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10 Creative Cornbread Recipes That Are Crazy Good

If you’re like most of us, you’re well acquainted with cornbread.

Mom made it every year, and the recipe probably never changed: flour, oil, cornmeal, and sugar.

While that’s all you need to make a delicious batch of classic cornbread, did you know that you can get creative with it?

For example, you can make high-protein cornbread, grain-free cornbread, sweet potato cornbread, and even cornbread pudding, pizza, and pie.

And those are the types of cornbread recipes that you’re going to find in this article.

So if you’re ready to venture beyond the boundaries of classic cornbread and think outside the boxed mix, then these recipes are for you.

Enjoy! 

Mini Cornbread Pudding

mini corn puddings Picture courtesy of Dinner at the Zoo

When you bake with cornmeal, the result can be dry since it doesn’t blend with liquid like flour. That’s one reason cornbread is so good to serve with chili, or slathered in butter.

If you prefer moist corn muffins, try this easy recipe. Sour cream contributes tangy flavor and a softer texture, and there are a ton of corn kernels to ensure you get several in each bite.

Serves 12

Ingredients

Cooking spray

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup yellow cornmeal

2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups low-fat sour cream

2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed and patted dry

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 144

Protein: 3 grams

Carbs: 18 grams

Fat: 7 grams

   Get the Recipe

Cornbread Protein Bars with Apples & Dates

healthy cornbread protein bars Picture courtesy of Food Faith Fitness

Cornbread is usually a side dish, but you can enjoy it as a healthy snack too. This sweet cornbread is made with whey protein powder instead of flour, a combo of applesauce and yogurt instead of butter, and nutritious mix-ins like apples and pecans.

Serves 8

Ingredients

1/2 cup medium yellow cornmeal

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 scoop WHEY+ vanilla protein isolate

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

¾ tsp. ground cinnamon

1/3 cup dried apples

1/4 cup packed dates, roughly chopped

3 Tbsp. pecans, roughly chopped

1/4 cup pure honey

1 large egg yolk

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. low-fat plain Greek yogurt

1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 135

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 23 grams

Fat: 3 grams 

   Get the Recipe

Fresh Corn Cornbread

fresh cornbread recipe Picture courtesy of America’s Test Kitchen

Instead of making cornbread with a can of creamed corn, you can start with a fresh corn puree for maximum flavor.

That’ll add 20 minutes onto the baking time, but luckily this extra step doesn’t take much kitchen skill. After slicing the kernels off the ears of corn, put them in a pot on the stove, and stir regularly until they start to break down and thicken up.

Serves 8

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups stone-ground cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 1/4 tsp. salt

3 ears corn, cut from cobs (2 1/4 cups kernels)

6 Tbsp. butter, cut into 6 pieces

1 cup buttermilk

2 large eggs

1 egg yolk

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 305

Protein: 8 grams

Carbs: 44 grams

Fat: 12 grams

   Get the Recipe

Protein Cornbread in a Mug

easy cornbread recipe Picture courtesy of Healthy Helper Blog

Want cornbread in a jiffy? Instead of using a boxed mix, you can make this quick cornbread in the microwave.

And it’s not just convenient, but healthy too with whey protein powder and egg whites as the main ingredients. This single-serving cornbread is a great side dish when you want to boost the protein of a simple dinner like soup or baked beans.

Serves 1

Ingredients

1/2 scoop WHEY+ unflavored protein isolate

2 Tbsp. cornmeal

1/4 tsp. baking powder

3 Tbsp. egg whites

1/4 cup almond milk

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 274

Protein: 19 grams

Carbs: 18 grams

Fat: 15 grams

   Get the Recipe

Cornbread & Sausage Stuffing

cornbread and sausage stuffing recipe Picture courtesy of Delicious Meets Healthy

Cornbread without the corn? Yep, these macros include a grain-free cornbread made with almond and coconut flour. Of course, this cornbread stuffing will also work with your favorite recipe if you prefer one that contains real corn.

Either way, it’s best to leave the cornbread out overnight, uncovered, so it dries out and can then soak up the other flavors for the perfect stuffing.

Serves 10

Ingredients

Stuffing:

1 lb. ground pork sausage

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

8 leaves fresh sage, chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 recipe grain-free cornbread, cut into cubes and left overnight to dry

3 large eggs

1 cup chicken stock

Grain-Free Cornbread:

2 cups almond flour

1/4 cup coconut flour

2 tsp. coconut sugar

3 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 cup plain whole yogurt

1 medium onion, minced

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 413

Protein: 16 grams

Carbs: 12 grams

Fat: 33 grams

   Get the Recipe

BBQ Chicken Cornbread Pie

bbq chicken cornbread pie Picture courtesy of Table for Two

Instead of making a savory pie with pastry crust, use cornbread. It’s a perfect pairing for barbecue filling, like this one with shredded chicken, cheddar, and a dash of hot sauce.

This is a delicious and impressive way to serve comfort food, and yet this barbecue chicken pie comes together in under an hour – baking time for the cornbread included.

Serves 4

Ingredients

Cornbread:

1 box (8.5 oz.) corn muffin mix

1 large egg

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed

Topping:

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz.), cooked and shredded

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, chopped

1 small red bell pepper, diced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. hot sauce

2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 cup tomato sauce

1 1/2 Tbsp. dark brown sugar

2 1/2 cups (about 10 oz.) shredded cheddar

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 675

Protein: 45 grams

Carbs: 63 grams

Fat: 29 grams

   Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Cornbread Stuffing

slow cooker cornbread stuffing recipe Picture courtesy of Skinny Ms.

Make holidays meals easier by using your Crock Pot. Countless dishes can be slow-cooked, including entrées and desserts, and you can even use it to prepare a simple cornbread stuffing.

This one has minimal ingredients, so you can get it together in just a few minutes, and then your side dish will be ready to eat in a few hours.

Serves 10

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup diced celery (about 6 stalks)

1 yellow onion, diced

6 cups cornbread crumbs

2 tsp. poultry seasoning

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth)

Salt to taste

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 171

Protein: 4 grams

Carbs: 26 grams

Fat: 6 grams

   Get the Recipe

Fall Cornbread Panzanella Salad with Maple-Mustard Vinaigrette

cornbread vegetarian recipe Picture courtesy of Naturally Ella

When you have leftover cornbread, repurpose it by making this fall panzanella salad. This whole recipe requires an 8” x 8” pan of cornbread, so you can prepare a bigger portion for another meal, then use the leftovers.

Or, prepare just half of this recipe for two servings of cornbread salad with spinach, sweet potato, and Brussels sprouts.

Serves 4

Ingredients

Cornbread:

1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 large eggs

2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

1/4 cup walnut oil (or melted butter)

1/2 cup milk

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary (or 3/4 tsp. dried rosemary)

Roasted Veggies & Salad:

1 small sweet potato

1 1/2 cups Brussels sprouts, quartered

1/2 medium onion, diced

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

3 cups fresh spinach

1 oz. blue cheese

Dressing:

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 Tbsp. brown mustard

1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 453

Protein: 13 grams

Carbs: 47 grams

Fat:  26 grams

   Get the Recipe

Sweet Potato Cornbread

sweet potato cornbread recipe Picture courtesy of Black Doctor

Add flavor and nutrition to cornbread at the same time by mixing in mashed sweet potatoes.

Aside from that, this Southern cornbread in a skillet is traditional with buttermilk, brown sugar, and honey. So you’re getting all the comfort food flavors you love, with the added benefit of complex carbs and fiber.

Serves 16

Ingredients

2 cups cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 1/2 cups mashed sweet potatoes

4 large eggs, room temp.

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1/4 cup pure honey

1/2 cup butter, melted

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 212

Protein: 5 grams

Carbs: 32 grams

Fat: 8 grams

   Get the Recipe

Mexican Cornbread Pizza Cake

mexican cornbread pizza cake Picture courtesy of One Green Planet

Cornbread doesn’t have to be a side dish. With refried beans, guacamole, and nacho cheese, this savory layer cake has enough flavor and nutrition to eat for lunch.

This vegan cornbread contains jalapenos and sun-dried tomatoes, so every component is packed with ingredients to love. Top it with sliced bell pepper, avocado, red onion, and fresh cilantro.

Serves 6

Ingredients

Jalapeno Lime Cornbread:

1 1/2 cups cornmeal

1/3 cup applesauce

1 Tbsp. chia seeds

3 Tbsp. water

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

3 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 Tbsp. oil (more or less as needed)

2 Tbsp. diced jalapenos

2 Tbsp. sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped

2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

Cake:

1/2 can (15 oz.) refried beans

3/4 cup guacamole

1/3 cup vegan nacho cheese

1/2 cup pizza sauce (more or less as needed)

1 avocado, sliced

1/2 bell pepper, sliced into rings

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: 386

Protein: 10 grams

Carbs: 53 grams

Fat: 17 grams 

   Get the Recipe

What did you think of these cornbread recipes? Have anything else to share? Let me know in the comments below!

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