

Here are some must-try variations:

• Mix in canned or frozen corn kernels for a sweet and crunchy surprise.
• Make it meaty with bacon or sausage crumbles.
• Spice it up with jalapeños, paprika, or red pepper flakes.
• Make it extra decadent with grated cheddar cheese. 

Serving Suggestions

These hush puppies are healthier than most, so don’t feel guilty about dunking them in your favorite dips and sauces.

You can’t go wrong with these:

• Homemade BBQ Sauce
• Qdoba Queso
• Velveeta Sausage Dip
• Hormel Chili Dip

How to Store Hush Puppies

Air Fryer hush puppies are best eaten fresh, but you can keep leftovers in the fridge overnight.

Reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 4 minutes.

Can I Freeze Hush Puppies?

Certainly! They’ll keep well for up to 3 months.

You can also reheat them straight from the freezer. Just pop them in the Air Fryer and cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes.

You don’t need to line the basket with parchment paper when reheating.

More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

Air Fryer Okra
Air Fryer Corn Dogs
Air Fryer Ribs
Air Fryer Biscuits
Air Fryer Dumplings