Fried Cornbread Recipe

Take our Southern Cornbread Recipe to the next level with this Fried Cornbread Recipe. The flavor is amazing and takes minutes to prepare. This easy recipe fries in a skillet with crispy edges and even better topped with butter and honey.

We love making cornbread from scratch such as Best Jiffy Cornbread Recipe or Mexican Cornbread. But this Fried cornbread is my family’s favorite. They even want me to make for breakfast to serve topped with maple syrup with Air Fryer Bacon and sausage.

Why We Love Fried Cornbread

This cornbread is loaded with big flavors but the ingredients are simple! It is quick to make which makes it to whip up for any meal.

This fried cornbread is one of our favorite comfort foods. You can easily customize the corn cakes ingredients to spice it up or make it sweeter.

Ingredients

• Cornmeal – The main ingredient in this cornbread recipe. We used yellow corn meal. For fluffier cornbread, you can use self-rising cornmeal.
• Buttermilk – We love the tangy flavor it gives the cornbread
• Egg – Holds the ingredients together
• Vegetable Oil – We used Vegetable Oil for Frying but you can use oil of your choice. You can also cook in leftover bacon grease

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

• Sweeter Cornbread – For sweeter cakes, add 2 tablespoons of sugar to the dry ingredients.
• Add Corn Kernels – You can add ¼ cup of corn kernels to the batter for extra texture if you prefer. 
• Spicy Cornbread – For a hint of spice, chop up fresh jalapenos and mix them in the cornbread batter. My whole family loves this addition. My mom and grandmother would also add in chopped onions.
• Add Cheese – Cheese is a delicious addition to this cornbread recipe. Add in shredded cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese for even more flavor.

How to Make Fried Cornbread

Step 1 – In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, 1 tsp salt, and baking soda.

Step 2 – In another bowl, beat together buttermilk, egg, and melted butter.

Step 3 – Pour the wet ingredients into the cornmeal mix and stir until just combined. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes.

Step 4 – Heat a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add about 1 tablespoon of oil to coat the bottom. For each cake, drop about ¼ cup of batter onto the hot oil, spreading it slightly with the back of a spoon to form a 4-inch circle.

• Step 5 – Cook for 2-3 minutes, until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look dry.
• Step 6 – Flip and cook the cornbread patties for an additional 1-2 minutes, until golden brown on both sides.
• Step 7 – Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Add more oil to the skillet as needed between batches. Serve warm.

Expert Tips

• Crispy Cornbread – When cooking cornbread in the skillet make sure to not crowd the pan and you preheat the pan. This help create a crispy cornbread while keeping it soft in the center.
• Pouring Batter – For best results, we like to scoop the batter with a measuring cup. This helps to keep the size of the batter mixture the same size so it cooks evenly.
• Flipping Cornbread – You will know when it is time to flip the cornbread when the edges begin turning golden brown and getting crispy. I like to use my spatula to gently lift the cornbread to see if the other side is cooked and then flip.

Cornbread Topping Ideas

There is nothing better than topping this fried cornbread with melted butter or a your favorite jam! Try these cornbread toppings for even more flavor delicious flavor to your cornbread.

• Raspberry Freezer Jam or Bacon Jam – Adds delicious sweetness to your savory cornbread.
• Honey or Maple Syrup – Love to drizzle with honey or syrup with a touch of melted butter for the best sweet and savory combination.
• Slow Cooker Apple Butter – Love making this apple butter to keep stock in my fridgeso it is ready to top cornbread and homemade bread.

What to Serve With Fried Cornbread?

Fried cornbread is a delicious side dish recipe to many of our favorite soups, chili, rice and stews. These are some of our suggestions.

• How to Cook Dry Pintos Beans in a Crock Pot
• Slow Cooker Venison Chili
• Crock Pot Ground Beef Stew Recipe
• Panera Bread Tomato Soup Recipe
• Pasta Fagioli Soup
• Black-Eyed Peas

Can I Freeze Fried Cornbread?

Yes, this is a great recipe to double so you can freeze cornbread at anytime. Place the cornbread in a freezer safe container once it has cooled to room temperature.

The leftovers will last up to 3 months if stored properly. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave.