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.

Mexican Cornbread Recipe (3)

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!

Mexican Cornbread Recipe (4)

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 is the difference between Mexican cornbread and regular cornbread? ›

Texture: Mexican cornbread is denser and more moist than American cornbread, thanks to the addition of cheese and corn. It also has a crispy crust from the cheese and jalapeños. American cornbread is lighter and fluffier, with a more crumbly texture1 2 3 .

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 ...

Why is my Mexican cornbread crumbly? ›

Cornmeal gives cornbread its classic color and flavor, but too much can make your bread crumbly. Try replacing a little bit of cornmeal with flour. The specific measurements will depend on how much cornmeal and flour is in your recipe, but you should try to have more flour than cornmeal in your batter.

What does adding an extra egg to cornbread do? ›

The extra egg which is increased protein and binder makes the cornbread denser and heavier in texture.

Can I substitute masa harina for cornmeal in cornbread? ›

Masa harina and sugar give classic cornbread a more vivid corn flavor. This cornbread recipe is pretty classic, save for the use of masa harina instead of cornmeal, which gives the bread a more tender texture and corn-forward flavor.

What is cornbread called in the South? ›

It is commonly called "cornbread" in the Southern United States and is not known by a different name in this region. Cornbread is a simple bread that is made by mixing cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder, and milk to form a batter, which is then baked in the oven.

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

While both styles generally use the same ingredients -- cornmeal, flour, eggs, and baking powder -- the variance lies in the flavor and texture. Northern-style cornbread tends to be sweeter, moister, and cake-like compared to its Southern counterpart.

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 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 can I add to cornbread to keep it from crumbling? ›

I want to keep the cornbread taste, just less crumbly! I recommend extra egg yolk, adding corn, and using cast iron to bake. Also, try a little lower temperature.

Can you leave Mexican cornbread out? ›

While not all Mexican cornbread recipes feature meat, mine does! So, this particular cornbread can only sit out at room temperature for about 2 hours before it needs to be refrigerated in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

What happens if I use 1 egg instead of 2? ›

Half the recipe and make half as much. Eggs are important in adding “loft” and lightness to the finished product. As they batter cooks, the eggs heat up and release steam, and the steam is what makes the air bubbles in the final product. Half as many eggs as the recipe calls for CAN make a dense unpleasant product.

Can I use half-and-half in place of milk in cornbread? ›

Cornbread FAQ

Yes, you can, but it may result in a less rich flavor. If you're out of milk, try using cream or half-and-half, evaporated or powdered milk, or even plain yogurt. If you have dietary restrictions, try soy milk or oat milk.

How to jazz up cornbread? ›

10 Mix-Ins for Classic Cornbread
  1. Bacon and scallion. ...
  2. Green chile and cheddar cheese. ...
  3. Crumbled sausage and poultry seasoning. ...
  4. Fresh corn and basil. ...
  5. Pepperoni, parmesan, and black pepper. ...
  6. Spicy shrimp and creole seasoning. ...
  7. Brown sugar and pecan. ...
  8. Cranberry and maple syrup.

Is Mexican corn different from American corn? ›

U.S. corn production is almost exclusively of the yellow corn variety, with the majority used for purposes other than human consumption (e.g. feed, ethanol). In contrast, Mexico produces mainly white corn, and a greater share of Mexican corn than U.S. corn is used for food.

What is the difference between southern cornbread and sweet cornbread? ›

A quick Google search will tell you that Southern cornbread is oftentimes devoid of any sugar, while its Northern counterpart is light, sweet, buttery and cakelike.

What is the fundamental difference between northern 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.

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.

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