Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread is savory cornbread that is made with sharp cheddar cheese, corn kernels, onions, and jalapeno peppers. If you prefer sweet cornbread, check out this Cornbread Recipe that is made with cake mix. And be sure to pair it with my amazing Homemade Chili!
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Cornbread recipes come in both sweet and savory varieties. This Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread is definitely a savory cornbread; no sugar is added in this recipe and there is a spicy kick in every bite from the jalapeno peppers. Plus, there is added corn, onions, and cheese. I also have Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins you will want to try!
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Ingredients
Cornbread is not hard to make, so skip the cornbread mix at the store and make your own.
Cornmeal: Cornmeal is ground yellow corn. I recommend sticking with yellow cornmeal (as opposed to white) for a stronger flavor.
Buttermilk: Buttermilk is one of the wet ingredients (along with eggs and oil) that the cornmeal will soak in. If you don’t have any on hand, make your own homemade buttermilk.
Corn: Just a cup of sweet corn kernels is all you will need to add some texture to the cornbread.
Jalapeno Peppers: I used two jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced, in the cornbread. Yes, you will get a jalapeno flavor in every bite. If you don’t want such a strong flavor, just use one jalapeno. If you want extra spice, look for jalapenos that are ‘stressed’, or have white streaks running down the length of the pepper.
How to Make Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
To get started making this cornbread, you will need an 8-inch cast-iron (or oven-safe) skillet. If you do use a 9-inch skillet, the cornbread will be a little thinner and you will need to watch the baking time. You could also use an 8-inch square baking dish. IMPORTANT TIP: If you do use a baking dish, as opposed to a skillet, you do not need to heat up the baking dish in the oven.
First, grease the oven-safe skillet and place it in a cold oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F and let the skillet heat up as the oven heats. While the oven and skillet are preheating, prepare the batter.
In a medium bowl, combine the whisked eggs, oil, buttermilk, and cornmeal. Let the cornmeal soak in the wet ingredients as you prepare the remaining ingredients, or for about ten minutes. Then, in a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add the cornmeal mixture to the flour mixture and mix until combined. Fold in the shredded cheese, corn, onion, and jalapeno peppers.
Finally, carefully remove the hot skillet from the preheated oven and pour the batter into the hot skillet.
Bake the jalapeno cheddar cornbread for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out with a few dry crumbs, but no wet batter. Let the bread sit for about 20 minutes before cutting and serving. Store cornbread in an airtight container for 1-2 days at room temperature, or up to five days in the refrigerator.
More Bread Recipes
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup corn kernels
- ½ white onion, diced
- 2 medium jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced (approximately ½ cup)
Instructions
- Place a greased 8-inch cast-iron skillet into a cold oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F, allowing the skillet to heat up with the oven.
- In a medium bowl, combine eggs, oil, buttermilk, and cornmeal. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and garlic powder. Whisk together until combined.
- Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and mix until well combined.
- Fold in cheese, corn, onion, and jalapeños.
- Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Pour the batter into the hot skillet.
- Bake 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown. (An inserted toothpick should come out clean or with a few dry crumbs.)
- Let the cornbread cool for about 20 minutes before cutting and serving.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
I love a Mexican style cornbread. Never used the cheese before in my recipe that I can throw together without a recipe, Cheese added was delicious. I used your recipe today. Thanks. Yummy!
Of I cook this cornbread recipe in a Bundt pan?
Can I make the day before or the morning of and keep in the refrigerator?
I made this cornbread today. Followed recipe exactly, but I added 1/4 cup honey & deleted the onion. Delicious!
Can I make this in giant muffin tins
Sure
Can you make this mixture a day ahead and put it in the fridge? Thanks.
Very extremely great good yes thank you soooo happy
This is great. I’ve been making an almost identical cornbread for years. I also make my own cornbread mix and have found that using bacon drippings in place of oil kicks things up a bunch. I mix in some bacon bits as well.
I make this a lot, I love it!
Can I use regular milk or even almond milk instead of buttermilk?
Google what to use instead of buttermilk i did about month ago, happy with results!?!
I will be making this tonight, Grandson loves cornbread, and so do I. I do one thing different though. I cook up to 6 slices of bacon in the pan first, drain most of the grease, then add the cornmeal. Everything that stuck to the pan sticks to the cornmeal. The first time I did this, about 2/3 of the cornbread was left, and I planned on having a thick slice for lunch the next day. Got home from work and no cornbread. Grandson ate it all for breakfast! I took that as a compliment to my cooking.
Accidentally used the whole onion instead of just half…oops. It was still delicious.
I made this tonight and it was delicious. I used bacon grease to oil the bottom of the skillet. So good. Thank you!
I make this but I use whole and cream style corn and sour cream also
Turned out beautifully! Followed the recipe exactly, except I had to leave mine in for closer to 55 mins, but I believe that is because I had to use an 8” cake pan as I don’t have a cast iron skillet. Super yummy!
I use cream corn, makes it more moist.
I use clean corn as well.
I made this recipe using self rising cornmeal and flour. It was really good!
I am using self rising cornmeal and self rising flour. I will omit the salt but do I need to use the baking soda and baking powder?
Are you not greasing your pan ?
No, when you use self rising you don’t need to add salt, baking powder or baking soda – self rising already had all that in it!
Best jalapeño cheddar recipe! Love this!
So glad, Lisa!
I don’t own a cast iron skillet. I do have a 8” casserole dish. Would I still have to heat this up or not before I add the ingredients? Thanks