Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (2024)

HomeCooking MethodInstant Pot

Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (1)

Cheryl MalikPosted: 08/26/21Updated: 05/26/23

5

/5 6 Comments

Jump to Recipe

GFGluten Free

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Buttery, dense, melt-in-your-mouth Instant Pot cornbread is an easy, steamed version of a classic Southern side. Whether your oven’s on the fritz or you just don’t feel like heating up the kitchen, the Instant Pot gives you perfectly “baked” cornbread that goes great with BBQ, black-eyed peas, spaghetti, and more.

Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (2)

What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • No packaged cornbread mix here! No, no. If you’re used to store-bought mixes, I’m begging you to trust me and give this one a try. You’ll never go back to the packaged stuff again.
  • This cornbread comes out incredibly buttery and moist. If you’re used to oven-baked cornbread that’s dry and a little crumbly, this won’t be exactly the same. It won’t have those crunchy, crisp edges, either. If that’s the kind of cornbread you’re looking for, try our Broccoli Cornbread (you can leave out the broccoli if you want).
  • You might be thinking “It’s way faster to cook cornbread in the oven, why would I use an Instant Pot??” That’s true. Oven-baked cornbread has a shorter cook time than Instant Pot cornbread. The benefits to using the pressure cooker? It won’t heat up your kitchen. You can use it on the road (like in an RV or a camper). It frees up the oven so you can cook something else in it while the cornbread “bakes”. Plus, the cornbread itself is different. The Instant Pot version is almost cake-like since it’s steamed bread.

Key Ingredients

Cornmeal – This is a must-have ingredient for good cornbread. You can use coarse, medium, or finely ground cornmeal here. Each one will change the texture slightly. Fine and medium grinds will give you the best texture, in my opinion. Coarse can make your cornbread kind of gritty or chunky. You could also try combining fine and medium grind cornmeals for a light cornbread with just a little of that coarse texture.

Buttermilk – Feel free to swap this out for your favorite kind of milk. If you use another kind, though, you’ll want to add a little lemon juice or vinegar to make up for the lower acidity. The acid in butter milk reacts to the baking powder to give your Instant Pot cornbread the perfect rise. Note that this will change the flavor of the cornbread a little, though.

All-Purpose Flour – If you’re looking for a gluten-free cornbread, you can use gluten-free all-purpose flour here. For an oven-baked gluten-free cornbread, try this recipe from our sister site, 40 Aprons.

Sugar – I know, I know. This is sacrilege to some of my fellow Southerners. I love a little sweetness to my cornbread, though! You can replace the granulated sugar with monk fruit or granular Swerve if you’d like a no-sugar-added cornbread. You can also just leave it out completely for a totally savory cornbread.

Chef’s Tips

  • A springform pan would be a great option if you have one small enough to fit in your Instant Pot. If you don’t have a springform pan that will work, any small round baking pan will do the trick.
  • If the Instant Pot cornbread sticks to the sides of the pan after cooling, just run a butter knife around the inside edge of the cornbread to loosen it. Place the wire baking rack face-down on top of the pan, then flip them both over in one smooth motion, so the cake pan is upside-down and the wire rack is face-up. Now you should be able to wiggle and lift the pan away from the cornbread.
  • You can add corn kernels (fresh or thawed), diced jalapeños, cheese, or other ingredients to your Instant Pot cornbread batter if you want! And if you’ve got leftovers, you can turn them into a delicious cornbread salad.
Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (3)

Be Sure to Try These Instant Pot Recipes, Too!

I hope you love this recipe as much as we did! Be sure to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, too!

For more delicious, nutritious recipes, head over to our sister site, 40 Aprons.

Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (4)

5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Cornbread

Prep:15 minutes minutes

Cook:1 hour hour

Cool Time:5 minutes minutes

Total:1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Buttery, dense, melt-in-your-mouth Instant Pot cornbread is an easy, steamed version of a classic Southern side. Whether your oven's on the fritz or you just don't feel like heating up the kitchen, the Instant Pot gives you perfectly "baked" cornbread that goes great with BBQ, black-eyed peas, spaghetti, and more.

Print Save

8 pieces of cornbread

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups buttermilk at room temperature
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour see Notes
  • 1 ½ cups yellow cornmeal
  • ½ cup granulated sugar see Notes
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 cup water for the Instant Pot
  • honey optional, to serve
  • butter optional, to serve

Equipment

  • Instant Pot cake pan (or round baking pan that fits)

  • Cooking spray

  • Large bowl (2)

  • whisk

  • Aluminum foil

  • Instant Pot

  • Instant Pot trivet

  • Wire cooling rack

Instructions

  • Spray Instant Pot cake pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

  • In large bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter, until combined. Set aside.

    Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (5)

  • In other large bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Slowly pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients, whisking constantly to combine.

    Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (6)

  • Pour batter into greased cake pan. Cover pan with foil.

  • Pour water into Instant Pot. Place covered cake pan on Instant Pot trivet and lower trivet into Instant Pot.

    Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (7)

  • Secure lid with valve in Sealing position. Cook on Manual High Pressure for 50 minutes. When time is up, let pressure naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick release to let out remaining pressure.

  • Carefully remove trivet and cake pan from Instant Pot. Place cake pan on wire cooling rack and let cool uncovered 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove cornbread from cake pan. Serve with honey and butter, if desired.

    Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (8)

Notes

  • Make it Added-Sugar Free: Use granular Swerve or monk fruit.
  • Make it Gluten Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour.
  • Instant Pot: This recipe was tested and perfected using a 6-quart Instant Pot. If using a smaller or larger pressure cooker, you may need to make adjustments to the recipe or cook time. A smaller pressure cooker will mean less batter; less batter will need a shorter cook time.

Recipe yields approximately 8 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including honey or butter for serving. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by 8. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1piece of cornbread | Calories: 317kcal | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Total Carbs: 49g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 15g | Net Carbs: 46g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 370mg | Potassium: 193mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 2mg

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed,notincluding any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (9)

Free Recipe eBook

15 Delicious Recipes Made with 10 Ingredients or Less

Eating delicious, healthy food doesn’t have to be complicated.

Get Your Copy

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (10)Vinnie says

    Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (11)
    hi Cheryl, made this yesterday and it was quite dense, my only add on was some thawed corn kernels (about half cup) however it didn’t crumble when cut and was very tasty so I would call “Success”

    Reply

    • Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (12)Megan | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      So happy you enjoyed the cornbread, Vinnie! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply

  2. Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (13)Vinnie says

    What size of pot in pot can I use or will a springform 7×3 inch pan be sufficient?

    Reply

    • Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (14)Megan | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      It just depends on the size of your Instant Pot!

      Reply

Moist & Buttery Instant Pot Cornbread - Easy Healthy Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do I make sure my cornbread is 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 does adding an extra egg to cornbread do? ›

The extra egg which is increased protein and binder makes the cornbread denser and heavier in texture. Can I add flour to Jiffy cornbread to make more batter? When making jiffy mix cornbread, what if I don't have milk? Are there any rules to making the best cornbread?

Is butter better than oil for cornbread? ›

While oil can make cakes and quick breads luxuriously tender, I find the cornbread lacks flavor if butter isn't present. Because butter doesn't make the bread as moist as oil does, I pair it with buttermilk. Buttermilk: Buttermilk makes cakes, muffins, and breads extra moist.

Is cornbread good for your heart? ›

Cornbread helps to decrease cholesterol levels and maintain heart health, but you need to consume it in moderation. It includes corn meal, which makes a smart choice for diabetes to control their sugar levels.

What ingredients keep cornbread from being dry? ›

Add in some Flour

If you use straight cornmeal, it will tend to be dryer. Adding in flour will help to keep the cornbread moist. I like to use a 50/50 ratio of cornmeal to flour in my recipe. I feel this gives a moist and fluffier texture.

Is cornbread better with milk or water? ›

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.

How to jazz up cornbread? ›

Heat and spices

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 do you doctor up boxed cornbread mix? ›

Ways To Upgrade Cornbread Mix

To personalize the cornbread, the box also features this tip: Mix in 1 cup shredded Cheddar, 1 (4-ounce) drained can chopped green chiles, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne before baking for a zesty spin.

What happens if you add an extra egg to muffin mix? ›

If there isn't enough egg, your batter or dough may not be able to hold its structure or could end up overly dry or dense. On the other hand, if there is too much egg, your baked goods could lose their shape due to excess liquid, or have a rubbery (or even overly cakey) texture depending on the recipe.

What is the healthiest oil or butter to cook with? ›

Both of these fats have health risks. Some guidelines for healthier cooking: Use olive or canola oil instead of butter or margarine. Choose soft margarine (tub or liquid) over harder stick forms.

What is the healthiest oil for butter? ›

Plant-based butter made with avocado or olive oil is a healthier choice, but be aware that many companies promote “made with olive oil” spreads that contain a little bit of olive oil and mostly canola, vegetable or safflower oil.

What is a substitute for butter in cornbread? ›

WHAT ARE BUTTER ALTERNATIVES FOR BAKING?
  1. MARGARINE. Margarine is a fat that is made mostly from vegetable oil that's flavored to taste like butter. ...
  2. SHORTENING. Shortening is 100% fat, made from hydrogenated vegetable oils. ...
  3. OLIVE OIL & VEGETABLE OIL. ...
  4. COCONUT OIL. ...
  5. PUMPKIN PURÉE. ...
  6. APPLESAUCE. ...
  7. GREEK YOGURT. ...
  8. BANANAS.

Can you eat Cornbread if you have high blood pressure? ›

Finally, keep in mind that some types of cornbread — including processed or store-bought varieties — may be high in sodium. Consuming high amounts of sodium may increase blood pressure, especially among people who are more sensitive to the effects of salt ( 22 ).

Can I eat Cornbread everyday? ›

You can include several varieties of cornbread in your everyday meals. Cornbread has similar nutritional value and benefits as cornmeal. Thus, you can include cornbread in your daily diet. However, it can cause allergy-related sickness or high blood pressure if your digestive system does not allow consuming cornbread.

Can a diabetic have Cornbread? ›

Cornbread is delicious and a great accompaniment to any meal. However, it is not a good idea if you are a diabetic. The high starch and cornmeal contents are carbohydrates which are broken down into sugar in the body. Sugar is extremely dangerous for people with diabetes, so it is best to avoid it.

Why is my homemade cornbread so dry? ›

You baked it longer than required and/or your Oven temperature is off. If, inspite of precautions, if the end result is dry, try any of the following suggestions. - adding an additional egg along with a tablespoon of honey. - replacing some of the liquid ingredients with creamed corn.

Is cornbread batter supposed to be thick or runny? ›

The batter should be thick, but still pourable. Add more milk or buttermilk if necessary. Remove the skillet from the oven and tilt the pan so the butter coats the bottom and sides of pan.

How long does cornbread take to dry out? ›

You can achieve the perfect crunch by letting crumbled cornbread go stale on the counter in open, zip-top bags, but you'll need at least 24 hours. If you don't have time to spare, toasting cornbread in the oven can create the ideal texture too.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jamar Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 6329

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jamar Nader

Birthday: 1995-02-28

Address: Apt. 536 6162 Reichel Greens, Port Zackaryside, CT 22682-9804

Phone: +9958384818317

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Scrapbooking, Hiking, Hunting, Kite flying, Blacksmithing, Video gaming, Foraging

Introduction: My name is Jamar Nader, I am a fine, shiny, colorful, bright, nice, perfect, curious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.