Hello, my wonderful chickpeas! Get your air fryers out and ready, because today we are making Air Fryer Hush Puppies! These are a more wholesome twist on the southern classic, are easy to make, and pack in some great flavor and texture. These oil-free and completely vegan hush puppies are sure to be a hit in your house!
You'll be surprised at how easy it is to make this snackable comfort food. Let's get into the recipe!
Inspiration for Air Fryer Hush Puppies
Although I did not personally grow up eating very many hush puppies, my husband remembers them well. This recipe has been requested by him for a long time, so when I started testing I included him in the process along the way! The final result has been officially hubby-approved, and these have been a big hit among our omnivore friends as well!
My goal for this recipe was to get those comforting hush puppy vibes, but with a more wholesome twist. Instead of being deep fried the way hush puppies traditionally would be, these ones are made in the air fryer - so they require no oil at all! I also swapped out the dairy and egg for vegan alternatives. Because of these changes these are going to taste a little different than a traditional hush puppy would, but they definitely share the same vibes and are still delicious!
Ingredients
A lot of our ingredients today are pantry staples, so you may even have them on hand already! Let's go over some ingredients we will need for these vegan hush puppies.
- Arrowroot powder: we are combining this with a bit of water and using it as an egg replacement! It helps to bind our vegan hush puppies together.
- Medium-grind yellow cornmeal: a very necessary ingredient for hush puppies. This also gives us a bit of a course texture.
- All purpose flour, baking powder, salt, sugar: All pretty basic baking ingredients that help our hush puppies come together to be both fluffy and flavorful!
- Onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder: for a punch of flavor.
- Almond milk: our liquid of choice for these vegan hush puppies!
How to Make Air Fryer Hush Puppies
This one is pretty simple! As always, full recipe is in the recipe card below. But let's go over the basics.
- Preheat the air fryer.
- Combine your arrowroot powder and water. Set to the side.
- Whisk together all dry ingredients.
- Add in your arrowroot mixture and almond milk, then mix to combine.
- Let refrigerate 5-10 minutes.
- Form scoops of dough with a cookie scoop.
- Bake in the air fryer 8-10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
I don't advise changing this recipe much because it could affect the consistency of the hush puppies. However I still have ideas on how you can best enjoy these southern treats!
- Enjoy these as a fun little snack - these are great on their own, or paired with a sauce or dip of your choice! I personally think a vegan ranch would be really fun with these.
- These can also be served as a side with anything you like! I think they would pair great with my Grilled Portobello Mushrooms and a Lemon Basil Orzo Salad!
- As mentioned above, I don't recommend changing much about the recipe itself. However, you could absolutely alter the seasonings a bit if you wish. If you want more spice, increase the chili powder! If you want to really lean into the garlic vibes, then use more garlic powder.
- When making this recipe, be sure to use medium-grind cornmeal! The finer ground versions don't work as well and don't give the same texture or consistency.
- If you are looking for more delicious air fryer recipes, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Falafels or my Air Fried Okra next!
Enjoy!
Air Fryer Hush Puppies (Vegan & Oil-Free!)
6
servings35
minutesThese Air Fryer Hush Puppies are a more wholesome twist on the southern classic and are super easy to make. Thanks to the air fryer they are completely oil-free, and they are also fully vegan!
*Note that From Start to Finish is an estimate. This time assumes that you will have to split the dough into two batches when cooking in the air fryer - if you only need to do one batch, it will take even less time.
Ingredients
2 tablespoon arrowroot powder
3 tablespoon water
1 cup medium-grind yellow cornmeal*
¼ cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure cane sugar
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ cup almond milk
Directions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400F.
- Mix together your arrowroot powder and 3 tablespoon water in a small bowl. Use a fork to combine until there are no clumps of arrowroot left and it is mixed evenly. Set off to the side.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together your cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder.
- Give your arrowroot mixture one more mix with a fork - while sitting the powder may have condensed a bit at the bottom of the bowl, so break this up with a fork if this is the case. Once it is smooth again, add to your bowl of dry ingredients. Add in your almond milk as well. Mix to combine.
- Let your mixture sit in the fridge for 5-10 minutes. (This makes your batter a bit easier to work with).
- Form small balls of dough with a spoon or with a cookie scoop (I usually get about 12 scoops worth from this recipe). Place the scoops in your preheated air fryer (you may need to do this in two batches, depending on the size of your air fryer).
- Bake in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes, or until they are cooked to your liking. You want them to at least be a bit golden brown. (If you had to split the dough into two batches, repeat with the second batch after the first batch is done).
- Best served when fresh! Enjoy!
Notes
- *Medium-grind yellow cornmeal: it's very important to use medium-grind here! Using a finer grind cornmeal does not give the same result and messes with the texture and consistency.
Happy cooking! If you made this recipe don’t forget to tag me (@joyfulbalanceofficial) on facebook or instagram so I can cheer you on for your hush-puppy-making ways.
Stay joyfully balanced!
Sharon says
This is such a great recipe. I love that the air fryer works so well instead of needing to deep fry!
Delaney Marie says
Thank you, Sharon! So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Lindsey says
Made these for a game night with friends and everyone loved them!
Delaney Marie says
So glad to hear this!!