Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread

This Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread is a southern staple. A tender and fluffy center with the crispy edges everyone loves, this recipes uses only 4 ingredients and easily whipped up in 5 minutes!

The Best Cornbread Recipe

I love a warm slice of cornbread. It goes so perfectly with everything from barbecue ribs, to soups, and casseroles! I even eat it for breakfast with some honey.

It’s easy to make with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and is perfect for a busy weeknight.

And don’t forget to put a large pat of butter on top!

Great with French onion chicken or a bowl of chowder!

What is Skillet Cornbread?

Cornbread is any quick bread that contains cornmeal and a leavening agent – usually baking powder. 

While cornbread can be baked in a traditional square or rectangular baking dish, to be truly southern, it needs to be made in a cast iron skillet.

When you heat the skillet with a little oil in it, like lard, butter, or bacon grease and then add the batter, it gives you those crispy edges everyone tries to grab first. You can’t really get those in a glass baking dish.

If you love skillet meals, check out this easy to make chicken pot pie in a skillet.

Ingredients Needed

Cornbread Mix – I like to use White Lily self rising buttermilk cornbread mix. It already contains the baking powder and baking soda that you need to make it fluffy.

Milk – Whole milk is the best but you can also use buttermilk.

Oil – Vegetable oil is the best because it has the highest smoke point and you need that for the high temperature in the oven.

Egg – 1 Large egg is all that is needed.

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How to Make Skillet Cornbread

First: Preheat the oven to 425F. Place 2 tablespoons oil in the skillet, turn to coat the bottom and place in the oven.

Second: In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal mix, vegetable oil, the milk, and the egg. Mix until just combined. Do Not Over Mix.

Third: Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Gently pour the batter into the hot cast iron pan.

Fourth: Bake the cornbread in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and let cool for a few minutes. Cut into wedges and enjoy!

For the full recipe and detailed baking instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.

Is cornbread better in cast iron?

It depends on who you ask. True Southern Cornbread is always made in a cast iron.

Cast iron cornbread has a perfectly tender center and gorgeous crunchy edges – and the edges are everything!

Versus a cornbread that is made in an aluminum pan which tends to be softer due to how the cooking vessel emits heat during the cooking process.

Why does my cornbread stick to my skillet?

There is nothing more frustrating than waiting to cut into your savory skillet cornbread and realizing it has stuck to the bottom of the pan since the crispy edges and crust is the best part!

However, if you find that your skillet cornbread sticking, below are a 5 things you can do to prevent this unfortunate event:

Season your cast iron skillet: Prior to your first use, your cast iron skillet needs to be seasoned. Seasoning is an easy and necessary step when using a cast iron skillet.

When you season, you wipe the skillet all over with a thin layer of oil and then bake it. This layer of oil seeps into the pores of the iron and provides a protective layer.

It is highly recommended that you season your skillet between uses but if you use it frequently, this is not necessary as the cooking oil takes care of this step.

Preheat the skillet: Preheating has a two-fold effect. It helps prevent sticking but also helps create that beautiful crispy crust.

Use only real oil or fat on the skillet: While you can use lots of different types of fat or oil, do not use cooking spray.

Also, the oil or fat needs to be sizzling hot before pouring in the batter. This hot temperature helps prevent sticking.

Let the cornbread batter rest: Prior to heating your cast iron skillet, make the batter. While the skillet is heating to temperature in the oven, the cornbread batter needs to rest for at least 10 minutes.

When the batter is ready, so is the skillet!

Allow the cornbread to cool in the pan: Cornbread should rest for approximately 10 minutes in the skillet. This allows it to continue to cook in the center and cool around the edges.

Before you try to take it out of the skillet, run a knife or spatula around the edges to loosen it. Sometimes it doesn’t quite pull away during cooking.

Should I let my cornbread cool before removing it from the skillet?

Yes, you need to allow the cornbread to cool for a few reasons.

First, a cast iron skillet is extremely hot when removed from an oven and you don’t want to burn your hand trying to hold it.

Second, the center of the cornbread will still be slightly soft. Allow the cornbread to rest in the pan so the center finishes cooking and the edges cool a little.

I don’t have a mix can I make it from scratch?

Of course! To make from scratch: use 1 cup flour, 1 cup cornmeal, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in place of the cornbread mix.

Then add the milk, egg, and oil as directed in the recipe.

Cornbread Variations

Skillet cornbread is absolutely delicious on its own, especially when you top it with a pat of butter. But if you’d like to spice up this traditional recipe, feel free to try the following add-ins!

• Add bacon and use bacon grease when heating up the skillet.
• Add corn, cheese, or jalapeno for more flavor.
• Switch out the milk for buttermilk or use half sour cream and half milk.
• Add 1-2 tablespoons of fresh rosemary, thyme, chives, or parsley.

Tips for No Leftovers

• Be sure the cast iron skillet is screaming hot so when you pour the corn bread batter in the skillet it makes the bottom crust extra crispy.
• Using buttermilk and eggs instead of regular milk and egg gives it a great flavor.
• Do not over mix the batter as it will get tough. Mix it until just combined. It might be slightly lumpy.
• This recipe works best in an 8 inch skillet.
• For a smoky flavor use bacon drippings in the pan when preheating.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

This Southern Skillet Cornbread Recipe is easy to make, requires only 4 ingredients, and is made in a cast iron skillet for those gorgeous, crunchy edges.

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