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The 6 Best (Savory and Sweet) Cornbread Recipes

delicious fresh cornbread, baked in a deep cast iron skillet
Arina P Habich/Shutterstock

Taking a bite of hot-out-of-the-oven cornbread is a sure way to warm your tummy up on a cold autumn day. Here are our favorite and unique recipes for this golden baked treat.

Many people have a specific opinion on what a classic cornbread should taste like, and it’s a much-debated topic when comparing recipes. As with most other types of recipes, good cornbread is a matter of personal preference.

You might enjoy yours sweet and drizzled with honey while others like it savory. This quick bread is a southern favorite but has also won the hearts of many others, too. There’s a recipe for everyone, but here’s what we chose for you.

Best Overall: Grandmother’s Buttermilk Cornbread

close up of a slice of cornbread on a cooling rack
All Recipes

“Nothing compares to grandma’s cooking.” You’ve heard the saying many times before, and you’ve probably lived through the experience, too. When grandma is cooking, you know it’s going to be delicious and from scratch. Your memories might involve freshly baked cookies or sweet strawberry pie being a special treat that only grandma can make right.

This time around, it’s all about grandmother’s buttermilk cornbread. This American classic is sweet and moist and goes excellent with a spicy hot bowl of chili. So get your oven ready for this simple yet oh-so-yummy treat.

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Get the Recipe: All Recipes

Best Southern-Style: Southern Cornbread

Southern Cornbread
Simply Recipes

If you’re wondering what makes a Southern cornbread different from other types, many will give you their own opinion, and the debate could go on for hours. The main factors of a Southern cornbread are that it is savory (not sweet) and is made mostly of cornmeal. You’ll learn to understand why it’s so important to have at barbeques.

We chose to include this recipe because it is made the “southern way”—flavored with bacon grease and baked in a cast-iron skillet. This quick savory bread is the perfect side option for perfectly tender baby back ribs and will make your taste buds sing.

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Get the Recipe: Simply Recipes

Best If You’re in a Hurry: Best Cornbread Recipe

Cornbread on a plate with butter on top
Bless This Mess Please

Here’s another heavenly cornbread recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. It started with one family and has been shared with many others over the years.

You can whip this up in five minutes and have it in the oven and ready to eat in less than a half-hour. Another plus is that you likely already have these common household ingredients sitting in your pantry and waiting anxiously to be used. So whip out your pans and get to baking!

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Get the Recipe: Bless This Mess Please

Best Low Carb: Cheddar Green Chile “Cornbread”

pie-style corn bread on a white serving plate
Gourmet Girl Cooks

With many low-carb fad diets making their way to the top, people are always looking for a great alternative recipe that will meet their nutritional guidelines. If you’re looking for a cornbread fix low in carbohydrates (and free of grains), then look no further: We found it for you!

This cornbread is a tad sweet, and just the perfect variation of not too dry but not too moist. While some might not call this an authentic cornbread, low-carb dieters might find it to be just what they’ve been craving.

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Get the Recipe: Gourmet Girl Cooks

Best Gluten-Free: The Best Sweet Cornbread You’ll Ever Have!

gluten-free cornbread stacked on a dark serving plate
My Gluten-Free Kitchen

Gluten sensitivity is rising in numbers, causing many people to significantly change their diets to avoid inflammation and other health issues. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease and the most severe type of gluten intolerance.

With a sudden change in diet, you might find yourself searching for substitute recipes you can consume without fear of many pains and health problems. We found a gluten-free version of sweet (not southern) golden cornbread, and all you need is a gluten-free chili for dipping.

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Get the Recipe: My Gluten- Free Kitchen

Best When You Want Something Different: Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Recipe

Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Food Network

If you haven’t yet indulged in this sweet and slightly spicy treat, it’s a must. The unique flavor is becoming a popular hit for restaurants and catering companies all around. This moist and easy recipe gives you a great combination of fluffy and yummy. Next time you’re looking for something classic mixed with a little out of the ordinary, try this one!

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Get the Recipe: Food Network

Emilee Unterkoefler Emilee Unterkoefler
Emilee Unterkoefler is a freelance food writer, hiking enthusiast, and mama with over ten years of experience working in the food industry. Read Full Bio »
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