Hot Water Cornbread Recipe (Using Only 2 Ingredients) (2024)

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This hot water cornbread recipe is as old as the Tennessee Hills. Using only two ingredients, this is the definition of a simple and delicious Southern side dish.

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Crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, this hot water cornbread recipe is an old-fashioned Southern staple. Back in the day, it was invented out of necessity in order to survive and based on what folks had on hand or could easily acquire. For me, that inspires reverence for them and a respect for the wisdom of the old ways. It also makes me want to make them just like they did if only to feel a little closer to their wisdom.

So, this recipe is as simple as it comes, as all you need is self-rising cornmeal and hot water. But I wanted to start with the basics so you can work from there and have fun with it. The result is perfectly crispy, crunchy, and irresistible cornbread!

Serve this yummy cornbread with Easy Baby Back Ribs in Oven, Easy Creamed Corn,Vinegar Slaw,Southern-Style Fried Okra Recipe, and Fresh Green Beans and you will have the perfect southern meal.

Recipe Ingredients

  • Self-rising cornmeal
  • Hot water

Helpful Kitchen Tools

How to Make Hot Water Cornbread Recipe Step by Step

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Add self-rising cornmeal to a medium-sized mixing bowl.

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Add hot water.

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Stir that together until there are no lumps left and it’s formed a good old batter.

If you need to add a tablespoon or so of water you can. If you need to add a little more cornmeal, you can do that too.

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Heat 1/4 inch of oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.

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Once that is hot, carefully drop your batter by spoonfuls into the hot oil and lightly press it flat with the back of a spoon.

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Cook until browned on that side.

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Then flip it and cook it until it is golden brown on the other.

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Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, basket, or bowl, and serve warm. It’s that easy!

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These little beauties with their crispy exterior are great on their own or with butter, maple syrup, molasses, etc.

Storage

  • Once cooled completely, store your cornbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the fridge for up to one week. Reheat them either in the microwave or oven.
  • You can also freeze them in foil or a freezer bag for up to three months. Once thawed, wrap them in foil and reheat in the oven.

Recipe Notes

  • You can use your favorite self-rising cornmeal mix. Martha White has all sorts of different ones and I like the white best but that is because it’s what my great grandmother used.
  • The recipe calls for boiling water so to get it hot you can use your coffee maker, boil it on the stovetop, or heat it up in your tea kettle. Just make sure it’s boiling!
  • Vegetable and canola oil is best for frying.
  • If you want to add a little something extra, stir in one or more of these add-ins after you’ve stirred together the cornmeal and water: chopped onions, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, 1/2 cup of drained corn kernels, 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, finely diced jalapeños, or 1 teaspoon of parsley or basil.

Recipe FAQs

What do you serve with hot water cornbread?

Hot water cornbread can be served as a sweet or savory dish. To make it savory, serve it alongsidechili, beef stew, or pork chops to soak up all the delicious sauce. Otherwise, as a sweet treat, top your cornbread with butter, maple syrup, molasses, or honey.

Do you put sugar in your cornbread?

I don’t add sugar to my hot water cornbread, but if you really want to you can add a teaspoon of sugar.

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Hot Water Cornbread Recipe (With Only 2 Ingredients)

This basic hot water cornbread recipe is an old-fashioned Southern staple made quickly and easily using only two ingredients. Serve them as a side dish or a sweet treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cornbread

Servings: 4

Calories: 95kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups self-rising cornmeal
  • 1 cup hot water

Instructions

  • Stir together cornmeal and water until completely smooth. Heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, carefully drop batter from a spoon into the oil and lightly press flat with back of spoon.

    2 cups self-rising cornmeal, 1 cup hot water

  • Cook until browned on the bottom, then flip and cook until browned on the other side. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot.

Makes about 15.

    Notes

    The following add-ins are excellent in this. Stir them in after the cornmeal and water have been stirred together: chopped onions, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 cup drained corn kernels, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, finely diced jalapeños, 1 tsp parsley or basil, etc.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 95kcal

    Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

    You may also like these cornbread recipes:

    Mexican Cornbread Recipe by Mama

    Keto Cornbread Recipe

    Cornbread Salad Recipe

    *From Scratch* Cornbread Topped Chicken Pot Pie

    Hot Water Cornbread Recipe (Using Only 2 Ingredients) (2024)

    FAQs

    Can you make cornbread with water if you don't have milk? ›

    Can I substitute water for milk in cornbread mix? Yes, you can, but it may result in a less rich flavor. If you're out of milk, try using cream or half-and-half, evaporated or powdered milk, or even plain yogurt. If you have dietary restrictions, try soy milk or oat milk.

    What is hot water cornbread made of? ›

    It consists of cornmeal, salt, fat (usually butter or animal fat), and boiling water. Once you mix all of these ingredients together, it creates a soft dough. This dough is then formed into patties and fried in hot oil/fat until golden.

    Why does my hot water cornbread fall apart? ›

    This happens when the grease is not kept hot enough throughout the frying process. Can also happen if the cornbread is moved before getting a crispy outer shell or that outer shell is broken from moving the cornbread around. The cornbread falls apart in the grease.

    Why does my hot water cornbread stick to the pan? ›

    How Do I Keep Hot Water Cornbread From Sticking to the Pan? For corn cakes that are nicely browned and don't stick to the pan, choose a cast iron skillet that's well seasoned. Heat it and add a liberal coating of cooking fat or oil to the pan before adding the cakes.

    What can I use for cornbread if I don't have milk? ›

    Dairy Substitutes for Milk
    • Cream or Half-and-Half. Cream is richer than milk, so to avoid heavier dough or batter use a ratio of about 60 percent cream to 40 percent water. ...
    • Evaporated or Powdered Milk. ...
    • Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt. ...
    • Water (or Water and Butter) ...
    • Nut Milk. ...
    • Soy Milk. ...
    • Oat Milk. ...
    • Rice Milk.
    Apr 3, 2023

    What is a good substitute for milk in cornbread? ›

    Water: Water can be used as a substitute for milk in Jiffy cornbread. It may result in a slightly drier and less rich texture, but it will still work. Buttermilk: Buttermilk is a good substitute for milk in Jiffy cornbread. It will add a tangy flavor and a moist texture.

    How to make hot water? ›

    Make hot water without a kettle by microwaving your water for 1 to 2 minutes at a time. Or, fill a saucepan or pot with water and place it over your stove on medium-high heat. As another alternative, pour water in a pan or metal container and hold it over a campfire or camping stove.

    What is the difference between hot water cornbread and regular cornbread? ›

    The main difference is that you make the batter using boiling hot water, and instead of baking it, you fry little patties of batter. This turns them into little biscuit-slash-hush-puppy-like rounds. The little rounds have such a lovely texture that they can be addictive.

    What is the difference between New York cornbread and southern cornbread? ›

    While both styles generally use the same ingredients -- cornmeal, flour, eggs, and baking powder -- the variance lies in the flavor and texture. Northern-style cornbread tends to be sweeter, moister, and cake-like compared to its Southern counterpart.

    Will an extra egg make cornbread less crumbly? ›

    Put in an extra egg yolk.

    Adding an egg yolk to your cornbread will help hold its shape while you're cutting and serving it. You can add a yolk even if your recipe doesn't call for any eggs at all--just put it in with the other wet ingredients.

    Can you make Jiffy cornbread with water? ›

    “JIFFY” mixes can also be prepared with water or plant-based milk alternatives like soy, almond or coconut milk. Pineapple or orange juice may be substituted for flavor variation in the corn and fruit muffins. Feel free to experiment with other options and let us know if you find something else that works well.

    Who invented hot water cornbread? ›

    Hot water cornbread is typically found in the south and has become a staple in Southern African American homes. However, the origins go back to the native people of the Americas, who commonly used ground corn for several dishes.

    Why does my cornbread always sink in the middle? ›

    While not a professional chef, my experience with corn bread, be it packaged or made from scratch is if you over mix it, it's gonna fall! Also, let it sit for 4-5 minutes after gently scraping it into the pan and let the ingredients start their magic reactions. No peeking while baking!! That can make it fall too.

    Why is my cornbread not done in the middle? ›

    Cornbread, or any baked good, will fall in the middle if it is not completely baked, or if you add too much leavening, which causes it to rise more than the structure of the batter can sustain. Always use a tester inserted in the center of your cornbread to make sure it's done.

    How do you keep cornbread moist? ›

    Melted butter and thick buttermilk keep this cornbread moist. After baking, I like to run a stick of butter over the top of the hot cornbread so that it soaks right in and stays even more moist and buttery.

    What happens if you use water instead of milk in Jiffy cornbread mix? ›

    You can just use water instead which is what most cornbread mixes ask for in the first. I've used both before and it normally turns out good either way. If you don't want to use water though some other milk substitutes are usually other dairy products like yogurt, sour cream, or half and half.

    What happens if you use water instead of milk? ›

    In an absolute pinch, water can sometimes be used as a substitute in a recipe that calls for milk…but you might experience some changes in flavor and texture. (Think: Less creamy, less fluffy and less rich.)

    Can I use water instead of milk for Jiffy cornbread? ›

    “JIFFY” mixes can also be prepared with water or plant-based milk alternatives like soy, almond or coconut milk. Pineapple or orange juice may be substituted for flavor variation in the corn and fruit muffins. Feel free to experiment with other options and let us know if you find something else that works well.

    Can you put water instead of milk? ›

    In most cases, you can swap milk for water and vice versa using a 1:1 ratio. For example, if your mix or recipe calls for ½ cup of milk but you don't have it, add ½ cup of water.

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