Oh my gosh, I have to tell you about my all-time favorite Southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers! These tasty little bites are more than just a recipe; they are a piece of my childhood wrapped in golden, buttery goodness. My grandma made cornbread almost every Sunday after church when I was a kid, and I could hardly wait for it to come out of the oven. The smell alone filled the house with a happy scent that made us want to sit down at the table even before we could wash our hands.
Now, mix that nostalgia with the sweetness of honey and some popper-sized bites for a dish that will make anyone’s heart sing. The honey butter that I could probably spread on anything is what makes these poppers so special. The outside is crispy and the inside is soft and fluffy.
I remember one Thanksgiving when my aunt was in charge of the bread. Let’s just say that the poppers went away faster than we could put the turkey on our plates. You can eat them as a snack, a side dish, or even as part of a brunch spread. If you want to take your taste buds to the South, let’s get right to making these little treasures!
What are the ingredients in Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers?
Let’s take this delicious recipe apart. Each ingredient is very important for making that perfect little popper that you’re going to love!
Cornmeal is the most important part of our dish. For a more authentic Southern taste, I like to use stone-ground cornmeal that has been around for a long time. It gives the poppers the great flavor and texture of cornbread.
All-Purpose Flour: This is a classic partner for cornmeal. It helps the poppers get the right mix of fluffiness and structure.
Baking powder is a leavening agent that makes sure our poppers rise well and don’t get as heavy as a brick. We want them to be light and fluffy so they can soak up the honey butter.
A pinch of salt brings out all the flavors in the recipe. You don’t want to miss this important part, so trust me.
Sugar: Just a little bit to make it sweeter! If you’re feeling brave, you can use brown sugar or granulated sugar to give the food a caramel-like taste.
This tangy ingredient, buttermilk, is very important! It makes the poppers soft and adds moisture and flavor. You can quickly make a substitute for buttermilk with milk and vinegar if you don’t have any.
Eggs: These give the dish structure and help hold the other ingredients together.
Butter: Adding melted butter makes things taste so good. I suggest using unsalted butter because it lets you control how salty the whole dish is.
Honey: We’re not just going to make sweet cornbread; we’re going to make a delicious honey butter spread that takes these poppers to a whole new level!
Are Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers good for you?
Let’s talk about health now. These cornbread poppers are definitely a treat, but they do have some quirks!
Cornmeal is a great source of dietary fiber, which is good for your digestive health. It is also full of nutrients. It’s also gluten-free, so it’s a good choice for people who can’t eat gluten.
Buttermilk: This tasty drink has probiotics that are good for your gut health. And it’s a good source of calcium too!
Butter: It adds a lot of flavor, but you shouldn’t use too much of it. Choose unsalted butter so you can control how much salt is in it while still enjoying the great taste.
Honey: The natural sugars in honey give you quick energy and may also have antioxidants. However, if you’re trying to cut back on sugar, be careful how much you eat!
These poppers are a tasty addition to any meal, but you should only eat a few at a time. You can eat them as a sweet side dish or a fun party snack, but don’t go overboard!
List of Ingredients
This recipe makes about 24 poppers, which is great for sharing (or not—no judgment here!).
– 1 cup of cornmeal – 1 cup of all-purpose flour – 2 tablespoons of baking powder
– 1 cup of buttermilk – 1/4 cup of granulated sugar – 1 teaspoon of salt
– 2 big eggs
– 1/2 cup of melted butter without salt
– 1/4 cup of honey (plus more to drizzle on top)
– Optional: chopped jalapeños or green onions for a spicy kick
How do you make Southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers?
Put on your apron because we’re going to cook! Follow these steps to make these tasty little poppers.
1. **Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).** Take out your mini muffin pan because we’re going to fill those cute little cups with cornbread!
2. **Get your muffin pan ready.** Use cooking spray or butter to grease the mini muffin pan, making sure that each cup is well covered. This will make it easier for your poppers to come out.
3. **Mix the dry ingredients.** Put the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a big bowl and mix them together. Whisk everything together until they are all mixed together. You will feel the Southern spirit coming back!
4. **Mix the wet ingredients.** In a different bowl, mix the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and honey until there are no lumps. The honey should mix in well, making the mix even sweeter.
5. **Mix together the dry and wet ingredients.** Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones and stir gently until they are just mixed. Don’t mix too much! It’s okay if you see some lumps. Those little lumps will make your poppers feel better.
6. **Spoon the batter.** Put enough batter in each muffin cup to fill it about two-thirds of the way. You want them to rise and not spill over, but they will like having some space to grow.
7. **Bake.** Put them in the oven that has already been heated and bake them for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. When a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, you know they’re done.
8. **Let the honey butter cool and get ready.** After baking, let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack. In a small bowl, mix softened butter with more honey to taste. The honey butter should be creamy and easy to spread.
9. **Serve it up.** Put your hot cornbread poppers on a plate with your buttery honey spread. If you’re feeling brave, a drizzle of honey on top is always a hit! Don’t forget the napkins; things could get messy!
Helpful tips and serving ideas
These poppers are already great, but let’s make them even better with some extra tips.
– **Add some spice:** If you want to spice things up, try folding in some finely chopped jalapeños or even cheddar cheese into the batter before you bake it.
– **Add herbs:** You can make your poppers taste better by adding fresh herbs. Chopped chives or parsley are great choices because they go well with honey.
– **Fun toppings:** Have fun with the toppings! Adding a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon would make this already delicious dish even better!
– **Keeping:** If you have any leftovers (which I really don’t think you do), you can keep them at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for up to a week. You can quickly warm them up in the oven for a few minutes.
– **Great Matches:** You can serve them with a rich chili, fried chicken, or even as part of a breakfast spread with eggs and bacon! These poppers are great for any meal because they can be used in so many ways.
I love sharing this recipe, and I hope it brings you as much joy and deliciousness as it does to my kitchen. These Southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers can make any day better and any get-together more fun.
Now, get those ingredients together, get your family together, and make a batch. You won’t forget to save me a popper or three, will you? I’m excited to hear about your cooking adventure, so please tell me about it, share any tips you have, and any fun twists you come up with! Have fun cooking!
