This cast iron Skillet Cornbread recipe has buttermilk, cornmeal, and real corn. We love this Southern method that makes a crispier, rich and flavorful crust.

Cornbread is my weakness! Make sure to try my Jalapeño Cornbread, Buttermilk Cornbread, and my Cornbread Dressing.

A Southern Skillet Cornbread recipe fresh out of the oven and ready to slice and enjoy.

There’s a reason I constantly crave this Southern Skillet Cornbread.

It’s because of the magic that happens when you melt butter in hot cast-iron skillet, and pour cornbread batter on top, that creates the greatest texture and flavor. It’s savory, buttery, and has delicious corn pieces throughout. It’s FANTASTIC and very easy to make.

It’s less sweet than Northern style cornbread, and we serve it alongside ribs and baked beans, baked mac and cheese, or a pot full of classic homemade chili!

How to make Skillet Cornbread:

Batter: Preheat cast-iron skillet in the oven at 375°F. Mix cornmeal, baking powder, flour, and salt together. In a liquid measuring cup, stir together baking soda and buttermilk. In a large mixing bowl, combine oil and sugar then mix in eggs. Pour in buttermilk mixture and creamed corn then stir.

Combine: Pour dry ingredients over wet ingredients and stir just until combined (don’t over-mix, it’s okay if it’s lumpy). Fold in the corn.

Two images showing how to make skillet cornbread by combining the wet ingredients then mixing in the dry ingredients and corn.

Bake: Melt butter in the cast iron skillet in the oven. Swirl butter in the skillet to coat the bottom then immediately pour batter into the pan, smoothing into an even layer. Bake for 27-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with few moist crumbs. Slice cast iron skillet cornbread into wedges and enjoy with butter and honey, or serve with Jambalaya or Fried Chicken.

Two images showing cast iron skillet cornbread after it's baked then one wedge removed to be served.

Freezing Instructions:

To Freeze: Allow skillet cornbread to cool completely then remove from skillet. Wrap in plastic wrap then store in a freezer safe container or bag and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw completely at room temperature.

Recipe Variations:

  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour instead of all purpose.
  • No Buttermilk: Make my recipe for a buttermilk substitute using milk and lemon juice or vinegar.
  • No Cast Iron Skillet: Bake in a 8-inch square pan or make my classic cornbread recipe.
  • Sugar: Sometimes I use half granulated sugar and half brown sugar to deepen the dark molasses flavor.

Soups To Serve Cornbread With:

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Recipe

A Southern Skillet Cornbread recipe fresh out of the oven and ready to slice and enjoy.
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 25 minutes
Total 35 minutes
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Ingredients
 
 

Instructions
 

  • Preheat cast-iron skillet inside an oven preheating to 375 degrees F.
  • Dry Ingredients: In small bowl, stir together cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Wet Ingredients: Measure buttermilk in a liquid measuring cup. Stir baking soda into buttermilk and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix the oil and sugar together. Mix in the eggs. Add the buttermilk and creamed corn and mix to combine.
  • Combine: Add the dry ingredients to the mixing bowl and stir just until combined (don’t over-mix! The batter doesn't need to be completely smooth). Fold in thawed corn kernels.
  • Bake: Add butter to hot cast iron skillet inside oven and allow to melt. Remove the skillet from the oven and swirl the butter around to coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Pour the batter immediately into the pan, smoothing into an even layer. Bake for about 27-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with few moist crumbs. Remember it will continue to cook as it cools in the hot cast iron pan, so don't overcook it.
  • Slice cornbread into wedges and serve.

Notes

Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, mix 1 Tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar with 1 scant cup of milk. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before using.
Sugar: Traditional southern cornbread doesn’t have very much, if any, sugar and although this recipe isn’t very sweet at all, you could reduce the sugar if desired.
Freezing Instructions: Allow cornbread to cool completely and remove from cast iron skillet. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in a freezer safe container for 2-3 months.  Thaw at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 328kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 7gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 642mgPotassium: 194mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 253IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 135mgIron: 2mg

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I originally shared this recipe February 2015. Updated June 2020 and October 2024.

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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4.97 from 30 votes (17 ratings without comment)
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Britt
2 months ago

How many eggs do you use? Not included in ingredient list

MP
2 months ago

I don’t like cornbread with corn in it! Is there some way I could leave out the creamed corn? Or should I look for a different recipe?

Admin
2 months ago
Reply to  MP

Lauren has a couple of different cornbread recipes to try! https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/jalapeno-cornbread/ Or this one is really good too! https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/the-best-chili-and-cornbread/

rufino sison
3 months ago

wonderfull

Cyndi Sultze
3 months ago

5 stars
It is tender, moist but not falling apart. lightly sweet and delicious all on it’s own or with honey butter like my Dad loved his.

Megan
5 months ago

5 stars
This recipe is truly the best cornbread I’ve ever tasted. I’ve even completely overcooked it by almost 15 minutes and while it came out dry, it still tasted great and was an excellent side dish for my saucy dish.

My husband absolutely raves over this cornbread. He literally piles it on his plate, tops with a little butter, and goes to town. Seriously, you can’t go wrong–make this cornbread any chance you can get.

Lynda
6 months ago

5 stars
Looks great. I wanted a cornbread recipe that has buttermilk and corn. Having both corn kernels and creamed corn will be an extra perk. I’m making it tomorrow.

What size cast iron skillet?

Elizabeth
2 years ago

5 stars
I always try different recipes for cornbread as I haven’t found one I like enough to repeat. My search is over. This recipe was delicious! It is very moist and has a nice fresh corn flavor. Baking it in the cast iron pan as the recipe calls for produced a nice lightly crunchy exterior and nice and soft interior and moist crumb. Even left uncovered the next day the bread was still moist. Highly recommend!