It used to be that cornbread was a side dish exclusive to the South, but something this good can’t be confined to one region. Nowadays, people understand that things like chili night, a Friday night fish fry, or the occasional BBQ party just seem incomplete without delicious, flakey cornbread. Cornbread is super versatile and can be used in a ton of fun and easy cornbread recipes. Also, no one is going to complain if you want to eat it by itself with some butter and honey. You can make cornbread in a variety of cooking vessels; muffin pans, cast-iron skillets, or springform pans.
Making cornbread from scratch isn’t too difficult; all you need is cornmeal, sugar, milk, eggs, baking powder, and some flour. However, every cupboard should have at least one box of cornbread mix you can turn to in a pinch. Here are our picks for the 10 best cornbread mixes on the market.
Best Restaurant Chain Cornbread Mix: Famous Dave’s Corn Bread Mix
If you’re like us, your first taste of cornbread was at a barbecue restaurant, either a local eatery or a national chain. Luckily, one of the country’s most beloved BBQ restaurants, Famous Dave’s, sells their tasty Corn Bread Mix to make at home. Because it’s a side at a barbecue joint, the bread is slightly sweet and moist, meaning that it’s perfect with baked beans and smoky ribs or brisket. Even bakers who used to make cornbread from scratch have been converted by Famous Dave’s mix, many noting they couldn’t believe the cornbread came out of a box.
Best Gluten-Free Cornbread Mix: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Cornbread Mix
You might think that every cornbread mix is gluten because it’s just corn, right? This isn’t actually the case, as some popular mixes have wheat or gluten-based flour, as well. That’s why it’s important that men following a gluten-free diet choose a gluten-free cornbread mix. We like the gold standard of alternative flour and baking products, Bob’s Red Mill. The company’s Gluten-Free Cornbread Mix is perfect for celiacs and gluten intolerant folks alike as it’s produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility. What’s more, the mix already includes binding ingredients like baking powder and xantham gum, along with cornmeal, potato starch, sorghum flour, and corn flour.
Best Sugar-Free, Corn-Free Cornbread Mix: No Sugar Aloud Low Carb Corn-free Cornbread Mix
If you’re on a keto diet, you might think that cornbread is on the forbidden list for good. But you’d be wrong. No Sugar Aloud is a brand that redevelops our favorite sugary foods. Their Low-Carb, Corn-Free Cornbread Mix is made with almond flour, lupin flour, and flaxseed to mimic the flavor of cornbread without the guilt. What’s more, this mix fits into other diet plans as well, including the paleo diet and a gluten-free diet. It’s also lactose-free and vegan if you make it with water or non-dairy milk and vegan eggs.
Best Organic Cornbread Mix: European Gourmet Bakery Organics Muffin Mix Cornmeal
Many men aim to eat a wholly organic diet and may feel like they have to miss out on salt-of-the-earth cornbread. But this isn’t the case with a mix option that’s both organic and kosher. Certified organic by Oregon Tilth, European Gourmet Bakery’s Organics Cornmeal Muffin Mix is made with organic cornmeal, organic wheat flour, and organic sugar. The recipe is designed to make twelve muffins, though the mix also works well to make cornmeal waffles. You’ll need an egg, milk, oil, a muffin tin, and about 20 minutes before your fresh cornmeal muffins are ready to complement the meal you’re making.
Best Old-School Cornbread Mix: Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
We love seeing “Jiffy” Corn Muffin Mix’s box on the store shelves because it looks like it always did, with its red, white, and blue covers and its original drawing of bright yellow cornbread. The cornbread, which has touted itself as “America’s Favorite” since 1930, holds up, too. Made with wheat flour, cornmeal, sugar, and lard, Jiffy’s mix reminds you of the kind of cornbread your grandparents used to make. What’s more the Jiffy website has plenty of creative recipes for you to use your mix in, including hush puppies, Mexican corn bake, and even Air Fryer Corn Muffins.
Best High-Protein Cornbread Mix: Kodiak Cakes Protein Cornbread Mix
If you have a craving for cornbread but don’t want to throw your healthy lifestyle out the window, Kodiak Cakes Power Bake, Protein Cornbread Mix offers a happy medium. Made with whole grains and no preservatives, the mix is designed to be a healthier alternative to other cornbread mixes. What’s more, cornbread lovers who don’t like sweetbreads choose this alternative because it’s not sweet at all – some bakers even add a little sugar. It also holds up well to a cast-iron skillet, meaning that you can make it over a campfire on your next outdoor excursion.
Best Southern-Style Cornbread Mix: Zatarain’s Cheddar Jalapeno Bread Mix
Though cornbread is made in many places inside the United States and out of it, Southerners still hold it particularly close to their hearts. That’s why a list of best cornbread mixes would be remiss not to include Zatarain’s Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread Mix. The winner of Southern Living magazine’s blind cornbread taste test, cornbread lovers chose this mix because it tasted like most of the corn and was crumbly yet not dry. Plus, if your favorite type of cornbread is a little bit spicy, Zatarain’s already includes jalapenos and cheese are already in this mix, making it a time-saver if you’re making a labor-intensive meal like barbecue.
Best Honey Cornbread Mix: Krusteaz Honey Cornbread & Muffin Mix
Krusteaz Honey Cornbread and Muffin Mix adds something that many cornbread lovers can’t live without – that honey taste. Even if you’re looking for a hearty side dish for a savory entrée, the added honey ingredient in this cornbread infuses the corn while it bakes, rather than soaking through it as a topping. We also like Krusteaz because it proves that more expensive isn’t always better – you can make 12 cornbread servings for less than two dollars a box. You also only need a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand to make your bread: one egg, one-third cup of vegetable oil or butter, and two-thirds of a cup of milk.
Best Overall Cornbread Mix: Fleischmann’s Simply Homemade Cornbread
If you’re a baker, you might know the company Fleischmann’s for their yeasts. That’s what the company has focused on since the 1860s. But there’s only one bread mix that rounds out their product line: Fleischmann’s Simply Homemade Cornbread Baking Mix. The “homemade” title in the name of the product delivers – it tastes like the best version of homemade because it doesn’t have any artificial colors or preservatives. The mix only includes cornmeal, wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, honey, and xantham gum as a thickener. This is our top choice of a cornmeal mix because it’s the perfect balance of savory and sweet and offers the perfect texture that isn’t too wet or too dry.
If you’re hankering for cornbread, there’s no reason to buy the ingredients to make it from scratch, as cornmeal mixes are just as good, or even better. Any one of these cornbread mixes would make a tasty side or meal; think of them as a blank canvas to put your own spin on. Each person has a unique diet and eating preferences, though, so we suggest a few taste tests to choose your favorite.
