This old-fashioned cheddar cornbread is packed with spicy heat. It can be baked in a baking dish or made in a cast-iron skillet too. A traditional cornbread recipe that is moist and so delicious.
Jalapenos, corn kernels, and lots of cheddar cheese. The perfect side to soup, chili, or just on its own. Cayenne and black pepper add more heat to this spicy cornbread recipe.
If you love warm, cheesy goodness, you also need to try these Cheddar Cheese Muffins.
Sweet cornbread does not cut it for me. It is all about the spice. I relate it to southern flavours. Things like cayenne and jalapeño. Shrimp and grits are iconic for sure.
This cornbread stuffing chicken meatloaf is always a hit with the family. Leftovers are great for meatloaf sandwiches.
Several years ago, my daughter brought some leftover cheesy cornbread home from a party she attended. I still remember her saying, “Mom, you are going to LOVE this”. She was right.
Thank goodness it was made by her good friend Kris, and she has kindly let me replicate it for you. She just happens to be part of the great Canadian band Loco Zydeco.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this southern jalapeno cornbread can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Old-Fashioned Cheddar Cornbread Ingredients
All it takes are some simple ingredients, nothing that is hard to find.
- Buttermilk
- Cornmeal
- Jalaepno peppers
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cayenne pepper
- Black pepper
- Sugar
- Garlic powder
- Eggs
- Cheddar cheese
- Corn
- Butter
- Lemon juice
Another thing I totally relate to southern cooking is using cast iron skillets. I have a huge selection of sizes and I use them ALL the time.
From Crispy Cast Iron Potatoes to Greek Nachos, my skillets get lots of use. Hubby uses them on the BBQ too. Bacon and eggs on a Saturday morning, or sautéing some mushrooms to go with that awesome steak for dinner, cast iron works wonders whether you are cooking indoors or at the campfire.
How To Make Cast Iron Skillet Jalapeno Cornbread
This is simple to make, yet really packs a punch. Mix, pour, and bake. If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet that is ok. Kris uses a glass baking dish (and I have too).
Here is the condensed version, please see the recipe card for everything you need to know.
- Line your baking dish with parchment. I used a skillet for this recipe, and DID NOT preheat it.
- Grate your cheese.
- Preheat the oven.
- Chop the jalapeno peppers (remove the seeds if you don’t want all the heat).
- Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- Heat buttermilk along with diced jalapenos. Cool slightly.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients.
- Pour and bake.
Bread Made With Cornmeal
There are several varieties, usually baked or fried, but can also be steamed to create a cornmeal pudding.
- Baked Cornbread can be made sweet or savoury.
- Cracklin Bread has addition of pork rind as an ingredient.
- Johnnycakes are similar to a pancake, a skillet fried cornbread patty.
- Hushpuppies are made with a buttermilk batter that is deep-fried.
Recipe Tips
- If you prefer LESS spice, reduce the amount of jalapenos, cayenne and black pepper.
- Removing the seeds from the pepper reduce the heat level as well.
- If baking in a skillet that is not pre-heated, the baking time will need to be adjusted. I did not pre-heat my skillet.
- Change the cheese. Smoked cheddar works great in this recipe.
- Corn kernels can be fresh, frozen or canned. Creamed corn does not work well in this recipe.
- No buttermilk? Thin out some sour cream or plain yourt with milk.
FAQ
Properly stored, it will last 1-2 days at room temperature, and about 1 week in the fridge.
Wrap in foil for best results. You can also use plastic wrap.
Cornbread can be frozen for several months. Be sure to wrap it well.
You can pop it in the microwave, wrap it in foil, reheat in the oven, or even the bbq.
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Serving Suggestions:
Serve this buttermilk cheddar cornbread with:
Still looking for some great bread recipes?
Irish Soda Bread is quick and easy. It can be made any night of the week.
Onion Bread is the perfect side to comfort foods like soup, chili, and stew.
If you want to try your hands on making homemade bread from scratch, I have just the recipe for you. This Sun-dried Tomato and Olive Artisan bread recipe is so delicious. Follow the steps in the post for perfect results.
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped jalapeno peppers seeds and ribs removed
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 beaten eggs
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 cup whole kernel corn (fresh, frozen or canned)
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Line bottom and sides of square glass baking dish (8×8 or 9×9) with parchment paper. Alternatively you can use a cast iron skillet.
- Preheat oven to 425°
- Mix dry ingredients.
- Heat buttermilk and jalapenos in microwave on high for 1 minute. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Combine buttermilk/jalapenpo mixture with eggs, cheese and corn, add to dry ingredients.
- Mix only until blended.
- Add lemon juice and melted butter.
- Pour into pan.
- Bake 40-50 minutes until golden brown and cake tester comes out clean. If using cast iron, baking time will increase slightly.
- Remove from oven, cut into wedges and enjoy.
Kaitie
Wow, I absolutely love this! What a great side to add to any meal, and I think it’s great you can freeze it afterwards. I always love having some proportioned ‘extras’ in the freezer when you want to add a little something extra to a meal.
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it is a great one to make and have extra to throw in the freezer. Fun to experiment with different cheeses too.
Veena Azmanov
I can’t wait to try this Gloria. My kids love corn!! I make my mom old recipe often but I’m going to try this soon.
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give it a try…we love it here.
Elaine @Flavour and Savour
Cheesy, spicy, savoury skillet cornbread! What could be better in the fall with a bowl of soup! Love it!
Homemade & Yummy
Yup…a must with chili too!!
Veronika
Love the recipe and love that you added cheese to this corn bread! Definitely would like to try it!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes the cheese is so good in this recipe. Hope you give it a try.
Kylee from Kylee Cooks
I like my cornbread any way I can get it! I love mixing it up and adding different things to it. Pimentos one day, jalapenos another… corn and cheese.. YUM!
Homemade & Yummy
Cornbread is so good….hope you give this recipe a try.
Kavey Favelle
I’ve never made cornbread, but this looks lovely. I like the idea of salty cheese against sweet corn!
Homemade & Yummy
It is so delicious…you really need to give it a try.
Helene D'Souza
I have heard of cornbread but I have not had the chance to taste it yet. I would love to taste yours to see what it is like.
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give it a try…it is SOOOOO delicious.
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen
This sounds like a cornbread that you might find in a restaurant. I like how nice and easy it is to make.
Homemade & Yummy
Well you sure find it in this restaurant LOL.
Sandi
This cornbread looks so good. I love all of the cheese in this.
Homemade & Yummy
I happen to think the more cheese the better!!
Jessie Gunaseelan
Cheese and corn. Awesome!
Homemade & Yummy
Yup it is a winner for sure.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
This cornbread looks so delicious!! Love how easy it is!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes it is SOOOO easy and SOOOO delicious!!
Rebecca | Let's Eat Cake
I love the edition of cheese and jalapenos into this bread! I swear, I’m always looking for things to be spicier – and this pillowy cornbread looks like the perfect accompaniment to a fall chili.
Homemade & Yummy
You can make this as spicy as you like….hope you give it a try.
Nicola @ Happy Healthy Motivated
this looks so traditional and comforting! Love the idea of whole corn kernels inside the cornbread. I bet they add the most amazing texture. Yum!
Homemade & Yummy
Yes…it is full of texture and flavour.
Janette | Culinary Ginger
I will take cornbread any way and anytime and there’s nothing better than little sweet bites of corn kernels,
Homemade & Yummy
This is the only cornbread I make…it is that good.
Catherine Brown
Nothing better than cast iron skillet cornbread! Love adding jalapenos too 😉
Homemade & Yummy
We love this recipe…the only one I make.