Cornbread muffins are a timeless treat, offering the perfect balance of buttery richness and just the right amount of sweetness. These muffins are incredibly easy to make, with a moist and tender crumb that pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes. Whether you’re serving them as a side or enjoying them as a snack, these homemade cornbread muffins are bound to become a staple in your kitchen. Let’s dive into this easy cornbread muffin recipe that requires no mixer and comes together in less than an hour!

Jump to
- Why Cornbread Muffins Are the Perfect Choice
- Key Ingredients for the Best Cornbread Muffins
- Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cornbread Muffins
- Optional Add-ins to Customize Your Cornbread Muffin
- Serve Cornbread Muffins With These Tasty Dishes
- Tips for Perfect Cornbread Muffins
- FAQs
- Related recipes
- Final thoughts
Why Cornbread Muffins Are the Perfect Choice
Cornbread muffins are the ideal accompaniment to a wide variety of dishes. They’re buttery, moist, and packed with flavor, making them a versatile option for any meal. These muffins are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy dinner at home or a festive gathering. But what makes these muffins stand out?
- Tender and Moist: The perfect balance of butter and oil ensures these muffins stay moist and soft, never dry or crumbly.
- Easy to Make: No mixer is needed! The batter comes together quickly with just a few bowls and a whisk.
- Versatile: Cornbread muffins can be made plain or customized with your favorite add-ins, such as cheese, jalapeños, or bacon.
- Great as a Side or Snack: These muffins are not just a side dish, but also a delicious snack that pairs well with soups, chilis, or salads.
Key Ingredients for the Best Cornbread Muffins
When it comes to making the best cornbread muffins, using the right ingredients is essential. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Butter: A key flavor contributor, giving the muffins richness and depth.
- Oil: Helps prevent the muffins from being too crumbly and adds to their tenderness.
- Buttermilk: Moistens the batter, creating a soft, tender crumb. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can easily make a DIY substitute.
- Cornmeal: Adds that signature cornbread texture and flavor, ensuring a deliciously crunchy exterior.
- Brown Sugar & Honey: A touch of sweetness that complements the corn flavor without turning these muffins into dessert.
- Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt, and Egg: These basic ingredients give the muffins structure and lift.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cornbread Muffins
Ready to bake some delicious cornbread muffins? Follow this simple guide for the best results:
- Preheat & Prepare: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Line your muffin tin with paper liners or grease them lightly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter, oil, brown sugar, and honey until smooth. Add the egg and whisk until combined. Then, add the buttermilk and mix well.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to ensure your muffins stay light and airy.
- Fill Muffin Tins: Spoon the batter into the muffin tins, filling each cup all the way to the top. This will help the muffins rise high and form a perfect crown.
- Bake: Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F (177°C) for an additional 16–17 minutes. The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool & Serve: Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes before removing them. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Optional Add-ins to Customize Your Cornbread Muffin
While these cornbread muffins are delicious on their own, you can easily customize them to fit your taste preferences. Here are some tasty add-ins you can experiment with:
- Cheese: Add 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack cheese for a cheesy twist.
- Corn: Fold in 1 cup of cooked or canned corn kernels to enhance the corn flavor and add texture.
- Bacon: Crumbled bacon adds a savory touch that’s perfect for breakfast or brunch.
- Jalapeños: Spice things up with 1–2 chopped jalapeños. The heat will mellow during baking, but you can leave in the seeds for extra spice.
- Scallions: Add 1/4 cup of chopped green onions for a fresh, savory flavor.

Serve Cornbread Muffins With These Tasty Dishes
These cornbread muffins are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of meals. Try serving them alongside these dishes for a comforting meal:
- Sweet Potato Turkey Chili: A hearty and flavorful chili that complements the buttery sweetness of the muffins.
- Cilantro Lime Chicken: A light and zesty chicken dish that balances the richness of the cornbread muffins.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Chili: A perfect match for cornbread muffins, especially when served on a chilly day.
- Light Chicken Corn Chowder: The creamy texture of this chowder pairs beautifully with the moist cornbread muffins.
Tips for Perfect Cornbread Muffins
Here are some pro tips to help you bake the best cornbread muffins every time:
- Don’t Over-Mix: Stir the batter until just combined to avoid dense, heavy muffins. The batter will be thick, so be careful not to overwork it.
- Fill Muffin Tins High: Don’t be afraid to fill the muffin tins all the way to the top. This ensures the muffins rise high and have a great texture.
- High Initial Temperature: Baking the muffins at 425°F for the first 5 minutes helps them rise quickly and form a beautiful, crusty top.
- Let Them Cool: Allow the muffins to cool for a few minutes in the tin before removing them. This helps them set and makes it easier to remove them without breaking.
FAQs
Yes! Cornbread muffins freeze beautifully. Simply store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw them overnight in the fridge and reheat them in the microwave or oven.
You can easily make a DIY buttermilk substitute by adding 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar to a liquid measuring cup. Then, add enough whole milk to make 1 cup and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Add 1–2 chopped jalapeños or even some red pepper flakes to the batter for a spicy kick. You can also add cayenne pepper if you like extra heat!
Related recipes
- Best Baked Corned Beef & Cabbage Recipe
- Southern Cornbread – A Step-by-Step Guide
- Vegetarian Mexican Fajita Cornbread Casserole

Cornbread Muffins – Tender, Sweet & Perfectly Buttery
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
Description
Cornbread muffins are a timeless treat, offering buttery richness and the perfect amount of sweetness. These easy-to-make muffins have a moist, tender crumb that pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk (or DIY substitute)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Line muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk melted butter, oil, brown sugar, and honey until smooth. Add egg and whisk again. Add buttermilk and mix well.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined (do not over-mix).
- Fill muffin tins to the top with batter.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 425°F, then reduce temperature to 350°F (177°C) and bake for another 16-17 minutes. Muffins are done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the tin, then remove and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Customize your cornbread muffins with add-ins like cheese, bacon, or jalapeños for extra flavor!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Baked Goods
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg

Final thoughts
These cornbread muffins are a must-try for anyone who loves a buttery, slightly sweet, and moist muffin. Whether you enjoy them as a side for chili or as a snack with honey butter, they are guaranteed to be a hit. Easy to make, versatile, and incredibly delicious, these cornbread muffins are a perfect addition to any meal. Happy baking!
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