The Ultimate Recipe for Gluten Free Cornbread

Northern Style Gluten Free Cornbread

This recipe for gluten free cornbread is for a northern style cornbread that can also be used to create cornmeal muffins. So many gluten free cornbread recipes are overly complex departing from the origins of cornbread being a quick and easy bread to make.

Cornbread opens up many possibilities for someone eating gluten free. However, not all cornbread is gluten free. Even though corn is gluten free, many recipes for cornbread are not. When eating out it is safest to assume that the cornbread is not gluten free. Flour is commonly used in many cornbread recipes, eliminating cornbread as a universally safe gluten free option.

Traditionally cornbread was not made with the addition of wheat flour as in regions where corn was plentiful wheat was less available. But modern recipes have adapted, including flour to enhance the texture of the cornbread.

Barbeque and Cornbread

Cornbread plays a major supporting role in one of my favorite meals to cook in the summer. Slow smoked pulled pork with cornbread is the ultimate summer feast. Add to this a creamy crunchy coleslaw and rich baked beans to round out the barbeque meal. The cornbread acts as sponge soaking up the flavor from the tender juicy pulled pork. Our recipe for smoked pork shoulder provides the details of the process that I use to cook tender juicy pulled pork that will have you desperate to start up the fire and dig in. If you do not have access to a grill or are pressed for time the best pulled pork recipe for slow cooker acts as a great alternative when you have the craving for a southern barbeque meal.

What Else Goes with Cornbread?

Cornbread is commonly served as a side with a rich bowl of chili. Both originating from Mexican cuisine provide some explanation of why they go so well together. We often will make cornbread to serve with both white chili and more traditional chili.

While they may not originate from the same region gluten free cornbread is a great substitute for biscuits with a hearty bowl of beef stew. The comforting warmth of the cornbread pairs beautifully with the rich beef stew gravy.

Regional Differences

Northern Cornbread is often interchangeable with cornmeal muffins made with the addition of sugar. Northern style cornbread is also known as Johnny Cake, this term for cornbread can also refer to a skillet-fried cornbread.

Southern cornbread made without the addition of sugar is less sweet and often uses white corn meal. Other regional recipes also exist, some using creamed corn instead of ground corn to provide the corn flavors to the cornbread.

Kids and Cornbread

Even before needing to eat gluten free I enjoyed cornbread. When I was a kid cornbread was a dish I always was excited to see on the table. I do not know where it started or where the idea came from but whenever we had cornbread we would finish the meal with a final piece of cornbread topped with butter and heavy corn syrup. The thick syrup glazing the cornbread, turning the warm and tender cornbread into a sweet bite to finish the meal.

Lydia loves when we make cornbread, often we will often use this recipe for cornbread to make cornmeal muffins. Making the cornbread in muffin cups makes the perfect individual sized servings. The individual sized cornbread are great for packing in school lunches. The other great thing about making the individual sized cornbread is that every serving then gets some of the wonderful crisp crunchy crust.

Recipe For Gluten Free Cornbread

This recipe for gluten free cornbread is the perfect introduction to gluten free baking when you are beginning to eat gluten free. With the simplicity of the preparation and consistently delicious results, it will soon be in your regular recipe rotation.

Makes one loaf or 12 individual cornbread servings.

INGREDIENTS

¾ cup Cornmeal
1 ¼ cup Milk
1 cup Robin Hood Gluten Free Flour
1/3 cup Sugar
1 Tbsp Baking Powder
½ tsp Salt
1 Egg
¼ cup Vegetable Oil

STEPS:

Mix the cornmeal and milk in a bowl, set off to the side to rest, letting the cornmeal soak for approximately 10 minutes.

We have skipped the step of soaking the cornmeal in milk when we were in a hurry and running behind with making dinner, the cornbread turned out ok but was a bit gritty. Soaking the cornmeal in the milk for ten minutes gives it extra time to absorb moisture and soften.

In a separate bowl mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
In the bowl with the cornmeal and milk mixture add the egg and oil, mixing thoroughly.
Combine the two bowls stirring until mixed.
Pour the mixture into a greased loaf pan.

For individually sized servings of cornbread scoop the cornmeal mixture into greased muffin tins filling them 2/3 full.

Bake at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes. To confirm that the cornbread is cooked insert a toothpick into the middle of the pan, the cornbread is cooked when the toothpick comes out clean. The cornbread will be beginning to turn golden brown on the edges.

Gluten Free Cornbread – The Perfect Side Dish

This easy gluten free cornbread recipe provides a wonderful accompaniment for many meals. Whether it be chili night, a big barbeque cookout, or a cool evening with a bowl of rich beef stew cornbread is the perfect side dish for a wide variety of meals. What is your favorite meal to serve with cornbread?