Cornbread Recipe Without Buttermilk

Name: Cornbread Recipe Without Buttermilk
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup cornmeal; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp salt; 2 eggs; 1 cup milk; 1/2 cup salted butter (melted); 1/4 cup honey; 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded); 1 jalapeno pepper (seeded and diced); Extra jalapeno slices and honey for topping (optional)

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This cornbread recipe without buttermilk is the perfect side for any meal. Omit the jalapeño and cheese for a perfect go-to cornbread recipe.

Slice of cornbread with jalapenos with skillet in background

Original recipe posted: November 2018 | Recipe updated: March 2021

In the past few years I have discovered that I actually like cornbread! I was not a big fan of cornbread for most of my life. I love how easy it is to make and how many options there are for adding ingredients into it. In this recipe in particular, I love that it does not require buttermilk!

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. Or just omit the pepper entirely for the perfect go-to cornbread side dish to any meal! This is such a great recipe, with the best crust and so much flavor.

HOW TO MAKE THIS CORNBREAD RECIPE WITHOUT BUTTERMILK

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 dry ingredients: ground cornmeal, all purpose flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix well and set aside.

eggs beaten in bowl with cheddar and diced jalapenos

STEP 2

In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients: 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 cornbread batter into the prepared pan. Top with jalapeno slices and a few drizzles of honey, if desired.

Corn bread in skillet with honey and jalapeno slices ready to be cooked

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.

WHAT GOES WITH CORNBREAD

Um, EVERYTHING! Seriously, literally any meal with be tastier with a side of garlic bread. If you want specific ideas, start here:

DELICIOUS THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES

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!
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!
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!
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.
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.

cast iron skillet with one slice cut out of cornbread recipe without buttermilk

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.

WHAT DOES CORNBREAD TASTE LIKE

Cornbread has a crumbly texture with a sweet, corn flavor. It is also a light bread that is not super heavy or filling, making it the perfect side for any meal.

BASIC CAST IRON SKILLET CARE

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.
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.

CORNBREAD MUFFINS

This recipe can be easily turned into corn muffins! Simply pour the batter into muffin tins (with cupcake liners) and fill each liner 3/4 of the way full. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out totally clean.

RECIPE NOTES

This recipe does NOT require buttermilk, which is one of the reasons I love it so much. Use any variety of regular milk, including skim, 1%, 2% or whole.
If you don’t like spicy food, don’t dismiss this recipe. Simply omit the peppers altogether 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.
This cornbread only takes 30 minutes to make, from start to finish. 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.
For a super sweet cornbread, alter the amount of sugar by adding up to 1/4 cup extra. Also, consider adding a pat of honey butter to the top before serving and/or drizzle with extra honey!

top view of skillet of cornbread without buttermilk next to plate with a slice of it

FAQ ABOUT CORNBREAD

CAN CORNBREAD BE FROZEN

For best results, allow cornbread to cool completely before freezing. Place in a resealable bag or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

CORNBREAD HOW TO MAKE

Cornbread is easy to make, typically using a combination of corn meal, flour, sugar, butter, a leavening agent such as baking powder and milk or buttermilk. Other ingredients can be added, including cheese, peppers and honey. The batter is then baked in a 400-degree oven for approximately 20 minutes until cooked through.

WHEN IS CORNBREAD DONE

You will know cornbread is done baking when a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean (no crumbs or batter!). Also, the top of the cornbread will be crispy and light golden brown.