Sweet, savory, spicy, this Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread has it all! It’s an easy naturally gluten-free recipe and a fun twist on a southern classic.
Not much love.
Growing up, cornbread was sort-of a treat. My mom never really made it, so it was relegated to times when we were at grandma’s house or during church potlucks. And I loved it. When I got married I thought it would be the perfect side for me and my husband. It was easy to make, the ingredients were super cheap, and it went well with a few different dishes.
But upon my first batch I learned a horribly sad truth.
My husband hates cornbread.
I tried different recipes, added honey, etc. But nothing would sway him. Cornbread was not his jam.
Gluten-free issues.
When I realized gluten hated me back in 2011, I turned to gluten-free baking with much gusto. Pancakes, banana bread, muffins… I gave them all a try and proudly took my new creations to my hubby for taste testing. Knowing what I knew about his opinion of cornbread, imagine my frustration and discouragement when my efforts were met with this response:
“Hm… It’s ok. Tastes like cornbread, though.”
Sigh…
Thankfully, my kids aren’t so picky, and those early gluten-free years went over much better with them!
But they love cornbread, so that probably helped…
Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread.
Before you’re like, “Yikes, why am I on this food blog if everything is gonna taste like cornbread?” I promise I’ve come a long way since those first gluten-free baking days. Now, even my husband enjoys my gluten-free food over “normal stuff.”
Whew.
And you know what else he loves? This Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread. Seriously. He was a bit trepidatious when he saw it on the table, but after his first bite he proceeded to devour half the pan.
Probably ’cause bacon…
Gluten-free comfort food.
For me, cornbread is a sort of comfort food. It’s great any time of year, and with multiple types of dishes. Some other favorite comfort foods include:
- White Chicken Chili in the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
- Sourdough Almond Flour Waffles
- Spaghetti Squash Pizza Casserole
- Easy, Gluten-Free, One-Pot Mac ‘n Cheese
- Egg & Potato Breakfast Muffins
- Fall Apart Tender Short Ribs in the Instant Pot
- Sloppy Joe Baked Potatoes
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Bacon Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread
Free from gluten and sugar.
Ingredients
- 2 c. cornflour (masa harina, not cornmeal)
- 1 c. brown rice flour
- 2 T. baking powder (I like to make my own to make sure it’s safe)
- 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 pieces of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1-2 jalapeños, diced
- 2 c. whole or raw milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 c. honey
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 and grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet or two 9-inch skillets. (You can use regular glass baking dishes, if you don’t have cast irons.)
In liquid measuring cup, combine milk, eggs, and honey.
In large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.
Pour over dry ingredients and mix well, working quickly.
Pour and gently spread into prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until the middle springs back when lightly touched and a toothpick comes out clean.
DEFINITELY comfort food! This is so yummy Raia! I don’t know how my belly would do with cornbread, but it’s definitely calling my name, with more butter and honey. 🙂 Or soup. 😉 Yum!!!
Thanks, Megan! Yeah, I can’t eat it either, but my family loved it!
I need this recipe in my life! The flavors you use in this recipe are absolutely brilliant.
Thank you, Cheryl!
This cornbread is AMAZING! The addition of jalapeño, bacon and honey is the best trifecta!! Will make again!
Thank you, Joni!
bacom, mmm. jalapeño, mmmm. You’ve made my day (and meal!) with this awesome recipe!
Haha! Well, you’re welcome, then. 🙂
Cornbread is my absolute FAV and I love this savory and spicy twist on it. I bet it’s amazing with a slather of butter!
Thanks, Jean! That’s exactly how my family likes to enjoy it. 🙂
This is so flavorful! I love the cheddar and jalapeno.
Thanks, Annemarie!
Wow. You had me at gluten-free but bacon in cornbread sounds too good to pass up!
Haha! That’s about how my family feels about it. 😉
You had me at bacon! What a great side that I’d probably make into a main!
Haha! Yeah… I might make it a main sometimes, too. 😉
Oh yum! I love cornbread especially when it comes with jalapeno like this one. Sweet and savory makes this cornbread a good combo!
Thanks, Linda! It was a great place to use jalapenos. 🙂
I love the beautiful flecks of color in this cornbread! It makes it look even more mouth watering than it sounds.
Haha! Thanks, Vanessa!
Oh man, I love cornbread so much and all these additions look so good. I’ve never made it with masa harina but now I’ll track some down just to make this.
I hope you enjoy it! Masa harina is pretty easy to find if your local grocery store (or Walmart) has a hispanic foods section. 🙂
This cornbread with a pot of chili…yum!! Or a pork chops and black beans….or… so many things!!
Haha! Yes, it’s a very versatile side!
I usually plain cornbread, I love that this has spicy jalapenos, bacon and cheddar in it!
Thanks, Anne! It’s a fun twist. 🙂
I love this recipe! Now Spring is almost around the corner it’ll be perfect to make this dish over and over!
Thank you!
Loving the sweet, salty and spicy combo in this recipe! My hubby will love these he loves bacon….and jalapeños!
Thanks, I hope he enjoys it! 🙂
I adore spicy & cheesy in cornbread and that bacon, what is not to love! Scrumptious with a bowl of chili!
Thanks, Stacey! Yes, it’s the perfect chili side. 😉
OH gosh I love all of these flavors so much! I have this on my must make list soon! Thanks!
I hope you guys enjoy it, Renee! 🙂
Helllo drool city. Bacon jalapeno anything is my jam, I crave poppers like a madwoman, with the honey-sweetened cornbread? HECK YES
Haha! It’s a pretty amazing combo!
Looks amazing. I just have a quick question as I’d like to make it tonight. It mentions mixing the milk, honey and eggs. But then later it mentions ‘when the buttermilk is curdled, whisk in the eggs and honey’. Is there a missing step where I’m supposed to mix some lemon juice with the milk?
Oh my goodness. Thank you so much for pointing that out! You totally don’t need curdled milk to make these, I must’ve been trying them both ways and forgotten to take that part out. Sorry!