Description
Southern comfort shines through this crispy fried cornbread, delivering golden-brown perfection with a delightful crunch. Homestyle flavor and simple ingredients promise a soul-warming dish that connects you to traditional Southern kitchen magic.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar)
- 1 cup (120 g) cornmeal
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
Seasoning and Leavening:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional)
Liquid and Cooking Fat:
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- 2–3 tablespoons vegetable oil or bacon grease (for frying)
Instructions
- Prepare a mixing vessel and thoroughly combine cornmeal, flour, leavening agent, seasoning, and optional sweetener using a whisk until the dry components are evenly distributed.
- In a separate container, vigorously blend the egg, tangy dairy liquid, and additional liquid until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Gradually incorporate the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring carefully to create a thick yet fluid batter. Adjust the viscosity by introducing small amounts of liquid if the mixture appears too dense.
- Position a heavy-bottomed cooking surface over moderate heat, allowing it to warm evenly. Generously coat the pan’s interior with a thin layer of lipid – either rendered pork fat or neutral cooking oil.
- Using a portioning implement, carefully deposit dollops of batter onto the heated surface, gently spreading them into circular formations approximately 3 inches in diameter.
- Monitor the cornbread patties as they transform, watching for telltale signs of doneness: golden-brown edges and emerging surface bubbles. After approximately 2-3 minutes, execute a precise flip to reveal a perfectly caramelized underside.
- Continue the cooking process, ensuring each side achieves a rich, amber coloration and maintains a crisp exterior with a tender interior.
- Replenish the cooking surface with additional fat between batches to prevent sticking and maintain optimal cooking conditions.
- Transfer the finished cornbread to a serving platter, accompanying with traditional Southern embellishments like creamy butter, golden honey, or as a complementary side to hearty regional dishes.
Notes
- Check cornmeal freshness by ensuring it smells nutty and sweet, not stale or musty, which impacts overall bread flavor.
- Experiment with buttermilk substitutes like yogurt or milk mixed with vinegar for tangy variations when traditional buttermilk isn’t available.
- Use cast iron skillet for superior heat distribution and crispy golden exterior that traditional Southern cooks swear by for perfect texture.
- Adjust batter consistency by adding more liquid if too thick or more cornmeal if too runny, ensuring ideal pourable yet substantial mixture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 202
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg