Light, fluffy and moist, this lightly sweetened Gluten Free Cornbread recipe has a fabulous texture and tender crumb. Enjoy simply or with a few flavor builders like corn, cheese and/or jalapeños! This recipe is vegetarian and easily dairy free. | Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Bob’s Red Mill.
Not Too Sweet Gluten Free Cornbread
Homemade cornbread has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. When I was growing up, Mom made a lot of it and she’d always serve it with chili (seasoned like my Vegetarian Chili) or a big pot of Slow Cooker Pinto Beans. One of her favorite things, and it still is to this day, is to mix soft butter and honey together then slather it over warm cornbread.
I’ve Googled cornbread recipes and many would tell you that Southern cornbread isn’t sweet, rather it’s the Northern counterpart that is. But, I beg to differ. Being from Texas, I can tell you Texans love their sweet cornbread! Sometimes over the top sweet. But I’ve toned it down in this recipe to where it’s subtly sweet – only there to add a bit of interest and to pay homage to my Texas roots. Go on, though… pour on the honey to take you to cornbread bliss!
Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour
It’s a no brainer that Bob’s Red Mill ingredients were my first choice when I was on a gluten free trial a few years ago. Bob’s gluten free ingredients made my transition to gluten free eating much easier and tastier than I imagined. While I’m eating gluten again, there are recipes I developed while on that trial, so I’m happy to share them with y’all.
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour is a blend of gluten-free flours, starches, and xanthan gum. It’s helped me create light and fluffy cupcakes, pastry for apple and pumpkin pie and absolutely fabulous homemade gluten free pizza and gluten free sourdough pizza (woah!)! Using Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour and Medium Grind Cornmeal in this moist cornbread recipe is an effortless way to enjoy fabulous cornbread sans gluten.
Cornbread Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a few ingredients are needed to create fabulous semi-sweet cornbread. I like to use medium or course cornmeal in this recipe because it produces a tender crumb with good texture. Make gluten free dairy free cornbread by using olive oil and plant milk instead of butter and milk. In summary, here’s what you’ll need to make this scrumptious recipe (see recipe below for details):
- Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour
- Medium Grind Cornmeal – gluten free
- Cane Sugar
- Baking Soda and Powder
- Salt
- Eggs
- Olive Oil or Melted Butter
- Milk – Plant or Dairy, I use diluted Homemade Cashew Milk
- Apple Cider Vinegar or White Vinegar
Use a 10″ cast iron skillet or a 9″ square baking pan to bake this cornbread.
Quick Guide: How to Make Gluten Free Cornbread
Preheat your oven and whip this skillet cornbread recipe up in no time! You can make this gluten free cornbread dairy free or dairy full. Either way, you’re going to love the texture and flavor. In summary, here’s how to make it (see recipe card for details):
- First, lightly grease your skillet or pan using olive oil or butter. Preheat the oven.
- Second, in a medium bowl whisk the milk and apple cider vinegar together. Allow to stand for five minutes.
- Third, to the milk mixture, whisk in the eggs, and melted butter or olive oil.
- Next, into the bowl with the wet ingredients, add the dry ingredients including flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and soda and salt. Whisk.
- Last, pour batter into prepared pan and bake until golden brown and toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cut into wedges or squares and serve warm with butter and/or honey.
Recipe FAQs
Is Cornbread Gluten Free?
Not always, but this recipe is. Be sure to use certified and labeled gluten-free cornmeal, though because not all cornmeal is produced in a gluten free facility. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Cornmeal is certified gluten free.
What is Gluten Free Cornbread’s Texture Like?
This cornbread is light, fluffy, and most. Using medium grind, as opposed to fine cornmeal, gives it a good texture without being too cake-like. Eating cornbread is all about the texture experience anyway, so showcase that cornmeal by allowing its texture to shine!
Can I Freeze Cornbread?
Cornbread freezes beautifully! Simply wrap the cornbread snugly in foil or reusable storage bag, place it in a storage container then freeze. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature and rewarm in a 350F oven for about 10-15 minutes. Keep the cornbread wrapped in foil to retain its moisture while reheating.
Can I Make Jalapeño Cheddar Gluten Free Cornbread with This Recipe?
You bet! Simply add 1/2 C shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese and 3 tablespoons (adjust to taste) of jalapeños. You can also add 3/4 cup of corn niblets (fresh or thawed from frozen). Fold these ingredients in last, just before panning the batter.
A Few Recipe Tips
- For a Gluten Free Dairy-Free Cornbread: As pictured and written, this recipe is dairy free. But I also make this gluten free cornbread with butter. Here are substitutions:
- Dairy-free cornbread, use 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Buttery cornbread use 1 stick or 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter. Plant or dairy milk can be used.
- Buttermilk Cornbread? I love the flavor of buttermilk in cornbread but I never have it on hand. It’s easy enough though to DIY by adding a bit of apple cider vinegar, lemon juice or white vinegar to the milk mixture. For this recipe, I mix 1 3/4 cup milk + 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and let it set for five minutes to sour.
For more recipes using Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour and so many other fabulous ingredients head to their website.
What to Eat with Cornbread
A perfect side for spicy food and a delicious vehicle for sopping up delicious broth, here are some community favorites to enjoy with cornbread:
Gluten Free Cornbread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 3/4 C (415g) Milk plant or dairy, I use homemade cashew milk, 1/2 diluted with water
- 3 Eggs large, pastured, organic
- 1/3 C + 1 Tbs (80g) Extra Virgin Olive Oil or 1/2 C unsalted butter (113g), melted
- 1 1/2 C (220g) All Purpose 1 to 1 Gluten Free Flour I use Bob's Red Mill
- 1 1/2 C (215g) Cornmeal gluten free medium grind, I use Bob's Red Mill
- 4 Tbs Cane Sugar
- 1 Tbs Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 3/4 tsp Fine Sea Salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the milk and apple cider vinegar. Whisk. Set aside for 5 minutes to curdle slightly.
- Preheat oven to 375F (190C), set an oven rack in the center and grease a 10" skillet or 9" square pan with olive oil or butter. Set aside.
- To the milk mixture, crack the eggs into the bowl and pour in the olive oil or melted butter. Whisk until the ingredients are emulsified, about 30 seconds.
- To the liquid ingredients, add the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk until all the ingredients are incorporated. The batter will be a little thicker then pancake batter.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared skillet or pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. The cornbread is done when puffy, golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and rest five minutes before cutting into wedges or squares.
- Store cornbread in a covered container for up to three days at room temperature or freeze for longer storage. Simply wrap the cornbread snugly in foil or reusable storage bag, place it in a storage container then freeze. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature and rewarm in a 350F (170C) oven for about 10-15 minutes. Keep the cornbread wrapped in foil to retain its moisture while reheating.
I love this bread! I have made it so many times. I sub milk for lactose-free milk. We even used it for the dressing this year at Thanksgiving. It is such an easy recipe and it turns out great.
Hi Casey! Thank you for your note, sharing your tips and giving the cornbread a go! SO happy to hear you’re enjoying it and it was delicious in your Thanksgiving dressing :D
The BEST GF cornbread I have ever made. One minor modification – I omitted the vinegar and replaced 1/4 cup of milk with 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt for some tang. Worked beautifully! I originally made it to use in my Thanksgiving stuffing, but family enjoyed it so much I have to make another for that purpose!
Hey Jeff! Thank you for your note and giving the recipe a go! SO happy to hear you enjoyed it and thank you for sharing your tip. What a great idea!
Hi, Traci. We had this just the other night with your slow cooked black eyed peas which was out of this world! Yummy!!
Wooo! SO happy to hear Claudia! Thank you for your note and rating. I love this cornbread with black eyed peas! :D
I can’t believe this cornbread is gluten-free! The texture looks perfect. I also like that you made it subtly sweet. I’m not surprised Texans like it super sweet but not me :)
Corn bread is so good, Traci! I love how tender it is. Love that you bake this up in a skillet – it looks great. I going to try the southwest version – because I love cheese!
Cornbread is a must with chili and I love eating the leftovers for breakfast with coffee. I’ve tried lots of different recipes and never felt like I’ve quite nailed it. Maybe this gluten free one will do the trick. Sounds like you had a great trip!
Nothing beats a hot bowl of soup or chili with a side of delicious cornbread Traci! You know I’m not a gluten-free eater, but you know I’ll be giving this recipe a try anyway! I’ve got several friends who are gluten-free too, so this recipe will be my go-to. I love that you made it in a skillet too. Pinned and on my baking list for soup season!
Ohhhhh. I was SO excited to see this recipe in my email box & then discovered it has eggs – it isn’t vegan! Very disappointed. :((((
Andrea
Have you tried Bob’s Red Mill egg replacer? I can’t do eggs or dairy so I’ll try making this with almond milk and egg replacer. It works great for pancakes so I’m assuming it should work here as well. Check out @mydarlingvegan for more egg replacer options.
Thank you for your suggestion B!
Hi Andrea! I’m so sorry you were disappointed. You can give an egg replacer a go as B suggested or, if needed, I wouldn’t hesitate making this recipe from Bakerita’s Blog. I hope this helps!
Pour on the honey! That’s me! I love a drizzle of honey and a big fat pat of butter on my cornbread. Heaven! Looks fabulous, Traci!
Thank you Liz! It’s a little dessert with stew or chili… ummmmyumm! :D