No-Fuss Vegan Cornbread Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Bake

by: Gena Hamshaw

July26,2021

5

15 Ratings

  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 35 minutes
  • Makes 8 to 10 pieces

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Author Notes

This is my Goldilocks cornbread. It’s a little sweet, but not too sweet; a little salty, but not overly so. I use fine cornmeal or corn flour in the recipe, which creates a texture that isn’t too rich or dense, but isn’t quite cake-y either. Everything about this cornbread is a delightful compromise.

I love to keep a batch of cornbread around at this time of year, especially for dipping into soups and stews or to serve with a warm tofu breakfast scramble. The cornbread keeps nicely for two or three days, and you can reheat the leftovers in the oven (or microwave) for a quick and comforting afternoon snack. If you do serve it on its own, try topping it with a dollop of coconut oil. —Gena Hamshaw

Test Kitchen Notes

If you're looking for a vegan cornbread that's moist and delicious and doesn't fall apart on you, this recipe is it. No need for the boxed stuff or any other vegan version, you'll love this cornbread, trust us. You definitely won't miss the eggs. And it couldn't be easier to make, since all you have to do is add the wet ingredients to the dry ones, then pour the batter into an 8x8-inch baking dish, bake for about 35 minutes, and you're all set to go. You'll get tons of flavor from the apple cider vinegar, soy milk, and cornmeal, while the organic sugar provides the perfect balance of sweetness.

Also, try some of these tweaks that the some of our awesome commenters suggested below: You could throw in some frozen corn kernels, add a can of green chiles, try almond milk instead of soy milk, or use vegan butter instead of the canola oil. Whatever you decide, we definitely recommend serving vegan butter alongside the cornbread whenever it's ready, slathering it on while it's still warm. If you are worried about the baking soda taste after reading some of the reviews, no worries, we adjusted the recipe so you add more baking powder than baking soda. And if you have any cornbread left over, you should check out this article on 16 ways to use it up, other than stuffing. From breadcrumbs to croutons and thickening soups, you'll be amazed by all the ways you can utilize this recipe. —The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Watch This Recipe

No-Fuss VeganCornbread

Ingredients
  • 2 cupssoy milk
  • 2 teaspoonsapple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 cupsfinely ground white or yellow cornmeal or corn flour
  • 1 cupall-purpose flour
  • 6 tablespoonsorganic sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoonsbaking powder
  • 1 teaspoonkosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoonbaking soda
  • 1/3 cupcanola oil
Directions
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, vigorously whisk the milk and vinegar.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
  3. Stir the oil into the milk mixture. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix to combine.
  4. Pour the batter into an 8x8-inch square baking dish. Bake for 35 minutes, until the top of the cornbread is firm and the edges are turning golden. Let the bread cool before cutting it into squares and serving.

Tags:

  • Bread
  • Cornbread
  • American
  • Vinegar
  • Milk/Cream
  • Cornmeal
  • Grains
  • Soy
  • Make Ahead
  • Serves a Crowd
  • Bake
  • Summer

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Aparna Kallakuri

  • helicopterina

  • lizund

  • Ashley Perault

  • Elizabeth Ryan

Popular on Food52

92 Reviews

EasyEasy4me January 11, 2023

A national egg shortage has left us w/o eggs so I found your recipe to help me produce a keto version (sub Almond Flour, Almond Meal and GF All purpose). Used Almond milk instead of soy. It was delicious but a little too moist. Should I reduce the liquid, or add more flours? Loved the taste and will definitely make it again, searching for the fix to the wetness.

MayatheMouse November 20, 2022

I've made this recipe countless of times and it is absolutely delicious! However this year I'm planning on turning them into muffins and am not sure how long to bake them for. Anyone have suggestions on a bake time for muffins? Thank you!

avocadoalice October 21, 2021

Tried this last night and used an all purpose GF flour in place of the regular flour. Worked out great! Thank you!

Aparna K. September 10, 2020

Made this for breakfast with a few tweaks - I used regular milk in place of soy milk and sunflower oil in place of canola, 1 1/2 tsp salt and 3 tbsp honey instead of 6 tbsp sugar. I also used white vinegar instead of ACV, and added a few crushed red pepper flakes to the batter. I did not get the soapy soda taste as many have mentioned, but it did seem a bit bland for us - I may add some crushed black pepper with the crushed chillies. On the whole it was YUM and a hit. 6 yo ate his without any issues :-)

helicopterina June 14, 2020

Terrific recipe!! Thank you, thank you. My version used 4 T. of sugar, plus I threw in about a cup of frozen corn kernels. Am going to make this over and over, for sure. It went great with a big old pot of extra spicy 3-bean chili and a crunchy salad.

Caitlin January 12, 2020

The most beautiful cornbread I’ve ever seen. I added a can of well drained green chiles to the wet ingredients, and topped the cornbread with pats of vegan butter as soon as I pulled it out of the oven.

Alexandra G. October 10, 2020

Green chilies?! That's genius. Thanks for the idea!

lizund November 29, 2019

Made this easy recipe for Thanksgiving as there was one vegan as a guest. I wish I had made more than one, everyone loved it! I also subbed almond milk because I had it on hand and cut back on the sugar. I will be making this often.

Ashley P. November 4, 2019

So good! I subbed almond milk bc it was all I had in hand but this is a perfect cornbread 🌾

Elizabeth R. November 3, 2019

Late to the part on this one but a great recipe. I've been searching for a good vegan cornbread that doesn't fall apart.
I added the baking soda, baking powder and salt as listed in the recipe and didn't have any problems with "off" flavors as other described. I *did* need to add another 4+ tbsp of flour to get it to the right consistency.
Baked up as muffins and got 12 full to the brim. They rose nicely while baking and had a good crumb.

ardendouglas July 27, 2019

This was a real success for me, but that could be because I made a couple of tweaks based on the comments. They were:
-Added an extra teaspoon of vinegar to counter the baking soda/powder flavor folks were getting. No off flavor detected!
-Reduced sugar to 4 tbsp. This was perfectly sweet for me and I think could be reduced further if you're not inclined to sweet cornbread.
-Used 1.5c soy milk and .5 cup Oatly for a li'l extra creaminess.
-Used melted Earth Balance vegan butter instead of canola oil.
-Folded in a cup of fresh corn after the batter was mostly incorporated.

Ellen May 5, 2019

Followed the recipe and it came out great! Will be making again.

Melissa M. January 2, 2019

Better than regular corn bread!! Very moist and delicious!!

eli October 20, 2018

I literally made an account on here *just* for the purpose of commenting this. I’ve been baking for as long as I’ve existed, I’ve made all sorts of things. and the one time i try corn making bread, the one damn time I confuse 1 1/2 cups with 11.5 cups . I PUT ELEVEN CUPS OF CORNMEAL IN MY RECIPE. WHAT DO I EVEN DO ????? I tried adding more of each ingredient but i’m not even good at math i don’t know how much to put. I just added whatever until it had some kind of dough-y consistency. my whole kitchen has become one whole cornbread. I don’t even know what it’s gonna taste like. There’s so much, everywhere,,,,, help.

eli October 20, 2018

making corn bread* damn

Mala S. July 8, 2020

Omg! Your story made my day. Baking and math and I have a complicated relationship so this was hilarious to me. What happened??

eli October 21, 2021

i forget i have an account on here haahah
they turned out super dry, and there was a LOT of cornbread, had to eat it with vegan nutella (it was surprisingly nice!) and tried to share as much of it with my flatmate and my partner! I’ve since learnt my lesson and now know how to actually make nice corn bread without using 11 cups of cornmeal :D

Amy L. September 30, 2018

This is my favorite cornbread recipe!

Cj S. April 29, 2018

I subbed 2 tsp of lemon juice, for the vinegar because I hate vinegar. I wanted to do an experiment. I had some old sweet rolls that look like burger buns, that were crumbling so they couldn't be used, so I buzzed the buns up into really fine bread crumbs and substituted them for the 1 cup of flour. I also used a quarter cup of Muscadine jelly as the sugar. I also subbed 1.5 tsp of baking powder & 1/2 tsp of baking SODA. The batter was still runny, so I added in the cup of flour it called for. I put the batter in a mini muffin tin and silicone molds for large candies. They came out perfect! I had to use up some corn meal I had, which was about 2/3rds of a cup. The rest, was corn flour. I'll never buy corn meal again. I used organic corn meal & corn flour, so they weren't made of GMO corn. They were nicely domed, and just slightly sweet. The added cup of bread crumbs, didn't affect them any. So, if you have runny batter and old bread, you can use it up by turning it into bread crumbs and incorporating it into baked goods. I never waste anything, if I can help it. The Muscadine jelly, I got for nothing when a local food store closed. The jelly is way too sweet to eat as is, so I use it as sugar, which it is mostly made of anyway. So, the recipe is very forgiving, and a keeper.

Cj S. April 29, 2018

Oh, and I never use salt in my baking.

Cj S. April 29, 2018

I used Original flavor oat "milk" beverage instead of soy. Unless the soy is verified by the non GMO Project, or organic, it's probably GMO. 90% of corn, soy & canola in the US, is GMO. I used Sunflower oil, instead of Canola oil.

Cj S. April 29, 2018

I cooked it on 350 for 15 minutes. I always cook on a lesser temperature than is called for, so that I can control the donness better and prevent burning if I get side tracked.

Liz March 15, 2018

Please don’t make this. Just bad. So salty too. Had to toss the whole thing :(

Asher S. May 17, 2018

With six cups of ingreints and only one teaspoon of salt...it was your mistake if they were salty. Measure it next time.

Aparna K. September 9, 2020

wow. I followed the recipe with a very few tweaks and 1 tsp of salt was too little. I actually added 1 1/2 tsp else it was super bland.

Amy M. January 16, 2018

I absolutely love this cornbread! I use masa instead of cornmeal and unsweetened vanilla almond milk instead of soy. I have zero taste of baking soda like other people have said. It’s fluffy (not crumbly) and delicious! Eating it cold straight from the fridge the next day is like a sweet treat! Really love this recipe and so does my family.

Kate V. November 2, 2017

Love this. My batter was too wet, so a bit more flour helped. I subbed in regular milk and brown sugar. A really quick and easy cornbread!

Maketal W. October 26, 2017

Don't make this. It taste bad strongly like baking soda. Change the ingredients so it taste good or delete this recipe. I made it hopeing it would taste good but it doesn't. I'm a poor vegan and will probably unpleasantly eat it cuz I cant afford not to.

Grace October 1, 2017

Best cornbread I’ve made without a mix! It also warms up well a few days after being made, I warm the leftovers in the oven. Also I made no changes to the recipe, it came out perfectly!

No-Fuss Vegan Cornbread Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What can I substitute for egg in cornbread? ›

Now, check these substitutes and observe how they work for your next best dish.
  • Ground flax seeds. Flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and are a good substitute for eggs in cornbread. ...
  • Silken Tofu. Silken tofu is best used in its purest form. ...
  • Vegan mayo. ...
  • Greek yogurt. ...
  • Sour cream. ...
  • Carbonated water. ...
  • Aquafaba. ...
  • Winter squash.
Nov 29, 2022

Which cornbread mix is vegan? ›

The Cotton Creations Vegan Honey Pecan Cornbread mix has the perfect balance of sweet and buttery. It's so moist you won't know if you're eating cornbread or cake. The mix includes a package of candied pecans and vegan honey (inside the bag of mix).

What is a non dairy milk substitute for cornbread? ›

Among other milk alternatives like almond milk, soy milk and oat milk, soy milk is by far the best for baking. I learned this over the course of several years and many cookies, cakes, muffins and pies.

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 is a substitute ingredient for 1 egg? ›

Substitutes like vinegar and baking soda, plain yogurt or buttermilk can help keep cake light, airy and structurally sound. Replace each egg with 1 teaspoon of baking soda combined with 1 tablespoon of vinegar, ¼ cup of plain yogurt or ¼ cup of buttermilk.

Can I use oil instead of eggs? ›

For recipes which use eggs primarily as a leavening agent you can try a commercial egg replacement product (see above) or the following mixture: 1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil mixed with 1-1/2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon baking powder per egg.

Why is Jiffy not vegan? ›

Jiffy cornbread mix is not vegan because it contains lard, a clarified fat derived from the belly of a pig.

Which cornmeal is vegan? ›

Organic Yellow Cornmeal 5lb by Doudlah Farms - Farmed From Regenerative Soil | Vegan, Non-GMO, Grown In USA | For Baking Cornbread, Muffins, Pancakes, and More!

Does vegetarian jiffy taste the same? ›

The flavor and texture of our new Vegetarian Muffin Mix remains true to America's Favorite “JIFFY” Corn Muffins.

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

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.

Can you use something other than milk in cornbread? ›

As shocking as it may seem, mayonnaise is a perfect substitute for milk when making cornbread for the lactose intolerant. You won't really notice the difference in taste in the cornbread; it's mainly for holding your cornbread together so it doesn't crumble apart.

Can I use sour cream instead of milk? ›

Sour cream or full fat yogurt can be substituted 1:1 for whole milk. Use this substitute in baking quick breads or for adding creaminess to pan sauces. Sour cream works especially well in recipes calling for buttermilk, too and vanilla-flavored yogurt can be used for sweet quick breads and cakes.

Should you let cornbread batter rest? ›

1Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). We recommend allowing cornbread batter to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before baking, so if you prefer, you can delay heating the oven until you make the batter. 2Melt the butter, and then set aside to cool slightly.

How to make cornbread less crumbly jiffy? ›

  1. 1Put in an extra egg yolk. ...
  2. 2Cut back on fat or grease by one third. ...
  3. 3Replace white sugar with a moist sweetener. ...
  4. 4Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) more butter or oil. ...
  5. 5Replace milk or water with creamed corn. ...
  6. 6Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of sour cream.
Oct 29, 2021

Why is my homemade cornbread so dry? ›

Cornbread is known for being dry, and that's because it's not properly hydrated. This can lead to unpleasant. hard bits that get stuck in your teeth, making the final product taste even drier. Start by soaking your cornmeal and buttermilk overnight. or up to 24 hours.

What can I substitute if I don't have an egg? ›

Some alternatives to eggs in baking include applesauce, mashed banana, yogurt or silken tofu, flaxseed or chia seed "eggs," and commercial egg replacers.

Can I use mayonnaise instead of eggs? ›

Mayonnaise. Eggs are a key ingredient in mayonnaise, so it makes sense that it can be a perfect substitute when you're out of eggs. Use 3 tablespoons of mayo as an egg substitute.

Can I use mayo instead of eggs in cornbread? ›

Can you use mayonnaise instead of eggs in cornbread? Jiffy cornbread with mayo and no eggs is super simple. Mayonnaise would go in at about three tablespoons to work just as well as an egg, but you may need a pinch of extra baking powder for extra lift in your cornbread.

How much applesauce equals one egg? ›

Applesauce. Use applesauce to add moisture. Replace one egg with 1/4 cup of applesauce in sweet desserts. If you want a lighter texture, add an extra 1/2 teaspoonful of baking powder, as fruit purées tend to make the final product denser than the original recipe.

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