Cornbread seems to be an afterthought. Rarely is it eaten by itself, it’s always paired with a stew, soup, or salad. I get it, most times cornbread is a bit boring. Personally, I can’t eat ham and beans without it. But it does not have to be this way and once you try this made from scratch Cheesy Iron Skillet Cornbread with Veggies you may rethink eating a big slice.
Cheesy Skillet Cornbread
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Also known as Farmstand Cornbread, this homemade bread is loaded with corn kernels and cheddar cheese but there are plenty of spicy and delicious toppings. Today’s recipe has red and green peppers baked inside and it’s and topped with jalapeno, red onions, tomatoes, and Cojita cheese. There are definitely some savory flavors in this cornbread.
Why bake cornbread in a cast-iron skillet?
Baking in a cast-iron skillet develops great flavor.
Pouring the batter into a sizzling-buttered iron skillet will give you a delicious golden brown crunchy crust with crispy edges for some seriously delicious flavor.
Because cast-iron retains heat better than a baking dish the cornbread bakes more evenly and will be moist and tender inside.
Serve your just-baked bread directly from the skillet and your bread with stay warm.
Ok, I am going to be honest, baking in an iron-skillet is fun, plus I get to use my grandma’s skillet.
With this recipe, you can defiantly be creative with all kinds of delicious toppings from your garden, the farmers market, even the produce section of the market. With my recipe, you can change the veggies and cheese to what you like. This cornbread recipe if very adaptable to your tastes.
Toppings to add to cornbread
You can definitely get creative here
- Cherry tomatoes
- Chives
- Zucchini
- Cubed baked sweet potato
- Roasted garlic
- Okra
- Cilantro
- Feta cheese
- Smoked cheddar cheese
- Pepperjack cheese
No matter what, cornbread is cornbread, and it should be simple to make with simple ingredients.
What ingredients do I need to make cornbread?
- Butter – buttery flavor is always delicious
- Yellow cornmeal – cornbread needs cornmeal which gives the bread flavor and a bit of a crunch. I prefer a medium grind cornmeal.
- Flour – you need flour to keep the cornbread from being too dense
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt and Pepper – salt always enhances the flavor
- Buttermilk – gives a tangy flavor and adds moisture
- Eggs – make the cornbread light and fluffy
- Fresh or thawed frozen corn – adding corn gives this cornbread a big corn flavor and adds great texture
- Shredded cheddar cheese -try adding a sharp cheddar for its deep flavor
- Red pepper – adds color and a sweet mild pepper flavor
- Green pepper – adds color and a hint of bitter pepper flavor
- Jalapeno pepper – added as a topping this pepper will have a bit of heat
- Red onion – use red onion for color and flavor
- Tomatoes – juicy tomatoes add flavor and freshness
- Cojita cheese – adds some strong cheese flavor that has a bit of saltiness
How to make cheesy cornbread in a skillet
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. and add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet, put the skillet in the oven and heat for about 8 minutes until the butter is melted. Melting the butter in the skillet will make the crust crispy and add flavor.
Step 2. Prep all the peppers by seeding and dicing into small pieces or slices. Peel and slice or dice the red onion. Cut and seed the tomato and dice.
Step 3. Prepare the cornbread batter using a large bowl and adding the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pepper and whisk to combine.
Step 4. Melt the butter and whisk the eggs into the buttermilk.
Step 5. Whisk all the dry ingredients together then add the buttermilk and egg mixture and the melted butter Mix the batter with a spoon until well combined.
Step 6. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, red and green peppers, and corn kernels until thoroughly mixed.
Step 7. Pour the batter into the hot iron skillet with the melted butter.
Step 8. Add the toppings and bake at 425 degrees f. for 25 to 30 minutes. When done add crumbled Cojita cheese.
Step 9. Eat and enjoy!
This cornbread is good enough to stand on its own but try pairing it with your favorite chili recipe or try it with my favorite Creamy Corn and Bean Soup, the two are delicious together.
I hear you saying –
What if I don’t have a cast-iron skillet?
Well, you could go out and buy a skillet, but there are options. Just heat the butter in a 10-inch baking dish and that will give you a bit of a crispy crust.
What else can I bake in an iron skillet?
Use your skillet to make cakes, here are two of my favorites.
Easy vanilla cake in a skillet – this is my go-to quick dessert recipe that everyone loves. It is simple and delicious.
Maple apple skillet cake – has a moist yellow cake topped with sweet juicy apples that caramelize from the maple syrup and brown sugar.
If you haven’t made homemade cornbread this recipe is quick and easy, and it bakes in 30 minutes. Just chop your veggies, shred the cheese and mix the batter.
Tools and Ingredients
If you don’t have an iron skillet, this 10 inch Lodge Cast-Iron Skillet is what I use for cooking and baking. It is so versatile for on the stove and in the oven. This skillet comes with a lid which you don’t need for this bread but it will come in handy for the cooktop.
As for cornmeal, there are many varieties to choose from. For this recipe, I prefer Bob’s Red Mill Medium Grind Yellow Cornmeal which gives this cornbread a nice cornmeal crunch without being too rustic.
Pin for later when you are craving this savory cornbread.
Cheesy Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread with Veggies
Equipment
Ingredients
Cornbread Batter
- 2 tbsp butter for melting in skillet
- 3 cups yellow cornmeal medium grind
- 11/2 cups AP flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp. baking soda
- 3 cups buttermilk
- 3 eggs, large
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2/3 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels (thawed)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup green bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper seeded and diced
Cornbread Topping
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeded and diced or sliced
- 1 tomato, medium-sized seeded and diced or sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion peeled and diced or sliced
- 1/2 cup Cotija cheese crumbled
Instructions
Making the cornbread batter
- Preheat the oven to 425° F. and add 2 tablespoons of butter to a 10" cast iron skillet and put in the oven to melt the butter.
- Prep all the peppers, the tomato by seeding and dicing or slicing. Peel the onion and dice or slice.
- In a large bowl add the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pepper and whisk to combine.
- Measure the buttermilk and beat in the three eggs. Pour this mixture into the flour mixture along with the melted butter and lightly mix.
- Add the corn, shredded cheddar cheese, and the green and red bell peppers. Mix together thoroughly.
- Carefully remove the cast iron from the oven, it will be very hot. Pour the cornbread batter into the skillet. It will probably sizzle.
- Add toppings, except the Cojita cheese. Bake the cornbread for 25-30 minutes at 425° F. until the bread is baked through and golden brown.
- When the bread is done, remove from the oven and sprinkle with the crumbled Cojita cheese.
- Serve warm. Store the leftover cornbread in a sealed container on the counter for two days.
Notes
What else can I bake in an iron skillet?
Use your skillet to make cakes, here are two of my favorites. Easy vanilla cake in a skillet - this is my go-to quick dessert recipe that everyone loves. It is simple and delicious. Maple apple skillet cake - has a moist yellow cake topped with sweet juicy apples that caramelize from the maple syrup and brown sugar.Nutrition
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About Jere’
From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending. Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing both sweet and savory recipes with all my baking friends.
Have any questions or just want to chat about the recipe? Contact me here, and I’ll be happy to help!
Nayomi Kirton
I have not had much corn bread but I have tried it American restaurants and really enjoyed it. This cheesy cornbread sound amazing and I love spice so I like that you include jalapenos.
Jere Cassidy
We love cornbread, but this recipe has become a favorite with all the spices and cheese. It’s really tasty.
Emily
I’ve been trying to use my skillet more often lately and this veggie cornbread is perfection! Whole family loves it!
Stephanie
I love the idea of mixing extras into cornbread to amp it up! This would be delicious with a bowl of chili!
Jere Cassidy
This is the perfect cornbread for chili.
Alexis
I Love that this is a cast iron dish! My family loves corn, I’m going to have to add this to our meal plan this week.
Sondra Barker
Yum! I love that you put veggies in this, it sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Amy Liu Dong
Your cornbread recipe makes me so hungry and despite of a lock down I still loved making easy but delicious recipe for the family. YUM!
Jere Cassidy
Luckily, I can still find cornmeal and all the veggies are available.
Abigail Raines
I’ve always made mine plain and it was good but this totally elevates the cornbread to a higher plane! So good!
Jere Cassidy
It’s hard to go back to just plain cornbread after eating this jazzed up version.
Stine Mari
You’re so right, baking in a cast-iron skillet is much more fun. This cornbread looks perfectly cheesy and tons of flavor from the veggies, love it.
Marta
This cornbread looks absolutely divine. I love how cheesy and colorful it is! It reminds me of me, LOL!!
Jere Cassidy
Oh, how funny. I happen to like colorful food.
Lesli Schwartz
I make cornbread all the time but never considered putting cheese on top. Why not? I simply love cheese! Will be using your recipe next time!
Jere Cassidy
I am a big cornbread fan and I like this cornbread with a big salad and that is it, a perfect dinner.
Lathiya
wow, that cornbread looks fabulous. I have never baked in a skillet. Time to get one I think.
April
Oh wow this cornbread looks so moist and yummy and the veggies puts it over the top! What a great and unique recipe!
Jere Cassidy
This recipe has become a family favorite. This cornbread has so much flavor.
Jacque Hastert
Now, I am craving cornbread! I love the use of fresh veggies in this.
Jere Cassidy
I crave it too when I look at the pictures. It is delicious.
Alexis
Oh my goodness, this dish is so delicious. I love making this on a quick weeknight when I have leftover veggies and such that won’t make a full meal.
Jere Cassidy
Great idea to use those leftover veggies.
Jacqui DeBono
I have a skillet, but I haven’t used it for something like this. We all love cornbread though, so I will give it a go!
Ramona
I’m really keen to try this. I love the idea, the sound and looks of it. I actually will make this as soon as tomorrow- have all the ingredients. Thanks for sharing this recipe
Jere Cassidy
We are making it this weekend too. I need to use up some extra peppers. Enjoy!
Stine Mari
Honestly, you had me at ‘delicious golden brown crunchy crust’. This cornbread looks fantastic and great to eat on its own!
Lesli Schwartz
Oh, wow! I am so happy to see this unique cast iron cornbread recipe! I make the same old recipe all the time. Need to switch it up with this one!
Jere Cassidy
I did too for the longest time, but this recipe is a favorite and goes with so many meals.
Marta
I love baking my cornbread in a skillet. It gives it the best crust.
Jere Cassidy
My cast-iron skillet never gets put away. Actually I have three that sit on my stove all the time.
Colleen
I always use my cast iron skillet for cornbread, but I have never tried topping it with veggies and cheese. What a delicious idea, that I am so excited to try. Thank you!
Jere Cassidy
I hope you try all the toppings, they add lots of great flavors to the cornbread.