Hushpuppies

Ingredients

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup fine-grind cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 large egg, beaten to blend
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ small onion, finely chopped
• 1 jalapeño, seeded if desired, finely chopped
• Vegetable oil (for frying; about 6 cups)
• Classic Tartar Sauce (for serving)
• A deep-fry thermometer

Steps

1. Whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper in a large bowl to combine. Add butter and work in with a pastry blender or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse meal (the largest butter pieces should be no bigger than a pea).
2. Make a well in the center of flour mixture and add egg and buttermilk to well. Gradually incorporate into dry ingredients, mixing from the center out, until a smooth batter forms. Add onion and jalapeño and mix gently just to evenly disperse (be careful not to overmix).
3. Pour oil into a large heavy saucepan to come halfway up sides and fit with thermometer. Heat oil over medium-high until thermometer registers 350°. Using a 1-oz. scoop or a tablespoon and working in 2–3 batches, carefully drop balls of batter into oil and fry, turning often with a spider or a slotted spoon and adjusting heat to maintain temperature, until hushpuppies are puffed and deep golden all over, about 4 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain and let cool slightly.
4. Serve warm hushpuppies with tartar sauce alongside for dipping.
5. Do Ahead: Batter can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Scoop cold batter directly into hot oil and fry.