If there’s one thing I can never resist, it’s a warm piece of homemade cornbread—especially when it’s slathered in sweet honey butter. But why settle for a regular slice when you can have bite-sized cornbread poppers that are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and dripping with honey butter goodness?
These Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers are everything you love about classic cornbread in a fun, poppable form. Whether you serve them as a side dish, an appetizer, or just a snack, they’ll be the first thing to disappear from the table. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love These Cornbread Poppers
- Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside – Thanks to the perfect balance of cornmeal and flour, they bake up with the ideal texture.
- Sweet and buttery – A drizzle of honey butter glaze takes them over the top.
- Perfect for any occasion – Serve them as a side with chili, BBQ, or fried chicken, or enjoy them as a snack.
- Easy to make – No special equipment needed—just a mini muffin tin or cake pop pan!
Ingredients You’ll Need
(Makes about 24 mini poppers | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 12 mins)
For the Cornbread Poppers:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 eggs
For the Honey Butter Glaze:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp honey
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a mini muffin tin or cake pop pan with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until evenly combined.
3. Combine the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, buttermilk, honey, and eggs until smooth.
4. Make the Batter
Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing—this keeps the poppers light and fluffy.
5. Fill the Muffin Tin
Using a small spoon or cookie scoop, fill each mini muffin cup about ¾ full. The batter will rise slightly, so don’t overfill.
6. Bake Until Golden
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them sit in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
7. Brush with Honey Butter Glaze
While the poppers are still warm, brush them generously with the honey butter glaze for that signature sweet, buttery finish.
8. Serve & Enjoy!
These poppers are best enjoyed warm with extra honey butter for dipping. They pair perfectly with chili, BBQ, or even a cup of coffee!
Best Ways to Serve Cornbread Poppers
These honey butter cornbread poppers are incredibly versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy them:
- As a side dish – Perfect alongside chili, soups, BBQ, or fried chicken.
- With breakfast – Serve with scrambled eggs and crispy bacon.
- As a snack or appetizer – Put them on a platter with whipped honey butter or cinnamon butter for dipping.
- For dessert – Drizzle with warm honey or maple syrup and serve with ice cream!
My Tips for Perfect Cornbread Poppers
- Use buttermilk for the best texture – It makes the poppers extra tender. If you don’t have buttermilk, mix ¾ cup milk with 1 tsp vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Don’t overmix the batter – Stir just until combined to avoid dense poppers.
- Brush with honey butter while warm – This helps the glaze soak in and keeps them extra moist.
- Try a cake pop pan for perfectly round poppers – They’ll come out looking just like hush puppies!
Variations & Add-Ins
Want to switch things up? Try these tasty variations:
- Spicy Kick – Add ½ tsp cayenne pepper or finely diced jalapeños to the batter.
- Cheesy Cornbread Poppers – Stir in ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese before baking.
- Savory Herb Poppers – Add 1 tsp chopped rosemary or thyme for an herby twist.
- Bacon Lover’s Edition – Fold in ¼ cup crispy bacon bits for extra flavor.
FAQs (From My Kitchen to Yours)
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Q: Can I freeze cornbread poppers?
A: Yes! Let them cool completely, then freeze in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 10 minutes.
Q: Can I make these without a mini muffin tin?
A: If you don’t have a mini muffin tin, you can use a regular muffin tin (bake for 15-18 minutes) or even bake the batter in a small baking dish and cut into bite-sized pieces.
Q: What if I don’t have buttermilk?
A: No problem! Simply mix ¾ cup milk with 1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice, let it sit for 5 minutes, and use it as a substitute.
Why You’ll Love These Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers
These bite-sized cornbread poppers are pure Southern comfort in a tiny package. The crispy edges, fluffy centers, and rich honey butter glaze make them completely addictive. Whether you’re serving them as a side dish, appetizer, or snack, they’re guaranteed to be a hit.
Give them a try and let me know how they turn out! And if you put your own spin on them—maybe adding cheese, jalapeños, or even bacon—I’d love to hear about it. Happy baking!
Bite-Sized Cornbread Poppers with Honey Butter Glaze – A Southern Classic Reimagined
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1 tsp chopped rosemary or thyme
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup honey (for glaze)
- 1/4 cup butter (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a mini muffin tin.
- In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and honey.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Fold in the vinegar and herbs (if using).
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- While the poppers are baking, prepare the honey butter glaze by mixing melted butter and honey in a small bowl.
- Once the poppers are done, remove them from the oven and brush with the honey butter glaze immediately.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
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