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Southern Fried Cornbread

Southern Fried Cornbread
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Southern Fried Cornbread is a delightful Southern comfort food featuring a crispy, golden exterior and a tender, flavorful center. This recipe uses simple pantry staples and a straightforward frying method to create perfectly crispy, golden cornbread rounds that are delicious as a side dish, snack, or base for creative toppings.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon sugar

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg

For Frying

  • Butter or bacon fat (about 1/4 inch depth for frying)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and optional sugar. In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg until smooth. Gradually fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cornbread tender.
  2. Heat Your Fat: Choose your frying fat—traditional bacon fat or butter. Heat about 1/4 inch of the fat in a heavy skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. This is essential for developing a crispy crust.
  3. Shape the Cornbread: Using your hands or a spoon, form the batter into small, flattened rounds about 3/4 inch thick. This size ensures even cooking and a golden crust without drying out.
  4. Fry to Crispy Perfection: Carefully place the cornbread rounds into the hot fat, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until the outside is deep golden brown and crispy. Adjust heat as needed to avoid burning.
  5. Drain and Serve: Transfer fried cornbread to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess fat. Serve warm for optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Use fresh cornmeal for the best flavor and texture.
  • Maintain medium heat to ensure crispy edges without burning the interior.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan; frying in small batches keeps the oil temperature steady for even cooking.
  • Let the batter rest for 10 minutes before frying to allow ingredients to meld and improve texture.
  • Test a small piece of batter first to check the oil temperature and adjust as necessary.

Nutrition

Keywords: southern fried cornbread, crispy cornbread, fried cornbread recipe, southern comfort food, gluten free cornbread

Find it online: https://dishesbylina.com/southern-fried-cornbread/