Mexican Cornbread

Hot out of the pan, fully stuffed, and primed for pairing with your favorite warm-you-up soup, it’s Mexican Cornbread. It takes all the fluffy, buttery bliss that’s there to love about classic cornbread, then adds gooey, melty cheddar, fresh jalapeños, and tender corn kernels.

If you are looking for a simple, classic Southern cornbread (similar to my Cornbread Muffins), this isn’t it.

Stuffed with spices, cheese, and other wholesome (albeit nontraditional) ingredients, this is one recipe (along with this Cornbread Stuffing) that will make many a cornbread purist squirm.

Put the “rules” aside; I promise it will delight their tastebuds nonetheless!

If you are in the camp that doesn’t believe in sweetening cornbread, I volunteer as tribute to eat your slice.
If you are trying to make cornbread with Jiffy mix, I hope you’ll stay.
And if, like me, you just love cornbread and think that watching a sporting event or eating a bowl of White Chicken Chili feels more complete, this is a recipe for you.

Whole wheat Mexican cornbread with Mexican corn and cheese cut into squares

5 Star Review

“This is my favorite jalapeno cornbread recipe. Thank you for sharing it. It’s a hit at my house.”
— Jessica —

Why You’ll Love This Mexican Cornbread

This Mexican cornbread is made from scratch, but it’s EASY!

I pinky promise homemade cornbread is truly one of the easiest, highest-payoff recipes you’ll try.

This Mexican cornbread is more tender and moist than Jiffy cornbread mix.
It is more wholesome than many other classic cornbread recipes, too—I took the healthy cornbread route; this one is 100% whole grain.
With whole corn kernels, cheese, and jalapeños bits flecked throughout, it’s a fun change of pace from old-fashioned cornbread and adds interest and flair to any meal.

It doesn’t get much better than this, friends!

Easy Mexican Cornbread recipe with cheese and green onions in a pan

How to Make Mexican Cornbread

While this isn’t your everyday Mexican cornbread recipe, it is still straightforward and easy to master.

No special equipment or hard-to-find ingredients required, just plenty of color, flavor, and fiesta!

The Ingredients

Cornmeal. I like a medium-grind cornmeal, which gives the Mexican cornbread extra texture, but if you don’t have it on hand, regular finely-ground cornmeal works too.
White Whole Wheat Flour. For whole-grain goodness. Its mild flavor tastes just like all-purpose flour in this recipe, yet adds extra fiber and nutrition. (I also like to sneak white whole wheat flour into my favorite Beer Bread.)

Substitution Tip

You can also make this recipe with all-purpose flour if you do not keep white whole wheat flour stocked in your pantry.

Baking Powder AND Baking Soda. For that perfect rise.
Buttermilk. I adore how tender buttermilk makes baked goods, and its light tang is a fabulous addition to cornbread (and Drop Biscuits).

Substitution Tip

To make your own buttermilk substitute, combine 1 cup of milk (I use 2%) with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let sit for a few minutes at room temperature before using it in the recipe.

Butter. Not too much to be heavy, but enough to make this cornbread taste appropriately indulgent.
Honey. For natural sweetness that enhances and complements the corn flavors in this recipe.
Egg. For tenderness, texture, and rise.
Mexican Corn. Or Mexicorn. Or Fiesta Corn. Whatever your brand of choice calls it, it’s sold by the regular canned corn at the grocery store and is a fab shortcut. Mexican corn has bits of red and green pepper that add pretty flecks of color and extra Southwest flavor. (I also love adding Mexican corn to this Mexican Corn Dip.)
Jalapeños. As long as you remove the seeds and membranes, they’re here for fresh and herbaceous flavor, not for spice. For a spicier version, check out Jalapeno Cornbread, or use a pepper Jack cheese for this recipe.
Green Onion. For color, balance, bite, and further evidence that this is not your run-of-the-mill cornbread recipe.
Cheese. Gooey greatness. I opted for a sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey jack cheese blend because it is yummy and what we had in the refrigerator.

Substitution Tip

If you’d like to up this cornbread’s spice factor, swap a hot pepper jack cheese.

Loaded Mexican cornbread batter in a bowl with green onions, cheese, and canned corn

The Directions

Line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and lightly coat it with nonstick spray. Set aside.
Melt the butter, then set aside to cool to room temperature. Whisk together the dry ingredients.
Whisk together the eggs and melted butter, then add the buttermilk and honey.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until combined. Fold in 1 cup of the cheese, the corn, jalapeño peppers, and half of the green onions.
Let the batter sit at room temperature for 20 minutes and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Top with the remaining green onions and cheese.
Bake Mexican cornbread at 350 degrees F until the center is set, the top is golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan before slicing. ENJOY!

How to Store Mexican Cornbread

To Store. This easy Mexican cornbread recipe should be kept refrigerated. Store in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for several days.
To Freeze. Mexican cornbread freezes like a dream. Store for up to 3 months in the freezer wrapped tightly in plastic and aluminum foil. Defrost overnight in the fridge before serving.
To Reheat. Let the cornbread come to room temperature on the counter before serving. You can also reheat in a preheated 350 degree F oven until warm.

How to Serve Cornbread

Whether enjoyed as a stand-alone snack or alongside a main dish, there are so many ways you can enjoy this healthy Mexican cornbread recipe.

Chili. From my favorite Vegetarian Chili to this Green Chili Recipe and Healthy Turkey Chili, they’re all a perfect match for this easy Mexican cornbread recipe.
Soups & Stews. Not into chili? Pair this Mexican-style cornbread with Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup or Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Casseroles. Try serving this wholesome and healthy Mexican cornbread with an easy casserole like King Ranch Chicken or Chicken Tortilla Casserole.
Salads. Looking for lighter fare? You can never go wrong with this Mexican Salad or classic Taco Salad.
Meat & Poultry. Please the meat lovers and cornbread lovers at your table equally with dishes like Beef Fajitas or this flavorful Cowboy Chicken recipe.

Recommended Tools to Make Mexican Cornbread

8×8-inch Baking Pan. This one has been my loyal baking companion for many years.
Liquid Measuring Cups. I am recently obsessed with this set. They are flexible, so the liquids (especially sticky liquids like honey) “squish” right out. They are easy to wash too.
Metal Measuring Cups. This is a great set for everyday baking.
Whisk. I love this short style because it is so much easier to use than a standard whisk.

While less is more is generally true, when it comes to this Mexican cornbread the more, the merrier!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Cream-Style Corn Instead of Canned Mexican Corn?

I have not tried making this recipe with cream-style corn, so using it would be a complete experiment. Cream-style corn has a completely different consistency than regular canned corn and is liquidy. If you decide to try it, I’d subtract other liquid from the recipe.

Can I Bake Mexican Cornbread in a Cast Iron Skillet?

Sure! You can use a 10-inch ovenproof pan to make skillet cornbread. Butter it VERY well first to make sure the cornbread doesn’t stick.

Can I Make Mexican Cornbread with Green Chiles?

I have not added green chilis to this Mexican cornbread recipe before, but I think that would be tasty. Drain and pat them dry to make sure they don’t add too much moisture.

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