Gluten free hush puppies recipe lovers, this one’s for you. I still remember my first bite of a hush puppy golden, crisp, warm, and served at a roadside fish shack on the Gulf Coast. Back then, I had no idea I’d one day have to give up gluten. When I did, recreating that nostalgic crunch became my mission. These days, my gluten free hush puppies recipe is a staple at family cookouts and weeknight fish fry dinners. They’re made with simple, wholesome ingredients, taste just like the originals, and hold together beautifully without any wheat flour. Let me show you how.
Table of Contents
1: What It Is & The Story Behind the Recipe
What Are Gluten Free Hush Puppies?
A gluten free hush puppies recipe recreates the beloved Southern side dish without wheat, relying on naturally gluten-free flours like cornmeal and rice flour. Traditionally deep fried and served alongside catfish or barbecue, hush puppies are golden nuggets of cornmeal batter crispy outside, fluffy inside, and often flavored with onions or scallions. The gluten free version retains that texture and taste, swapping out wheat based ingredients for gut friendly alternatives. The result is a satisfying bite with all the Southern charm and none of the gluten.
Hush puppies get their name from old Southern tales: cooks would toss fried dough to barking dogs to “hush the puppies.” Whether or not that’s true, what’s certain is their place in comfort food culture. And today, with more people looking for wheat free options, hush puppies don’t have to be off the menu. With a few thoughtful tweaks, they can be just as delicious and even more nourishing.
Who Is This Recipe For?
This gluten free hush puppies recipe is perfect for anyone avoiding gluten, whether due to celiac, intolerance, or lifestyle choice. But it’s also a winner for families who want easy, crowd pleasing sides that pair well with fried chicken, seafood, or chili. Kids love them, adults crave them, and they make a great gluten-free alternative at parties or potlucks.
I’ve even served these alongside my gluten-free mozzarella sticks and chicken tenders for the ultimate comfort-food platter. Guests are always surprised to learn they’re gluten free, thanks to their bold corn flavor and crispy texture.
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Gluten Free Hush Puppies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 hush puppies 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, these gluten free hush puppies bring all the Southern charm without the wheat. Perfect for fish fries, barbecues, or a comfort food platter!
Ingredients
- 1 cup fine or medium-ground yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup gluten-free flour (white rice flour or 1:1 gluten-free blend)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or plant-based milk with 1 tsp vinegar)
- Vegetable or peanut oil for frying
- Optional: 1 tbsp chopped jalapeño or scallions
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, gluten-free flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
- Stir in finely chopped onion and optional jalapeños or scallions.
- In a separate bowl, beat egg with buttermilk. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed. Batter should be thick and scoopable. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes.
- Heat oil to 350–365°F in a deep skillet or Dutch oven.
- Drop batter by small scoops into the oil. Fry 2–3 minutes per batch, turning once, until golden brown.
- Drain on a wire rack and sprinkle with salt while hot.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Use a cookie scoop for even shapes. Let batter rest before frying. Avoid paper towels—drain on a rack to keep crispy. Reheat leftovers in oven or air fryer for best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 hush puppies
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
2: How It Works & Why It’s Loved
How Gluten Free Hush Puppies Hold Together Without Wheat
You might wonder: can a gluten free hush puppies recipe really work without traditional flour? Absolutely. The secret lies in using finely ground cornmeal and a binding gluten free flour like rice or sorghum, combined with eggs for structure. A touch of baking powder gives lift, while a splash of buttermilk or dairy-free milk keeps the interior moist.
Instead of gluten, which provides elasticity in regular dough, this recipe relies on balance. The cornmeal offers a gritty bite; the rice flour adds smoothness. Together, they form a batter that crisps perfectly when fried and holds its shape without crumbling. A finely chopped onion folded in gives that classic savory sweet flavor, while keeping the texture interesting.
For best results, the batter should be thick not runny like pancake mix. Let it rest a few minutes before frying so the ingredients hydrate fully. This small step makes a big difference in achieving the fluffy, cohesive interior you expect from traditional hush puppies.
Why Gluten Free Hush Puppies Are a Fan Favorite
What makes this gluten free hush puppies recipe such a hit? It’s all about the crunch and crave worthy corn flavor. Unlike some gluten-free swaps that fall flat, these deliver on texture and taste. They’re quick to whip up, budget-friendly, and endlessly versatile. Serve them at fish fries, alongside BBQ pulled pork, or as a fun appetizer with dipping sauce.
These hush puppies have become a family favorite at my house, especially when paired with gluten free dinner rolls or crispy chicken nuggets. Even picky eaters love them.
3: What It’s Made Of & How to Prep
What Goes Into a Gluten Free Hush Puppies Recipe
A great gluten free hush puppies recipe starts with a few core ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to capture that iconic flavor and texture without the gluten.
- Cornmeal – Choose fine or medium-ground yellow cornmeal for authentic grit and flavor.
- Gluten-free flour – I use white rice flour or a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Both bind well and keep the interior soft.
- Baking powder – Adds just enough lift to create that fluffy interior.
- Salt and sugar – A small amount of each balances the savory and sweet notes perfectly.
- Egg – Acts as a binder and adds richness.
- Buttermilk or plant-based milk with vinegar – Moisture is key! Buttermilk gives a classic tang, but dairy-free works too.
- Onion – Finely diced for sweetness and texture. Some folks add scallions or jalapeños too.
This combination creates a thick batter that’s scoopable and stable when frying. You don’t need gums or starches just real, simple ingredients.
Prep Tips for Gluten Free Frying Success
When frying hush puppies, temperature control is key. Heat oil to 350–365°F and fry in batches to avoid cooling the oil. I use a small cookie scoop to drop the batter into the oil it’s quick, neat, and keeps them uniform.
Let the cooked hush puppies rest on a wire rack, not paper towels. This keeps them crisp instead of soggy. A sprinkle of salt right out of the fryer brings everything to life.
For extra flavor, serve them with a zesty dip or next to no-knead gluten-free bread and crispy taquitos. It’s a Southern-style feast that’s entirely gluten free.
4: How to Make It (Step by Step Gluten Free Hush Puppies Recipe)
Step by Step Instructions for Gluten Free Hush Puppies
Making this gluten free hush puppies recipe is simple, fast, and totally worth it. Here’s how to bring the golden crunch to your kitchen:
1. Mix the dry ingredients.
In a bowl, combine 1 cup cornmeal, ½ cup gluten-free flour (like rice or a 1:1 blend), 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt, and 1 tsp sugar.
2. Add flavor and texture.
Stir in ½ cup finely chopped onion. Want a kick? Toss in a tablespoon of chopped jalapeño or scallions.
3. Blend wet ingredients.
In another bowl, beat 1 egg with ½ cup buttermilk (or plant-based milk + 1 tsp vinegar). Add the wet mixture to the dry and mix until just combined. The batter should be thick but scoopable. Let it rest 5–10 minutes.
4. Heat the oil.
In a deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat oil (vegetable or peanut) to 350–365°F. Use a thermometer for best results.
5. Fry in batches.
Using a small cookie scoop or two spoons, drop the batter into hot oil. Fry for 2–3 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and puffed. Don’t crowd the pan.
6. Drain and serve.
Place on a wire rack to drain. Sprinkle lightly with salt while hot.
Serve warm with a dipping sauce honey butter, remoulade, or even dairy free ranch. For a full meal, try pairing with gluten-free biscuits or pizza rolls. You won’t believe these are wheat-free!
These hush puppies reheat beautifully in the oven or air fryer, so make a double batch and enjoy them all week.
5: Conclusion
This gluten free hush puppies recipe proves you don’t need wheat to enjoy crispy, golden bites of Southern joy. With the right flour blend, a few pantry staples, and a hot skillet, you can recreate the nostalgic flavor and crunch of classic hush puppies completely gluten free. Whether you’re serving them with fried fish, barbecue, or as a stand-alone snack, they’re guaranteed to steal the show.
I created this version out of necessity, but now it’s a recipe I make by choice. It’s quick, easy, and deeply satisfying. Just like my gluten-free mozzarella sticks and crispy chicken tenders, these hush puppies bring people together wheat-free, worry free, and full of flavor.
Can you make hush puppies with masa flour?
Yes, you can! Masa harina (corn flour treated with lime) gives a subtle tamale like flavor and works well in a gluten free hush puppies recipe. However, it’s finer than traditional cornmeal, so mix it with a bit of gluten free flour or coarser cornmeal for the best texture.
How do you keep gluten free hush puppies from falling apart?
The key is the right ratio of liquid to dry ingredients and proper binding. Use an egg, and don’t skip resting the batter. Also, fry in oil that’s hot enough around 350–365°F. Too cool, and they absorb oil and collapse. A thick batter holds its shape better.
What’s the difference between cornbread and hush puppies?
Cornbread is baked and usually fluffier or cakier. Hush puppies are deep fried, crisp on the outside, and tender inside. While both use cornmeal, a gluten free hush puppies recipe includes a thicker batter and more oil for frying. It’s a totally different eating experience.
What is hush puppy batter made of?
Traditionally: cornmeal, flour, baking powder, egg, onion, and milk. In this gluten free version, we swap the wheat flour for rice flour or a gluten-free blend, keep the egg, and use dairy free milk if needed. The result is just as crisp and satisfying.
Can I use masa instead of flour?
You can substitute masa harina for part of the flour, but not all. Too much and the hush puppies get dense. Try ¼ cup masa plus ¼ cup rice flour if you’re experimenting. It adds a unique depth of flavor.