Air Fryer Hush Puppies

The BEST Air Fryer Hush Puppies that are perfectly seasoned, crispy and golden on the outside, but have a soft, warm, savory center. This delicious take on a classic southern comfort food will make you not even miss the deep fryer!

Air Fryer Hush Puppies

Hush puppies are cornmeal bread bites, that are deep fried to achieve a golden crispy exterior.

These Air Fryer Hush Puppies are perfectly seasoned, golden and crispy on the outside, and soft and warm on the inside, all in the air fryer instead of a deep fryer. They remind me of my favorite seafood restaurant, and best of all you can make them right at home!

Plus, these air fryer hush puppies are freezer-friendly so that you can make them in batches and then freeze for later use, making life so much easier!

The Great Sugar Debate 2.0

I know there's some contention about whether hushpuppies should have sugar between Southerners and Yankees. And yes, it's totally regional, and it's definitely up to you! (And yes this is our second sugar debate. Our first one was for Southern Skillet Cornbread)

So if you're on Team No Sugar, you might be scoffing about my addition of 1 tablespoon of sugar in this recipe. But don't run off yet. I'm actually on Team No Sugar, too. The tiny bit of sugar doesn't add much sweetness to this recipe, but it does allow the outside to darken just a little bit more and adds just the right amount of crispy to the outside. You can absolutely omit it, but there won't be much difference flavor-wise either way, as the sugar is more of a texture component here.

If you're on Team Sugar, there's nothing wrong with that! You can add up to ¼ cup sugar to this recipe. After that, I think you're venturing more into cake than hushpuppies. I would not recommend honey to this recipe, as it will make the batter runnier and more difficult to work with in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Hush Puppy Variations

This is a great basic, but certainly flavorful recipe. If you're looking for even more flavor, or even just some variety, try these simple add ins

• Louisiana-style hot sauce - This is my favorite kind to use because it adds a little heat without altering the overall flavor
• Red Pepper flakes - 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon depending on your heat tolerance level
• Diced jalapenos - Use about ¼ cup of fresh or pickled jalapenos. You can also use serrano or habanero peppers to up the spiciness even more.
• Cheese - ½ cup cheese adds a little more savory-ness to these. I love adding cheddar, but Parmesan would also work nicely.
• Cajun or Creole seasoning - add 1 teaspoon for some extra flavor. These will also add heat and saltiness, so you may want to taste before adding any other salt.

How to Keep Air Fryer Hush Puppies from Sticking

Prior to testing this recipe, I was very worried about sticking and dripping. However, my hush puppies ended up only dripping a little bit, even without any of the following precautions. So I recommend doing a small test batch (of 1 or 2 hush puppies) to see how your own air fryer will handle it.

Otherwise, the best method is to trace parchment paper in the shape of your air fryer basket. Place it in the bottom of the basket and scoop the hush puppies on top. Then just air-fry as normal. There are also pre-cut parchment paper rounds that are made specifically for air fryers and have holes to allow air circulation.

You can also use foil similarly to the parchment paper (but not wax paper because it will melt). A light spray of cooking oil can also help if your test batch had problems with sticking.

What Goes Well with Air Fryer Hush Puppies?

Traditionally, hush puppies are served with fish, and these air fryer hush puppies will pair perfectly. We also serve coleslaw and classic French fries for the complete meal. Here are a few of our favorite recipes:

• Southern Pan Fried Catfish - catfish coated in cornmeal and pan-fried in a skillet
• Salmon Croquettes - simple and quick salmon patties that are both delicious and cheap for the family.
• Baked Catfish Nuggets - catfish nuggets breaded in cornmeal and baked in the oven to crispy perfection.
• Lemon Pepper Baked Catfish - cornmeal coated catfish that's baked instead of fried. I promise you won't even miss the skillet or the oil.
• Beer Battered Catfish - catfish filets fried in a light, crisp beer batter

Can You Freeze Air Fryer Hush Puppies?

Yes! Cook according to recipe instructions. Then lay out on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for about 1 to 2 hours. Then transfer for a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, air fry at 370°F for about 5-10 minutes.

How to Cook Frozen Hush Puppies in the Air Fryer

Cook pre-made frozen hush puppies in the air fryer at 380°F for about 8 minutes. Check for doneness and gently toss. If they are not cooked through and crispy yet, cook for an additional 3-8 minutes.

More Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love

• Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters - a summer favorite in the air fryer! Use up that summer zucchini in these easy fritters that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
• Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks - a simple recipe that are far better than the boxed version, but CAN be frozen so you can make them as quickly as the boxed version in the future!
• Air Fryer Crab Cakes - my favorite crab cakes adapted for the air fryer. We make this every Christmas!
• Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers - quick, simple, low carb. Even my kiddos who are not fans of spicy couldn't get enough of these amazing snacks!
• Air Fryer Zucchini Fries - another great way to use up summer zucchini and make veggies extra fun. Coated in a garlicky, parmesan breading and air fried to perfection.

Air Fryer Hush Puppies Video