Moist and flavorful, these savory Mini Cornbread Muffins with corn kernels and jalapeño make a great side dish and are also delicious as an appetizer, snack or even for breakfast.
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These made from scratch Mini Cornbread Muffins combine just the right mix of ingredients for super moist, tender and flavourful cornbread muffins.
Cornbread definitely fits into the comfort food category and is great served alongside a hot bowl of chili, soup or a roast chicken. They are especially scrumptious served warm from the oven with a little dab of butter.
Cornbread Muffins with Corn and Jalapeño
I added corn kernels to this recipe to accentuate the corn flavour and add more texture into the cornbread muffins. You can use canned corn (as I did), fresh or frozen corn to make these muffins.
A bit of finely chopped jalapeño gives these muffins extra flavour with a bit of heat without being too spicy (make sure to keep the seeds out). I add some grated jalapeño cheddar cheese as well, but for less spicy muffins you can use regular or sharp (old) cheddar cheese.
If you have some around, fresh cilantro adds great flavour and makes these muffins extra savory.
How to Make Cornbread Muffins from Scratch
This is an easy made from scratch recipe that doesn't require the use of a mixer. This recipe makes approximately 44 mini cornbread muffins and each mini muffin has 58 calories.
Here's an overview of the ingredients and directions for making this cornbread. For the full directions, please see the recipe card at the end of the post.
Ingredients Overview:
- Yellow cornmeal
- Unbleached all-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder, baking soda and sea salt
- Buttermilk - store bought or see tip below for a homemade substitute.
- Vegetable oil - or other light tasting oil.
- Egg - one large egg.
- Corn kernels - fresh, canned or frozen. If using frozen corn, measure the amount needed then thaw and drain well before proceeding with the recipe.
- Grated jalapeño cheddar cheese or a sharp (old) cheddar cheese
- Jalapeño, optional
- Cilantro, optional
Tip: Make a homemade substitute for buttermilk by combining milk with white vinegar or lemon juice. For one cup of buttermilk, add one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to your liquid measuring cup and add milk until you reach the one cup measurement line. Since for this particular recipe we need 1 and 1/4 cups of buttermilk, you will need to add one tablespoon plus just a little under one teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice and then top the measuring glass with milk until you reach one and a quarter cup of milk. 👉🏼Make sure to use a measuring cup that can hold more than 1 cup of liquid.
Steps Overview:
- Position a rack in the centre of the oven and pre-heat the oven.
- Grease the mini muffin tins with butter and dust with flour or line the mini muffin cups with paper liners. Set aside.
- Combine the dry ingredients in one large bowl and the wet in another. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until combined.
- To the mixture, add the corn, cheese, jalapeño and if using, chopped cilantro and combine.
- Spoon the batter into the paper-lined muffin tins. The mini cornbread muffins bake up quickly and should be ready in about 10 to 12 minutes.
How to Serve
These Mini Cornbread Muffins are great all year long. During the colder months, I like to serve them still warm with butter to spread on them. And during the summer months, they can be served at room temperature and make a great picnic food and a great side dish for barbecues.
What to Eat with Cornbread
Cornbread is delicious eaten with hot foods such as chilis, beans, Roast Chicken, Roast Turkey, and Black Bean Soup. During warmer months, cornbread can be eaten as a side with salads. I especially like it with this Southwestern Grilled Shrimp Salad or this Southwestern Quinoa Salad.
How to Store
These cornbread muffins will stay fresh for about a week in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze them in an airtight container or plastic food storage bag for up to 2 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and warm in a low temperature oven or microwave.
Enjoy!
More Delicious Sides
- Baked Sweet Potatoes with Feta Cheese
- Sweet Potato, Parmesan and Rosemary Biscuits
- Roasted Grape Tomatoes
- Easy Spanakopita
Mini Cornbread Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1-1/4 cups buttermilk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg large
- 1-1/2 cups corn kernels fresh or canned, drained
- 1 cup grated jalapeño cheddar cheese or a sharp (old) cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons finely diced fresh jalapeño optional
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro optional
Instructions
- Position a rack in the centre of the oven and pre-heat the oven to 375°F.
- Grease the mini muffin tins with butter and dust with flour or line the mini muffin cups with paper liners. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
- In a second bowl, add and an egg, lightly whisk it and add the buttermilk and oil. Whisk until combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just mixed.
- Add the corn, cheese, jalapeño (and cilantro, if using). Stir just until mixed.
- Fill the muffin cups until 3/4 full. Repeat until you have used up the cornbread batter.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the muffin comes out clean, about 11 minutes.
- Serve warm with butter on the side.
Notes
- If you would like to make some of these plain, you can add half of the jalapeño and half of the cilantro to half of the batter and keep the other half without.
- Corn: You can use canned, fresh or frozen corn to make these muffins. If using frozen corn, measure the amount needed, thaw and drain well before proceeding with the recipe.
- Buttermilk: Make a homemade substitute by combining milk with white vinegar or lemon juice. For one cup of buttermilk, add one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to your liquid measuring cup and add milk until you reach the one cup measurement line. Since for this particular recipe we need 1 and 1/4 cups of buttermilk, you will need to add one tablespoon plus just a little under one teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice and then top the measuring glass with milk until you reach one and a quarter cup of milk. Do make sure to use a measuring cup that can hold more than 1 cup of liquid.
- Calories: This recipe makes approximately 44 mini cornbread muffins and each mini muffin has 58 calories.
Nutrition
This recipe for Mini Cornbread Muffins was originally published in January 2014. I’ve updated the post as well as the recipe and included new photos.
Amanda
Saturday 20th of December 2014
I made these cornbread muffins the other day and they turned out wonderfully! I modified two things and used Bob's Red Mill, 1 for 1 gluten free flour and sharp cheddar cheese instead of jalapeño cheddar! The mini cornbread muffins are so tasty on their own, with butter or a dipping sauce or a bowl of chili! Yum!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits
Saturday 20th of December 2014
Hi Amanda, it's great to know that this recipe can be turned into a gluten-free one. So happy to hear that you enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing you over the holidays :)
Stacey Bender
Sunday 30th of November 2014
I love corn bread everything - especially with a stout bowl of chili
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits
Sunday 30th of November 2014
Mmmm, I agree, sounds delicious together!
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Thursday 12th of June 2014
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Alex
Sunday 20th of April 2014
These look great and taste great too
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits
Sunday 20th of April 2014
Thanks Alex!
Amanda
Monday 27th of January 2014
Yum yum yum!!!!
Sweet and Savoury Pursuits
Monday 27th of January 2014
Thanks Amanda! I'm glad to see others think so as well!