Name: Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix; 1 large Egg; ⅓ cup Milk; 2 tablespoons Butter (room temperature); 2 tablespoons Sugar; 1 whole Jalapeno (deseeded and diced); 1 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded)

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Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread is a quick, easy, and delicious way to spice up a box of Jiffy. Soft, moist, buttery cornbread is dotted with jalapeno peppers and cheddar cheese for a great side dish for family dinners, holidays, and more!

Want to try more tasty cornbread recipes? Try this Fluffy and Moist Sweet Potato Cornbread for a sweet cornbread option.

plated jalapeno cornbread with more in a baking dish in the background

Jalapeno cheddar cornbread is a simple way to jazz up Jiffy cornbread. It has rich, savory, and spicy notes due to the jalapeno and cheddar cheese. Slathering melted butter over freshly baked, golden brown cornbread makes it even more mouthwatering!

Why you will love Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread:

Quick & Easy! This jalapeno cornbread recipe takes just 20 minutes to make with simple ingredients. Combine your ingredients, bake until the edges are crisp and golden brown, and serve!

Great Recipe for Feasts! Whether it is Sunday supper or Thanksgiving dinner, jalapeno cornbread pairs well with a variety of foods so serve it at your next grand meal.

Tastes like Homemade Cornbread! I guarantee that no one will be able to tell these were not made from scratch because they have that homemade touch!

close up view of plated jalapeno cornbread

Ingredients for Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Recipe

To make jalapeño cheddar cornbread, you will need the following ingredients:

Jiffy cornbread mix: This is a shortcut to making easy jalapeno cheddar cornbread instead of grabbing cornmeal, all-purpose flour (or flour mixture), baking powder, and baking soda individually.
Egg: This acts as a binding ingredient and ensures the cornbread is light and not too dense.
Milk: This adds moisture. Regular milk works just fine here but you can use buttermilk for a richer, tangy taste.
Butter: Use room temperature butter so it is easier to mix with the other ingredients.
Sugar: This is by no means a sweet cornbread but sugar does help to balance the savory flavor and it complements the other ingredients. It enhances the overall taste.
Jalapeno: Deseeded and diced so they are not too big.
Cheddar cheese: Shred 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese.

How to Make Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a 7×5” baking dish or pie dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it to the side.

Use a large mixing bowl and add the cornbread mix, egg, milk, butter, and sugar. Mix everything together with a spoon or a whisk until the wet ingredients and dry ingredients are fully incorporated.

Then add diced jalapenos and shredded cheese into the cornbread batter. Use a spoon or spatula in order to fold it into the batter gently.

Tamara sprinkling cheddar into cornbread batter

a hand mixing cheddar jalapeno cornbread ingredients in a white bowl

Transfer the cornbread batter from the large bowl into the baking dish.

Tamara scraping cheddar jalapeno cornbread batter into a casserole dish

Then use a spatula to smooth it out into one even layer.

Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.

The top should be golden brown, and the center should be cooked all the way through. You can insert a toothpick into the middle of the cornbread, if it comes out clean (dry), the cornbread is done.

freshly baked Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread

You can add a pad of butter over the top of the jalapeno cheese cornbread to melt for additional flavor and moisture. Let it cool for at least 5 minutes, cut it into pieces. Finally, enjoy!

one slice of jalapeno cornbread on a plate with smothered chicken

Tips for the Best Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread

Although you can use a cast iron skillet to make cheddar jalapeno cornbread, I prefer a baking dish because the slices are thicker. However, you can use a deep dish skillet if you prefer.
Shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheddar cheese. It melts and tastes better.
Use more or less jalapenos depending on how spicy you want your cornbread to be. You can leave the seeds in for a kick of heat.
Pour the cornbread batter evenly into a muffin tin or muffin pan to make jalapeno cheddar cornbread muffins. Cook at the same temperature but they may cook a bit faster so check them after 15 minutes.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

a casserole dish with a few slices of Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread left

Recipe Variations

You can add some ingredients to adjust the flavor and texture.

Play up those Tex-Mex flavors by adding cooked corn kernels to the batter.
Some recipes use sour cream for added moisture.
Add garlic powder to your jalapeño cornbread batter to amplify the savory taste, or honey for more of a sweet-savory balance.
Some recipes include brown butter for a warm, nutty taste that deepens the flavor.
Try garnishing with a sprinkle of scallions (about 1 tablespoon).

a plate of jalapeno cheddar cornbread beside a platter of more

Frequently Asked Questions

Cornbread is a classic American dish that originates in the South. Jalapeno cornbread is a variation that originated in the Southwest region of the United States, particularly Texas. This cornbread is heavily influenced by Mexican cuisine.

Northern cornbread is sweeter with a more cakey texture than traditional Southern cornbread.

Enjoy jalapeno cheddar cornbread with soups, chili, and barbecue as a savory side dish.

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