These are no ordinary hush puppies. Crisp and golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside, they contain a surprise filling of melty and creamy pimento cheese. For the best bite, be sure to eat them while still warm.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 1 hr |
| Active: | 40 min |
| Yield: | 16 to 18 hush puppies |
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 1 hr |
| Active: | 40 min |
| Yield: | 16 to 18 hush puppies |
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded sharp or extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons drained diced pimentos (about half of a 4-ounce jar)
- 2 pinches of cayenne pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, shaken
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Stir together 1/2 cup Cheddar, the cream cheese, pimentos and cayenne in a small bowl. Scoop teaspoon-size balls of the cream cheese mixture onto a plate and freeze until firm, 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a Dutch oven or other large pot over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F.
- Whisk the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center and add the buttermilk and egg. Whisk the liquid ingredients together, then stir in the surrounding dry mixture until just combined. Fold in the remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Working in batches, drop the cream cheese balls into the batter and turn with 2 spoons until thinly coated all over. Gently drop into the hot oil and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown all over, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a rack set on a baking sheet and season with salt; keep warm in the oven while you batter and fry the rest. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 18 servings |
| Calories | 119 |
| Total Fat | 9 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Cholesterol | 21 mg |
| Sodium | 110 mg |
| Serving Size | 1 of 18 servings |
| Calories | 119 |
| Total Fat | 9 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Cholesterol | 21 mg |
| Sodium | 110 mg |