✔ Updated · grown to 30 recipes grouped by style, plus tips for moist cornbread
I'm team cornbread with chili every time, and in my house the real fight is over the corner pieces (Max usually wins). Here are 30 cornbread recipes I love, from sweet honey squares to cheesy skillet bread.
The best easy cornbread recipes are classic Southern buttermilk cornbread, sweet honey cornbread, cast-iron skillet cornbread, jalapeño cheddar cornbread, Mexican cornbread with corn and chiles, and cornbread muffins with honey butter. For the fastest batch, doctor a boxed mix with an extra egg, melted butter and a spoonful of honey.
- Classic: Southern buttermilk, skillet, Northern sweet
- Cheesy and spicy: jalapeño cheddar, Mexican, pimento cheese
- Hearty: cowboy cornbread, sausage johnnycake, bacon cornbread
- Easy hacks: Krusteaz, Aunt Jemima-style and Jiffy-style mixes
Classic and Southern Cornbread
1. Southern Buttermilk Cornbread
Little or no sugar, tangy buttermilk and a screaming-hot greased skillet for that crackly, golden crust.
2. Cast-Iron Skillet Cornbread
Pour the batter into a preheated buttered skillet; the sizzle gives you crunchy edges and a tender middle.
3. Sweet Northern-Style Cornbread
Cake-like and golden, with more sugar and flour. The one to bake for kids and potlucks.
4. Honey Cornbread
Honey in the batter and brushed on top while warm for a soft, glossy, lightly sweet slice.
5. Butter Cornbread
Extra melted butter in the batter and a little more in the pan for a rich, almost pound-cake crumb.
6. Hot Water Cornbread
Cornmeal, salt and boiling water shaped into patties and pan-fried until crisp. Old-school Southern comfort.
7. Appalachian Cornbread
Simple, sugar-free and baked in bacon grease in cast iron, the way mountain cooks have made it for generations.
8. Johnnycakes
Thin cornmeal pancakes cooked on a griddle; lovely with butter and maple syrup for breakfast.
9. Creamed Corn Cornbread
A can of creamed corn keeps it extra moist and adds sweet corn flavor in every bite.
10. Cornbread Muffins with Honey Butter
Classic batter baked in a muffin tin and served warm with whipped honey butter. Easy to grab and go.
Cheesy and Spicy Cornbread
11. Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread
Sharp cheddar and diced jalapeño folded through, with extra cheese crisping on top.
12. Mexican Cornbread
Corn kernels, green chiles, cheese and a pinch of cumin; great next to chili or tacos.
13. Cheese and Chive Cornbread
Savory and fluffy, with shredded cheddar and fresh chives. My pick for soup night.
14. Spicy Cheese Cornbread
Pepper Jack and a little cayenne for a gentle, cheesy heat that builds.
15. Chili Lime Cornbread
Lime zest and chili powder make a bright, zippy cornbread that loves grilled fish and BBQ.
16. Creole Cornbread
Bell pepper, onion, celery and Creole seasoning, a natural partner for gumbo and red beans.
17. Red Pepper and Sweetcorn Cornbread
Roasted red pepper and sweet corn kernels add color and sweetness to a savory loaf.
18. Pimento Cheese Cornbread
A Southern favorite: tangy pimento cheese swirled through and melted into the crumb.
Hearty Cornbread Bakes
19. Cowboy Cornbread
Rich, slightly sweet and dense, made with biscuit mix and half-and-half. A crowd-pleaser with beans.
20. Sausage Johnnycake
Browned breakfast sausage baked into a sweet cornmeal batter and served with maple syrup.
21. Sausage and Mushroom Cornbread
Savory sausage and browned mushrooms make it almost a meal; also great as stuffing.
22. Bacon Cornbread
Crumbled bacon in the batter and a little bacon fat in the skillet for a smoky crust.
23. Cornbread with Chili Topping
Chili spooned over a hot slice of cornbread, or baked under a cornbread layer as a casserole.
24. Corn Dog Cornbread
Sliced hot dogs baked in sweet cornbread batter; all the corn dog fun without the frying.
Sweet and Special Cornbread
25. Orange Cornbread
Orange zest and juice give a fresh citrus lift; lovely with a drizzle of orange glaze.
26. Greek Yogurt Cornbread
Yogurt replaces some of the butter and buttermilk for a tender, tangy and slightly lighter slice.
27. Confetti Cornbread
Diced red and green peppers and corn kernels make it colorful and perfect for parties.
Boxed Mix and Gluten-Free Cornbread
28. Krusteaz-Style Cornbread
Boxed honey cornbread mix doctored with cheese and extra honey for an easy brunch bake.
Get the recipe →
29. Aunt Jemima-Style Cornbread
A copycat of the classic box-recipe cornbread: tender, lightly sweet and ready in about 30 minutes.
Get the recipe →30. Gluten-Free Cornbread
Cornmeal plus a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend gives a moist, sliceable cornbread nobody will question.
My Tips for Moist Cornbread
- Preheat the pan. A hot, greased skillet sets the crust instantly.
- Don't overmix. Stir just until the dry ingredients disappear.
- Use buttermilk or sour cream for tenderness and tang.
- Pull it early. Bake until a toothpick has a few moist crumbs; overbaked cornbread turns dry.
- Store it wrapped at room temperature for 2 days, or freeze slices for 3 months.
Southern vs Northern Cornbread
Southern cornbread uses little or no sugar, more cornmeal than flour and is baked in a hot cast-iron skillet, so it's savory and crumbly with a crisp crust.
Northern cornbread has more sugar and flour, so it's sweeter, softer and more cake-like, and is often baked in a square pan.
What to Eat with Cornbread
Chili is my favorite, and you'll find ideas in what to serve with chili, plus my copycat Wendy's chili. Cornbread is also great with BBQ, collard greens, soups and fried chicken; see my BBQ sides for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Southern cornbread and regular cornbread?
Southern cornbread has little or no sugar, uses mostly cornmeal and is baked in a hot greased cast-iron skillet, so it's savory with a crisp crust. Northern-style cornbread is sweeter, uses more flour and is softer and more cake-like.
How do I keep cornbread from being dry?
Measure the cornmeal and flour carefully, use buttermilk or sour cream, don't overmix, and stop baking when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. A spoonful of honey or creamed corn also helps keep it moist.
Should cornbread be sweet?
It's a matter of taste and region. Southern cooks usually skip sugar, while Northern and many restaurant-style recipes add it. Start with 1 to 2 tablespoons and adjust to your family's preference.
Can I make cornbread without buttermilk?
Yes. Stir 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar into 1 cup of milk and let it stand 5 minutes. Plain yogurt or sour cream thinned with a little milk also works.
What do people eat cornbread with?
Chili, beans, BBQ, fried chicken, collard greens, gumbo and hearty soups are classic pairings. It's also great for breakfast with butter and honey, or crumbled into stuffing and dressing.
🍂 Building your Thanksgiving menu? Mix and match our Thanksgiving sides and casseroles with a make-ahead timeline.
