Grilled Jalapeno Cornbread
Looking for a fun summer or fall side dish? Bake up a batch of cornbread…and then finish it on the grill! This Grilled Jalapeno Cornbread is a tasty way to put a twist on the classic!
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The jalapeno. It packs quite a punch for a pepper that’s only 2″ long. We love jalapenos around here. Jalapeno kettle chips are one of our latest obsessions – I swear there’s a hole in the bottom of that bag! We add diced jalapenos on the top of our homemade pizzas. (If you’ve never used jalapenos as a pizza topping, then try it next time – seriously amazing!) And when it’s 5:00, we’ve been known to mix up a jalapeno margarita or two.
But here’s the thing about jalapenos – they don’t have to be all that spicy. In truth, we almost always remove the seeds and the ribs from the jalapenos we use in the kitchen. (One noticeable exception is in the jalapeno margaritas where we do leave some of the seeds/ribs on the jalapenos.) Jalapenos have a great flavor separate from their spicy reputation. Take this Grilled Jalapeno Cornbread for instance. It uses 2 whole jalapenos – but with seeds and ribs removed. There is a mild spiciness to this cornbread, but it won’t send you racing to the kitchen for a glass of milk.
Jalapenos grow quite well here in upstate New York, and we often have 1-2 plants in our summer garden. Jalapenos also freeze really well, and we keep a big freezer bag full of jalapenos in our basement freezer. (In fact, last year we didn’t plant jalapenos in the garden as our freezer bag was bursting at the seams.)
Did you realize that jalapenos actually turn red if you leave them on the plant? Yup, as jalapenos ripen, they change from green to bright red. Does this affect the taste? Well sorta. Red jalapenos can still be quite spicy thanks to the seeds and ribs – in fact, they can be spicier than their green cousins as jalapenos develop more capsaicin the longer they spend on the plant. (Capsaicin is the chemical that gives peppers their heat.) However, red jalapenos will also be sweeter than green ones – similar to the way red bell peppers are sweeter than green bell peppers. Either way, you can control the heat by removing some (or all) of the ribs + seeds.
Grilled Jalapeno Cornbread
If you’ve been following this blog for a while, then you know I like to grill anything and everything. If it can be grilled, I’ll grill it! If it can be smoked, I’ll smoke it! From recipes like smoked peanuts to grilled guacamole, I’m always game to try something new on the grill. And that’s what led to this Grilled Jalapeno Cornbread.
In truth, this cornbread first appeared in our house at the beginning of last fall. We were just beginning soup season, and I had made a batch of cornbread. My grill also happened to be open (it’s almost always open unless it’s snowing outside), and the idea hit that I should toss the cornbread on the grill. Holy cow! This Grilled Jalapeno Cornbread has such an amazing flavor.
I’ve played around with this recipe and ended up making it in a smaller baking pan so that it rises higher while baking. That means the cornbread is nice and thick – perfect for slicing in half before sending it off to the grill! Speaking of the grill, you’ll need to spread softened butter on the cut-sides of the cornbread. Otherwise the cornbread could dry out and crumble on the grill. Plus, melted butter makes everything better, right?
Oh, and the honey! I’ve become a big fan of using honey in cornbread lately, and I decided to add a bit of honey to the softened butter. Once it hits the grill, that honey butter melts into the cornbread. Delicious! It also browns up quite nicely for presentation and flavor. If you’re looking for a fun summer or fall side dish, then fire up the grill and toss on the cornbread. It’s a tasty (and fun) recipe for sure. Happy grilling!
Did you make this Grilled Jalapeno Cornbread recipe at home? Leave a comment, or better yet snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog). I’d love to see your version!
Grilled Jalapeno Cornbread
Ingredients
For the Cornbread
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1¼ cups yellow cornmeal
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 jalapenos ribs and seeds removed, diced
For the Honey Butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1½ Tbsp honey
Instructions
For the Cornbread
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Line an 8” square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra overhang on the edges. Spray parchment with nonstick baking spray. Set pan aside.
- Using a large bowl, add flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda and salt; stir until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, add honey, eggs, buttermilk and sour cream; whisk until well combined.
- Pour wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients; stir until well combined.
- Add melted butter and diced jalapenos; stir until well combined.
- Transfer batter into prepared pan. Bake for 23-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cornbread comes out mostly clean.
- Place pan on a wire rack and let cornbread cool (in pan) for at least 15 minutes.
For the Honey Butter
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Meanwhile, stir butter and honey together until creamy. Set honey butter aside. (Note: If needed, feel free to microwave this mixture for 5-10 seconds.)
- Lift cornbread out of pan and cut into squares. Split each square horizontally to create 2 thinner squares.
- Spread honey butter on cut sides of cornbread.
- Grill cornbread cut-side down for 1-2 minutes, or until grill marks appear. (Note: If you don't have a grill, you can sear the cornbread squares in a hot cast iron skillet. It's not quite the same, but it's still delicious!)
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Looking for other fun jalapeno recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
Bacon and Jalapeno Stuffed Chicken Rollatini
Bacon Jalapeno Cheesy Breadsticks
Will be making this soon for the cornbread can i use vegan buttermilk / coconut cream and vegan butter and for the honey butter can i use vegan butter as am dairy free can i use my new air fryer or oven instead as i dont have a grill at home i never had jalapeno corn bread before perfect for my after office meals will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya
Hey Ramya! I do think you can use vegan ingredients here. I’ve never made corn bread in an air fryer, but I do think it would work out quite well – you might have to watch the cooking times a bit, though. I hope you get a chance to make this recipe – it’s quite tasty!!
This is indeed a fun twist on a classic! I love the jalapenos and finishing the bread on the grill! Oh and honey butter – yep, I’m all in!!!!
Finishing this cornbread on the grill makes a HUGE difference, Kathy. Of course, slathering it with honey butter does, too. Haha. I do hope you try this recipe sometime this summer – we love it!
Oh boy, I’m powerless against cornbread and grilled cornbread!? My mouth is watering! This needs to happen in my kitchen pronto!
I hear ya on cornbread, Marissa – I love a good wedge of cornbread. But then finish that cornbread on the grill…and slather it with melted honey butter? Put this recipe on the menu ASAP! Trust me here. 🙂
What fun! And they’re so pretty!!!
Thanks so much, Mimi! I love the grilled twist to this cornbread!
That’s a good looking pile of cornbread David. I love jalapeños as well and in cornbread always works for me.
Your honey butter reminded me of a product from my youth. I think it was call spun honey butter or something. It came in a tub and was in the dairy section. I loved it on toast and fried chicken.
Now grilling a pan of jalapeño cornbread and smearing on some honey butter sound perfect for a summer bbq.
Ah, I’ve actually come across spun honey before. It’s incredible! It’s similar to maple cream – which is equally (if not more) incredible. I’m telling you…grilling up cornbread is a must! This is perfect for a summer bbq or those fall days when you make chili but serve it with a wedge of cornbread.
LOL – yes those jalapeño kettle chip bags definitely have holes in them- im thinking manufacturing error?!
We LOVE jalapeños over here too- for the flavor and heat and you have put a fantastic spin on cornbread, my friend! I need to try this out soon- it would be fantastic with some veg chili!
I definitely think those jalapeno kettle chips have problems with the manufacturing – they really need to get that fixed. Haha!
In other news, definitely (!!) put this cornbread on the list, Shashi. I mean cornbread is delicious by itself, but then you brush it with honey butter AND add the grilled flavor. Holy cow. New favorite summer dish right here. 🙂
Ohhh I never tried anything like this.
I agree that this is a bit different, Raymund – but trust me. The grilled flavor on that cornbread is insanely delicious!
i love jalapenos and i love cornbread tho i tend to make it into muffins! this looks delish david!
Next time bake that cornbread in a brownie pan and then brush it with honey butter – and, yes, throw it on the grill for a few minutes. I promise it’ll blow your mind with the flavor!!