Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Recipe - Easy Buttermilk Cornbread! (2024)

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Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread is a classic, tender cornbread recipe with a cheesy, spicy twist! Homemade cornbread is so easy to make, and it’s the perfect side dish to chilis, soups, stews, and more.

Love cornbread? You might also like this Jiffy Cornbread Casserole.

Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Recipe - Easy Buttermilk Cornbread! (1)

Table of Contents

  • Easy Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread
  • Cornbread Ingredients
  • How to Make Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread from Scratch
  • Variation Ideas
  • Tips for the Best Homemade Cornbread
  • What Goes with this Buttermilk Cornbread?
  • How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
  • Can You Freeze Cornbread?
  • Get the Recipe

    Easy Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread

    IT’S CHILI TIME! Yay! It’s finally cold enough for me to make and enjoy some chili again, and I’m very excited. Usually I make a box of Jiffy Cornbread and it’s good and all…but now that I’ve made this Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread, I don’t think there’s any turning back. It’s tender, moist, totally cheesy, and it also brings a little heat to your tastebuds. Next time you make chili, I really suggest you give this cornbread a try!

    Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Recipe - Easy Buttermilk Cornbread! (2)

    Cornbread Ingredients

    Time to end your cornbread cravings! You will need the following ingredients:

    • All-Purpose Flour
    • Yellow Cornmeal
    • Sugar
    • Baking Powder
    • Kosher Salt
    • Buttermilk – If you don’t have any on hand, you can make your own buttermilk.
    • Eggs
    • Unsalted Butter: Melted, plus some extra to grease the pan.
    • Extra-Sharp Cheddar
    • Chopped Scallions: Plus extra for garnish (3-4 scallions).
    • Fresh Jalapeño Peppers: They should be seeded and minced (2-3 peppers). You can leave the seeds in for extra heat, though, if you want.

    How to Make Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread from Scratch

    Follow these easy steps to make the best cheddar jalapeño cornbread:

    Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Recipe - Easy Buttermilk Cornbread! (3)

    Sift: Sift together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

    Mix: Combine the buttermilk, eggs, and butter.

    Stir: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined.

    Add: Mix in 2 cups of the cheddar, the scallions, and jalapeños and stir until just combined. Do not over-mix! Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.

    Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Recipe - Easy Buttermilk Cornbread! (4)

    Top with Cheese: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350, and grease a 9 x 13 x 2 inch baking dish. Spread the batter into the baking dish, and sprinkle the top with the remaining cheddar and scallions.

    Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool slightly and cut into squares to serve.

    Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Recipe - Easy Buttermilk Cornbread! (5)

    Variation Ideas

    Cornbread can be made in many different ways. Try out some of these variations and make this recipe your own!

    • Make Cornbread Muffins: Pour the batter into a muffin tin instead, top with cheese and jalapeño slices, and bake. Reduce the baking time by 12-15 minutes. The muffins will be done when golden and the tops bounce back when gently pressed.
    • How to Make Skillet Cornbread: Warm a cast iron skillet in the oven while it preheats. Then, pour the batter into the skillet, top with cheese and jalapeños, and bake.
    • Mix in ideas: Diced sun-dried tomatoes, crispy crumbled bacon and other peppers could also be added to this recipe.

    Tips for the Best Homemade Cornbread

    Here are some tips on making the best homemade cornbread:

    • Use Corn Meal: There isn’t really a substitute for corn meal, so I don’t recommend using any other kind of corn product.
    • Adjust the Amount of Jalapeños: I don’t think this recipe is all that spicy, but if spice is not your thing, feel free to adjust the amount of jalapeños, or omit them.
    • Preheat the Pan: If you preheat the pan you’re going to use in the oven, you can achieve a crispier cornbread.
    Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Recipe - Easy Buttermilk Cornbread! (6)

    What Goes with this Buttermilk Cornbread?

    Now that you’ve got this golden cornbread, what should you serve it with? Here’s what I’m thinking:

    • Chili: Cornbread and chili are a classic combination; they complement each other perfectly! Test out your cornbread on this Chunky Chili Recipe.
    • A Hearty Soup: Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup and this Black Bean Soup are some of my favorites.
    • Other Kinds of Stew: Basically any warm, hearty meal with a sauce will go beautifully with cornbread.

    How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

    Cornbread can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

    When you want to reheat the cornbread, pop it in the oven or a toaster oven for a couple of minutes so it can get nice and crispy again. You could also microwave it for 25 seconds instead.

    Can You Freeze Cornbread?

    Definitely. Store any leftovers you have in an airtight container, or tightly-sealed freezer bags. The cornbread should stay good for a couple of months or so!

    Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Recipe - Easy Buttermilk Cornbread! (7)

    Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Recipe - Easy Buttermilk Cornbread! (8)

    4.8 from 5 votes

    Print Pin Recipe

    Yield: 12 servings

    Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread

    Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread is a classic, tender cornbread recipe with a cheesy, spicy twist! Homemade cornbread is so easy to make, and it's the perfect side dish to chilis, soups, stews, and more.

    Prep Time10 minutes minutes

    Cook Time30 minutes minutes

    Additional Time20 minutes minutes

    Total Time1 hour hour

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 2 tablespoons baking powder
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • 2 cups buttermilk
    • 3 large eggs, slightly beaten
    • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, plus extra to grease the pan
    • 8 oz extra-sharp cheddar, grated
    • 4 green onions, sliced
    • 3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced

    Instructions

    • Sift together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

    • Combine the buttermilk, eggs, and butter.

    • Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined.

    • Mix in 2 cups of the cheddar, the scallions, and jalapenos and stir until just combined. Do not overmix! Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.

    • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350, and grease a 9 x 13 x 2 inch baking dish. Spread the batter into the baking dish, and sprinkle the top with the remaining cheddar and scallions.

    • Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool slightly and cut into squares to serve.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1, Calories: 284kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 68mg, Sodium: 824mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 6g

    © Jessica – The Novice Chef

    Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex

    Category: Bread

    Categories:

    • Bread
    • Recipes
    • Side Dishes

    Post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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    Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Recipe - Easy Buttermilk Cornbread! (2024)

    FAQs

    What to add to cornbread mix to make it better? ›

    24 Things To Add to Jiffy Cornbread Mix to Make It Even Better
    1. ⅓ cup white sugar + ¼ cup brown sugar + ⅓ cup sour cream + 4 tablespoons melted butter + 1 tablespoon vanilla.
    2. 1 tablespoon oil, melted butter, or browned butter.
    3. ½ cup mayonnaise.
    4. ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt.
    5. 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup.
    Dec 18, 2022

    Can I use heavy cream in cornbread instead of milk? ›

    You can substitute heavy cream for 1/2 cup milk plus 1/2 cup sour cream, combined. You can also substitute the cream for milk. Use 3/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons of milk plus 2 Tablespoons melted butter to the batter. The cornbread will have a close texture.

    Should you soak cornmeal before making cornbread? ›

    Soaking the cornmeal in buttermilk for a few hours, or even overnight, tenderizes the large grains of cornmeal, making the bread more moist and tender.

    Can you use water in cornbread instead of milk? ›

    Can I substitute water for milk in cornbread mix? Yes, you can, but it may result in a less rich flavor. If you're out of milk, try using cream or half-and-half, evaporated or powdered milk, or even plain yogurt. If you have dietary restrictions, try soy milk or oat milk.

    What ingredient keeps cornbread from crumbling? ›

    Cornmeal gives cornbread its classic color and flavor, but too much can make your bread crumbly. Try replacing a little bit of cornmeal with flour. The specific measurements will depend on how much cornmeal and flour is in your recipe, but you should try to have more flour than cornmeal in your batter.

    Can I use evaporated milk instead of heavy cream? ›

    Evaporated milk can be used as a substitute in recipes in which heavy cream is used as a liquid ingredient, such as in baked goods, but it doesn't whip well. Substitute the heavy cream in your recipes with an equal amount of evaporated milk.

    Can I use evaporated milk instead of milk? ›

    For a creamy taste without the cream, try evaporated (canned) milk! Evaporated milk is made by removing water from fresh milk and then heating it. Heating the milk gives it the creamy, slightly cooked taste and darker colour. When mixed with an equal amount of water, it can be substituted for fresh milk in recipes.

    Can you use half-and-half instead of milk? ›

    This mixture of milk and cream (which makes half-and-half), with a fat content typically between 10.5 and 18 percent, is thicker than milk but lighter than cream, making it a versatile ingredient in both cooking and baking. In most recipes, you can directly replace milk with an equal amount of half-and-half.

    Should you let cornbread batter rest before baking? ›

    By letting the cornbread batter sit at room temperature before baking, the cornmeal has some extra time to absorb the flavor from the other ingredients, and the baking powder gets a head start. I love using my cast-iron skillet for cornbread and preheat it before adding my batter.

    Is it better to use butter or oil in cornbread? ›

    Using oil will make your cornbread tender and moist while butter will give you heavier bread. Why do you get such different qualities from these fats? This is largely due to the fact that at room temperature, oil is a liquid while butter is a solid.

    What temperature do you cook homemade cornbread at? ›

    How to Make Cornbread from Scratch – Step by Step Photos. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and coat the inside of a 9-inch pie plate or 8×8 inch casserole dish with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup yellow cornmeal, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 Tbsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.

    Can you use mayonnaise instead of milk in cornbread? ›

    As shocking as it may seem, mayonnaise is a perfect substitute for milk when making cornbread for the lactose intolerant.

    What to substitute for sour cream in cornbread? ›

    Cream Cheese, Mascarpone, and Cottage Cheese

    Fresh, spreadable cheeses like cream cheese and mascarpone generally work well as 1:1 substitutes for sour cream in baking.

    Can I use sour cream instead of milk? ›

    Sour cream or full fat yogurt can be substituted 1:1 for whole milk. Use this substitute in baking quick breads or for adding creaminess to pan sauces. Sour cream works especially well in recipes calling for buttermilk, too and vanilla-flavored yogurt can be used for sweet quick breads and cakes.

    How do you amp up cornbread mix? ›

    You can simply stir 2 tablespoons honey into your cornbread batter to add a touch of sweetness. But things get even better when you add your favorite fruit. For a citrusy flavor, stir the zest and juice of 1 orange or 2 lemons or limes into the batter.

    How do you make cornbread moist again? ›

    MICROWAVE. When you're short on time, the microwave is a great option to warm up cornbread. Place the bread on a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. This will help keep the cornbread moist.

    What compliments cornbread? ›

    10 Ways To Enjoy Cornbread That Aren't Chili
    • CAROLINA-STYLE PULLED PORK.
    • CUMIN CHILI GRILLED CHICKEN WINGS.
    • BOURBON-BROWN SUGAR GLAZED BABY BACK RIBS.
    • CORNBREAD AND SAUSAGE DRESSING WITH PECANS.
    • SAVORY CORNBREAD PUDDING WITH BACON, LEEKS AND SAGE.
    • MINI CORN MUFFINS WITH ROASTED GARLIC AND FRESH HERBS.
    • CLASSIC FRIED CHICKEN.
    Apr 11, 2024

    Is cornbread batter supposed to be thick or runny? ›

    The batter should be thick, but still pourable. Add more milk or buttermilk if necessary. Remove the skillet from the oven and tilt the pan so the butter coats the bottom and sides of pan.

    References

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