Sweet Skillet Cornbread Recipe (2024)

November 10, 2017 By Melissa Huggins / 29 Comments

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This Vegan Skillet Cornbread Recipe will have them running to the dinner table. It's lightly sweetened & moist on the inside with a crispy and buttery outside - thanks to the cast iron.

Have you ever tried cornbread in a skillet? If not, you should break out the cast iron for this. It's worth it! Your cornbread will have a perfectly golden color with a true rustic appeal.

Oh, and the edges will be perfectly browned and crisped. Pouring the batter into the hot skillet is how the magic happens. It will sizzle and immediately start to cook. It's kind of cool to watch too.

Don't have a cast iron skillet? No problem! You can find them at most mainstream stores, yard sales, or even your local thrift store.

Cast iron is versatile and you can make so many recipes with it (including this Pineapple Fried Rice). They're better than any non-stick pan out there and can withstand high heat and maintain it well. I highly recommend one for every kitchen.

They are so easy to clean and maintain too. Just keep them seasoned and they will be good to you. If you'd like to learn more here is a Beginner's Guide to Cast Iron Care.

What's the best flour to use for cornbread?

For this recipe, I tried out a different all-purpose flour by Wheat Montana Farms & Bakery and I was really happy with the results. It had a silkier texture which made the batter smooth.

I didn't think much of it, but when I tasted a piece of cornbread, I was blown away. It was perfectly moist and soft.I still get great results with my usual brands, but this was just beyond perfection!

I was excited about my discovery, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't imagining the whole thing before I shared the good news.

So, I tried the flour in my Pumpkin Spice Donuts and once again, I was impressed. They were even fluffier and moister than before. I can't wait to bake more with it.

I purchased this flour at Sprouts, but I believe you can find it at Walmart and the link to Amazon is above. It is a couple of bucks more than your average brand, but I think it's worth it. Let me know if you try it out and feel the same.

Should cornbread taste sweet?

That's up to you! Traditionally, there is little to no sweetener added but let your taste buds make the choice. This skillet cornbread has the perfect subtle sweetness from maple syrup, but it's slightly sweeter than a classic cornbread recipe.

So, if you're used to that, you may want to cut the sweetener in half. Also, if you use this recipe for my vegan cornbread stuffing, you'll want to cut down the amount too.

I added frozen corn kernels for extra texture, moisture, and a touch of sweetness. I wouldn't leave them out because they are way too yummy! Trust me on this!

I hope you'll give this recipe a shot, and love it just as much as I do. I'll be making another batch tonight with a big ol' bowl of chili.

📖 Recipe

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4.91 from 10 votes

Sweet Skillet Cornbread Recipe

This Sweet Skillet Cornbread Recipe will have them running to the dinner table. It's lightly sweetened & moist on the inside with a crispy & buttery outside. Thanks to the cast-iron.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Course: Bread, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Vegan

Servings: 10 people

Calories: 223kcal

Author: Melissa Huggins

Ingredients

▢ 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 5 tablespoons water (*see note)
▢ 1 cup soy milk (or any plant-based milk)
▢ 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or fresh lemon juice)
▢ 1 ¼ cup cornmeal
▢ 1 cup all-purpose flour
▢ 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
▢ ½ teaspoon baking soda
▢ ¾-1 teaspoon Himalayan salt or preferred salt (I used 1 teaspoon)
▢ ½ cup pure maple syrup or agave
▢ ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
▢ 3 tablespoons vegan butter , melted (+ ½ tablespoon unmelted for skillet)
▢ ¾ cup frozen corn , thawed

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Generously grease the bottom and sides of a 10-inch cast iron skillet with about ½ tablespoon of butter and let it heat up with the oven (*see note).
Prepare flax eggs in a small cup or bowl by mixing together the ground flaxseed & water. Set aside about 10 minutes. It will thicken up and become gel-like.
In a medium bowl add the soy milk and vinegar. Set aside about 10 minutes. This creates a vegan buttermilk (It's normal to curdle).
In a large bowl, add flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda & salt. Whisk to combine well.
To themedium bowl with the prepared buttermilk, add prepared flax eggs, applesauce, melted butter & maple syrup. Whisk to combine well.
Now add the wet ingredients to the large bowl of dry ingredients. Combine batter gently until just combined. *Don't overwork the batter. Gently fold in corn.
Remove the preheated skillet from the oven and close the door (Use caution - It will be very hot). Pour the batter into the pan (Use a spatula to scrape remaining batter from the bowl). You should hear the batter sizzle. This helps create crispy cornbread edges.
Place the pan in your oven for 25-30 minutes or until lightgolden brown. Insert a toothpick in the middle. If it's mostly clean, it's ready! Let the pan sit on a cooling rack for at least 10 minutes. If you cut it too soon, it will break apart easily.
Cut into slices or squares and gently lift out of pan. Top with vegan butter and maple syrup if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

* Don't preheat the skillet too long otherwise the butter will burn. You want to pull the skillet out just as the oven hits the right temperature, but you also want to have the fresh batter ready to pour into the hot skillet. Timing is everything. My oven takes about 10-12 minutes to heat up which is exactly how long it takes me to prep so it works out perfectly.

* If you'd like cornbread that is less sweet, just cut the sweetener in half.

* Flax egg alternative:you can use ¼ cupaquafabainstead. It's the water inside the can of chickpeas. Just whip theaquafabainto a light foam before adding the wet ingredients. * Another alternative is chia seeds. The measurements and method are the same as the flax, except the chia seeds can be used whole or ground.

* If you only have whole flaxseed, you can grind it in a coffee grinder.

* Make sure your baking powder and baking soda are not expired. Fresh baking agents are important for a successful baking experience.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Follow me @veganhuggs and mention #veganhuggs!

More Vegan Side Dishes

Easy Vegan Cornbread
Vegan Macaroni Salad
Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
Cucumber and Tomato Salad

About Melissa

I’m Melissa Huggins – the creator of Vegan Huggs. I started this blog to share delicious vegan recipes that everyone will love. Yep, that includes carnivores, too! Read more...

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Comments

Esther
July 21, 2023 at 8:46 am

Do you think it is going to work in a smoker?
Thanks so much for all your recipes! ❤️
Reply
- Melissa Huggins
  July 22, 2023 at 10:13 am
  
  Hi Esther, you're welcome! I don't own a smoker so I'm not sure. I'd love to heat how it turns out if you give it a try. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
  Reply
Brenda
June 08, 2021 at 4:29 am

Best cornbread ever. This is definitely a keeper recipe and will be making it over and over.
Reply
- Support @ Vegan Huggs
  June 11, 2021 at 6:49 am
  
  Hi Brenda! We are so happy to hear that you love the recipe! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review! 🙂
  Reply
Christelle
May 01, 2020 at 4:23 am

Hi! I made this last evening, and it was super good! Thanks for the recipe 🙂 I would like to make it in a bigger skillet, do you think it is ok if I multiply the quantities by 1.3 or 1.5?
Reply
- Melissa Huggins
  June 09, 2020 at 4:56 pm
  
  I haven't tried it in a large skillet, but it should work if you increase the quantities. The cook time may be longer too. Thanks for giving it a try.
  Reply
Renee Breit
January 21, 2020 at 6:15 pm
See Also
Easy French Onion Soup Recipe | The Gracious Pantry

Made this skillet cornbread with your vegan chili (I used mushrooms) . Outstanding! Thank you so much for sharing the yumminess.
Reply
- Melissa Huggins
  January 24, 2020 at 8:04 pm
  
  Hi Renee, Yay! I'm so glad you liked them! Thank you for trying them out and sharing. Have a nice weekend 🙂
  Reply
Annette
December 09, 2019 at 5:11 am

Made this recipe over the weekend with some vegan shepherd's pie and it was awesome. Super easy to make. I used a 12" skillet and it was fine. Didn't change the recipe at all. I just cooked it on the shorter side.
Reply
- Melissa Huggins
  December 11, 2019 at 6:20 pm
  
  Hi Anette, I'm so glad it worked out for you in the 12" skillet. Thank you for sharing your feedback 🙂
  Reply
Julie
November 19, 2019 at 2:17 pm

Can I use coarse grind cornmeal or stoneground yellow corn meal ( which seems more finely ground) or a combination in this recipe? I cannot find medium grind.
Reply
- Melissa Huggins
  November 19, 2019 at 4:24 pm
  
  Hi Julie, I would use the stoneground cornmeal. The cornbread will have a little more texture but it works with this recipe. Thanks for stopping by 😀
  Reply
Danielle Mailloux
September 13, 2019 at 8:56 am

I'm gonna make this tonight for dinner. Only problem is my cast iron is about 12" not 10". So I'm gonna try doubling the recipe and see if that works. Fingers crossed I don't burn it! 😀
Reply
- Melissa Huggins
  September 17, 2019 at 6:41 pm
  
  Hi Danielle, thank you for giving it a try. Did it turn out with the doubled ingredients?
  Reply
  - Danielle Mailloux
    September 18, 2019 at 4:10 pm
    
    It turned out just fine. I ended up having to cook it a lot longer for obvious reasons, but it was amazing and I'll be making it again for sure.
  - Melissa Huggins
    September 18, 2019 at 4:13 pm
    
    I'm glad it worked out for you. Thank you for sharing your feedback 🙂
Shan Ti
May 20, 2019 at 9:58 pm

I really enjoyed this recipe and so did my dinner guests. I served it along with a black bean and sweet potato chili. I only added half the maple syrup this time but I think next time I'll add all of it for a little more sweetness.
Reply
- Melissa Huggins
  May 20, 2019 at 10:47 pm
  
  Thank you for giving it a try! The chili sounds divine with it 🙂
  Reply
Linda
December 02, 2017 at 10:05 pm

I don’t have a cast iron skillet. Can I use a heavy 9” square pan?
Reply
- Melissa Huggins
  December 02, 2017 at 11:19 pm
  
  Hi Linda, yes, you can make this in a square pan. I'm just not sure about preheating it in the oven (I haven't tried it). You can skip that step. The buttered edges should still leave a nice crispy crust. I'd love to hear how it turns out for you. Thank you for stopping by. 🙂
  Reply
Pamela
November 18, 2017 at 12:25 pm

I just made this, and it’s almost gone!
This was so easy to make and has just enough sweetness to it.
My husband said it’s the Cornbread that he has ever had!
Reply
- Melissa Huggins
  November 18, 2017 at 12:33 pm
  
  Oh, yay! Thank you, Pamela! I'm so happy you guys liked it! I just made a batch this morning and it's almost gone too. Have a great weekend!
  Reply
Elle
November 15, 2017 at 10:06 pm

instead of flax egg, do you think silken tofu would work?
Reply
- Melissa Huggins
  November 15, 2017 at 11:19 pm
  
  Hi Elle, I haven't tried it, but I know silken tofu is a great replacement for eggs. It's worth a shot. I would use about 1/4 cup, blended. I'd love to hear how it turns out for you. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
  Reply
Anna
November 14, 2017 at 3:47 am

I have never tried cornbread, but I do love the idea of it, especially when it's made in a skillet! Pinning that for sure! Another great recipe Melissa!
Reply
Jennifer Bliss
November 13, 2017 at 12:57 pm

This looks wonderful!
Reply
- Melissa Huggins
  November 13, 2017 at 1:33 pm
  
  Thank you, Jennifer 🙂
  Reply
Sara
November 11, 2017 at 12:04 pm

I have a cast iron skillet but can't get on with it. Everything sticks in it so I have given up using it 🙁
Reply
- Melissa Huggins
  November 11, 2017 at 1:27 pm
  
  Hi Sara, have you seasoned it recently? I feel that helps a lot.
  Reply

FAQs

Should I preheat my skillet for cornbread? ›

Preheat your pan

You WANT some sizzle here. This helps develop the perfect crust and keeps your cornbread from being too crumbly. Stick your skillet in the oven to warm up as it preheats; it usually takes 10 to 15 minutes to get your skillet to just the right temperature!

Discover More ›

What is the difference between southern cornbread and sweet cornbread? ›

A quick Google search will tell you that Southern cornbread is oftentimes devoid of any sugar, while its Northern counterpart is light, sweet, buttery and cakelike.

Learn More Now ›

What is the best pan to make cornbread in? ›

Cast Iron Skillets

This is the traditional choice for skillet cornbread, cornbread that is usually rich in eggs. The pan should be well-seasoned and coated with butter or other fat. A cast-iron skillet will give you a crusty, crunchy cornbread. Dutch ovens make great cornbread.

Tell Me More ›

How do you know when a skillet is preheated? ›

Otherwise, preheating it for about one minute over the heat should be adequate. You should be able to feel the radiant heat of the skillet if you hold your hand three to four inches above the surface. Or, if putting your hands near hot objects isn't your thing, try flicking a few drops of water into the skillet.

Learn More Now ›

Should cornbread batter sit before baking? ›

Let the batter sit before baking.

We found that if you leave the batter to sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before baking it, the cornmeal has some extra time to absorb flavor from the other ingredients and the leaveners (baking powder and baking soda) get a head start.

Should I bake cornbread in a glass or metal pan? ›

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

Discover More ›

Can you leave cornbread in cast iron skillet overnight? ›

I would not leave food in any pan overnight, especially cast iron. By not removing the food, you invite corrosion to any cast iron product. cast iron is wonderful to cook in and adds iron into your diet but is not suited for storing food because any acid in the food will eat into the iron, which will corrode.

See Details ›

What causes cornbread to stick to skillet? ›

The surface of cast iron expands as it gets hotter, which opens up minor abrasions in the pan, and when it cools, the small rifts swell shut and physically trap particles of the cornbread in the pan itself.

Know More ›

Who puts sugar in cornbread? ›

It truly depends on where you are. I find most(not all)southerners put no sugar or maybe a tablespoon at most. Midwesterners and others put much more and make a more cake-like sweet cornbread. I prefer no sugar and no wheat flour.

Learn More ›

Should I put sugar in my cornbread? ›

In the south it is debated all the time whether or not cornbread should have sugar in it. Really it comes down to personal preference, one thing's for certain though: savory cornbread is usually better for you than sweet cornbread. It is common to add sugar to cornbread. Most areas use some, but some regions use a lot.

See Details ›

Which cornbread mix is not sweet? ›

Martha White Cotton Country Cornbread

It's flavor is classic, without sweetness or too much saltiness, but it's a white cornbread. Don't expect it to turn golden yellow the way other cornbreads might.

Keep Reading ›

Is cornbread better in cast iron skillet? ›

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!

Is butter better than oil for cornbread? ›

While oil can make cakes and quick breads luxuriously tender, I find the cornbread lacks flavor if butter isn't present. Because butter doesn't make the bread as moist as oil does, I pair it with buttermilk. Buttermilk: Buttermilk makes cakes, muffins, and breads extra moist.

Discover More ›

What kind of corn is best for cornbread? ›

But one of the easiest ways to jazz up a basic cornbread is by adding sweet corn, which creates more layers of that sweet and sunny flavor. Fresh corn is always best if it's in season, cut straight off the cob, but frozen is nearly as good. Just let the corn thaw and then drain it completely, patting dry if needed.

Discover More ›

How do you preheat cast iron for cornbread? ›

Her secret for the best cornbread — and one to adopt whether you are baking from a box mix or from scratch — is to preheat her cast iron skillet before adding the batter. Preheating a cast iron pan before baking cornbread in it makes for a crisp, sturdy crust on an otherwise delicate bread.

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Do I need to preheat cast iron skillet? ›

You always want to preheat your skillet before cooking with it on the stovetop. Putting cold food in a cold cast-iron pan will make your food stick. Cast-iron skillets don't heat as evenly as nonstick or stainless steel pans, but they keep their heat very well.

How do you get cornbread out of the pan without sticking it? ›

Place a plate on the top of the cornbread in the pan, flip it upside down in a quick motion, and then carefuly take the pan off. The cornbread is now upside down on the plate. Get another plate and get it right side up, same motion. eat it while it's warm enough to melt the butter you put on it.

Discover More Details ›

Sweet Skillet Cornbread Recipe (2024)

What's the best flour to use for cornbread?

Should cornbread taste sweet?

📖 Recipe

Sweet Skillet Cornbread Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

More Vegan Side Dishes

About Melissa

Reader Interactions

Comments

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FAQs

Should I preheat my skillet for cornbread? ›

Which cornbread mix is not sweet? ›