Best Mexican Cornbread Recipe | Southern Plate (2024)

Studded with sweet corn, cheddar cheese, and spicy bits of jalapeño peppers, this deliciously moist and decadent Mexican cornbread recipe is sure to be a favorite.

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Most families I know make a version of this deliciously moist and decadent cornbread known to us as Mama’s Mexican cornbread recipe. Whenever I make this cornbread, I can happily eat two pieces of it, hot from the oven, and nothing else. Even my husband, who really doesn’t care for cornbread unless it’s sweet, comes running whenever I make this. My son’s only complaint is that I don’t cut the pieces bigger so he doesn’t have to keep coming back! Needless to say, when I make this Mexican cornbread recipe for supper, there usually isn’t any left.

Fortunately, it’s a quick and easy cornbread recipe so I don’t mind making it again and again. First, we gotta gather our ingredients: canned cream-style corn, vegetable oil, an egg, self-rising cornmeal flour, sugar, onion, shredded cheese, jalapenos, milk, and salt. The instructions are as easy as pre-heating a skillet in the oven, mixing all of the ingredients together, and then pouring the cornbread batter into the hot skillet. In about 30 minutes, it’s ready to serve.

Yep, this Mexican cornbread recipe is quick, easy, and absolutely delicious. It takes traditional cornbread to a whole new level as it’s packed full of flavor thanks to the sugar, cheese, corn, and jalapenos. A touch sweet, a touch spicy, and a whole lot of savory, I bet your family will come back for seconds just like mine.

And hey, if you like this recipe, check out my Mexican cornbread casserole andcheesy jalapeño cornbread muffins. Now let’s bake some cornbread, y’all.

Recipe Ingredients

• Canned cream-style corn
• Vegetable oil
• Egg
• Self-rising cornmeal mix
• Sugar
• Chopped onion
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Diced jalapeno
• Milk
• Salt

Helpful Kitchen Tools

• Cast Iron Skillet
• Mixing Bowls
• Whisk

How to Make My Mexican Cornbread Recipe

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.

Stir all of that up pretty good with a spoon or whisk.

Next, pour about a tablespoon or so of vegetable oil into the hot skillet and swirl it around a good bit.

But please use a potholder because this is going to be hot!

Pour your batter into the prepared pan and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until all golden brown on top.

Turn that cornbread over onto a large plate…

Then stand aside because when the family catches a whiff it might spark a stampede!

Storage

• Store leftover cornbread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can serve it cold or warm it up quickly in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
• You can also freeze leftover cornbread for up to 3 months. I’d double-wrap it in plastic wrap then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw at room temperature or overnight in the fridge before serving cold or reheating as above.

Recipe Notes

• You can use white or yellow cornmeal mix. And you want self-rising cornmeal mix, not just cornmeal. Cornmeal mix includes all-purpose flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt.
• It’s traditionally made in cast iron but it will turn out just fine if you make it in a cake pan or even an 8×8 baking dish. Just go with whatever cranks yer tractor.
• Here are some variations to make this recipe work for you:
  • Use chopped canned green chiles instead of jalapenos.
  • Add some extra veggies (about half a cup or so), like chopped green bell pepper.
  • Swap onion for diced green onion or red onion.
  • Use pepper jack cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, or a Mexican cheese blend instead.
  • Swap the cream-style corn for Mexican corn or frozen corn kernels.
  • Substitute the sugar for honey.
  • Use buttermilk instead of milk.
  • Use melted butter instead of oil.

Recipe FAQs

What is Mexican cornbread made of?

Homemade Mexican cornbread starts off with a cornmeal flour base and then usually includes cheddar cheese, cream corn, onion, and jalapenos.

Why do you add sugar to cornbread?

To everyone who wasn’t raised on sweet cornbread, I know putting sugar in there feels so wrong. Cornbread isn’t supposed to be sweet. T’ain’t fittin’ and I know that. But, this is my Mama’s Mexican cornbread recipe and the sugar is just a scant amount and it really works well with the heat of the jalapeños. Trust me, y’all. Sugar in cornbread is magic and just adds to the flavor.

How do I make my cornbread crust crispy?

• Crockpot chili
• Chicken Stew
• Fresh Salads with Simply Dressed Dressing
• Pinto Beans and Ham
• Taco Soup
• Black Eyed Peas and Ham
• Crockpot Pulled Pork, Southern-Style

You may also enjoy these comforting cornbread recipes:

Keto Cornbread

Hot Water Cornbread

Cornbread Salad Recipe

Sausage Cornbread Stuffing

Cornbread Chicken Pot Pie Made From Scratch

Cornbread Casserole With Ham and Cheese

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2. Make it positive.
3. Repeat. 🙂

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