These Crab Hush Puppies are packed with jumbo lump crab meat, a flavorful seasoning blend, and yellow cornmeal for a crispy, golden finish. The sweet, delicate crab takes this Southern classic to the next level, making it perfect as an appetizer or a side dish at your next fish fry. Serve these savory bites with your favorite seafood dipping sauce for a crowd‑pleasing treat.

Easy Crab Hush Puppies Recipe

Why are they called hush puppies? According to legend, Southern cooks and fishermen would toss bits of deep-fried cornbread to their barking dogs during fish fries, shouting “hush, puppy!” to quiet them down. Whether that tale is true or not (and who knows, maybe it even inspired the phrase “you lucky dog”), the name stuck.

Fast forward to today, hush puppies remain a beloved staple at seafood restaurants and fish fries alike. These crab-filled hush puppies take the classic to a new level. They’re crispy, golden, and packed with flavor that’s sure to impress any crowd.

Key ingredients you’ll need to make Crab Hush Puppies: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card and quantities.)

Crab – Jumbo lump crab meat gives these hush puppies their signature flavor.
Cornmeal and Flour – Self rising yellow cornmeal and all purpose flour gives these hush puppies their signature flavor.
Leavening – Baking powder and baking soda give the hush puppies a lighter texture.
Sugar – A small amount of granulated sugar balances the flavor but doesn’t make them sweet.
Spices – Old Bay seasoning, salt, granulated garlic, onion powder, cayenne pepper.
Egg – One large egg stabilizes the batter.
Liquid – Buttermilk for moisture.
Vegetables – Green onions and red bell peppers enhance the flavor.
Oil – Peanut oil or vegetable oil for frying.

How to Make Crab Hush Puppies Recipe

Heat Oil – In a heavy bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven, heat 4-5 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F.
Sift Dry Ingredients – Whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, old bay seasoning, salt, baking powder, baking soda, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne.
Wet Ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk.
Combine – Gradually add the wet to the dry mixture, mixing just until moistened.
Mix-ins – Fold in the red bell pepper, green onions, and crabmeat into the batter by hand.
Fry Hush Puppies – Drop carefully into the hot oil using a small scoop. Fryn batches until golden brown.
Drain Grease – Use a slotted spoon to remove from the oil, to a paper towel lined sheet pan to drain.
Serve cooked hush puppies immediately with tarter sauce, cocktail sauce or a spicy remoulade sauce on the side for dipping.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Hush Puppies Crab Recipe

Large bowl and medium bowl.
Balloon whisk.
Knife and cutting board.
Dutch oven fitted with a fry thermometer or a deep fryer.
Small scoop.
Slotted spoon or stainless steel spider to remove from the oil.
Paper towel lined sheet pan.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Self-Rising Cornmeal Substitute – You can use plain yellow cornmeal. When doing so, increase the baking powder to 1 tablespoon to accommodate.
Spices – You can use Creole seasoning or Cajun seasoning in place of seafood Old Bay seasoning.
Imitation Crab – I highly recommend using authentic jumbo lump crab meat for this recipe. That said, if your budget doesn’t allow, you could adapt it using imitation crab meat.
Seafood Hush Puppies – You could adapt this recipe using shrimp to make shrimp hush puppies.
Oil – You can use peanut oil or vegetable oil for this recipe.
Frying Technique – I’m often asked if you can bake hushpuppies. This sort of sticky hush puppy batter is best deep fried. That said, you can reheat in the oven on a sheet pan once cooked.
Sauces for Serving – We love these served with a size of tartar sauce and cocktail sauce for dipping.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers – Store these Crab Hush Puppies wrapped in foil or in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating – You can reheat leftovers for a few seconds in the microwave, in a preheated 350 degree f oven or an air fryer to crisp.
How to Reheat Hush Puppies in an Air Fryer – Place them into the basket of the air fryer leaving space between each for air to circulate. Cook at 365°F for 2-3 minutes, adding time as needed from that point depending on how your appliance performs.

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