Bite-Sized Cornbread Muffins with a Sticky Honey Butter Glaze
Sweet, buttery, and irresistibly moist, these mini cornbread poppers are the perfect Southern-inspired snack or side dish! Baked until golden and brushed with a luscious honey butter glaze, they’re ideal for:
🍽 BBQs & cookouts
🥗 Soup & chili pairings
🎉 Party appetizers
🌽 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Quick & easy – Ready in under 30 minutes!
✅ Perfectly portioned – No slicing needed
✅ Sweet-savory balance – Not too sugary, not too plain
✅ Crowd-pleasing – Kids and adults adore them
📝 Ingredients
(Makes ~24 mini poppers)
For the Cornbread Poppers:
- 1 cup (120g) cornmeal
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk (or DIY: 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice, sit 5 mins)
- ¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 1 large egg
For the Honey Butter Glaze:
- ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- ¼ tsp salt (enhances flavor!)
(Optional: Sprinkle with flaky salt after glazing for gourmet flair!)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prep & Mix Batter
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin or use silicone molds.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, oil, and egg.
- Combine: Pour wet into dry, stir just until combined (don’t overmix—small lumps are fine!).
2️⃣ Bake to Golden Perfection
- Fill muffin cups ¾ full with batter.
- Bake 10–12 mins until edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
3️⃣ Glaze & Serve
- Make glaze: Whisk melted butter, honey, and salt.
- Brush warm poppers generously with glaze.
- Serve immediately for maximum deliciousness!
💡 Pro Tips
🔹 For crispier edges: Bake in a preheated cast-iron mini muffin pan.
🔹 Extra-moist poppers: Substitute ½ cup sour cream for ½ cup buttermilk.
🔹 Spice it up: Add ½ tsp chili powder to the dry ingredients for a kick!
❓ FAQs + Variations
1. Can I make these gluten-free?
✅ Yes! Use GF all-purpose flour and ensure cornmeal is certified GF.
2. How do I store leftovers?
🍞 Room temp: 1–2 days in an airtight container.
🔥 Reheat: 5 mins in a 350°F oven to revive crispness.
3. Can I use regular muffin tins?
➡️ Yes, but bake 15–18 mins and double the glaze.
4. No buttermilk?
🥛 Use plain yogurt thinned with milk (1:1 ratio).
5. Can I freeze them?
❄️ Freeze unglazed poppers for up to 1 month. Thaw, warm, then glaze.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
- With smoky BBQ ribs or pulled pork
- Dunked in chili or soup
- As a snack with whipped honey butter
⏳ Time & Nutrition
Prep: 10 mins | Bake: 12 mins | Total: 22 mins
Calories: ~85/popper | Servings: 24 mini poppers
🌟 Why These Are a Must-Try
“The honey butter glaze takes these from good to addictive! I make a double batch every time.” — Recipe tester
Perfect for: Potlucks • Holiday meals • Game day snacks
Warning: These disappear fast! 😉🍯
