Skillet Cornbread Recipe (from scratch) (2024)

FAQs

How is cornbread made from scratch? ›

Whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Add milk, vegetable oil, and egg; whisk until well combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.

Why use a cast-iron skillet for cornbread? Cast iron can get really hot, is nonstick, and can go from stovetop to oven. It's really a must for cornbread with a crispy bottom!

Use cast iron

You can't go wrong with a 10.25 Inch Skillet, but if you want to mix it up, you can pull out a Muffin Pan, Wedge Pan, or Cornstick Pan (of course!). In fact, we've got a whole conversion article to help you make our cornbread mix in whichever pan is your favorite!

The most common reason food sticks to cast iron is because the pan is simply too hot. Because cast iron retains heat much better than other types of cookware, you generally don't need to use as high of a heat setting as you normally would with stainless steel or aluminum cookware.

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.

Can I substitute water for milk in cornbread mix? 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.

Glass, ceramic, and cast iron work best, but you can also use metal baking dishes.

For one, cast iron pans aren't perfectly smooth and foods like eggs may get stuck. For the best results, make sure to keep your cast iron pan seasoned, and preheat the skillet for a few minutes before you add any food to it. This allows the pan to heat evenly and prevents most food from sticking. Add fat as needed.

Set the batter aside for 10 to 15 minutes.

By letting the cornbread batter sit at room temperature before baking, the cornmeal has some extra time to absorb the flavor from the other ingredients, and the baking powder gets a head start.

The batter should be thick, but still pourable. Add more milk or buttermilk if necessary. Remove the skillet from the oven and tilt the pan so the butter coats the bottom and sides of pan.

What is cornbread mix made of? ›

Whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.

Early cornbread consisted of cornmeal, water, and salt and was baked over a fire or in a hearth. Without milk, eggs, or sugar, early versions of the bread were quite different than what we eat today, but they offered a vital source of energy.

Most recipes are based in a mixture of wheat flour and yellow or white maize meal or flour, baking powder, shortening/lard, and other ingredients that improve texture and flavor. The functional gluten of the wheat flour allows the production of more aerated breads, whereas corn flour imparts the characteristic flavor.