Crispy Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Skillet
A quick and easy cornbread skillet recipe featuring a crispy crust, melted sharp cheddar, and a balanced kick of jalapeño heat. Perfect as a snack or side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (120g) cornmeal, preferably stone-ground
- 3/4 cup (90g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240ml) milk, whole or 2%
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for greasing skillet
- 1 cup (about 120g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 medium jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
- Optional: handful of chopped green onions or corn kernels
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place cast iron skillet inside oven to heat for about 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg, then whisk in milk and melted butter. Ensure butter is not too hot.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined; do not overmix.
- Fold in shredded sharp cheddar cheese and chopped jalapeños (and optional extras like green onions).
- Carefully remove hot skillet from oven using oven mitts. Grease skillet with butter or oil.
- Pour batter into hot skillet and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cornbread cool in skillet for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Preheating the cast iron skillet is key to achieving a crispy crust. Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cornbread tender. Adjust jalapeño heat by removing seeds or adding more. Butter can be mixed with oil to prevent burning in the skillet. Tent with foil if edges brown too quickly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the skillet
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
Keywords: cornbread, jalapeño, cheddar, skillet, snack, quick, easy, spicy, comfort food