Hush puppies are little bites of cornbread-like goodness, fried to perfection. They’re very popular in Southern cuisine, and I love them alongside some fried fish! If you don’t want to make batter and tend a deep fryer, then try these air fryer frozen hush puppies instead!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Making frozen hush puppies in the air fryer cuts out all of the preparation time, while still delivering a golden brown result. The crispy exterior gives way to a warm, soft inside packed with cornmeal, corn, and sometimes other additions like jalapenos for a delicious bite.
Basically, this recipe takes all the hard work out, so you can air fry your hushpuppies up quickly and easily, and you won’t have to sacrifice flavor!
I like to pair them with some frozen breaded fish in the air fryer for a perfect meal!
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What You Need For This Recipe
- Frozen hush puppies, any brand
Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions
- Hush puppies. Any brand of frozen hush puppies works fine. I have the Savannah Classics original flavor (they make a jalapeno version as well). I’ve also tried Great Value frozen hush puppies and some other brands with equal success
- Most commonly, frozen hushpuppies come in a 1-lb bag. A serving is usually 3-4 (depending on brand) so you’ll get 9-10 servings per bag
How to Cook Frozen Hush Puppies in the Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
- Place frozen hush puppies in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, allowing space between each one. Cook in batches if needed depending on the size of your air fryer to avoid overcrowding, which can result in soggy hush puppies
- Cook on air fryer setting for 8 minutes at 400°F, pausing to shake the basket once halfway through to promote even cooking
- Check for doneness, and add any additional cooking time needed in 1-minute increments
- Hush puppies are cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces!
Alternate Oven Cooking Directions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F
- Add frozen hush puppies to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer
- Bake 14-16 minutes, using tongs to turn halfway through cooking, until golden brown
- Cool 2-3 minutes, then enjoy
I don’t find the hush puppies get as crisp in the oven, and obviously the cooking time and preheating time is longer when compared to the air fryer. However, it’s still a fine alternative if you don’t have an air fryer (or yours is busy making something else)!
What to Dip Hush Puppies In
- Remoulade
- Honey
- Hot honey
- Cajun or spicy mayo
- Malt vinegar
- Garlic butter
- Chipotle or southwest ranch
- Cocktail sauce
- Tartar sauce
- Hot sauce
- Pepper jelly
- Ketchup
- Ranch dressing
- Honey mustard
These are some of my favorite options to dip hush puppies in. Now that you know how easy it is to make frozen hush puppies in your air fryer, you can try them all and pick your favorite!
Recipe FAQs
Can You Cook Frozen Hush Puppies in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen hush puppies in the air fryer. It delivers a golden brown and crispy exterior and delicious, soft corn interior.
Best of all, the air fryer method uses less oil than deep frying. You’re getting all the flavor and crunch with way less fat than the traditional method.
How Long Do You Cook Frozen Hush Puppies in an Air Fryer?
You should cook frozen hush puppies in an air fryer for approximately 8-10 minutes. This time may vary slightly based on the size and power of your particular air fryer.
It also assumes you’re cooking at a temperature of 400°F, which will give you a deep, golden crust. If you prefer to lower the temperature, it generally takes a few more minutes.
Are Hush Puppies Good in an Air Fryer?
Yes! Hush puppies come out perfectly in the air fryer with a crispy, golden brown crust and soft, tender inside.
They are faster than the oven, use less oil than deep frying, and have a great texture too.
Do You Cook Hush Puppies From Frozen?
Yes, you cook frozen hush puppies directly from frozen, with no defrosting required.
This is true for both the air fryer and the oven. If you plan to deep dry them, thaw the hushpuppies for about 30 minutes.
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Frozen Hush Puppies
- You don’t need to add any extra oil or cooking spray in the cooking process. The frozen hush puppies already come with oil in the batter, so you won’t need any more to get that delicious, browned crust
- These Savannah Classics frozen hush puppies in my Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer are perfect at 8 minutes. However, different brand hush puppies of other sizes and other air fryers may vary slightly
- Shaking the basket halfway through cooking helps promote even heat distribution, crisping, and browning. In short: your food will look and taste better!
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store any leftover hush puppies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I do not recommend putting them back in the freezer after cooking, as it will start to dry out the texture too much
- To reheat hushpuppies in the air fryer, heat at a lower temperature of 350°F for 2-3 minutes, or until warmed through. Time can vary slightly between air fryers and brands of hush puppies, so adjust as needed in small increments
More Air Fryer Side Dish Recipes
Final Thoughts
Making air fryer frozen hush puppies delivers delicious bite-sized goodness in just under 10 minutes. You can skip making your own dough and tending the deep fryer as well. These hush puppies attain perfect crispiness in the basket of your air fryer!
Since they use less oil than traditional frying, they’re better for you as well. Plus, since cooking hush puppies has never been easier, it sounds like a reason to make more to me!
I love to serve hushpuppies as a side dish, particular with fried fish and other seafood. However, they make an excellent snack or appetizer all on their own – especially with a delicious dipping sauce or two!
Air Fryer Frozen Hush Puppies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 frozen hush puppies (such as Southern Classics)
- Dipping sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
- Place frozen hush puppies in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer6 frozen hush puppies (such as Southern Classics)
- Cook on air fryer setting for 8 minutes at 400°F, pausing halfway to shake the basket. Check for them to be hot and crispy, with an internal temperature of 165°F. Add additional cooking time as needed in 1-minute increments
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces if desired!Dipping sauce (optional)
Notes
- I’m cooking Savannah Classics frozen hush puppies here, but I’ve also used Great Value and other brands with no problems
- The 8 minute cooking timer is perfect for my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer, but other makes and models may need slightly more or less time
- You do not need to add any additional oil to frozen hush puppies. They come with it already in the dough
- Remoulade is one of the most common dipping sauces for frozen hush puppies, but you can use your favorite
- Exact nutritional values will vary depending on specific brand used and any sauces consumed, so please consider this as only a guideline or estimate
Nutrition
