Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

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Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers: A Bite-Sized Southern Delight

If you love classic Southern cornbread, then these Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers are about to become your new favorite treat. These crispy, golden, and buttery bites capture everything great about traditional cornbread but in a fun, bite-sized form. With a crispy outer crust and a soft, fluffy center, they’re perfect for snacking, dipping, or serving alongside a cozy meal.

Finished with a drizzle of warm honey butter, these poppers are the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Whether you’re making them for game day, family dinners, or a holiday feast, they’ll be a crowd favorite in no time.

Why You’ll Love These Cornbread Poppers

✔ Crispy & Golden Brown – The buttery, crispy crust makes them irresistible.
✔ Soft & Moist Center – Inside, they’re fluffy, sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
✔ Perfect for Dipping & Snacking – Enjoy them with honey butter, chili, or barbecue sauce.
✔ Quick & Easy – Simple ingredients come together in less than 30 minutes.
✔ Great for Any Occasion – Ideal for holiday dinners, potlucks, or just a cozy Southern meal.

What Are Cornbread Poppers?

These mini cornbread bites are essentially deep-fried or pan-fried cubes of cornbread that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Instead of baking a traditional square or skillet cornbread, we cut it into bite-sized pieces and fry them until golden brown.

The final touch? A drizzle of honey butter that adds the perfect sweet and buttery finish.

Ingredients for Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

This recipe uses simple pantry ingredients but delivers big Southern flavor.

For the Cornbread Batter:

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for slightly sweeter cornbread)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar)
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for extra depth)

For Frying:

  • 1 cup vegetable oil (for deep frying)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (for pan-frying, if preferred)

For the Honey Butter Drizzle:

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon salt (optional, if using unsalted butter)

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cornbread Batter

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:
    • Cornmeal
    • Flour
    • Sugar
    • Baking powder & baking soda
    • Salt
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together:
    • Buttermilk
    • Egg
    • Melted butter
    • Honey
    • Vanilla extract
  4. Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until combined.

Step 2: Bake the Cornbread

  1. Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan and pour in the batter.
  2. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  3. Let the cornbread cool for 10 minutes, then cut it into 1-inch cubes.

Step 3: Fry the Cornbread Poppers

For Deep Frying:

  1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep saucepan to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Carefully drop the cornbread cubes into the hot oil in batches.
  3. Fry for 30-45 seconds per side, until golden brown and crispy.
  4. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

For Pan-Frying:

  1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add cornbread cubes, cooking for 1-2 minutes per side until crisp and golden.
  3. Remove from heat and let them cool slightly.

Step 4: Make the Honey Butter Drizzle

  1. Melt butter in a small saucepan or microwave.
  2. Stir in honey and mix until smooth.
  3. Drizzle warm honey butter over the fried cornbread poppers.

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!

  1. Serve immediately while warm.
  2. Enjoy with extra honey butter, maple syrup, or a side of spicy dipping sauce.

Tips for the Best Cornbread Poppers

✔ Use Buttermilk – It makes the cornbread extra moist and tender.
✔ Don’t Overmix the Batter – A few lumps are fine; overmixing makes it dense.
✔ Let the Cornbread Cool Before Frying – This helps it hold its shape when frying.
✔ Use a Thermometer for Frying – Keeping the oil at 350°F ensures a crispy, golden crust.
✔ Make Extra Honey Butter – Because you’ll want to drizzle it on everything!

Delicious Variations

Want to mix things up? Try these fun twists:

1. Cheesy Jalapeño Cornbread Poppers

  • Add ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese to the batter.
  • Stir in 1 finely chopped jalapeño for a spicy kick.

2. Southern BBQ Cornbread Poppers

  • Serve with barbecue sauce for a smoky-sweet contrast.
  • Pair with pulled pork or fried chicken.

3. Cinnamon Sugar Cornbread Poppers

  • Toss fried poppers in a mix of cinnamon and sugar for a dessert-style treat.
  • Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

4. Savory Bacon & Chive Poppers

  • Mix crispy bacon bits and chopped chives into the batter.
  • Top with a sprinkle of sea salt after frying.

How to Store & Reheat

Refrigeration:

  • Store leftover poppers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheating:

  • Oven: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until crispy.
  • Air Fryer: Heat at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.
  • Microwave: Not recommended (they lose their crunch).

Freezing:

  • Freeze in a sealed bag for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat directly from frozen in a 350°F oven.

What to Serve with Cornbread Poppers

These bite-sized delights pair beautifully with:

  • Chili or beef stew 🍲
  • Fried chicken or ribs 🍗
  • Creamy mac and cheese 🧀
  • Spicy honey mustard dipping sauce
  • A side of whipped cinnamon butter

For a true Southern feast, serve them alongside collard greens, mashed potatoes, and barbecue favorites.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I bake these instead of frying?

Yes! Brush melted butter over the cubes and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10 minutes until crispy.

2. What’s the best oil for frying?

Use vegetable, canola, or peanut oil for the crispiest results.

3. Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the flour for gluten-free all-purpose flour.

4. How do I keep them crispy?

Let them rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels to stay crunchy.

Final Thoughts

These Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers are crispy, sweet, and packed with rich, buttery flavor. Whether you’re making them for a holiday dinner, game day snack, or just because, they’re guaranteed to be a hit.

So grab your ingredients, fry up a batch, and enjoy these golden, crispy bites today!

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