17 Best Leftover Cornbread Recipes (2024)

These leftover cornbread recipes will bring new life to your day-old cornbread.

From French toast to pudding to crab cakes, cornbread is just as good the second time around!

There’s no bad time for a perfectly moist cornbread, right? It’s always a great pair with stews, chili, and lots of other savory dishes.

17 Best Leftover Cornbread Recipes (1)

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No main dishes? No worries. A fresh pan of cornbread is amazing on its own.

The problem comes when you make too much of it.

That’s why I’ve rounded up 17 fantastic leftover cornbread recipes to help you get creative with this staple side dish at home.

Cornbread is too precious to go to waste, anyway. So without further ado, let’s get started!

1. Cornbread Pudding

An easy way to use leftover skillet cornbread is to make a pudding out of it.

Besides the cornbread, other ingredients that you’ll need are already in the kitchen pantry.

This dish is simple but packs great flavors, making it a wonderful side dish for a holiday meal.

But because it’s a cinch to make, don’t be surprised if everyone requests it on a normal day.

The pudding is a combination of cornbread cubes, fresh herbs, cheese, and egg-milk mixture. Biting into that delicious custard-like center is the best part!

Turn it into a hearty breakfast by serving with a fried egg on top. Or, consider adding some protein for an easy last-minute lunch idea.

2. Cowboy Cornbread Casserole

This cowboy casserole makes use of everyday ingredients to create a one-dish dinner for the whole family.

It combines cornbread, veggies, cheese, and a protein of your choice, all baked in a two-ingredient creamy sauce.

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Be sure to use coarse and crumbled cornbread because it makes the perfect crust and stuffing!

If you’re looking for a more filling meal, simply serve the casserole with baked beans or roasted veggies.

3. Cornbread Dressing Fritters

Reignite your love for cornbread dressing by turning it into fritters! Only a little prep time is needed, and all you’ll have to do is mix, coat, and fry.

In 30 minutes or less, you’ll have crispy, golden brown dressing balls with a bonus of ooey-gooey cheese inside.

The spiced cranberry sauce will take things to the next level. It’s a sweet, creamy sauce with a little zing — and it’s so addictive!

4. Heirloom Tomato and Cornbread Panzanella

Panzanella is a Tuscan-style salad traditionally made with stale bread, onions, tomatoes, and a zesty dressing.

For this recipe, however, you can use your leftover cornbread. Just cut it into cubes and toast until crunchy good.

The combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, shallot, olive oil, and vinegar creates a perfect meld of summery flavors!

5. Cornbread Croutons

This is, perhaps, the easiest way to use up your leftover cornbread.

In 30 minutes, using only three ingredients, you’ll have deliciously crunchy croutons for soups and salads.

Simply cut your day-old cornbread into small cubes, and drizzle olive oil and sea salt over them.

Adding butter won’t hurt if you like your croutons to be buttery!

After a little mixing and baking, you’ll get crunchy cornbread pieces with a chewy interior. It’s a texture combination that can’t be beaten.

6. Cornbread Buttermilk Soup

Using day-old cornbread, you can make a comforting soup for all seasons! This cornbread buttermilk soup is satisfyingly good even when served hot or cold.

The secret to getting the best taste is to use high-quality buttermilk, as it adds a rich, creamy texture to the dish.

Still, the cornbread is just as important because it also helps thicken the soup and adds a subtle sweetness.

A couple of pantry spices are also used to create a beautiful medley of flavors.

7. Cornbread Crab Cakes

There are several ways to cook crab cakes — sautee them, grill them, or deep fry them. But the best way for me is to bake these flavorful fish cakes!

Baking crab cakes allow you to get that heavenly crisp exterior, minus the greasiness.

When the cornbread meets crab meat, these baked goodies will taste like no other fishcakes.

There are lots of other ingredients needed for the crab cake mixture, but they do come together pretty easily.

Oh, and don’t forget to serve these cakes with lemon-caper mayo for the best appetizer ever!

8. Cornbread Strata with Jalapenos and Cheddar

This recipe creates a hybrid of frittata and pudding, combining corn kernels, cornbread, cheese, jalapeños, and scallions for a flavor-packed brunch!

I especially love adding strips of cooked bacon to this dish for a more breakfast feel.

As a versatile recipe, you can also swap out the cornbread for other stale bread and use other ingredients for mix-ins.

9. Cornbread French Toast

It goes without saying that brioche is one of the best breads for making French toast.

But if plain or sweetened cornbread is all you have on-hand, don’t fret.

Cornbread French toast tastes AMAZING! Cornbread is an unusual ingredient for this classic French treat, but it works well.

Making cornbread French toast is quick and easy. It’s pretty similar to making a standard French toast.

Simply prepare the bread slices, dip them into the egg mixture, and cook.

You can get creative with the toppings, but nothing beats the classic combination of maple syrup and fresh berries!

10. Cornbread With Scrambled Eggs and Sausage

Best for breakfast or brunch, this cornbread with scrambled eggs and sausage is yummy and oh-so-hearty.

Everything will be done in 30 minutes if you have the cornbread all prepped (it needs to be crumbled).

This recipe calls for sausage, bell pepper, and onions for added bulk and flavor.

Feel free to use your choice of meat and veggies if you want to make other variations.

11. Layered Cornbread Breakfast Casserole

If you have leftover cornbread and chili (or other stew), this recipe might just be made for you!

Cornbread and chili are the main ingredients of this layered casserole, made even more satisfying with fried onion rings and eggs on top.

This is one of those leftover cornbread recipes that yields an impressive-looking dish.

So if you’re serving to guests, I’m sure they won’t notice that the casserole is made with leftovers!

12. Cornbread Salad

If you’re a salad lover but you haven’t tried cornbread salad, you’re seriously missing out on some good southern cooking.

This salad combines crumbled cornbread, bacon, corn, mayo, and veggies.

Mayo as a dressing works fine, but if you’re looking for more flavors, try mixing it with dry ranch dressing.

Chop the veggies and mix them with other ingredients. Toss everything into the dressing mix until well coated.

Garnish with tomato slices when ready to serve. This salad is as beautiful as it is delicious!

13. Cornbread Sausage Quiche

Quiche is a quintessential French tart known for its flaky pie crust and flavorful filling.

To put a southern twist on this classic, cornbread sausage quiche has been invented!

The sausage adds a meaty taste to this dish, while the shredded cheeses bring the unmistakable savory flavor.

If you’re looking for a little zing, feel free to use spicy sausage or hot sauce. Want some tang and a smoky-sweet flavor? Try BBQ sauce instead.

There are different variations you can try, so much so that you’ll want to occasionally have leftover cornbread at home!

14. Cornbread Chicken Bake

Cornbread and chicken match so well in this dish. It’s delicious, moist, creamy, and everything you’ll want in a baked casserole!

This recipe calls for a few pantry ingredients. But since casseroles are known for being versatile, you can make this recipe yours by removing or adding more ingredients.

For instance, you can add mozzarella for a cheesy bite or throw in some carrots and spinach for a pop of color.

15. Cornbread Pudding With Bacon

Sweet and savory makes a downright irresistible combination, which is exactly what you’ll get in this fridge clean-out recipe.

Besides your stale cornbread, bring out your leftover cheese, eggs, and bacon, and get ready to make something AWESOME!

If you don’t have bacon, this pudding recipe also works with other leftover meats, such as ham, sausage, and the likes.

You can also add other spices like jalapeños, bell peppers, or chives for a super flavorful side dish!

16. Mexican Sausage Cornbread Strata

Looking for a recipe for busy mornings and a way to use up leftovers? Make this breakfast casserole!

This strata recipe makes use of leftover meat, cheese, and veggies, creating a dish that can satisfy a hungry crowd!

It’s SO easy to make, especially when you assemble everything the night before.

To achieve a casserole bursting with Mexican flavors, go for spicy sausage. Serve with salsa and Tabasco sauce for extra heat!

17. Fried Cornbread and Eggs

Start your morning right with this delightful breakfast that’s a cinch to make!

It only requires mixing and frying everything until you get a sweet-savory dish with a little bit of heat.

You can upgrade this breakfast recipe by adding some sausage, bacon, or any other meat you prefer.

And of course, everything’s better with cheese, so don’t hesitate to use it as a topping along with jalapeños or hot sauce.

17 Best Leftover Cornbread Recipes (2)

17 Ways to Use Leftover Cornbread

These leftover cornbread recipes will bring new life to your day-old cornbread. From French toast to pudding to crab cakes, cornbread is just as good the second time around!

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a cornbread dish in 30 minutes or less!
17 Best Leftover Cornbread Recipes (3)

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17 Best Leftover Cornbread Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you jazz up store-bought cornbread? ›

You can stir in 1 cup of roasted chopped jalapeños or 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne into the batter. Or, you can mix in 3 tablespoons of your favorite chile paste. Fields also recommends trying a little NOLA flair by adding a rounded ¼ teaspoon Cajun spice blend to your cornbread mix.

How long is cornbread good for in the fridge? ›

Need more time to eat your cornbread? Store it in the fridge. Follow the same method of wrapping it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and then a sealed plastic bag. Cornbread stores well in the fridge for up to five days.

What is the difference between Yankee cornbread and Southern cornbread? ›

The thing that distinguishes Southern cornbread from, say Yankee cornbread, or any other cornbread one is likely to eat outside of the southern states, is that it is savory, not sweet, and it is made mostly with cornmeal.

What to do with cornbread that fell apart? ›

12 Ways You Can Use Up Leftover Cornbread
  1. Turn your cornbread into crunchy croutons. ...
  2. Elevate your breakfast with cornbread French toast. ...
  3. Steal the show with cornbread stuffing. ...
  4. Crumble it on top of a fruit crisp. ...
  5. Mix the crumbs into a casserole. ...
  6. Whip up some corn fritters. ...
  7. Slice it and make a sandwich.
Dec 3, 2023

What is good to add to cornbread? ›

10 Mix-Ins for Classic Cornbread
  • Bacon and scallion. ...
  • Green chile and cheddar cheese. ...
  • Crumbled sausage and poultry seasoning. ...
  • Fresh corn and basil. ...
  • Pepperoni, parmesan, and black pepper. ...
  • Spicy shrimp and creole seasoning. ...
  • Brown sugar and pecan. ...
  • Cranberry and maple syrup.

What does adding more eggs do to cornbread? ›

Doubling the egg adds maybe another 20-25g. You're enriching it a bit more, so slightly heavier dough and slightly slower rising, but it's unlikely it would amount to much.

Does Jiffy cornbread mix go bad? ›

For best results, we recommend using all “JIFFY” mixes by the “Best If Used By” date. Beyond this date, dependent upon local weather and storage conditions, the quality of the end product may be affected.

Can I freeze leftover cornbread? ›

Cornbread can be kept frozen for around three months for optimal freshness. So if you're in the mood to bake several batches of cornbread and freeze them, go right ahead. That way, you can enjoy slices or a whole loaf when you're craving cornbread but don't have the time or energy to bake.

What happens if you overmix cornbread? ›

Pour batter into prepared pan. The batter will be lumpy. Overcome the urge to mix until smooth. Overmixing can cause the corn bread to peak and have tunnels, resulting in a tough texture.

What did Native Americans call cornbread? ›

Among them was a version of Indian bread made of cornmeal, salt and water called pone or corn pone. The name came from the Algonquin word apan, meaning "baked." The Narragansett word for cornbread, nokechick, became no-cake and then hoe-cake.

Do southerners put sugar in cornbread? ›

However, modern cornbread recipes, even in the South, now include wheat flour and sugar. This change wasn't driven by wider availability of sugar and flour, but by changes in how corn was grown, dried, and milled.

Which makes better cornbread, white or yellow cornmeal? ›

While either white or yellow cornmeal will technically work when making cornbread, yellow does make for a softer more tender bread. Milk is what is going to make sure our bread stays nice and moist as it acts as the binding agent. Baking powder is key for getting a nice tender and fluffy crumb.

What ingredient keeps cornbread from crumbling? ›

Cornmeal gives cornbread its classic color and flavor, but too much can make your bread crumbly. Try replacing a little bit of cornmeal with flour. The specific measurements will depend on how much cornmeal and flour is in your recipe, but you should try to have more flour than cornmeal in your batter.

What if I run out of milk for cornbread? ›

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

Can I leave the egg out of cornbread? ›

Yes, but we recommend using an egg substitute, like applesauce. Eggs, or egg substitutes help add structure to the cornbread. Without an egg or substitute, the cornbread may crumble and fall apart easily.

How to jazz up Martha White cornbread mix? ›

Stir In Some Mix-Ins

Stir in diced jalapeño peppers, grated cheese, chopped country ham, or crumbled bacon. Bacon makes everything better. If jalapeños have too much of a kick for you, use a chopped poblano pepper.

How do you salvage cornbread? ›

My advice to him in the comments of his Facebook post: "Crumble it into a pan, pour an egg and milk/cream over it, maybe some brown sugar or fruit and butter and bake or steam into CORNBREAD PUDDING. Or crumble further, bake, and use as cornbread crumbs." And whaddya know—it worked.

Can you add sugar to Martha White cornbread mix? ›

Whisk eggs in medium bowl. Stir in milk, oil, corn meal mix, flour and sugar until smooth. Batter should be creamy and pourable.

Can you add a can of corn to cornbread mix? ›

Fresh corn is always best if it's in season, cut straight off the cob, but frozen is nearly as good. Just let the corn thaw and then drain it completely, patting dry if needed. Canned corn also works in a pinch, too, as long as you drain it thoroughly before mixing it into the batter.

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