Easy Southern Hoecakes Recipe

Southern hoecakes are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and made with simple pantry ingredients. They’re delicious with butter and honey or served alongside a Southern-style dinner.

Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Servings: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.

2. Add the wet ingredients. Stir in the egg and buttermilk until you have a thick, spoonable batter. Add a little more milk if necessary.

3. Heat the skillet. Add a thin layer of oil or bacon grease to a skillet and heat over medium heat.

4. Cook the hoecakes. Drop about 2 tablespoons of batter into the skillet for each hoecake. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.

5. Fry until golden. Cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through.

6. Serve warm. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and enjoy immediately.

Tips for perfect hoecakes

• Extra crispy: Use a hot skillet and avoid adding too much batter at once.

• Traditional Southern flavor: Use bacon grease instead of vegetable oil.

• No buttermilk? Mix ¾ cup regular milk with 2 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar. Let stand for 5 minutes.

• A little sweetness: Add 1 tablespoon of sugar to the batter if desired.

What to serve with hoecakes

• Butter and honey

• Maple syrup or jam

• Fried eggs and bacon

• Collard greens or beans

• Chili or hearty soups

Enjoy your homemade Southern hoecakes! They’re best eaten hot from the skillet, when the edges are crispy and the centers are tender.