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Mini Cornbread Muffins

Moist and flavorful, these savory Mini Cornbread Muffins with cheese, corn kernels and jalapeño make a great side dish and are also delicious as an appetizer, snack or even for breakfast. 

Freshly baked Mini Cornbread Muffins still in the muffin tin with corn and jalapeno.

These made from scratch Mini Cornbread Muffins combine just the right mix of ingredients for super moist, tender and cheesy cornbread muffins.

Cornbread definitely fits into the comfort food category and is great served alongside a hot bowl of chili, soup, bbq chicken or a hot dog. They are especially scrumptious served warm from the oven with a little dab of butter.

Freshly baked Mini Cornbread Muffins with corn kernels and jalapeño in bowl.

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 flavor and makes these muffins extra savory.

Freshly baked Mini Cornbread Muffins with corn kernels and jalapeño still in muffin tin.

How to Make Cornbread Muffins from Scratch

This is an easy made from scratch recipe for savory cornbread 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 great recipe. For the ingredient amounts and 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
  • 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 to make this buttermilk mixture.

Steps Overview:

  • Position a rack in the centre of the oven and pre-heat the oven.
  • Grease mini muffin tin with butter and dust with flour or line the mini muffin cups with paper liners. Set aside.
  • Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and the wet in a medium bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry cornmeal mixture. Using a rubber spatula, stir until combined.
  • To the cornbread batter, add the corn, cheese, jalapeño and if using, chopped cilantro and combine.
  • Using a small cookie scoop, spoon the batter into the paper-lined muffin tins. These bite-sized mini cornbread muffins bake up quickly and should be ready in about 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven, let cool a couple minutes in the mini muffin pan and then transfer the corn muffins to wire racks to cool.
Freshly baked Mini Cornbread Muffins with corn and jalapeno in bowl.

Serving Suggestions

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 summertime, they can be served at room temperature and make a perfect addition to any picnic spread and a great side dish for barbecues.

What to Eat with Cornbread

Cornbread is makes a perfect side dish and is delicious eaten with hot foods such as chilis, beans, Roast Chicken, Roast Turkey, and Black Bean Soup. During warmer months, cornbread can be served with salads. I especially like it with this Southwestern Grilled Shrimp Salad or this Southwestern Quinoa Salad.

Freshly baked Mini Cornbread Muffins with corn and jalapeño in bowl.

Storage Instructions

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

Bowl of mini cornbread muffins.

Mini Cornbread Muffins

Author: Adapted from Fine Cooking
Moist and flavorful, these savory Mini Cornbread Muffins with cheese, corn kernels and jalapeño make a great side dish and are also delicious as an appetizer, snack or even for breakfast. 
4.37 from 11 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Course Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 44 mini muffins
Calories 58 kcal

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Calories: This recipe makes approximately 44 mini cornbread muffins and each mini muffin has 58 calories.

Nutrition

Calories: 58kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 64mgPotassium: 68mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 95IUVitamin C: 1.1mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 0.3mg
Keyword Cornbread, Cornbread Muffins, Mini Cornbread, Mini Cornbread Muffins
Tried this recipe? Have any questions, comments or suggestions? Leave a comment below!Mention @sweetandsavourypursuits or tag #sweetandsavourypursuits!

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.

Recipe Rating




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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!

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!

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