Golden Southern Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers Recipe

Fluffy Southern Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers Recipe

Golden southern honey butter cornbread poppers bring a delightful twist to traditional cornbread that’ll make your taste buds dance with joy.

These bite-sized delights pack incredible flavor into every crispy morsel.

Southern kitchens know the secret to creating irresistible comfort food that warms the heart.

Honey and butter blend seamlessly, creating a rich, sweet undertone that elevates these little morsels from ordinary to extraordinary.

Each popper promises a perfect balance of crisp exterior and tender, moist interior.

You’ll love how easily these come together, transforming simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing appetizer or side dish.

These golden poppers are sure to become a new favorite at your next gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Calories: 172 kcal

Servings: 13

Stuff You’ll Need For Southern Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

For Dry Ingredients:
  • Cornmeal: Gives authentic southern texture and rustic corn flavor with golden color and hearty base for the poppers.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the ingredients together smoothly.
  • Baking Powder: Creates light, airy texture and helps poppers rise beautifully.
  • Baking Soda: Assists in browning and provides additional lift to the cornbread.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances sweetness.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and helps create tender, moist texture.
  • Honey: Brings natural sweetness and depth with subtle floral undertones.
  • Buttermilk: Provides tangy flavor and helps create soft, tender crumb.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and contributes to rich, smooth consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle warmth and complexity to the overall flavor.
For Finishing:
  • Nonstick Spray or Butter: Ensures poppers release easily from mini muffin tin and prevents sticking.

Tools That Work For Southern Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

  • Mini Muffin Tin: Essential for creating bite-sized, perfectly shaped cornbread poppers.
  • Whisk: Great for smoothly mixing dry and wet ingredients without lumps.
  • Two Mixing Bowls: One for dry ingredients, another for wet ingredients to keep everything organized.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure consistent, delicious results.
  • Toothpick: Helps check doneness by testing if cornbread is fully baked.
  • Nonstick Spray or Pastry Brush: Ensures easy removal of poppers and prevents sticking.

Steps To Make Southern Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

  • Fire Up the Oven

Blast the oven to a toasty 375F and grab your mini muffin tin. Give it a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.

  • Mix the Magic

Toss dry ingredients into one bowl and whisk them together with a playful swirl. In another bowl, blend melted butter, honey, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla until smooth and silky.

  • Create the Batter

Pour wet ingredients into dry and gently fold everything together. Don’t overmix – just blend until everything looks friendly and combined.

  • Fill and Bake

Scoop batter into mini muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Slide the tin into the hot oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. They’re done when they turn a gorgeous golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

  • Cool and Enjoy

Let the poppers rest for a few minutes, then pop them out. These little bites of heaven are ready to melt in your mouth and make everyone smile.

Tasty Tips For Southern Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

  • Honey Drizzle Magic: After baking, generously drizzle warm honey over the cornbread poppers for an extra burst of sweetness that takes these bite-sized treats to the next level.
  • Make-Ahead Maestro: Prepare the batter in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking, perfect for quick breakfast or last-minute gatherings.
  • Gluten-Free Twist: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these poppers friendly for those with gluten sensitivities without compromising on taste or texture.
  • Flavor Boost Variations: Experiment by adding mix-ins like crispy bacon bits, chopped jalapeños, or sweet corn kernels to create unique flavor profiles that'll surprise and delight your taste buds.
  • Dairy-Free Hack: Replace buttermilk with almond milk or coconut milk, and use dairy-free butter alternatives to make these cornbread poppers suitable for dairy-free diets while maintaining their delicious, tender crumb.

Best Ways To Serve Southern Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

  • Sweet Southern Sidekick: Pair these golden cornbread poppers with classic BBQ pulled pork or smoky brisket for a delightful meal complement that brings southern comfort to your plate.
  • Honey Butter Drizzle Delight: After baking, brush warm poppers with extra honey butter and sprinkle with a touch of flaky sea salt to enhance their rich, sweet flavor profile and create an irresistible glaze.
  • Brunch Brilliance: Serve these mini cornbreads alongside scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and fresh fruit for a crowd-pleasing breakfast spread that offers both sweet and savory elements.
  • Dessert Transformation: Turn these poppers into a quick dessert by topping with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a light drizzle of warm caramel sauce for an unexpected sweet treat.

Storage Help For Southern Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

  • Snack Smart Strategy: Store poppers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping them fresh and delicious.
  • Freezer Friend Method: Wrap individual poppers in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the oven.
  • Flavor Boost Technique: Brush poppers with extra honey butter just before serving to revive their moisture and enhance taste after storage.
  • Portion Control Hack: Separate poppers into single-serving portions using parchment paper between layers, making grab-and-go snacking easy and convenient.
Print
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Golden Southern Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers Recipe

Golden Southern Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers Recipe


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4.5 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Delightful southern honey butter cornbread poppers showcase classic Southern comfort with a crispy exterior and sweet interior. Small bite-sized morsels offer you a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors that complement any meal.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsps (28 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tbsps honey

Instructions

  1. Preheat Preparation: Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease a mini muffin tin with cooking spray or butter to ensure easy release.
  2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Blend cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient base with evenly distributed leavening components.
  3. Liquid Component Integration: Whisk melted butter, honey, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until the mixture achieves a smooth, cohesive consistency.
  4. Batter Formation: Delicately incorporate wet ingredients into dry components, using minimal stirring to preserve the batter’s airy texture and prevent potential toughness.
  5. Muffin Tin Filling: Carefully portion the batter into prepared muffin cavities, filling each about three-quarters full to accommodate rising during the baking process.
  6. Baking and Monitoring: Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake for 11-13 minutes, watching for a golden-brown exterior and confirming doneness with a clean toothpick test.
  7. Cooling and Serving: Briefly rest the cornbread poppers in the tin before transferring to a wire rack, allowing them to maintain their delicate, tender structure and optimal flavor.

Notes

  • Prevent Overmixing: Mix ingredients just until combined to keep the cornbread poppers light and fluffy, avoiding tough, dense textures that can occur from excessive stirring.
  • Precise Measurement Matters: Use exact measuring cups for dry and wet ingredients to ensure the perfect balance of moisture and consistency in your cornbread poppers.
  • Temperature Control: Let ingredients like buttermilk and egg come to room temperature before mixing to help them blend more smoothly and create a more uniform batter.
  • Serving Flexibility: These poppers work great as a make-ahead snack – store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer preservation, reheating briefly before serving to restore their original softness.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 172
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 136 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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