Hot out of the pan, fully stuffed, and primed for pairing with your favorite warm-you-up soup, it’s Mexican Cornbread. It takes all the fluffy, buttery bliss that’s there to love about classic cornbread, then adds gooey, melty cheddar, fresh jalapeños, and tender corn kernels.
If you are looking for a simple, classic Southern cornbread (similar to my Cornbread Muffins), this isn’t it.
Stuffed with spices, cheese, and other wholesome (albeit nontraditional) ingredients, this is one recipe (along with this Cornbread Stuffing) that will make many a cornbread purist squirm.
Put the “rules” aside; I promise it will delight their tastebuds nonetheless!
- If you are in the camp that doesn’t believe in sweetening cornbread, I volunteer as tribute to eat your slice.
- If you are trying to make cornbread with Jiffy mix, I hope you’ll stay.
- And if, like me, you just love cornbread and think that watching a sporting event or eating a bowl of White Chicken Chili feels more complete, this is a recipe for you.
5 Star Review
“This is my favorite jalapeno cornbread recipe. Thank you for sharing it. It’s a hit at my house.”
— Jessica —
Why You’ll Love This Mexican Cornbread
This Mexican cornbread is made from scratch, but it’s EASY!
I pinky promise homemade cornbread is truly one of the easiest, highest-payoff recipes you’ll try.
- This Mexican cornbread is more tender and moist than Jiffy cornbread mix.
- It is more wholesome than many other classic cornbread recipes, too—I took the healthy cornbread route; this one is 100% whole grain.
- With whole corn kernels, cheese, and jalapeños bits flecked throughout, it’s a fun change of pace from old-fashioned cornbread and adds interest and flair to any meal.
It doesn’t get much better than this, friends!
How to Make Mexican Cornbread
While this isn’t your everyday Mexican cornbread recipe, it is still straightforward and easy to master.
No special equipment or hard-to-find ingredients required, just plenty of color, flavor, and fiesta!
The Ingredients
- Cornmeal. I like a medium-grind cornmeal, which gives the Mexican cornbread extra texture, but if you don’t have it on hand, regular finely-ground cornmeal works too.
- White Whole Wheat Flour. For whole-grain goodness. Its mild flavor tastes just like all-purpose flour in this recipe, yet adds extra fiber and nutrition. (I also like to sneak white whole wheat flour into my favorite Beer Bread.)
- Baking Powder AND Baking Soda. For that perfect rise.
- Buttermilk. I adore how tender buttermilk makes baked goods, and its light tang is a fabulous addition to cornbread (and Drop Biscuits).
- Butter. Not too much to be heavy, but enough to make this cornbread taste appropriately indulgent.
- Honey. For natural sweetness that enhances and complements the corn flavors in this recipe.
- Egg. For tenderness, texture, and rise.
- Mexican Corn. Or Mexicorn. Or Fiesta Corn. Whatever your brand of choice calls it, it’s sold by the regular canned corn at the grocery store and is a fab shortcut. Mexican corn has bits of red and green pepper that add pretty flecks of color and extra Southwest flavor. (I also love adding Mexican corn to this Mexican Corn Dip.)
- Jalapeños. As long as you remove the seeds and membranes, they’re here for fresh and herbaceous flavor, not for spice. For a spicier version, check out Jalapeno Cornbread, or use a pepper Jack cheese for this recipe.
- Green Onion. For color, balance, bite, and further evidence that this is not your run-of-the-mill cornbread recipe.
- Cheese. Gooey greatness. I opted for a sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey jack cheese blend because it is yummy and what we had in the refrigerator.
The Directions
- Line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and lightly coat it with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Melt the butter, then set aside to cool to room temperature. Whisk together the dry ingredients.
- Whisk together the eggs and melted butter, then add the buttermilk and honey.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until combined. Fold in 1 cup of the cheese, the corn, jalapeño peppers, and half of the green onions.
- Let the batter sit at room temperature for 20 minutes and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Top with the remaining green onions and cheese.
- Bake Mexican cornbread at 350 degrees F until the center is set, the top is golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan before slicing. ENJOY!
How to Store Mexican Cornbread
- To Store. This easy Mexican cornbread recipe should be kept refrigerated. Store in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for several days.
- To Freeze. Mexican cornbread freezes like a dream. Store for up to 3 months in the freezer wrapped tightly in plastic and aluminum foil. Defrost overnight in the fridge before serving.
- To Reheat. Let the cornbread come to room temperature on the counter before serving. You can also reheat in a preheated 350 degree F oven until warm.
How to Serve Cornbread
Whether enjoyed as a stand-alone snack or alongside a main dish, there are so many ways you can enjoy this healthy Mexican cornbread recipe.
- Chili. From my favorite Vegetarian Chili to this Green Chili Recipe and Healthy Turkey Chili, they’re all a perfect match for this easy Mexican cornbread recipe.
- Soups & Stews. Not into chili? Pair this Mexican-style cornbread with Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup or Chicken Tortilla Soup.
- Casseroles. Try serving this wholesome and healthy Mexican cornbread with an easy casserole like King Ranch Chicken or Chicken Tortilla Casserole.
- Salads. Looking for lighter fare? You can never go wrong with this Mexican Salad or classic Taco Salad.
- Meat & Poultry. Please the meat lovers and cornbread lovers at your table equally with dishes like Beef Fajitas or this flavorful Cowboy Chicken recipe.
Recommended Tools to Make Mexican Cornbread
- 8×8-inch Baking Pan. This one has been my loyal baking companion for many years.
- Liquid Measuring Cups. I am recently obsessed with this set. They are flexible, so the liquids (especially sticky liquids like honey) “squish” right out. They are easy to wash too.
- Metal Measuring Cups. This is a great set for everyday baking.
- Whisk. I love this short style because it is so much easier to use than a standard whisk.
While less is more is generally true, when it comes to this Mexican cornbread the more, the merrier!
Frequently Asked Questions
I have not tried making this recipe with cream-style corn, so using it would be a complete experiment. Cream-style corn has a completely different consistency than regular canned corn and is liquidy. If you decide to try it, I’d subtract other liquid from the recipe.
Sure! You can use a 10-inch ovenproof pan to make skillet cornbread. Butter it VERY well first to make sure the cornbread doesn’t stick.
I have not added green chilis to this Mexican cornbread recipe before, but I think that would be tasty. Drain and pat them dry to make sure they don’t add too much moisture.
Mexican Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal I like medium grind for the texture
- 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 1 cup low-fat buttermilk at room temperature; or 1 cup 2% milk mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar, cheddar jack, or pepper jack cheese, or a mix divided
- 1 can Mexican-style corn drained (7 ounces; about 1 cup)
- 1 large jalapeño pepper seeded, membranes removed, and minced
- 2 green onions chopped, divided (about 1/4 cup)
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two opposite sides like handles. Lightly coat with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium microwave-safe mixing bowl and set aside to cool to room temperature.
- In a large, separate bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the eggs to the bowl with the melted butter and whisk until blended. Stir in the buttermilk and honey.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and, by hand, stir gently just until combined. The batter will be lumpy.
- Gently stir in 1 cup of the cheese, corn, jalapeño peppers, and half of the green onions. Let the batter sit at room temperature for 20 minutes while you preheat the oven.
- Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining green onions and 1/2 cup cheese on top. Bake the cornbread for 28 to 32 minutes, or until center is set, the top is golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan, then using the parchment paper, lift it onto a cutting board. For tidy slicing, let cool completely. For warm, messy slices, cut right away and enjoy!
Notes
- TO STORE: This Mexican cornbread recipe should be kept refrigerated. Store in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for several days.
- TO FREEZE: Mexican cornbread freezes like a dream. Store for up to 3 months in the freezer wrapped tightly in plastic and aluminum foil. Defrost overnight in the fridge before serving.
- TO REHEAT: Let the cornbread come to room temperature on the counter before serving. You can also reheat in a preheated 350 degree F oven until warm.
Nutrition
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Made this with gluten free and it was one of the best things I have ever baked! Thanks a bunch
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Debbe! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I made this and it was delicious would have been better if I had Mexican corn, I just used regular whole kernel.
Hi Judith! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Can this be made with all purpose flour in place of whole grain?
Hi Sally, you can use all purpose flour in place of the white whole wheat flour. Hope you enjoy it!
This stuff is amazing. I think it’s the best cornbread I’ve ever had. Can you freeze it?
Hi Cynde, yes, it freezes well! Enjoy!
Hi Erin,
I wanted to try this but we don’t eat eggs.
Is there a good vegetarian substitute for eggs that i can use for this receipe ?
Please let me know
Hi Bhavikan! I’ve only tested the recipe as written so I am unsure about any replacements for the eggs. Sometimes followers use Flaxseed Eggs for substitutes but I haven’t tried it in this recipe. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
Good morning making this today and only have jarred jalepeno will that work?? My granny used a cast iron skillet that has been heated to pretty hot in the oven so it forms a crust when mix is poured in will this work??? Thank you very much!!
Hi Sherie! I’ve only tested this recipe as written so it would be hard for me to advise on how either would work out. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
I made this for the first time last night, and loved it. I hate when people review a recipe that they changed….that’s not the recipe!! However, I had to make a change because I could not find the Mexican Corn, so I substituted a can of regular corn and added a small can of chopped chili’s. Other than that I followed the recipe as written – unusual for me! This wasn’t too spicy (I took the veins out of the jalapeno) and had great flavor! I’ll definitely hang on to this recipe!!
Hi Greg! So glad you enjoyed the cornbread! Thank you for this kind review!
This was a big hit at Christmas!!
So easy and delicious.
Hi Debra! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I made this for the first time but it definitely won’t be the last! It was so good! I did add more butter than it called for and whole buttermilk. I ate way too much!E
Hi Ellen! So glad you enjoyed the cornbread! Thank you for this kind review!
This is my favorite jalapeno cornbread recipe. Thank you for sharing it. It’s a hit at my house.
Hi Jessica! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I subbed fresh corn and chopped some colorful orange, red and green peppers in addition to green onions and chopped cilantro. Used the pepper jack cheese and baked in a cast iron skillet. The best!
Hi Janean! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Can MASECA Traditional Instant Corn Masa Flour be used ( mixtamalized flour)?
Hi Donald! I’ve not tested it with this kind of flour so it would be hard to say. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
Made it tonight, we enjoyed it. Of course I made a sub as well. I do not eat any corn except whole kernel. However it didn’t hinder the final outcome in my opinion. Oh, wait, I did add some spices like garlic powder & smoked paprika. I also used pablano instead of green chilies. I have pablano in bulk and fresh. I’d like to address the lady who asked about baking it in a cast iron skillet, you absolutely can and I’d actually recommend doing so. I always heat the oven on about 400 and throw in some bacon grease; place in oven for 3-5 minutes then bring out and reduce oven to 375. Sprinkle some cornmeal over the bacon grease then add cornbread mixture, bake as instructed. I found it took mine about 40 minutes until I turned up the oven. We did enjoy this recipe with a pot of chili even in August in southern oklahoma it’s all delicious
Hi Quanna! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review and feedback on the cast iron!
Fantastic! I added bacon to mine and subbed self rising cornmeal and self rising flour (still keep the soda please!) I didn’t get fussy with the rising times, as it is normal with buttermilk CB’s. I added all the green onions to the recipe. Was so good! Served this with homegrown turnip greens and Mac and cheese, a family favorite combo! Thank you!!
Hi Justin! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review and feeback!
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I have to say that I am not a fan of cornbread because of the grittiness but this recipe looked so good I had to try it. So very glad I did!! It was a Hit, even for me!! I used Quaker corn meal so I’m not sure if that changed the texture. I also used regular flour because that’s all I had. I’m not a spicy person either and I have never cut up a jalapeño before but it was as easy as a green pepper and there was a bit of spice but not too much. It did take an extra 10-15 minutes in my oven. Toothpick test it and watch for the golden brown on top. Turned out perfect! Super soft and delicious!!
So glad you did too Pamela! Thank you!
So delicious! Everyone loved it! Most definitely s keeper recipe! I used whole wheat flour, and it was great! Thank you!
Great to hear! Thank you Sarah!
Super moist and absolutely delicious. The corn and jalapenos compliment each other so much. To set center, cook a bit longer.
Hi Kelly! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Just tried this recipe! I am impressed! I used the southwest canned corn mix, excellent suggestion. This would be a great addition to a party were you don’t know the tastes of the attendees. Someone will be singing your praises.
Hi Andrew! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
This is by far the best Mexican cornbread recipe I’ve ever made!
Hi Reba! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I made this subbing the egg for silken tofu @1/4 cup tofu with 3 Tbsp water per egg as I’m currently jobless and to broke to buy eggs. And I also used 1 cup of bulk bag freezer corn with a dash of cumin and crushed pepper flakes to sub for the Mexican corn. It came out delicious and I was unable to tell there where no real eggs in it. But maybe not quite as much of a rise as with eggs and a lot more crumbly but still very good. Outstanding with beans!
Hi Brent! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I baked for 32 min and was still tested gooey in the center (I used an 8x8x 1.75″ pan–this recipe filled it to the very top). I had to put it back in the oven for another 25 minutes (I turned oven down to 325 at this point) before the center tested done.
Hi CB! Thanks for the feedback! It probably would of been done a little quicker leaving it at 350 degrees. All ovens are different so it definitely could of taken a little more time. Hope you enjoyed it!
I love to eat that mexican cornbread,my friend make me a panof it and gave it to me for my birthday,and it lasted about four hours r less.I ear it like u would a cake,r a brownie.Its so dam good,u can’t beat it,no way.love it.
Hi Lawrence! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!