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You are here: Home / Bread / Healthy Skillet Cornbread {gluten-free option}

Healthy Skillet Cornbread {gluten-free option}

Last updated on September 2, 2020. Originally published February 27, 2017 24 Comments

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This easy Healthy Skillet Cornbread recipe is moist, slightly sweet and bursting with flavor! The perfect side dish to a bowl of chili!

Overhead view of Healthy Skillet Cornbread cut into 8 pieces in a cast iron skillet with one piece removed

It’s cold. When it’s cold, I crave chili. When I make chili, I always bake a batch of this Healthy Skillet Cornbread.

Seriously, chili and cornbread are made for each other. I can’t really eat one without the other! But….it took me many {many} tries to create a cornbread recipe that I felt great about. I’m talking years of experimentation occurred before I finally created this moist, slightly, sweet, super flavorful Skillet Cornbread recipe that is healthy and delicious.

Also, in my mind it had to be made in a cast iron skillet! Don’t ask me why, but I wasn’t interested in baking my cornbread in any other type of pan or dish besides this cast iron beauty. Stubborn? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely.

Overhead view of healthy skillet cornbread recipe in a cast iron skillet

For real, I am in LOVE with this Healthy Skillet Cornbread. To me, cornbread has to be slightly sweet and super moist. I am not interested in dry, crumbly corny-ness {so there’s absolutely none of that going on in this recipe}! Also…little bits of sweet corn corn kernels evenly distributed throughout each moist tasty bite is an absolute must in my humble opinion.

Like many of you, here in Utah we went from unseasonably warm temperatures to a snowstorm basically overnight. I was hoping the warmer weather was here to stay, but it is only February and we do live in the mountains! But no worries, that just means more super cozy winter recipes, like this one, to love and enjoy!

How to make Skillet Cornbread

Like most of my recipes, this Skillet Cornbread is crazy easy to make! It’s ready from start to finish in 30 minutes and only has a short list of ingredients! I especially love making this alongside my Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Recipe!

Just remember your bread will continue cooking in the skillet once it is removed from the oven. So be careful not to over bake it!

Overhead view of healthy skillet cornbread recipe in a cast iron skillet cut into 8 pieces with one removed on a plate next to the skillet

Healthy Skillet Cornbread: Substitutions

This recipe is actually fairly versatile! Here are some possible substitutions you could use to cater to your dietary needs!

  • All-purpose flour: I have made this Skillet Cornbread with regular all-purpose flour as well as a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, both with great results! So if you are avoiding gluten this recipe is still a winner for you!
  • Granulated Sugar: Feel free to substitute any granulated sugar of your choice! I have used raw, organic sugar and coconut sugar with great results! I don’t recommend using a liquid sweetener in this recipe.
  • Butter & Buttermilk: Unfortunately I can’t recommend any dairy-free alternatives here because I haven’t tried them. I use light buttermilk with great results! I recommend buying a carton of buttermilk at the store instead of trying to make your own at home with vinegar and regular milk. For whatever reason I just like it much better with the real thing!

Side view Healthy Skillet Cornbread recipe in a cast iron skillet cut into pieces with one removed

If you make something from JoyFoodSunshine I would love to see your creations! Don’t forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below! Also, follow along with me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter for more recipe inspiration and a glimpse into our everyday life!

Healthy Skillet Cornbread

Laura
This easy Healthy Skillet Cornbread recipe is moist, slightly sweet and bursting with flavor! The perfect side dish to a bowl of chili! 
4.5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course bread, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1¼ cups yellow cornmeal
  • 1¼ cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1¾ cups buttermilk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ cup corn kernels
  • 4 TBS butter

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl, mix together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and buttermilk.
  • Add wet mixture to dry mixture and stir until completely combined.
  • Fold in corn until combined.
  • Put butter in a 12” cast iron skillet and place the skillet it in your preheated oven for about 3-4 minutes, or until the butter is completely melted.
  • Swirl the butter around the pskilletan until the bottom and the sides are coated.
  • Pour your batter into the buttered skillet and smooth out the top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Serve warm!

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 5.2gFat: 5.6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.6gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 394mgPotassium: 172mgFiber: 1.9gSugar: 7.2gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 2.3mgCalcium: 93mgIron: 1.2mg
Keyword buttermilk cornbread recipe, healthy skillet cornbread, skillet cornbread recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Overhead view of a piece of Healthy Skillet Cornbread on a plate with the skillet in view too

I make this Healthy Skillet Cornbread when we’re having lots of guests over and I always get asked for the recipe! If you have leftover, you can even cut it into cubes and turn them into some pretty rockin’ croutons {I’ll have to create a recipe for that too}!

For real,  make this Healthy Skillet Cornbread and thank me later! 😉

Question: Do you like your cornbread sweet or savory? 

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine!

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Filed Under: Bread, Gluten-Free, Recipes, Side Dish, Snacks Tagged With: bread, comfort food

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marlene

    January 28, 2021 at 7:50 pm

    5 stars
    Loved this recipe! I have made cast iron cornbread many times, and have tried a few GF recipes since my guy needs GF. This one is the best one so far! The last one I had was crumbly – this one really held together well. I used Bob’s Red Mill 1:1, and I did use 1.5 c cornmeal, and always, buttermilk! We enjoyed this with some delicious bison chili, on a cold winter Alberta night!

    Reply
  2. Aelaine

    October 9, 2018 at 7:23 pm

    4 stars
    I just made this with my own almond milk buttermilk (mixing 5oz of plain coconut or almond yogurt with enough almond milk to make the 1 3/4 cups milk) and it turned it great! I also used all purpose gluten-free flour.

    Reply
  3. Marc

    March 20, 2017 at 6:24 am

    It is always good to try new corn bread recipes. Lots of corn kernels is important. You should try the brown butter corn bread on my site too. Ahhh maybe a few extra calories in it. 🙂

    Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 23, 2017 at 3:11 pm

      The corn kernels are absolutely critical {in my opinion}! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Liz @ pumpkin & peanut butter

    March 4, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    Ooohhh I just made chili so this would go PERFECT with it! Must make soon!

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 6, 2017 at 2:41 pm

      Cornbread and chili are the perfect pair!

      Reply
  5. Julie @ Running in a Skirt

    March 1, 2017 at 6:55 am

    This makes me think of my Mom and Grandmother so much. There is nothing like a good corn bread!

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 2, 2017 at 8:36 pm

      <3 I totally agree!

      Reply
  6. Emily Kyle

    March 1, 2017 at 4:50 am

    Chili and cornbread do make the perfect pair! I love how this recipe uses real corn kernels, I bet it tastes amazing!

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 2, 2017 at 8:36 pm

      YES! I think real corn kernels are absolutely necessary in cornbread! They add a sweet crunch!

      Reply
  7. Lauren Grant | Zestful Kitchen

    February 28, 2017 at 8:49 pm

    I’m with you, when it’s cold there must be chili! And where there’s chili, there must be corn bread! This looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 2, 2017 at 8:35 pm

      They are made for each other!

      Reply
  8. Jenn

    February 28, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    This sounds fabulous!! I bet coconut milk with a tsp of lemon juice or vinegar would work great!

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 2, 2017 at 8:35 pm

      I’m sure it would!!

      Reply
  9. Emily

    February 28, 2017 at 8:11 am

    OH BOY, this looks so good; I really want to try baking things in our cast iron skillet. I think I should do this and some cookies I’ve seen.

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 2, 2017 at 8:34 pm

      Skillet cookies are SO good too! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Elizabeth Shaw

    February 28, 2017 at 8:10 am

    We got the most rain EVER in SD history yesterday so I was craving chili and cornbread all day! This recipe is awesome- I love that you used whole corn kernels in it!

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 2, 2017 at 8:34 pm

      You definitely need some of this then! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Sarah

    February 27, 2017 at 5:49 pm

    I love cornbread and this looks so delicious! I love that you made it in a cast iron skillet and makes me want to make it the next time we are up north at my parents or the cabin in a skillet. I haven’t in so long. Classic comfort food, can’t go wrong.

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 2, 2017 at 8:33 pm

      YES! I love cast iron so much!

      Reply
  12. Jessica @Nutritioulicious

    February 27, 2017 at 5:03 pm

    Yum! Nothing’s better than warm cornbread straight from the skillet!

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 2, 2017 at 8:33 pm

      Totally agree Jessica!

      Reply
  13. Kerri Olkjer

    February 27, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    Aww. This makes me nostalgic! Brings back memories of my mom’s chili and skillet cornbread…

    Reply
    • Laura

      March 2, 2017 at 8:33 pm

      My momma makes the best chili too! 🙂

      Reply

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Hello I’m Laura! I am a former chemistry teacher turned wife and mom of five beautiful babies with one on the way in 2021! I’m a green smoothie addict, lover of the outdoors, and a peanut butter & nap enthusiast! Click here to read more >>

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