Description
Southern kitchens come alive with crispy fried cornbread, a golden treasure of comforting Southern cuisine. Crackly edges and rich, buttery flavor invite eager hands to break bread and savor pure culinary nostalgia you’ll want to share with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Seasoning and Optional Ingredients:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup sugar (optional)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and optional sugar in a large mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute dry ingredients evenly.
- Create a central well in the dry mixture and crack eggs directly into the crater, then pour in milk and vegetable oil.
- Blend ingredients with a whisk or wooden spoon until a smooth, slightly thick batter forms, ensuring no dry pockets remain.
- Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan to 350°F, allowing it to reach a consistent, shimmering temperature.
- Using a large spoon or small ladle, carefully drop dollops of batter into the hot oil, spacing them to prevent overcrowding.
- Fry each cornbread portion for 2-3 minutes per side, watching for a deep golden-brown color and crispy exterior.
- Remove fried cornbread pieces with a slotted spoon, allowing excess oil to drain on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve immediately while hot and crisp, offering a warm, crunchy accompaniment to soups, stews, or as a standalone snack.
Notes
- Swap cornmeal types for different textures, like fine or coarse ground, to customize crispiness and density.
- Adjust oil temperature carefully to prevent burning or undercooked centers, using a thermometer for precision.
- Transform recipe gluten-free by replacing wheat flour with almond or rice flour for dietary accommodations.
- Enhance flavor profiles by incorporating herbs like chives, jalapeños, or crumbled bacon into the batter for extra depth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg