Every BBQ platter needs some fresh made buttery cornbread. So let’s take that a step further and load it up with some cheddar cheese, fresh jalapeno, and crispy bacon bits! But be careful – if you bring this Bacon Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread to a function or party, they will be asking you to bring it back again and again! It really is THAT good.
This recipe for homemade cornbread is one you will want to hold on to. If you just omit the cheese, bacon, and jalapeno, you have a delightful light cornbread. Simply reduce the cook time by about five minutes, and it will be golden brown. That said – you can also do other mix-ins. You can add a can of corn (drained) or ranch seasoning or Cajun seasoning and chopped up andouille sausage.
Substitutes and Variations:
If you want more of a Mexican flair, you can use diced green chilies instead of the jalapeños. And while I do think fresh jalapeños are really great in this, you could use pickled as well. You can also play around with the type of cheese you use. Just don’t go for a super salty or super soft cheese as it will all bake up differently.
Suggestions for Sides:
As I mentioned- this belongs on every bbq platter you make. It goes with ribs and tritip and brisket and pulled pork and bbq chicken. It also makes a great addition to a breakfast buffet!
Tools that may make this recipe easier:
I prefer to line my baking dish with parchment paper so that I can easily lift the cooked cornbread from the baking dish. It also makes it so much easier to cut into nice pieces and serve.
Now Let’s Get Cookin’!
Bacon Cheddar Jalapeno Cornbread
Equipment
- 1 8×8 Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 2 Eggs beaten
- ¾ cup Milk melted
- ¼ cup Oil or melted butter
- 2 cups Cornbread Mix see below
- 1 Jalapeno diced
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese chopped
- ½ lb Bacon
To Make Cornbread Mix (makes enough for 3 batches)
- 1 tbsp Baking Powder
- ½ cup White sugar
- 2 cup Flour
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1½ cup Cornmeal
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
Instructions
To Make the Mix
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine
- Transfer mix to airtight container.
To Make 8x8inch Pan of Cornbread
- Preheat oven to 350degF.
- In a frying pan over medium high heat, add bacon. Cook until crispy and remove to a paper towel covered plate.
- Combine eggs, milk, oil and cornbread mix in a mixing bowl.
- Chop up bacon into small bits.
- Fold in cheese, bacon bits and diced jalapenos to cornbread mix.
- Transfer to parchment paper lined 8×8 baking dish (you can spray with cooking spray if you prefer)
- Baked for 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean from center of pan.
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Estelle Forrest self-published this cookbook after a lot of playing around in the kitchen. You can purchase your own copy here:
AVAILABLE IN PRINT OR KINDLE eBOOK VERSIONS
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