Sweet and spicy, moist and cheesy, this homemade Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread is baked in a cast iron skillet. Omit the savory jalapeño cheddar for a perfect everyday go-to cornbread recipe. Either way, goes great with a hot bowl of soup or as a stand-alone side dish for any meal!
Original recipe posted: November 2018 | Recipe updated: October 2019
In my Thanksgiving-food-making frenzy this week, I encountered a few surprises. One of them was the realization that I like cornbread! I didn’t know I liked cornbread. I love how easy it is to make (SO easy). I love the endless options there are for adding ingredients into it. I love how a single jalapeno can transform it into a heavenly little side dish.
Now, if you typically do not like spicy food, I insist that you do not shy away from this recipe. Use just half of a pepper and remove the seeds if you must and you’ll get a kick without making your feet sweat. Trust me!
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CORNBREAD
Making a simple side of basic corn bread is easy!
STEP 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and generously coat a cast iron pan (or a square 9×9 baking dish) with cooking spray and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix well and set aside.
STEP 2
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, melted butter and honey. Mix with a wooden spoon until just combined and stir in the flour mixture. (Fold in the cheese and diced jalapeno if using.) Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Top with jalapeno slices and a few drizzles of honey, if desired.
STEP 3
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 – 25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through in the center. Cut and serve! Cornbread is good warm or at room temperature.
BEFORE YOU DIVE IN, HERE ARE A FEW NOTES ABOUT SPICY CORNBREAD:
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Ok ok, if you really don’t like spicy food at ALL, don’t dismiss this recipe. Simply omit the peppers altogether (sigh) and throw in an extra little bit of grated cheddar cheese. Make it sharp cheddar! Or cherry tomatoes or a can of sweet corn kernels. Or how about some cooked, chopped bacon? Green onions would be amazing, as well.
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This cornbread only takes 30 minutes to make, from start to finish. I LOVE THAT! It is a great addition to any holiday or family meal and it also goes great alongside a steaming bowl of chili or Chicken Wild Rice Soup or Chicken and Dumplings.
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If you do not have a cast iron skillet, use a square baking dish or pie plate instead. You may need to adjust baking time, so use your oven light for peeking!
WHAT IS CORN MEAL
Dried maize is ground into a meal and is called corn flour or corn meal. This staple food is ground into fine, medium and coarse consistencies.
BASIC CARE FOR YOUR CAST IRON SKILLET
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After baking/cooking with your cast iron skillet, use a soap free sponge and hot water to wash it out. Never use soap on cast iron. If it has food stuck on it, let it sit in some hot water for a short time, then use a food scraper or spoon to help remove it. Use the sponge again to wash it clean.
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Let the skillet completely dry over a low heat flame. Once the skillet has dried and no more water drops appear, use a little bit of oil in the pan while it’s still warm to re-season your cast iron. Use a folder up paper towel to spread it around, then flip the paper towel around to soak up any excess oil before finishing.
OTHER DELICIOUS BREAD RECIPES!
DELICIOUS THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES
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This is my Mom’s Mashed Potatoes recipe. It is the BEST and goes great with any main dish, any time of year. You’ll never need another mashed potato recipe again!
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This is the BEST Homemade Cranberry Sauce! It is super easy to make and way surpasses the canned version in flavor. Be sure to use whole berries to your sauce to make this a delicious side dish for your Thanksgiving or holiday table!
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Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are creamy, smooth, delicious and easy to prepare. No boiling or saucepan/stovetop cleaning required with this side dish. The Instant Pot gets this easy mashed potato recipe done in 30 minutes!
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This Classic Sweet Potato Casserole is great on your Thanksgiving table and also a perfect side dish that can be enjoyed any time of the year. It is filled with a delicious sweet potato mixture and topped with crunchy pecans and marshmallows.
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This is the Best Green Bean Casserole for your table! It is a traditional holiday staple, yes, but also great any time of the year as a delicious side dish.
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This delicious Crockpot Stuffing with Leeks and Sausage is made easier in a slow cooker! The addition of leeks and sausage makes it unique and delicious. Don’t limit this to Thanksgiving fare. It is a great side dish to any meal, any time of the year.
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeded and diced
- Extra jalapeno slices and honey for topping optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and generously coat a cast iron pan (or a square 9×9 baking dish) with cooking spray and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix well and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, butter and honey. Mix with a wooden spoon until just combined and stir in the dry ingredients. Fold in the cheese and diced jalapeno. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Top with jalapeno slices and a few drizzles of honey, if desired. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through in the center. Cut and serve!
Notes
This cornbread only takes 30 minutes to make, from start to finish. I LOVE THAT! It is a great addition to any holiday or family meal and it also goes great alongside a steaming bowl of chili or Chicken Wild Rice Soup or Chicken and Dumplings.
If you do not have a cast iron skillet, use a square baking dish or pie plate instead. You may need to adjust baking time, so use your oven light for peeking!
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