Side Dish · Baking · American

Skillet Cornbread With Fresh Jalapeño Honey

Master the art of skillet cornbread with this recipe featuring a crisp buttery crust and a finishing drizzle of spicy jalapeño infused honey.

4.5(372 reviews)
·By Ethan Brooks·
Skillet Cornbread With Fresh Jalapeño Honey — American Side Dish served and photographed from above
Prep
15 min
Cook
25 min
Difficulty
Easy
Serves
8

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Skillet Prep

  1. 1

    Heat the Cast Iron

    Place a 10 inch cast iron skillet in the oven and preheat to 200°C (400°F). Heating the pan is essential for a crispy crust.

    Tip: If you do not have a cast iron skillet, a heavy stainless steel oven-proof pan will work, but the crust will be less pronounced.

How to Make Skillet Cornbread With Fresh Jalapeño Honey

Total time: 40 min · Yields 8 servings

  1. 1

    Whisk Dry Ingredients

    In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until no clumps remain.

  2. 2

    Combine Wet Ingredients

    In a separate jug, beat the eggs into the buttermilk. Slowly whisk in the melted butter until the mixture is emulsified and smooth.

  3. 3

    Mix the Batter

    Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula just until combined. Do not overmix, as this will lead to a tough, bready texture.

  4. 4

    Sear the Crust

    Using oven mitts, carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Drop in the lard or bacon grease, swirling until the bottom and sides are coated. Pour the batter into the sizzling pan and smooth the top.

  5. 5

    Bake

    Return the skillet to the oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are dark golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

  6. 6

    Prepare Honey and Finish

    While the bread bakes, simmer honey, jalapeño slices, and vinegar in a small saucepan over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove the cornbread from the oven, let cool for 10 minutes, then drizzle generously with the strained honey and serve with the warm jalapeño rounds.

Chef's Tips

  • Use room temperature buttermilk and eggs to prevent the melted butter from seizing and creating lumps in the batter.
  • Stone-ground cornmeal provides a superior toothsome texture compared to highly processed, fine-ground cornmeal.
  • If your honey is too thick after simmering, add a teaspoon of warm water to reach a pourable consistency.

What to Serve with Skillet Cornbread With Fresh Jalapeño Honey

The garlic butter sauce is the star — pick sides that soak it up or balance the richness.

  • Serve warm alongside a bowl of three-bean chili.
  • Pair with smoked brisket and coleslaw.
  • Slice into wedges for a Southern-style breakfast with fried eggs.

Recipe Variations

Once you've mastered the base recipe, try these popular twists.

Variation

Cheddar and Scallion: Add 100g of sharp cheddar and 3 sliced green onions to the batter.

Variation

Maple Variant: Substitute the honey for Grade A maple syrup for a different depth of sweetness.

Variation

Bacon Bits: Fold 4 strips of cooked, crumbled bacon into the batter before baking.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 150°C oven for 5 to 7 minutes to restore the crisp edges.

Further reading

Frequently asked questions

Why is my skillet cornbread dry?

Dry cornbread is usually caused by overbaking or using too much flour. Ensure you use full-fat buttermilk for moisture and check for doneness 5 minutes before the timer ends.

Can I make this skillet cornbread without a cast iron pan?

Yes, you can use a 9-inch square baking pan, though you will lose the signature crispy bottom crust that comes from the preheated cast iron.

Is skillet cornbread supposed to be sweet?

Southern tradition varies. This recipe uses a small amount of sugar for balance, but the majority of the sweetness comes from the jalapeño honey drizzle applied after baking.

How do I store leftover jalapeno honey?

Keep it in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It is excellent on biscuits or grilled chicken.

Can I use frozen corn in the batter?

Yes, you can fold in 1/2 cup of thawed corn kernels to add extra pops of sweetness and texture to the bread.

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