Cornbread is a delicious bread that goes with any dish. This gluten free cornbread recipe has a very unusual twist in how you make it. I took my Grandmother's cornbread recipe and converted it to gluten free!
Eating these little gluten free cornbread muffins warm, with melted butter is my favorite way to eat these! If you love muffins as much as we do, you will want to check out all of my delicious gluten free muffin recipes!
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Why you need to try this recipe:
My Grandma's recipe is special. The steps you take to make this use a classic old-fashioned technique that adds so much softness and flavor. Cornbread is one of those comfort bread that goes with any meal. This old-fashioned gluten free cornbread recipe is very easy, no yeast or rising makes this a great recipe for a busy school night.
You can dip it into soups and stews, or enjoy it on the side. Make this gluten free muffin recipe in a double batch and freeze some for later.
Serve with:
You can enjoy this easy Instant Pot Chicken Stew or even these BBQ Pork Ribs with these muffins! I love to serve these at Thanksgiving.
You will find this simple gluten free cornbread recipe takes an unusual step. Here is my Grandma's recipe card:
Did you find that odd-ball step?
Yup, I am talking about the part that says to beat the egg whites until they are stiff. I have no idea why this is needed. I am not sure these muffins are any fluffier because of this. As a matter of fact, I find these cornbread muffins to be a bit denser than what I usually make.
What you need to make this recipe:
- Gluten free corn flour - I prefer corn flour to cornmeal as it makes fluffier muffins.
- Gluten free flour blend - I have tested this recipe with several gluten free flour blends. I advise avoiding any gluten free flour blend that has bean flour because it will make this cornbread bitter.
- Eggs - use large eggs.
- Butter - you can substitute vegan butter.
Instructions to make this recipe:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Add your dry ingredients to a bowl and whisk to blend. To this you will add the hot water and melted butter. Mix.
Step 2: After you mix up your dry ingredients, whip your egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Beat the yolks separately and add to the egg whites. Mix gently!
Step 3: Fold the whipped egg mixture to your cornbread dough. I know this has extra steps but trust me it makes your cornbread nice and fluffy!
Step 4: Once your batter is mixed, add the batter to a lightly greased muffin tin. Bake at 350 F degrees for
I made this gluten free cornbread as muffins, but you can also make it in an 8x8 pan and cut it into slices. I prefer gluten free cornbread muffins because they are portioned out evenly and look pretty on a table.
Variations:
If you love homemade cornbread from scratch, you can modify the recipe easily, or you can drizzle honey on top! Gluten free corn muffin lovers can add:
- Add shredded cheddar cheese to your cornbread dough.
- If you like spice, adding green chiles is a great way to add spice and flavor to this recipe!
- Add bacon and cheese for a filling gluten free cornbread muffin!
- Drizzle honey on top!
- Try a cornmeal in a scone with this easy Gluten Free Cornmeal Scones recipe.
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
You can tell your muffins are done baking when you can insert a toothpick into the middle of a muffin and the toothpick comes out clean when you pull it out.
You can easily make this cornbread recipe dairy-free by using vegan butter.
Many people ask this question because cornmeal and corn flour are both gluten free. The problem is most cornbread also contains flour so you do need to really read ingredients to make sure cornbread doesn't contain wheat flour.
Cornmeal technically is gluten free, but a lot of it is processed on shared equipment so the potential for cross contamination is high. It is best to purchase a gluten free cornmeal like Bob's Red Mill (they make both gluten free and regular so make sure to look for the gluten free label!)
Cornmeal and corn flour are very different because of texture. Cornmeal is a much thicker cut of the grain, and it adds graininess to your baking and polenta. Corn flour is very finely ground and gives a much smoother texture in your baking.
What cornbread mix is gluten free?
If you don't have time to make homemade gluten free cornbread, don't worry! There are several great mixes that are gluten free for you to make!
- A LOT of readers in my gluten free FB group love this Krusteaz Cornbread Mix. They also make a gluten free honey cornbread.
- Glutino makes a cornbread mix. I haven't tried this one but the gluten free products I have tried by them are always very good.
- We love this Pamela's mix, it does contain almond flour so if you are nut-free, try one of the others.
- If you have Trader Joe's or Aldi in your area, both have delicious gluten free cornbread mixes too!
Reader Rave:
Great recipe! Very light and airy! I added ¼ cup of feta cheese to it."
Judit E., Pinterest user
More Gluten Free Muffin Recipes to Try:
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📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups cornmeal
- ¼ cup gluten free flour blend
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 large eggs
- optional cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk to blend.
- In another bowl, separate the eggs and add the egg whites only to the bowl. Whip with an electric mixer until you see stiff peaks form. Then add the egg yolks and mix gently.
- Add the butter and boiling water to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Fold in the egg white mixture gently.
- Grease the muffin tins and add batter to fill each section ¾ full.
- Bake for 20 minutes until the muffins are done. Baking time will be longer if you bake in an 8x8 pan.
Notes
- Make sure your corn flour is labeled gluten free. Although corn is gluten free, there is a high risk of cross-contamination so make sure to look for the gluten free label on the package you purchase.
- To test to see if the cornbread is done baking, insert a toothpick into a muffin. If the toothpick comes back clean, the cornbread is done baking. If you see crumbs or batter on the toothpick, you will need to bake it longer.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese to your cornbread dough.
- If you like spice, adding green chiles is a great way to add spice and flavor to this recipe!
- Add bacon and cheese for a filling gluten free cornbread muffin!
- Drizzle honey on top!
Nutrition
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Laura
Another fabulous recipe! I can't wait to make this for my family.
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much, Laura. I hope you all like them as much as we do.
Taryn
I couldn't even tell these with GF! Thanks for a great recipe.
Sandi Gaertner
You are very welcome 🙂
Chrissy
Yum! We are sweet cornbread people so I added a little honey into the batter too. Really great and I was surprised gluten free cornbread would taste this good.
Sandi Gaertner
I love the idea of honey in the batter. Yum!
Beth
Love all the variations and especially seeing the original recipe card. We love cornbread around here - this recipe will be on repeat!
Sandi Gaertner
Wow, thank you so much Beth. I hope you like my Grandmother's recipe!
wilhelmina
That recipe card is such a treasure! These muffins turned out so delish, I have never seen a cornbread recipe with whipped egg whites before!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you liked this recipe Wilhelmina 🙂 You made my day letting me know.