Hot Water Cornbread
Crisp on the outside and delightfully tender on the inside, hot water cornbread is a Southern comfort food staple that brings simple ingredients to life with bold texture and flavor. Made with yellow cornmeal, a touch of flour, sugar, and salt, this quick and easy skillet-fried cornbread comes together in just 25 minutes. The secret lies in using boiling water to create a smooth, pliable dough, which is shaped into patties and fried to golden perfection. Its rustic charm and crispy edges make it the perfect accompaniment to soul food classics like collard greens, fried chicken, or a hearty bowl of chili. Ideal for weeknight dinners or family gatherings, this recipe offers a nostalgic bite of tradition that’s both satisfying and versatile.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Yellow cornmeal
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 3 cups Boiling water
- 0.5 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, and salt. Stir together until evenly combined.
Gradually pour in the boiling water, stirring constantly, until the mixture forms a thick, smooth dough. It should be soft and easy to form into patties.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. To test, drop a small piece of the dough into the oil—it should sizzle immediately.
Using a spoon or your hands, scoop out a portion of the dough and shape it into a small, flat patty. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Carefully place the patties into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches if necessary.
Cook each patty for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Use a spatula to flip them halfway through cooking.
Once cooked, transfer the cornbread patties to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Serve hot and enjoy with your favorite dishes, such as collard greens, fried chicken, or chili.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
274 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.2 g | 26% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.9 g | 14% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 164 mg | 7% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 22.6 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.8 g | ||
| Protein | 2.0 g | 4% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2 mg | 0% | |
| Iron | 0.7 mg | 4% | |
| Potassium | 38 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
