Best Vegan Cornbread Recipe with Corn (2024)

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5 from 12 votes

40 minutes minutes

by Marly

33

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This is the best vegan cornbread recipe because it creates a delicious, dense cornbread perfect for serving with stews and chili. You’ll love that this buttermilk cornbread is made with minimal ingredients and can be served alongside your favorite plant-based meals. Don’t forget to add some vegan honey butter for smearing on top!

Serve this with your favorite plant-based meals, such as Vegan Twice-Baked Potatoes or Vegan Taco Casserole.

Best Vegan Cornbread Recipe with Corn (1)

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Truth be told, I’m a homebody. Of course, I like to get out too, because I’m right on that line between introvert and extrovert. So as long as I get some people time in during the day, then an evening at home feels like perfection. After a busy day, it’s time for some delicious vegan cornbread served with a big pot of vegan chili.

Making a traditional cornbread recipe vegan was one of my priorities after going vegan over 13 years ago. I confess homemade cornbread is the best, and this recipe does not disappoint.

Side note — this recipe works great for homemade stuffing too! See post tips for making vegan corn muffins and gluten-free cornbread.

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What Makes This Recipe Shine?

  • Adding vegan butter to the batter means this cornbread infused with a buttery taste
  • Using a bit of Agave Nectar adds hints of sweetness that doesn’t overpower this recipe
  • Adding whole kernel corn adds both texture and flavor to this delicious quick bread, making it irresistibly delicious
Best Vegan Cornbread Recipe with Corn (2)

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

This recipe calls for minimal ingredients:

  • Whole wheat pastry flour — You can substitute all-purpose flour
  • Cornmeal — You can find this in the baking aisle of most major grocery stores.
  • Baking Soda & Baking Powder — These two together make a light and fluffy cornbread.
  • Vegan Butter — I use Earth Balance or homemade vegan butter.
  • Agave Nectar — Or a syrup sweetener of your choice, like maple syrup or bee-free honey.
  • Plant-based Milk — I like using soy milk, but any plain plant-based milk will work
  • Apple Cider Vinegar — You can substitute white vinegar. The vinegar combined with plant-based milk makes vegan buttermilk cornbread. It’s by far the best!
  • Corn — Canned or frozen works here

How to Make Vegan Cornbread

So, if you’re wondering how to make cornbread without eggs, I’m ready to get started with the answer! Here are the steps:

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients — Stir together the flour, cornmeal, baking soda and powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the whole kernel corn (if using).
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients — Melt the vegan butter and add that to a separate bowl along with the agave nectar, plant-based milk, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine it all.
  3. Make the Batter — Pour the milk mixture in with the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
  4. Pour and Bake — Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, until the cornbread is golden on top.

I like adding whole kernel corn to my cornbread, because of the texture and flavor it adds. Also, if I remember correctly, it’s the way my grandma used to make her cornbread.

Yes, you can buy a vegan cornbread mix these days, but making cornbread from scratch is the best.

Marly’s Tips

A note on sweetness: I feel like there’s something amiss in the cornbread mix world. Some people seem to look at cornbread as if it’s a cake, making it light and airy and super sweet. I prefer a cornbread that has a bit of sweetness, but not too much.

Best Vegan Cornbread Recipe with Corn (3)

Vegan Cornbread Muffins

I usually make this cornbread in a round cake pan, but you can also make it in a muffin pan.

Making cornbread into muffins is critical when you need to make a batch in a hurry. That’s because muffins take less time to bake, meaning you can get dinner on the table even faster.

Frequently-Asked Questions

What is the Texture of Cornbread?

Cornbread has a delicious, golden brown crust and a soft, cake-like texture inside. Many will serve cornbread with hearty stews and chili recipes because the cornbread can be crumbled into the stew creating a thick, lightly sweet sensation in every bite.

Can I Substitute Eggs in Cornbread?

It’s easy to make cornbread without eggs. Here are some great egg substitutes for cornbread: chia seeds, ground flaxseed, whipped tofu, unsweetened applesauce, and even store-bought egg replacers such as Ener-G.

Do You Have to Incorporate Baking Powder in Vegan Cornbread?

Baking powder is a leavening agent and will help create rise both in cornbread and vegan cornbread muffins.

Is Cornbread Vegan?

Many store-bought cornbreads and cornbread mixes are not vegan because they use either eggs or dairy or both. Some may even use lard, making them not suitable for vegetarians, either. You can find cornbread mixes made without animal products and then add plant-based milk and egg substitutes. Or make homemade cornbread using plant-based ingredients.

Is Cornmeal Vegan?

Corn is a plant and Cornmeal is basically dried, ground corn, making it vegan.

Reader Reviews

★★★★★
Hands down the best gluten free corn bread I have ever made and I have made a lot!! This is pure perfection!

Anna

★★★★★
This is by far my family’s favorite cornbread recipe. I made it tonight to go with black eyed pea chili. It was soooooo good!

Aimee

Vegan Gluten-Free Cornbread

To make this cornbread gluten-free, simply replace the flour with gluten-free baking flour.

Keep in mind that gluten is a binding agent, so it provides structure to the cornbread. Without it, you should add a vegan egg to create structure in the absence of gluten. I use one flax seed egg or one chia seed egg.

Best Vegan Cornbread Recipe with Corn (4)

Marly’s Tips

Here are tips for making this vegan cornbread perfect every time:

  • Feel free to add a bit more agave if you prefer your cornbread sweeter
  • Add fresh slices of jalapeños on the top before baking (remove the seeds to make it less spicy)
  • You could also add some vegan cheddar shreds over the top
  • Make your vegan cornbread oil-free by replacing the vegan butter with unsweetened applesauce
Best Vegan Cornbread Recipe with Corn (5)

What Do You Eat Cornbread With?

Cornbread is a perfect savory quick bread for many recipes, such as chili, soups, and stews. You can serve vegan cornbread with these plant-based soups and stews:

Vegan Split Pea Soup

50 mins total

Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup

40 mins total

Vegan Potato Soup

50 mins total

Also, for an exciting twist, I made a tasty Vegan Corn Casserole that combines some of the same ingredients with vegan cheese on top. It’s pretty tasty!

Best Vegan Cornbread Recipe with Corn (10)

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Best Vegan Cornbread Recipe with Corn (11)

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Plant-Based Cornbread

This homemade plant-based cornbread is so much better than the kinds made with a mix. It's lightly sweetened and made with only a few ingredients. Serve it with a dollop of vegan butter with soup, chili, and more!

5 from 12 votes

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Course: Bread

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 178kcal

Author: Marly McMillen

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
  • 1 cup Cornmeal
  • ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ cup Vegan Butter
  • cup Agave Nectar (or maple syrup or honey)
  • 1 cup Plant-based Milk , not vanilla flavored
  • 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 cup Corn kernels , optional

Instructions

  • Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a small baking pan (9" square, or small rectangle pan) with vegetable spray.

  • Combine the flour, cornmeal, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir to combine.

  • In a separate, microwave-safe bowl, add the vegan butter. Microwave for about 20 seconds, until melted. Add the agave nectar, plant-based milk, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine.

  • Make sure to drain the corn (if using canned). Add corn (if using) to the flour mixture and stir until the corn is coated. Pour in the milk mixture and stir until just combined.

  • Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, until the cornbread is golden on top.

  • Serve warm. Place in a sealed container and refrigerate any unused portions. It should last 4 to 5 days in the fridge; up to a month in the freezer.

Recommended Equipment

9×9 inch Baking Pan

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Notes

I specify to use plain plant-based milk, but there have been times when all I had was vanilla-flavored milk and this recipe still came out tasting fine.

If you’re using a muffin pan, reduce cooking time to approximately 18 minutes.

A Note on Flour: If you don’t have whole wheat pastry flour, you can substitute all-purpose flour, or a mixture of half all-purpose and half whole wheat flour.

Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 410IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!

I hope you enjoy vegan cornbread recipes to the very last bite!

This post was originally published in 2017 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2020.

Best Vegan Cornbread Recipe with Corn (2024)

FAQs

What is a non dairy milk substitute for cornbread? ›

“JIFFY” mixes can also be prepared with water or plant-based milk alternatives like soy, almond or coconut milk. Pineapple or orange juice may be substituted for flavor variation in the corn and fruit muffins.

Is Bob's Red Mill cornbread mix vegan? ›

They are also great to use when turning traditional bread, such as cornbread into a vegan treat. Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Cornbread Mix, is a vegan blend and works amazingly when combined with flaxseed eggs.

What is the difference between New York cornbread and southern cornbread? ›

Southern cornbread has traditionally been made with little or no sugar and smaller amounts of flour (or no flour), with northern cornbread being sweeter and more cake-like. Southern cornbread traditionally used white cornmeal and buttermilk. Other ingredients such as pork rinds are sometimes used.

Why is my vegan cornbread crumbly? ›

Avoid over-mixing the batter.

Cornbread batter should still be lumpy when you put it in the oven. If you are mixing it until it's smooth like cake batter, that could be the cause of your crumbly cornbread! Stop blending as soon as all the ingredients are mixed together.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk in cornbread? ›

Sour Cream can be substituted for milk in cornbread but will need to be thinned. I recommend using 75% sour cream and 25% water. Sour Cream will also change the taste of the cornbread and will add a slight tangy flavor which can be counteracted by using a small amount of vanilla extract.

What can I use to make Jiffy cornbread if I don t have milk? ›

“JIFFY” mixes can also be prepared with water or plant-based milk alternatives like soy, almond or coconut milk. Pineapple or orange juice may be substituted for flavor variation in the corn and fruit muffins. Feel free to experiment with other options and let us know if you find something else that works well.

Which cornbread mixes are vegan? ›

The Cotton Creations Vegan Honey Pecan Cornbread mix has the perfect balance of sweet and buttery. It's so moist you won't know if you're eating cornbread or cake. The mix includes a package of candied pecans and vegan honey (inside the bag of mix).

Is Krusteaz cornbread vegan? ›

This product is not vegan as it lists 1 ingredient that derives from animals and 2 ingredients that could derive from animals depending on the source.

Why is Jiffy cornbread mix not vegetarian? ›

The regular Jiffy corn muffin mix contains lard, so it's not vegetarian. But this new vegetarian one is vegan, and you can keep it vegan by using your own egg replacer and non-dairy milk, as I did.

What kind of corn is best for cornbread? ›

But one of the easiest ways to jazz up a basic cornbread is by adding sweet corn, which creates more layers of that sweet and sunny flavor. Fresh corn is always best if it's in season, cut straight off the cob, but frozen is nearly as good. Just let the corn thaw and then drain it completely, patting dry if needed.

Why do Southerners not put sugar in cornbread? ›

The most common theory is a change in cornmeal itself. Until early in the 20th century, Southern cornmeal was made with sweeter white corn and it was water-ground. When industrial milling came along, that changed. The steel-roller mills used yellow corn that was harvested before it was ripe, so it had less sugar.

What did Native Americans call cornbread? ›

Among them was a version of Indian bread made of cornmeal, salt and water called pone or corn pone. The name came from the Algonquin word apan, meaning "baked." The Narragansett word for cornbread, nokechick, became no-cake and then hoe-cake.

What does adding an extra egg to cornbread do? ›

The extra egg which is increased protein and binder makes the cornbread denser and heavier in texture. Can I add flour to Jiffy cornbread to make more batter? When making jiffy mix cornbread, what if I don't have milk? Are there any rules to making the best cornbread?

What can I add to cornbread mix to make it better? ›

corn kernels (canned or frozen) chopped jalapeños and or canned mild green chilies, and cheddar cheese all make great additions to cornbread. You can use butter to give the cornbread a special kick to make it taste better. I have used butter to give the cornbread more flavor.

What is the closest non-dairy alternative to milk? ›

Soy Milk. Soy milk is the OG of non-dairy milk and is made by soaking soybeans (which have been hulled and ground) in water. Soybeans contain essential amino acids, high levels of protein, and iron, and soy milk has lower fat and cholesterol levels than cow's milk. Soy milk has a subtly sweet, creamy, and mild flavor.

What is a non-dairy substitute for milk in bread? ›

Soy milk has the most protein of all the alternate milks, so for baking projects that need a lot of structure (think cakes and breads), this is the best dairy-free option. The high-protein content also causes baked goods made with soy milk to brown nicely and look like they were baked with cow's milk.

What non-dairy milk is closest to milk? ›

Soy Milk. Soy milk has been the most popular non-dairy substitute for decades because its nutrition profile closely resembles that of cow's milk. It's the best high-protein milk alternative. Soy milk offers about 7 grams of protein per cup, compared to cow milk's 8 grams per cup.

What is the best non-dairy milk substitute for cooking? ›

Among other milk alternatives like almond milk, soy milk and oat milk, soy milk is by far the best for baking. I learned this over the course of several years and many cookies, cakes, muffins and pies. Moreover, some people will tell you that you must swap full-fat coconut milk in for heavy cream or half-and-half.

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