30 Best Cornmeal Recipes and Menu Ideas

From classic cornbread and pancakes to tender cookies and muffins, here are the best of the best cornmeal recipes the internet has to offer.

So if you’ve got a bag of cornmeal sitting in your pantry, why not put it to good use?

Cornmeal is the kind of thing you buy when it’s on sale, then forget about after one batch of cornbread.

But there’s so much more you can do with it!

For example, cornbread pancakes make a terrific breakfast. And you haven’t lived until you’ve tried sweet strawberry cornmeal cake!

And thanks to these a-maize-ing cornmeal recipes, you might run out sooner than you think!

30 Easy Recipes with Cornmeal from Pancakes to Cornbread

1. Fluffy Cornmeal Pancakes 

Let’s get the ball rolling with a hearty breakfast you’ll crave day after day.

These cornmeal pancakes are soft and fluffy with a pleasantly sweet and buttery flavor.

While some pancake recipes use egg whites to make them nice and tall, this recipe uses baking soda.

That addition makes the prep a breeze, so they’re ideal for busy weekdays.

2. Moist Cornbread  

Say “hello” to the first of many cornbread recipes on this list. (It’s the most common cornmeal recipe, after all.)

As advertised, this cornbread is wildly moist.

It’s crumbly, but not so crumbly it breaks apart like sand. And it’s super moist and tender, unlike some other recipes than leave you reaching for water.

Buttermilk and butter give the cornbread a wonderfully rich flavor, which goes really well with the combined sweetness of sugar and cornmeal.

3. Shrimp and Grits

Craving some southern comfort food? You can’t go wrong with shrimp and grits. 

Flavored with butter, milk, and lots of cheese, these grits are unquestionably rich and creamy.

Luckily, the sweet and juicy shrimp cut through that richness, creating a well-balanced dish.

And while grits can sometimes be a hassle to make, this recipe only takes 30 minutes!

4. Albers Cornbread 

This next cornbread recipe is one you can make from a box of Albers cornmeal. It’s a straightforward recipe, but it definitely delivers.

It’s moist and fluffy, with a slightly crisp outer crust formed during baking. 

And it has just the right level of sweetness (not bland, but not dessert-level sweet, either).

Drizzle this cornbread with honey for a light snack, or serve it as a side dish to your favorite chili recipe for a hearty meal. 

5. Cornbread Muffins 

It’s cornbread but in muffin form. What’s not to love?

These muffins are tender and wonderfully flavored with honey and butter. And while there’s nothing new with the flavors, they don’t disappoint.

I think we can all agree that honey and butter are a perfect combination.

Serve these muffins for breakfast with a slather of butter or jam. Yum!

6. Cracker Barrel Cornbread 

Here’s another cornbread muffin recipe, only this time it’s a Cracker Barrel copycat.

So save your gas money because this recipe is super straightforward.

You’ll get the added bonus of having your whole house smell like cornbread heaven.

If you prefer sweet and savory cornbread, you’ll love this one.

7. Strawberry Cornmeal Cake with Buttermilk Glaze

How incredibly delicious does this strawberry skillet cake look?

Between the fresh strawberries and that dreamy glaze, you’d be forgiven for thinking this is just a dessert.

Because while it is sweet and indulgent, I think it’s best for breakfast or brunch.

It’s super moist and sweetened with just a little brown sugar and honey. And the fruity flavors shine in every bite.

8. Paula Deen’s Cornbread Dressing 

If you’re searching for a new side dish for Thanksgiving, look no further than this cornbread dressing.

It’s a hearty and creamy casserole of homemade cornbread, day-old white bread, and saltine crackers enriched with eggs and seasoned butter.

Very savory with a hint of sweetness, this dressing goes perfectly with turkey and other Thanksgiving staples.

9. Cornmeal Porridge 

Start your day with a bowl of bright and hearty cornmeal porridge. Its vibrant hue alone will instantly put a smile on your face.

Called “cog” or “pop,” this Jamaican staple is made with fine cornmeal and milk sweetened with condensed milk.

Add some spices to the mix (cinnamon and nutmeg), and you’re all set.

If you’re a fan of congee or oatmeal, you’ll love this sweet morning treat.

10. Aunt Jemima Cornbread 

You don’t need to search high and low for the perfect cornbread recipe. Instead, just check out the back of an Aunt Jemima cornmeal box! 

Aunt Jemima’s cornbread is moist, fluffy, and its tender crumb is wonderfully contrasted by its crisp edges.

It’s rich and savory with an ever-so-subtle sweetness from sugar. Like I said – it’s the perfect cornbread recipe.

11. White Lily Cornbread 

Don’t be fooled by its light color! This White Lily cornbread may not be as bright as traditional cornbread, but it’s just as tasty.

Unlike the recipes above, this one is all savory. So, it’s best served with meaty stews and hearty soups.

This brand uses white corn, which has a milder flavor than yellow. That makes it best for people who don’t like cornbread too rich.

12. Cornmeal Cookies 

If you’ve run out of cookie recipes to try, here’s a unique one for you. 

Made with polenta, these cookies burst with a buttery corn flavor. 

They’re slightly crunchy and crispy around the edges and soft in the middle, creating the perfect cookie bite.

13. Easy Cornmeal Biscuits 

Getting bored with traditional buttermilk biscuits? How about these cornmeal biscuits for a change?

You’ll love how the cornmeal lends its stunning golden hue to the dough. It contributes more than just color, though.

Cornmeal also gives biscuits a subtle crunch, which is a nice contrast to its tender crumb.

Serve these biscuits with honey and butter for a hearty breakfast that won’t just satisfy, but exceed expectations.

14. Marie Callender’s Cornbread 

Yes, it’s another cornbread recipe. And no, it won’t be the last. #sorrynotsorry

This recipe is a copycat of Marie Callender’s cornbread.

So, if you’re a fan of the chain’s moist and crumbly baked goods, you better bookmark this recipe right now!

This cornbread is savory and buttery, with a slight sweetness from the corn. It’s crumbly but also moist, which keeps it from falling apart.

15. Cajun Shrimp and Corn Cakes 

Seafood lovers, this one’s for you.

These crispy and crunchy corn cakes are loaded with chopped shrimp and three kinds of corn.

But don’t worry about them being too sweet – they’re also loaded with Cajun seasoning, giving them a heavenly savory and smoky flavor. 

16. Creamy Polenta with Parmesan Cheese 

This polenta is insanely creamy, ridiculously buttery, perfectly sweet, and oh-so-cheesy.

Its slightly gritty texture gives it character, too.

Hearty, warming, and cozy, it’s everything you could ask for in comfort food. 

The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make! It’s a quick combination of polenta, Parmesan, milk, butter, and herbs.

Even amateur home cooks can pull this one off. Serve it with braised beef or tender chicken thighs. Delish!

17. Cracker Barrel Fried Okra 

Not a fan of slimy okra pods? Neither am I.

But don’t worry, with this Cracker Barrel fried okra, you won’t experience any of that.

This classic southern snack is made by coating okra slices in cornmeal batter and deep-frying them until golden.

This process transforms the slippery veggie into a crispy and crunchy snack that borders on addictive.

18. Soft Corn Tortillas 

Ever considered making your own corn tortillas?

You definitely should! Especially if you eat tons of tacos, quesadillas, and burritos.

First of all, it’s not as difficult as you think. And second, they’re so much cheaper than store-bought tortillas.

But most important of all, they’re delicious! 

19. Microwave Cornbread 

This recipe is for you when you need emergency cornbread.

Like when it’s the middle of the night, and you suddenly get that unshakable cornbread craving.

Because, let’s face it, cornbread has that I-must-have-you-now quality.

With just a handful of staple ingredients and two super easy steps, this cornbread is yours for the taking in as few as 10 minutes.

20. Cornbread Topped Skillet Chili 

Also known as Cowboy Cornbread, this dish is the best of both worlds.

With chili at the bottom and cornbread on top, this skillet is the ultimate southern comfort food.

The only thing missing is the extra cheese on top!

21. Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding

This cornmeal pudding is dense, sweet, and vegan!

Also known as “cornmeal pone,” this classic Caribbean dessert is a simple blend of fine cornmeal, coconut milk, spices, coconut sugar, and flour.

You’ll make a quick cornmeal cake batter which bakes until golden. Then you’ll pour a sweet coconut sauce over the top!

It seeps in to make every bite moist and scrummy.

22. Creamy Brazilian Cornmeal Cake

Sweet, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth amazing, this Brazilian cornmeal cake is a must-make this weekend.

All you need is to toss everything in the blender. Give it a blitz, add the baking powder, blitz it again, then bake!

How easy is that?

And yes, there’s also Parmesan cheese in the mix. It makes this a little salty with just a hint of cheesy goodness.

It’s one you have to try to believe!

23. Crunchy Air Fryer Fish 

There’s no question that battered fried fish is delicious. There’s also no denying it’s loaded with oil.

But there’s an easy fix to get perfectly crisp and tender fish without the excess grease: the Air Fryer.

With this countertop appliance, you can perfectly fry anything and everything under the sun without any oil. 

24. Homemade Corn Dogs 

Skip the long line at the county fair and make corn dogs at home!

Hot dogs + cornbread batter = one glorious snack. They’re crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with snappy hot dogs in the middle.

The sweetness of the coating pairs with the savory hot dogs wonderfully well. Serve them with plenty of mustard and ketchup!

25. Air Fryer Hush Puppies 

These hush puppies are extra tasty with minced bell peppers, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder! 

They’re as incredibly addictive as any hush puppies, but they’re oil-free. So, you know what that means? You can go to town on this snack without the guilt!

I mean, they’re obviously loaded with carbs, but still. It’s better than nothing, right?

26. Peach Cobbler with Cornmeal 

Give the classic peach cobbler a corny twist. It’s warm, cozy, and everything a peach cobbler should be. 

Flavored with sugar, lime juice, and nutmeg, the peaches have a lovely balance of sweet and tart.

The whole thing is topped with fluffy and crumbly cornmeal biscuits, adding a nice textural contrast to the soft peaches.

27. Skillet Cornbread Pizza 

In the mood to experiment with flavors? I present this skillet cornbread pizza – an Italian classic with a southern twist.

It’s just like pizza, but instead of the traditional crust is a sweet and fluffy layer of cornbread.

Its playful tastes and textures make this fun fusion of cuisines a success. 

28. Fried Green Tomatoes

If you don’t think tomatoes are addictive, wait until you try this.

The firm tanginess of unripe tomatoes makes for a super snack or side dish! And they hold up much better to frying than ripe tomatoes.

29. Cornmeal Fritters (Arepitas de Maíz)

These cornmeal fritters are simple, but they sure hit the spot.

How can you go wrong with deep-fried cornmeal, butter, and eggs?

Anise seed, salt, and sugar give them a sweet, salty, and subtle licorice-like flavor.

They’re crispy on the outside, fluffy in the middle, and delicious in every bite.

30. Crispy Fried Shrimp

Sweet, plump shrimp dredged in cornmeal batter, then fried until golden and crunchy? I’ll take a plateful, please!

The cornmeal makes the batter sweet, but it’s also spiced with cayenne, garlic powder, and onion powder for a savory and spicy flavor contrast.

Serve the shrimp with a simple yet scrumptious dip made of mayo and sweet chili sauce. Perfect!