Easy Alton Brown Corn Pudding Recipe: Creamy Southern Comfort

Corn pudding transforms humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that whispers comfort and nostalgia.

This Southern-inspired dish celebrates the natural sweetness of corn with rich, creamy textures that melt on your tongue.

Silky custard blends seamlessly with kernels, creating a luxurious side dish that elevates any meal.

Soft and indulgent, the pudding brings a delightful harmony of flavors and temperatures to the table.

Fresh herbs and subtle seasonings dance through each spoonful, promising a memorable dining experience.

Creamy, golden, and irresistibly smooth, this recipe captures the essence of home-style cooking with effortless elegance.

The magic happens when simple ingredients unite in a warm, inviting casserole: get ready to savor every bite.

Why Alton Brown Corn Pudding is So Comforting

• Savor Rustic Comfort: This corn pudding delivers a warm, homey embrace with its rich, creamy texture that feels like a hug from grandma's kitchen.
• Masterful One-Pan Magic: The recipe brilliantly transforms simple ingredients into a stunning dish using just a single oven-safe skillet, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor.
• Elevate Everyday Ingredients: Alton Brown's clever technique turns basic pantry staples like corn, bread, and cream into a sophisticated side dish that transforms ordinary meals into something extraordinary.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser Potential: With just over an hour of total time and minimal prep work, this corn pudding becomes an effortless solution for family dinners, potlucks, and holiday gatherings that'll impress everyone at the table.

Needed Ingredients for Alton Brown Corn Pudding

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps sauté onions smoothly.
• Heavy Cream: Provides creamy texture and enhances richness of the dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds depth of flavor and subtle saltiness.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and creates structure.

• Corn: Fresh or frozen corn provides sweet, essential base for pudding.
• Cubed Bread: Adds texture and helps absorb other ingredients.
• Cornmeal: Provides additional corn flavor and helps thicken pudding.

• Onions: Builds foundational savory flavor for the dish.
• Herbs: Adds complexity and aromatic notes to the pudding.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances overall seasoning and balances flavors.
• Baking Soda: Helps with leavening and texture of the pudding.

How to Prepare Alton Brown Corn Pudding

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

Set your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C) to get ready for this delicious corn pudding adventure.

Step 2: Sauté The Aromatic Onions

In an oven-safe skillet, melt butter over medium heat and gently cook the onions with fragrant herbs until they become soft and translucent.

Step 3: Create The Corn Pudding Mixture

• Fresh corn kernels
• Heavy cream
• Eggs
• Baking soda
• Cornmeal
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper

Gently fold in cubed bread pieces to blend everything together.

Step 4: Assemble And Bake

Pour the corn mixture directly over the sautéed onions in the skillet. Slide the skillet into the preheated oven and bake for 50 minutes. The pudding is ready when the center feels firm and the top turns golden brown.

Step 5: Rest And Serve

Allow the corn pudding to cool for a few minutes after removing from the oven. This helps the pudding set and makes it easier to slice and serve. Enjoy this creamy, comforting side dish warm from the skillet.

Tips for Perfecting Alton Brown Corn Pudding

• Chop with Care: Dice onions uniformly to ensure even flavor distribution throughout the pudding.
• Blend Boldly: Mix ingredients gently to maintain a creamy, cohesive texture without overmixing.
• Select Quality: Choose fresh corn kernels or high-quality frozen corn for the most vibrant taste.
• Toast Strategically: Lightly toast bread cubes before adding to enhance their nutty, golden character.
• Temperature Watch: Let pudding rest 10 minutes after baking to set and prevent burning your mouth.

Storing Alton Brown Corn Pudding Without Fuss

• Vacuum Sealing: Preserve the corn pudding's moisture and flavor by vacuum sealing individual portions in freezer-safe bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain the dish's creamy texture for up to 4 months.
• Mason Jar Method: Portion cooled corn pudding into clean mason jars, leaving an inch of headspace. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making grab-and-go meals a breeze for busy weekdays.
• Shallow Container Strategy: Transfer the corn pudding to a shallow, airtight container to maximize cooling speed and minimize bacterial growth. Spread the pudding evenly, allowing it to cool completely before refrigerating, which helps maintain its delicate consistency and prevents condensation.

Ways to Spice Up Alton Brown Corn Pudding

• Spicy Southwestern Corn Pudding: Add diced jalapeños, green chiles, and replace Parmesan with pepper jack cheese for a bold, zesty flavor profile.
• Herb Garden Corn Pudding: Incorporate fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage instead of existing herbs. Mix in chopped chives for an extra burst of green freshness.
• Bacon and Cheddar Corn Pudding: Crisp up bacon pieces and fold into the mixture. Swap Parmesan for sharp cheddar cheese, creating a rich and smoky version of the original recipe.
• Vegetarian Mediterranean Corn Pudding: Replace butter with olive oil, add roasted red peppers, crumbled feta cheese, and a sprinkle of dried oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired alternative.

Why Alton Brown Corn Pudding Remains a Favorite

Southern hospitality meets culinary magic in Alton Brown’s corn pudding.

Classic comfort emerges from simple ingredients blended with expert technique.

Kitchen wisdom transforms humble corn into a luxurious side dish.

Creamy textures mingle with herbal undertones, creating pure satisfaction.

Skillet-baked perfection tells stories of generations past.

Warm, inviting flavors call you to gather round the table, share moments, savor each spoonful, and let deliciousness spark conversation – go ahead, snap a pic, tag friends, spread corn pudding love!

Alton Brown Corn Pudding Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Southern corn pudding from Alton Brown brings creamy comfort to any table. Rich custard blends sweet corn kernels with buttery goodness, creating a mouthwatering side dish that connects generations of home cooks.

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Ingredients

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Corn and Bread:

• 1 (15-ounce/425 grams) can cream style sweet corn
• 2 cups cubed French bread
• ½ cup yellow cornmeal, whole grain, stone ground

Dairy and Eggs:

• 1 ounce (28 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan

Seasonings and Herbs:

• ½ onion, diced fine
• ½ teaspoon thyme
• ½ teaspoon rosemary
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even cooking.
2. Melt butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, then gently sauté chopped onions with fresh thyme and rosemary until they become translucent and slightly golden, approximately 5-7 minutes.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together eggs until well beaten, then incorporate heavy cream, creating a smooth liquid base.
4. Add cornmeal, baking soda, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to the egg and cream mixture, stirring until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
5. Gently fold cubed bread into the mixture, ensuring each bread piece is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
6. Spread the prepared corn and bread mixture directly over the caramelized onions in the skillet, creating an even layer.
7. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the center feels firm when gently pressed.
8. Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes, allowing it to set and cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• Gather all ingredients before starting to ensure smooth cooking flow.
• Chop vegetables uniformly for consistent cooking and attractive presentation.
• Use fresh herbs to elevate the overall taste profile of the dish.
• Select high-quality bread crumbs for maximum crispiness and golden color.
• Allow mixture to rest for 10 minutes before baking to help flavors meld together.
• Check internal temperature with meat thermometer for perfect doneness.
• Customize seasoning according to personal taste preferences.
• Leftovers can be stored in airtight container for up to three days in refrigerator.
• Experiment with different herb combinations to create unique flavor variations.
• Preheat skillet before adding ingredients to achieve optimal caramelization.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 455 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg