Moist and Fluffy Cornbread is everything you’ve ever wanted in a cornbread recipe! Simple and delicious, this cornbread is made with only a few pantry staple ingredients. Serve it with a smear of butter for an easy side dish!

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I love all things bread.
Quick breads. Hearty wheat breads. Soft and crusty Italian bread warm from the oven.
Plain white bread aside, I’m not too picky on variety. Take cornbread for example. Cornbread is delightful with a crisp exterior, made in a cast iron skillet with lots of shortening. Its also delicious moist and fluffy made simply in a baking pan.
No lie, I lit my kitchen on fire once heating shortening for cornbread. I froze in fear, watching it burn for a while before remembering there was instructions for putting out such a fire on the shortening can (inconveniently located directly next to the flames).
I might stick with this moist and fluffy (no shortening needed) version. For everyone’s safety.
This moist cornbread recipe bakes up tall and delicious, making it the perfect side dish for a weeknight meal or Thanksgiving dinner.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Yellow cornmeal
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Vegetable oil
- Egg
- Cheddar cheese, optional
How to make moist and fluffy cornbread
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Grease an 8 or 9 inch square baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add milk, oil, and egg and stir until just moistened.
- Fold in cheese, if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Top tips
What to to serve with moist and fluffy cornbread
I love my cornbread served warm with a pat of butter and a drizzle of honey. I also love smearing on my favorite fruit jam.
This moist cornbread recipe makes a great accompaniment for barbecue tofu or a hearty vegetarian chili.
How to store moist cornbread
Store cornbread in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days.
Leftover cornbread can also be stored in the refrigerator for about a week. To reheat, simply place a slice in the microwave for 15-30 seconds.
Tips for customizing fluffy cornbread:
- Add half a 4 ounce can of mild diced green chiles to the batter for a spicy version
- Double the recipe and bake in a 9×13 pan for the full 30 minutes
- Use leftover cornbread to make cornbread stuffing or cornbread croutons
- Add ½ cup of thawed frozen corn to the batter
- Serve with cinnamon honey butter or apple butter for a sweet treat
- Make cornbread muffins by pouring the batter into a greased muffin tin
FAQ
Cornmeal comes in both white and yellow. I like using medium-ground yellow cornmeal for a beautiful, traditional golden color and texture.
Yes! Simply use a 1:1 gluten free flour swap to make this gluten free.

More side dish recipes
- Vegetarian Cornbread Stuffing
- Vegetarian Stuffing
- Lentil Meatloaf Muffins
- Cheesy Cranberry Stuffed Rolls
- Cheesy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Mashed Potato Bake with Red Wine Balsamic Reduction
- Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic
- Spaghetti Squash Casserole
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe

Moist and Fluffy Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup yellow cornmeal
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg, beaten
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Grease an 8 or 9 inch square baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add milk, oil, and egg and stir until just moistened.
- Fold in cheese.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Mary(MALIA)A. Bode says
Could you please email the correct measurements for this recipe for a 9×13 pan
I tried one time it was horrible🤦🏻♀️didn’t come out.., Thank you🌻
Rikki says
Great flavor but mine came out more like biscuits than cornbread.
Steve says
Cornbread is flat and dense