Jalapeno Cornbread Recipe by Joanna Gaines with a Spicy Kick

Jalapeño cornbread ignites a flavor explosion that dances between comfort and excitement.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this spicy-sweet sensation that transforms ordinary meals into memorable experiences.

Golden crumbs studded with emerald pepper bits promise a tantalizing culinary journey.

Each slice carries a bold personality, crackling with crisp edges and tender, heat-kissed interiors.

Humble ingredients blend into a symphony of taste that challenges traditional bread expectations.

Rich, buttery notes intermingle with fiery pepper whispers, creating a side dish that steals the spotlight.

This cornbread isn’t just a recipe, it’s a delicious rebellion waiting to happen on your dinner plate.

Serving Suggestions for Jalapeño Cornbread

• Slice and Savor Sidekicks: Pair this spicy cornbread with creamy avocado spread, tangy salsa, or a dollop of sour cream to enhance its zesty flavors.
• Brunch Buddy Brilliance: Serve alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a fresh garden salad for a hearty weekend breakfast or brunch experience.
• Comfort Food Companion: Enjoy with a steaming bowl of chili, hearty vegetable soup, or slow-cooked pulled pork to create a satisfying and comforting meal that warms the soul.
• Beverage Bliss Pairing: Complement the cornbread's spicy kick with a cold craft beer, crisp white wine, or refreshing iced tea to balance the heat and elevate the overall dining experience.

How to Store Jalapeño Cornbread

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store leftover cornbread in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, keeping its delightful texture intact.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen cornbread stays delicious for up to 3 months, ready to reheat whenever cravings strike.
• Revive and Refresh: Warm refrigerated or frozen cornbread in the oven at 150°C / 300°F for 5-10 minutes, restoring its just-baked warmth and crispy edges.
• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Split the batch – enjoy some fresh and save the rest for quick breakfasts or side dishes throughout the week, maximizing your cooking effort and deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients in Joanna Gaines’ Jalapeño Cornbread

• Cornmeal: Select stone-ground cornmeal for richer, more authentic flavor and texture.
• Flour: Choose unbleached all-purpose flour for best structural integrity.
• Baking Powder: Fresh baking powder ensures optimal rising and lightness.
• Salt: Opt for fine sea salt for even distribution and clean taste.
• Baking Soda: Ensure your baking soda is fresh to activate proper leavening.

• Almond Milk, Egg: Select room temperature ingredients for smoother blending.
• Maple Syrup: Use pure, Grade A maple syrup for genuine sweetness.
• Olive Oil: Pick extra virgin olive oil for robust, fruity undertones.

• Scallions, Jalapeños: Choose crisp, vibrant green vegetables with no wilting.
• Cheese (Optional): Select sharp cheddar or pepper jack for extra kick.
• Butter: Use unsalted, high-quality butter for skillet coating.
• Honey (For Serving): Select raw, local honey for depth of flavor.

Equipment for Baking Jalapeño Cornbread

• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients with ease.
• Separate Bowl: Ideal for whisking wet ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential for blending ingredients to silky perfection.
• 25cm Cast-Iron Skillet: Provides even heating and crispy edges.
• Oven Mitts: Protects hands when handling hot skillet.
• Measuring Cups: Helps measure ingredients accurately.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures precise amounts of baking powder and salt.
• Toothpick: Checks cornbread doneness by testing center.
• Knife: Great for slicing the cornbread after cooling.

How to Make Joanna Gaines’ Jalapeño Cornbread

• Preheat Kitchen Companion

Warm your oven to a cozy 180°C and slide a trusty cast-iron skillet inside to get toasty. This preheating magic ensures a perfectly golden cornbread.

• Create Flavor Foundation

Mix dry ingredients in a roomy bowl, whisking cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda until they’re perfectly blended. Your dry mix will be the flavor backbone of this delectable treat.

• Unleash Liquid Harmony

Whisk almond milk, egg, maple syrup, and olive oil in a separate bowl until silky smooth. This liquid magic will transform your dry ingredients into a dreamy batter.

• Craft Cornbread Masterpiece

Fold wet and dry ingredients together with a gentle touch. Stir in chopped scallions, diced jalapeños, and optional cheese to create a flavor explosion that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Skillet Sizzle

Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven and brush with butter. This step prevents sticking and adds a rich, golden crunch to your cornbread’s exterior.

• Bake And Transform

Pour the batter into the sizzling skillet, sprinkle extra scallions and jalapeños on top. Bake for 20-24 minutes until the center springs back and a toothpick emerges clean, signaling cornbread perfection.

• Serve With Love

Let the cornbread rest in the skillet for 20 minutes. Slice and serve warm, drizzled with honey butter for a mouthwatering finale that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Cooking Tips for Jalapeño Cornbread

Explore different mix-ins like crispy bacon bits, sweet corn kernels, or sharp cheddar to make this recipe uniquely yours.

Adjust jalapeño quantities to match your spice tolerance – from mild whispers to fiery explosions of flavor that’ll wake up your taste buds.

Swap cow’s milk cheeses with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese alternatives to keep the recipe plant-based without sacrificing rich, savory notes.

Wrap leftover cornbread tightly in foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 150°C / 300°F oven for 10 minutes to restore that fresh-from-the-oven magic and prevent dryness.

Spicy Joanna Gaines Jalapeno Cornbread Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

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

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Description

Joanna Gaines’ jalapeño cornbread delivers rich southern comfort with spicy pepper accents and golden buttery texture. Rustic skillets and simple ingredients merge for a classic side dish that brings warmth to family meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (240 ml) cornmeal
• 1 cup plus 1 tbsp (130 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup (240 ml) almond milk
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup
• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil or 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. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F with a 25-centimeter cast-iron skillet warming inside to ensure optimal heat distribution and crispy edges.
2. Dry Ingredient Blend: Meticulously combine cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and baking soda in a large mixing bowl, ensuring uniform integration of dry components.
3. Liquid Fusion: Vigorously whisk almond milk, egg, maple syrup, and olive oil in a separate bowl until achieving a smooth, cohesive liquid mixture that will bind the cornbread’s texture.
4. Batter Assembly: Gently fold wet ingredients into dry mixture, incorporating chopped scallions, diced jalapeños, and optional shredded cheese with minimal stirring to maintain a tender crumb structure.
5. Skillet Transformation: Carefully remove the heated skillet, generously coat with unsalted butter, and pour the batter evenly, strategically sprinkling additional scallions and jalapeños across the surface for visual appeal and flavor intensity.
6. Baking and Cooling: Bake for 20-24 minutes until the center becomes springy and a toothpick emerges clean, then allow the cornbread to rest in the skillet for 20 minutes, enabling structural stabilization and flavor melding.
7. Serving Presentation: Slice and serve the cornbread warm, accompanied by honey-infused butter, creating a delectable combination of spicy, sweet, and comforting flavors.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter gently to maintain cornbread’s tender, light texture and avoid tough, dense results.
• Warm Skillet Technique: Preheating the cast-iron skillet with butter creates a crispy, golden exterior that enhances flavor and prevents sticking.
• Strategic Ingredient Placement: Sprinkle extra scallions and jalapeños on top for visual appeal and concentrated bursts of flavor in each bite.
• Resting Period Matters: Allowing cornbread to rest in the skillet helps it set properly, ensuring clean slices and optimal structural integrity.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg