Mexican Cornbread Recipe (2024)

Kevin Is Cooking | Breads | Mexican Cornbread Recipe

By Kevin

published Jan 02, 2024

4.91 from 11 votes

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My Mexican cornbread recipe is more tender than Southern, and way better than Jiffy! Slathered with honey and dotted with fresh corn and hot jalapeños, it’s a really complex and undeniably delicious cake. Pair it with meaty chilis, beans and wholesome stews, or enjoy it as a snack on its own.

Mexican Cornbread Recipe (2)

Imagine a delicious side dish that takes less than 30 minutes to make, only dirties a few dishes, and goes with almost anything you have planned for dinner… Those are all of the reasons why this Mexican cornbread recipe is one of my favorites!

What is Mexican cornbread — and what makes it so different?

As you might guess from the peppers nestled in there, this cornbread recipe has a bit of a kick! A brush of honey on top and sweet corn stirred throughout makes it a touch sweeter than Southern cornbread, but it’s also much more moist, so it all works together well.

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Table of Contents

  • Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
  • Cornmeal vs Masa
  • How to Make My Mexican Cornbread Recipe
  • Recommended Tools
  • Storing and Reheating
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Mexican Cornbread Recipe Recipe

Whether I’m making a quick chili or beefy tamale casserole, you can bet this sweet and spicy cornbread is on the menu!

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Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

  • Butter – This Mexican cornbread recipe requires ¼ cup of melted butter – about half a stick.
  • Milk – You can substitute buttermilk for regular milk in any cornbread recipe for fluffier, tangier results. It’s a great option if you prefer a more savory cornbread.
  • Cornmeal – It’s traditional to use yellow cornmeal, but you can easily substitute it with white cornmeal with little to no change in the flavor.
  • Sugar – I use granulated white sugar. However, it’s not uncommon to see a cornbread recipe with brown sugar for a little more moisture and molasses-like sweetness.
  • Pickled Jalapeños These aren’t too spicy at all – they add just enough texture and heat for some really great cornbread!
  • Corn – I use canned corn, but you could use either fresh or frozen as long as it’s been cooked and drained.
  • Honey Use a clear, pourable honey that’s easier to brush and soak into the surface of the Mexican cornbread. This ingredient can easily be lessened or left out entirely if desired.

Tip From Kevin

Cornmeal vs Masa

Cornmeal and corn flour are made from ground, dried field corn, and masa harina is made from dehydrated nixtamalized ground corn. The process of nixtamalization gives masa harina a distinct flavor that you won’t find with cornmeal and is what masa is when water is added and made into tortillas and tamales.

How to Make My Mexican Cornbread Recipe

  1. Preheat & Prepare Pan. While preheating the oven to 400 degrees F, lightly grease your pan or skillet. (If making cornbread muffins, preheat to 350 degrees.)
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients. Add the butter, milk, and egg to a large mixing bowl and whisk together.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients. Spoon the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into the bowl and whisk until just combined and the flour is fully moistened.
  4. Add Corn & Chiles. Now, fold the corn and jalapeños into the batter. It will have a lumpy texture – don’t try to stir until smooth!
  5. Prepare to Bake. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan (if making muffins, there will be a little batter left over). Lightly tap the pan on the counter so that the batter spreads evenly, then smooth the top with a spatula so no lumps are sticking out.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Once the edges turn golden brown, stick a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, remove from the oven.
  7. Brush & Serve. Immediately brush the surface with the honey and give it a moment to soak in. Serve while warm.
  • Cake Pan – Mexican cornbread is generally baked round, but if you’re a fan of browned edges on your cornbread, definitely go with the square pan. That’s also a great shape for easy slicing and serving.
  • Skillet – Cast iron is another option. A skillet will result in crisper, more browned edges and bottom, especially if it’s preheated.

Storing and Reheating

Wrap well in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. If kept at room temperature, leftovers will stay fresh for 2 or 3 days before drying out. Alternatively, they’ll last for a week in the fridge!

To reheat, simply microwave for 30 seconds or so. Brush a little more honey on top to get it nice and moist again.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to use buttermilk or milk in cornbread?

It’s really a matter of what flavors you enjoy the most.

For denser bread with plenty of sweetness, go with regular milk – sometimes called “sweet” or “fresh” milk for this reason.

Use buttermilk for a fluffier crumb and tangier taste. That bit of acidity goes well with the jalapeños and corn, so it wouldn’t be at all out of place.

Why is my Mexican cornbread crumbling?

Over-mixing and overcooking are the most common causes of crumbling breads. Mix just until the flour moistens, then very gently fold the peppers and corn into the batter.

Secondly, remove from the oven once it lightly browns and its edges start to pull away from the pan.

Finally, don’t skip the egg! It provides both texture and the necessary structure to hold it all together.

What is good in a Mexican cornbread recipe?

Add some great salty flavor and gooey texture with cheese! Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack melt well and complement the other flavors.

This cornbread is also good with additional vegetables: onions, bell peppers, green chiles, spinach — anything that isn’t too wet and might weigh down the cake.

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Mexican Cornbread Recipe (6)

Mexican Cornbread Recipe

4.91 from 11 votes

My Mexican cornbread recipe with corn, jalapeños, and honey is a homemade side that’s way more moist and flavorful than the boxed stuff!

Servings: 8

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

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Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 400°F. Spray the bottom and sides of an 8” square pan, 9” round cake pan with the cooking spray. OR use acast iron skillet.

  • In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk and egg until well mixed.

  • Add the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt , stirring until the flour is moistened.

  • Stir in the corn and chopped jalapeños (batter will be lumpy).

  • Pour batter into the pan spreading evenly and smooth top of batter.

  • Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and brush honey on top, allow to soak in.

  • Serve warm.

Video

Notes

For muffins: the recipe fills 12 muffin tins with a bit left over. Bake at 350°F for ~20 minutes and they are golden brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 397mg | Potassium: 382mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 515IU | Vitamin C: 2.7mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 2.1mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course: Bread, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Tex Mex, Western

Author: Kevin Is Cooking

Have You Made This Recipe? Let Me Know on InstagramTag @keviniscooking or tag me #keviniscooking!

Mexican Cornbread Recipe (7)

Kevin

Whether in the kitchen or on the grill, you’ll find me cooking American favorites with a love for BBQ, Mexican and Tex Mex. I’m passionate about making tasty food because life’s too short to be bland!

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FAQs

What's good to eat with Mexican cornbread? ›

Pair this Mexican-style cornbread with Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup or Chicken Tortilla Soup. Casseroles. Try serving this wholesome and healthy Mexican cornbread with an easy casserole like King Ranch Chicken or Chicken Tortilla Casserole. Salads.

What are the ingredients for Martha White Mexican cornbread mix? ›

Enriched Degerminated Yellow Corn Meal And Enriched Bleached Flour (Degerminated Yellow Corn Meal, Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Canola Oil, Nonfat Dry Milk, Leavening (Calcium Phosphate, Baking Soda), Salt, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Dextrose, Dried Red And Green Pepper, Dried ...

Where did Mexican cornbread originate? ›

Mexican cornbread traces its roots back to ancient Mesoamerican civilizations where corn, or maize, was deemed sacred. Over centuries, as culinary skills refined and flavors evolved, this modest corn-based bread transformed into the culinary icon we know today.

Why do Southerners not put sugar in cornbread? ›

The most common theory is a change in cornmeal itself. Until early in the 20th century, Southern cornmeal was made with sweeter white corn and it was water-ground. When industrial milling came along, that changed. The steel-roller mills used yellow corn that was harvested before it was ripe, so it had less sugar.

What is the corn that Mexicans eat? ›

The form of maize most used in Mexican cuisine is dent corn that has undergone the nixtamalición process. First, the kernels are removed from the cob and dried. The dried kernels are boiled in water that contains cal, or slaked lime.

What is the difference between cornbread and Southern cornbread? ›

She notes that Northern cornbread is sweeter, lighter, and more cake-like than Southern cornbread. Not surprisingly, it includes sugar (or molasses, in the earlier centuries), unlike traditional Southern cornbread.

What is the difference between Yankee cornbread and Southern cornbread? ›

The thing that distinguishes Southern cornbread from, say Yankee cornbread, or any other cornbread one is likely to eat outside of the southern states, is that it is savory, not sweet, and it is made mostly with cornmeal.

What is the difference between New York cornbread and southern cornbread? ›

Southern cornbread has traditionally been made with little or no sugar and smaller amounts of flour (or no flour), with northern cornbread being sweeter and more cake-like. Southern cornbread traditionally used white cornmeal and buttermilk. Other ingredients such as pork rinds are sometimes used.

What race made cornbread? ›

Cornbread is as American as apple pie, but its origins date back far beyond the inception of this country. With roots in Mesoamerican, Native American, and African cultures; history and people have shaped this iconic American bread into what it is today.

What does cornbread mean in slang? ›

The expression "someone's cornbread ain't done in the middle" is a southern American idiom that means that someone is not very smart or intelligent. The metaphor of "cornbread" refers to a popular southern bread made from cornmeal, which is often baked in a pan.

What did Native Americans call cornbread? ›

Among them was a version of Indian bread made of cornmeal, salt and water called pone or corn pone. The name came from the Algonquin word apan, meaning "baked." The Narragansett word for cornbread, nokechick, became no-cake and then hoe-cake.

Why is cornbread not healthy? ›

The exact nutritional profile of cornbread can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. However, cornbread generally contains high amounts of carbs, phosphorus, and sodium in each serving. One piece of cornbread prepared from a commercially prepared mix contains ( 2 ): Calories: 198.

Is cornbread good or bad for diabetics? ›

Cornbread is delicious and a great accompaniment to any meal. However, it is not a good idea if you are a diabetic. The high starch and cornmeal contents are carbohydrates which are broken down into sugar in the body. Sugar is extremely dangerous for people with diabetes, so it is best to avoid it.

What is southern cornbread called? ›

A hoecake is cornbread made minimalist—a thin, unleavened round made from the simplest batter (cornmeal, water, and salt), crisp at the edges, glistening on both sides from the fat it was fried in, golden in patches.

What to pair with Mexican food? ›

  • Elote (Mexican Street Corn) PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE. ...
  • Fiesta Corn Salad. PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING BARRETT WASHBURNE. ...
  • Refried Pinto Beans. LUCY SCHAEFFER. ...
  • Corn Tortillas. ...
  • Instant Pot Street Corn Queso. ...
  • Beef Empanadas. ...
  • Homemade Salsa. ...
  • Black Bean & Corn Salad.
Apr 12, 2024

What to serve with corn arepas? ›

The best side dishes to serve with arepas are pulled pork, chicken burrito bowl, salsa, steak fajitas, garlic shrimp, Tabasco, dulce de leche, plantains, guacamole, black bean salad, chorizo sausage, queso fresco, ceviche, pico de gallo, rice and beans, and grilled vegetables.

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