Easy Joanna Gaines Jalapeno Cornbread Recipe That Wows Every Time

Jalapeño cornbread bursts with Southern charm and unexpected zesty energy.

Crisp edges and tender crumbs create a delightful textural adventure for bread lovers.

Spicy peppers dance through golden-yellow batter, transforming an ordinary side dish into something extraordinary.

Warm, comforting flavors mingle with subtle heat that tingles your taste buds.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can elevate a classic recipe from mundane to magnificent.

Rustic and inviting, this cornbread represents comfort food at its most exciting moment: get ready to fall in love with a new kitchen favorite.

What Makes Joanna Gaines’ Jalapeño Cornbread Stand Out

• Spice Up Your Comfort: This jalapeño cornbread delivers a perfect balance of heat and warmth, transforming a classic comfort food into an exciting flavor adventure that tingles your taste buds.
• Quick and Foolproof Baking: With just 40 minutes from start to finish, this recipe offers a super simple method that even novice bakers can master, creating a professional-looking dish with minimal cooking skills required.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Whether served as a side dish for barbecues, family dinners, or potluck gatherings, this cornbread adapts beautifully to different occasions while satisfying both spice lovers and comfort food enthusiasts.
• Healthier Twist on Tradition: By using almond milk, olive oil, and optional lighter ingredients, this recipe provides a fresher, more nutritious take on traditional cornbread without compromising on incredible homemade taste.

All the Essentials for Jalapeño Cornbread

• Cornmeal: Hearty base that gives authentic texture and rich corn flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cornbread together.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light and fluffy texture with proper rising.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile of the cornbread.
• Baking Soda: Helps with browning and additional leavening.

• Almond Milk: Dairy-free liquid that adds moisture and subtle nutty undertone.
• Egg: Binding agent that helps hold the cornbread structure.
• Maple Syrup: Natural sweetener with rich, deep flavor.
• Olive Oil: Adds moisture and contributes to a tender crumb.

• Scallions, Jalapeños: Fresh ingredients that provide sharp, spicy kick and vibrant color.
• Cheese (Optional): Adds creamy, tangy element for extra richness.
• Butter: Used for greasing skillet and creates golden crispy crust.
• Honey Butter (Serving): Complementary sweet spread for serving.

Baking Steps for Spicy Cornbread

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 180°C / 350°F and nestle a 25cm / 10-inch cast-iron skillet inside to get it toasty warm.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients

• Cornmeal
• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Baking soda

Stir these ingredients until they’re well acquainted.

Step 3: Whisk Wet Ingredients

• Almond milk
• Egg
• Maple syrup
• Olive oil

Whisk these until they’re smooth and friendly.

Step 4: Marry The Mixtures

• Chopped scallions
• Diced jalapeños
• Optional cheese (if desired)

Step 5: Prep The Skillet

Carefully pull the hot skillet from the oven using oven mitts. Swipe a butter layer across the surface to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Pour batter into the sizzling skillet. Sprinkle reserved scallions and jalapeños on top. Bake for 20-24 minutes until the center bounces back and a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool And Serve

Let the cornbread chill in the skillet for 20 minutes. Slice and serve warm with honey butter for maximum deliciousness.

Tips to Get the Best Texture

• Stabilize Slicing Success: Cool the cornbread completely to prevent crumbling and ensure clean, beautiful cuts that hold together perfectly.
• Butter the Blazing Skillet: Generously coat the scorching hot cast-iron with butter, creating a delectable golden crust that adds rich flavor and prevents sticking.
• Minimize Mixing Mayhem: Gently combine wet and dry ingredients with a light touch, stopping just as they're incorporated to maintain a tender, airy texture.
• Handle Jalapeño Heat Wisely: Carefully remove seeds and membranes to control spice levels, leaving a few for adventurous eaters who crave an extra kick.
• Ignite Crispy Crust Magic: Preheat the cast-iron skillet in a hot oven before adding batter, transforming an ordinary cornbread into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece with a perfectly crisp exterior.

How to Store Spicy Cornbread

• Freezer Protection: Slice the cornbread into individual portions before freezing. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Press out excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain moisture. Label the bag with the date to track freshness for up to 3 months.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Transfer cooled cornbread to an airtight glass container with a secure lid. Position slices carefully to prevent crumbling. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf. Consume within 4-5 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Room Temperature Preservation: Keep cornbread on a ceramic plate covered with a clean kitchen towel if planning to eat within 1-2 days. Place in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight.

New Flavors for Jalapeño Cornbread

• Southwestern Spice Splash: Add ground cumin, chili powder, and diced bell peppers for a robust southwestern flavor profile that brings extra warmth and zesty character to the cornbread.
• Bacon Cheddar Crunch: Incorporate crispy chopped bacon bits and sharp cheddar cheese into the batter, creating a rich, savory version that provides incredible depth and texture.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Mix in crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh rosemary, and sundried tomatoes to transform the cornbread with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients that offer a bright, tangy dimension.
• Gluten-Free Green Goddess: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend and add fresh chopped herbs like parsley, thyme, and chives for a lighter, herb-packed cornbread that caters to dietary preferences.

Spice Things Up with Joanna’s Cornbread

Joanna Gaines’ jalapeño cornbread emerges as culinary magic from cast-iron perfection.

Southwestern spice meets southern comfort in this mouthwatering creation.

Scallions and jalapeños dance through golden cornmeal, creating flavor symphonies beyond traditional recipes.

Warm slices promise comfort with gentle heat and robust texture.

Southern kitchens will celebrate this remarkable blend of ingredients and technique.

Passionate home cooks should dive into this recipe, share its deliciousness across social networks, spark conversations with fellow food enthusiasts, and inspire kitchen adventures that connect generations through magnificent cornbread craft.

Joanna Gaines Jalapeno Cornbread Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Joanna Gaines’ jalapeño cornbread delivers Southern comfort with spicy charm. Rustic skillet-baked perfection combines sweet cornmeal, fiery peppers, and buttery warmth that draws you into a delightful culinary experience.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) cornmeal
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon (130 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup (240 ml) almond milk

Seasoning and Leavening Agents:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda

Flavor Enhancers and Mix-ins:

• ¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup
• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil or any neutral oil
• 4 scallions, chopped, reserve some for topping
• ¾ cup (120 g) seeded and diced jalapeño peppers, 2 to 3 peppers, reserve some for topping

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 180°C / 350°F, positioning a 25-centimeter / 10-inch cast-iron skillet inside to warm simultaneously.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and baking soda until uniformly combined.
3. Whisk the liquid components in a separate medium-sized bowl, integrating almond milk, farm-fresh egg, pure maple syrup, and extra-virgin olive oil until smooth and homogeneous.
4. Create the batter by gently incorporating the wet mixture into dry ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing. Delicately fold in chopped scallions, diced jalapeños, and optional shredded cheese.
5. Extract the scorching skillet from the oven using protective mitts and generously coat the interior surface with unsalted butter to prevent sticking.
6. Transfer the prepared batter into the buttered skillet, artfully distributing reserved scallion and jalapeño garnishes across the top. Bake for 20-24 minutes until the center becomes springy and a inserted toothpick emerges cleanly.
7. Allow the cornbread to rest and settle within the skillet for approximately 20 minutes, enabling proper structural development before slicing. Serve while pleasantly warm, accompanied by honey-infused butter.

Notes

• Cooling is crucial for perfect texture, allowing the cornbread to set without falling apart when sliced.
• Generously coat the hot skillet with butter to create a golden, flavorful crust that prevents sticking.
• Mixing ingredients should be gentle and quick, avoiding overmixing that can lead to dense, heavy bread.
• Jalapeño seeds pack intense heat, so remove them for milder flavor or keep a few for extra spice.
• Preheating the cast-iron skillet in the oven ensures a crispy, beautifully golden exterior that elevates the entire dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 202 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 207 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg