The BEST Air Fryer Hush Puppies that are perfectly seasoned, crispy and golden on the outside, but have a soft, warm, savory center. You won't even miss the deep fryer!
In a large mixing bowl, add flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, salt, and pepper, and whisk to combine.
To the flour mixture, add buttermilk, melted butter, and eggs. Whisk to combine.
Fold in remaining ingredients.
Allow batter to rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.
Line inside of air fryer basket with parchment paper.
With a tablespoon or cookie scoop, scoop out dough and make into round balls (as much as possible. You won't be able to roll it, as the mixture will be too wet)
Place inside lined air fryer basket so that they're not touching. (You may need to work in batches.)
Cook in air fryer at 380°F for 5 minutes. Carefully turn them over and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Serve when cooked through and crispy on the outside.
Video
Notes
Add some spice with a tablespoon or 2 of finely chopped jalapenos. You can also add a couple dashes of Louisiana-style hot sauce or some red pepper flakes to the batter.
Remember all air fryers put off a varying degree of heat, so be sure to check them and cook a few extra minutes if needed.
Buttermilk: If you don't have any buttermilk on hand, use this super easy buttermilk substitute.
Sugar: The sugar in this recipe adds some crispy browness to the edges. You can omit it completely if you'd rather, or up the amount to ¼ cup if you're actually a fan of the sweetness.
Corn: Fresh off the cob, frozen, or canned corn all work equally well for this recipe. I like to thaw the frozen, and make sure corn is patted dry to not increase the moisture in the batter.
Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat in the air fryer at 370°F for 3-5 minutes until crisp and heated through.
Freezer Directions: After cooking the hushpuppies, freeze flat on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to 6 months. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer at 390°F for 4-5 minutes until heated through and crispy.