If you love classic cornbread but want something fun, bite-sized, and extra buttery, these Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers are just what you need! They’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and drizzled with rich honey butter for the perfect balance of sweet and savory. These little cornbread bites are great for snacking, parties, or alongside a big bowl of chili!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Crispy, golden, and buttery with just the right amount of sweetness
- Bite-sized and easy to grab, perfect for sharing
- Pairs well with BBQ, chili, or even just a little extra butter
- Simple ingredients and quick to make—great for busy days!
Ingredients
The full list of ingredients is below, but here’s a quick look at what you’ll need:
- Cornmeal and flour – for that perfect crumbly-yet-soft texture
- Honey – adds just the right amount of sweetness
- Butter – keeps them moist and rich
- Buttermilk – gives them a slight tang and tenderness
- Eggs – helps bind everything together
- Baking powder and soda – to keep them light and fluffy
How to Make Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a mini muffin pan or a baking sheet.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, mix melted butter, honey, buttermilk, and eggs until smooth.
Step 4: Make the Batter
Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined—don’t overmix!
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
Spoon the batter into the mini muffin tin or drop small spoonfuls onto a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 6: Brush with Honey Butter
While they’re still warm, brush the tops with melted butter and a drizzle of honey for an irresistible finish.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Don’t overmix the batter! Stir until just combined for light, fluffy poppers.
- For extra crispy edges, bake them in a cast-iron mini muffin pan.
- Make them spicier by adding a pinch of cayenne or diced jalapeños.
- Want them even sweeter? Add a little extra honey to the batter.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Cheesy Cornbread Poppers: Add shredded cheddar or pepper jack.
- Savory Version: Skip the honey and mix in chopped bacon or green onions.
- Gluten-Free: Swap the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend.
- Dairy-Free: Use almond milk with a splash of vinegar instead of buttermilk.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These cornbread poppers are delicious on their own, but they’re even better with butter, hot honey, or a side of BBQ sauce. Serve them alongside chili, fried chicken, or pulled pork for a full Southern-style meal!
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Pop them in the oven at 300°F for a few minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds.
FAQs
1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Just warm them up in the oven before serving.
2. What if I don’t have buttermilk?
Mix regular milk with a teaspoon of vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
3. Can I fry these instead of baking?
Definitely! Heat oil to 350°F and fry until golden brown.
4. How do I make them extra crispy?
Use a cast-iron mini muffin pan or add a little extra butter to the batter.
Conclusion
These Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers are the perfect combination of crispy, soft, buttery, and sweet. Whether you serve them as a snack, a side, or just something to nibble on, they’re guaranteed to disappear fast! Try them out and let me know how you like them!
Print
Sweet & Savory Southern Honey Butter Cornbread Bites
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 20–24 poppers (adjusted to 25–30 for a larger batch) 1x
- Category: Side Dish, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers are the perfect bite-sized treat combining the sweetness of honey butter with the savory richness of cornbread. Light, fluffy, and moist, these little poppers are full of flavor and ideal as an appetizer, snack, or side dish to complement any Southern meal. Warm from the oven and drizzled with honey butter, they’re a crowd-pleaser everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 1 box (8.5 oz) cornbread mix (or homemade cornbread mix)
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (for honey butter)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a mini muffin tin with cooking spray or butter.
- Prepare the Cornbread Batter: In a large bowl, combine the cornbread mix, milk, egg, melted butter, sugar, and salt. Stir until smooth and combined.
- Fill the Muffin Tin: Spoon the cornbread batter into the mini muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the poppers are golden brown.
- Prepare the Honey Butter: While the poppers bake, melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter in a small bowl. Stir in the honey and optional cinnamon, mixing until smooth and well combined.
- Drizzle the Honey Butter: Once the cornbread poppers are done, remove them from the oven. Immediately drizzle the honey butter over the warm poppers, allowing it to soak in.
- Serve: Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer a slightly more savory twist, add 1/4 cup of shredded cheese to the batter.
- These poppers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven for the best texture.
- For a richer flavor, substitute buttermilk instead of regular milk in the cornbread batter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popper
- Calories: ~90 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: ~150mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
[…] Source link […]