Description
Deliciously crispy and golden brown squash puppies made with shredded yellow squash, cornmeal, and a blend of spices. These deep-fried fritters are perfect as a savory snack or side dish, offering a delightful combination of textures and flavors in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded yellow squash (about 2 medium squash)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup milk
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2 inches deep)
Instructions
- Prepare the Squash: Place shredded squash in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture. This step ensures the fritters are not soggy and helps achieve a crisp texture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute the leavening and seasonings.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs and milk until fully blended to add moisture and help bind the mixture.
- Make the Batter: Add the egg and milk mixture to the dry ingredients and stir gently to combine without overmixing.
- Incorporate Vegetables: Fold in the shredded squash and finely chopped onion into the batter until evenly mixed, ensuring every bite has balanced flavor.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep skillet or pot, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain accurate frying temperature for the perfect crispness.
- Fry the Squash Puppies: Using a spoon, drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil carefully, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding which can lower the oil temperature.
- Cook Until Golden: Fry each batch for about 3–4 minutes per side, turning as needed, until the puppies are golden brown and cooked through.
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove the fried squash puppies with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Serve Warm: Serve the squash puppies warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing or spicy aioli, for a tasty appetizer or side dish.
Notes
- Squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the squash to prevent soggy puppies.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying to avoid lowering the oil temperature and soggy results.
- Customize seasoning by adding herbs like chopped parsley or a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra flavor.
- These can be kept warm in a low oven (200°F) while frying remaining batches.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
