Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits give you the best of my butter swim biscuits and homemade cornbread, all in one delicious, buttery bite! With a crispy edge and soft center, they’re filled with sweet corn kernels for added texture. I love enjoying mine with a drizzle of honey or more butter, but they’re perfect as-is, too! For another flavorful twist on classic cornbread, try my Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread. Packed with spicy jalapeños and melty cheddar, it’s perfect for adding some heat to your meal!

Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits on a wooden table with honey and plates.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Honey: Honey adds a touch of sweetness to the Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits, balancing the savory flavors and making them extra yummy. It also helps keep the biscuits soft and moist, giving them a perfect texture! Have a little extra on hand for drizzling, too!
Corn: Look for a can (about 15 ounces) of corn kernels to use. Drain them before adding to the batter. If using fresh or frozen corn (that has been thawed), you will need about 1 3/4 cups. I love the texture the corn brings.
Milk: Whole milk adds some richness and helps make the biscuits soft and tender. If you don’t have whole milk, 2% would work well, too.
Cornmeal: Cornmeal is made by grinding yellow corn. I recommend using yellow cornmeal instead of white for a stronger, richer flavor in your biscuits.
Butter: We can’t have butter swim biscuits without butter! The cornbread batter ‘swims’ in the melted butter, then bakes to golden perfection, creating a rich, buttery crust with a soft, tender center that’s simply irresistible. Trust me, I have made a few variations to butter swim biscuits from my Cinnamon Sugar Butter Swim Biscuits to my savory Cowboy Butter Swim Biscuits, just to name a couple!

Drizzling honey over Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits.

Can You Use A Different Pan For Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits?

Yup! If you don’t have an 8×8-inch baking dish, you can substitute it with a 9×9-inch pan, an 11×7-inch baking dish, or even a round cake pan. A cast-iron skillet would give the biscuits a rustic touch! Just keep an eye on the baking time, as it may vary depending on the pan size.

Can You Add Cheese To Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits?

Yes, you can add cheese to Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits! In fact, I have Cheesy Butter Swim Biscuits that you will love! Cheddar cheese works great and goes well with the buttery cornbread flavor. Just stir in 1 to 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar (or any cheese you like) into the batter before putting it in the pan. The cheese will melt as the biscuits bake, making them even more delicious richness, and flavor.

How To Store & Reheat Butter Swim Biscuits

These cornbread butter swim biscuits are best enjoyed fresh, ideally on the same day they’re baked. (I love these fresh out of the oven!) But, if you would like to make them ahead, here’s how to store them:

Let the biscuits cool to room temperature.
Wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. (If using plastic wrap, ensure they’re completely cooled first—trapping hot air can make them soggy.)
Store at room temperature for up to two days. (Refrigerating them will extend their shelf life, but they may dry out faster.)
When ready to serve, reheat in the oven at the lowest temperature for up to 10 minutes.

Close up of Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits.

Can You Freeze Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits?

Yes! To freeze baked cornbread butter swim biscuits, let them cool to room temperature. Then, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay fresh for a couple of months. When ready to eat, thaw them overnight in the fridge or at room temperature before reheating.