Homemade Long John Silver’s–Style Hushpuppies (Easy Copycat Recipe)
If you’ve ever pulled away from the drive-thru at Long John Silver’s and grabbed a warm hushpuppy out of the box before you even hit the stoplight… this post is for you. Today I’m sharing a simple, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside copycat Long John Silver’s hushpuppies recipe you can make at home with pantry staples. No deep fryer required (unless you want to use one!).About Long John Silver’s & Their Famous Hushpuppies
Long John Silver’s is a classic American fast-seafood chain known for its golden fried fish, crunchy batter crumbs, and of course, those little balls of fried cornbread called hushpuppies. Their hushpuppies are:- Crunchy on the outside
- Soft and tender on the inside
- Lightly sweet with a hint of onion
- Perfect for dipping in tartar sauce or just popping plain
Ingredients for Copycat Long John Silver’s Hushpuppies
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| These copycat Long John Silver’s–style hushpuppies are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and easy to make at home with simple pantry ingredients |
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes (in batches)
Total Time: 30–35 minutes
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika (optional, for color and a hint of flavor)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk (plus 1–2 Tbsp more if needed)
- 1/4 cup finely minced yellow onion (or sweet onion)
- 1 Tbsp grated onion (for extra moisture and flavor, optional)
- 1 Tbsp melted butter or vegetable oil (cooled slightly)
- Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil (enough for 2–3 inches of depth in your pot)
Food Safety & Frying Temperature Tips
Even though hushpuppies don’t contain meat, it’s still important to cook them correctly so they’re safe and fully done inside.- Keep your frying oil around 350–365°F. Use a deep-fry thermometer if you have one.
- Too low (under ~325°F): hushpuppies soak up oil and turn greasy.
- Too high (over ~375°F): they brown fast outside but stay doughy inside.
- Cook each batch until the hushpuppies are deep golden brown and no longer doughy in the center (usually about 3–4 minutes).
Step‑by‑Step: How to Make Long John Silver’s–Style Hushpuppies
1. Prep Your Oil
- Pour oil into a heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet to a depth of about 2–3 inches.
- Heat over medium heat until it reaches 350–365°F.
- While the oil heats, mix your batter.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup flour
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 Tbsp melted butter or oil
- Stir in the finely minced and grated onion.
4. Combine Wet and Dry
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients.
- Stir gently with a spoon or spatula just until combined.
- The batter should be thick enough to hold its shape on a spoon, but still scoopable.
- If it seems too stiff and crumbly, add an extra 1–2 Tbsp of buttermilk until it loosens slightly.
5. Shape the Hushpuppies
You can use:- A small cookie scoop (about 1 Tbsp size)
- Two teaspoons (one to scoop, one to push the batter off)
6. Fry in Batches
- When the oil reaches 350–365°F, carefully drop in a few scoops of batter.
- Do not overcrowd the pot; leave space so they can float and roll.
- Use a slotted spoon or spider to turn them occasionally so they brown evenly.
- Fry for about 3–4 minutes, until deep golden brown.
7. Drain & Serve
- Use a slotted spoon to remove hushpuppies to a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
- Sprinkle with a light pinch of salt while they’re still hot, if you like.
- Serve warm with tartar sauce, honey, or a squeeze of lemon.
Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)
These numbers are estimates and will vary with exact ingredients and how much oil is absorbed. Assuming 6 servings (about 4 hushpuppies each):- Calories: ~190
- Carbohydrates: ~24g
- Protein: ~4g
- Fat: ~9g
- Saturated Fat: ~2g
- Sodium: ~380mg
- Fiber: ~2g
- Sugar: ~3g
Make It Even Easier: Air Fryer & Shortcut Options
Maybe you don’t feel like dealing with a pot of hot oil—totally understandable. Here are a couple of simpler paths.Air Fryer Hushpuppies
They won’t be exactly like classic deep-fried hushpuppies, but they’re still tasty and much lighter.- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Line the basket with parchment paper or lightly spray with oil.
- Scoop 1 Tbsp balls of batter and set them in the basket, leaving space between each.
- Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and cooked through.
Box Mix Shortcut
In a hurry? You can hack a box of cornbread mix:- Use 1 box (8.5 oz) of corn muffin mix.
- Prepare according to package directions, but reduce the liquid slightly so the batter is thicker.
- Stir in 1/4 cup finely minced onion and 1 Tbsp sugar.
- Fry or air fry as directed above.
Allergy‑Friendly & Special Diet Swaps
Everyone deserves a warm hushpuppy. Here are some common tweaks for dietary needs.Gluten‑Free Hushpuppies
- Use a 1:1 gluten‑free all‑purpose flour blend in place of regular flour.
- Make sure your cornmeal is labeled gluten‑free (some can be cross‑contaminated).
Dairy‑Free Version
- Swap buttermilk for unsweetened non‑dairy milk (almond, oat, soy) plus 1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice per 3/4 cup. Let sit 5 minutes to “sour.”
- Skip the butter and use a neutral oil.
Egg‑Free / Vegan Hushpuppies
- Use the dairy‑free swap above.
- Replace each egg with:
- 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 Tbsp warm water (let thicken 5 minutes) or
- Commercial egg replacer, prepared as the package directs.
Lower‑Oil Option
- Use the air fryer method instead of deep frying.
- Keep portions smaller so they cook quickly without needing as much oil spray.
Serving Ideas & Leftovers
Hushpuppies are most magical right after frying, but leftovers are still useful. Serve With:- Fried or baked fish
- Grilled shrimp
- Fried chicken tenders
- Coleslaw and tartar sauce
- Cool completely before storing.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5–8 minutes to crisp them back up. Avoid the microwave if you can—it makes them soft and chewy.
Can You Really Copy Long John Silver’s Hushpuppies at Home?
Will this be 100% identical to what comes out of the restaurant fryer? No. Long John Silver’s uses commercial equipment, specific mixes, and processes that we don’t have access to. But with:- The right balance of cornmeal to flour
- A touch of sugar and onion
- Oil at the proper frying temperature
Let’s Talk Hushpuppies – Share Your Twist!
Do you like your hushpuppies a little sweeter? Do you toss in jalapeños, cheese, or extra onion? I’d love to hear:- How this copycat Long John Silver’s hushpuppies recipe turned out for you
- Any tweaks you made for your family’s taste
- Whether you deep fried or used the air fryer
Important Disclaimers
- This recipe is a homemade copycat created for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not the official Long John Silver’s recipe, and no insider or proprietary information was used or implied.
- Simply Copycat Recipes is an Amazon Associate and may earn from qualifying purchases if you buy through our affiliate links. This helps support the site at no extra cost to you.
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