Oh, honey, let me tell you about these southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers. The first time I made these little bites of heaven, it was a complete accident! I was trying to recreate my grandma’s classic cornbread recipe for a potluck, but I didn’t have a big enough skillet. So, I thought, why not use a mini muffin tin? And that, my friends, is how these southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers were born. The aroma filled my kitchen – that sweet, comforting scent of cornmeal baking with a hint of honey – it was intoxicating.

I remember pulling them out of the oven, all golden brown and puffy, and thinking, “Okay, these look cute, but will they taste good?” Oh, they tasted AMAZING! My kids devoured them, and my husband declared them the best cornbread I’d ever made. It was a total “aha” moment. I realized that sometimes, the best recipes come from happy accidents. Since then, these southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers have become a staple in our house. They’re perfect for weeknight dinners, holiday gatherings, or just a little something sweet to snack on.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: cornbread can be tricky. Sometimes it’s too dry, sometimes it’s too crumbly. But trust me, this southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers recipe is foolproof. I’ve tweaked it over the years to make it as easy and delicious as possible, even on those crazy busy weeknights when you’re juggling homework, soccer practice, and everything else life throws your way. These mini cornbread muffins are kid-friendly and perfect for sharing.

I remember one time, I tried to get fancy and added jalapenos to the batter. The kids were NOT impressed! Lesson learned: sometimes, the classics are best. But hey, that’s the fun of cooking, right? Experimenting and finding what works for you and your family. This southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers recipe fits perfectly into our busy lives because they’re quick to make, easy to clean up, and everyone loves them.

Trust me, once you try this southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers recipe, it will become a family favorite in your house, too. They’re just that good.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make these delightful southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal (I always use stone-ground for my southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers, it gives them the best texture.)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk (If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk. Let it sit for a few minutes to curdle.)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1/4 cup honey, plus extra for drizzling (When making southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers, you can find local honey at your farmers market. It adds a special touch!)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Ingredients for honey butter cornbread poppers

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Here’s a southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers trick I learned from my mom: warm the buttermilk slightly before adding it to the batter. It helps the baking powder and baking soda react better, resulting in a lighter, fluffier cornbread.

Tips and Tricks

For cost-saving tips for southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers ingredients, buy cornmeal in bulk if you make it often. And don’t be afraid to use generic brands of baking powder and baking soda – they work just as well!

As for ingredient prep shortcuts that work for busy families making southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers, measure out all your dry ingredients ahead of time and store them in a container. Then, when you’re ready to bake, just whisk them together and add the wet ingredients.

For leftover southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers ingredients, make sure to store your cornmeal in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It can go rancid if not stored properly.

How to Make – Step-by-Step

Okay, let’s get to the fun part! Here’s how to make these irresistible southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin. (I like to use cooking spray for easy cleanup!)
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This is your dry ingredient party, so make sure everything gets invited to the dance! For the cornmeal, make sure you are using the right one. If not the correct one it might not turn out correctly with southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, egg, and honey. I learned the hard way with southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers that it’s important to mix the wet ingredients separately to avoid overmixing the batter later.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix! A few lumps are okay. Overmixing will result in tough southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers.
Fill each mini muffin cup about 2/3 full. I use a cookie scoop for this to make sure they’re all the same size. It’s a little trick I picked up along the way to help make even southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. In my kitchen, southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers usually takes about 13 minutes, but oven times vary. Keep an eye on them!
While the southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers are baking, melt the butter in a small bowl. Once the butter is melted, stir in a tablespoon or two of honey. This is your honey butter dip, and it’s what takes these poppers to the next level!
Once the southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers are done, let them cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Brush the tops of the warm southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers with the honey butter dip. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, you can serve the honey butter dip on the side for dipping.
Your southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers should smell like a sweet, comforting hug. That’s how you know they’re ready!

Preparing honey butter cornbread poppers in kitchen

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While the southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers is cooking, I usually tidy up the kitchen or start prepping the rest of dinner. It’s a great time to multitask!

Don’t worry if your southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers aren’t perfectly shaped. They’ll still taste amazing! Imperfection is part of the charm, right?

Serving

My family absolutely adores these southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers. The kids love our southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers when I pack them in their lunchboxes as a special treat. They also think the honey butter dip is the greatest invention ever!

I love to serve these with chili, pulled pork sandwiches, or even just a simple green salad. They’re also fantastic with barbecue chicken or ribs. For a great BBQ side that pairs well with these poppers, check out this recipe. It brings the BBQ flavors alive!

This southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers recipe is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and holiday gatherings. They’re always a crowd-pleaser! They are especially good as cornbread appetizer to start off Thanksgiving dinner.

Presentation Tips

For presentation tips, I like to arrange the southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers on a platter and drizzle them with extra honey. A sprinkle of sea salt adds a nice touch, too.

If you have extra southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers (which is rare!), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. They’re also delicious reheated in the microwave or oven.

I’ve tried a few seasonal variations. In the fall, I add a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg to the batter. In the summer, I sometimes mix in some fresh corn kernels.

My friends always ask for this southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers recipe whenever I bring them to a party. It’s become my signature dish!

FAQs

Can I use self-rising cornmeal for this recipe?
- I don’t recommend using self-rising cornmeal because it already contains baking powder and salt. If you use it, you’ll need to adjust the other ingredients accordingly, and it might affect the texture of your southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers.
Can I make these ahead of time?
- Yes, you can make the southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers ahead of time. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’re best served warm, so you can reheat them in the microwave or oven before serving.
Can I freeze these?
- Absolutely! Freeze them once cooled and airtight. Southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw them completely before reheating.
My cornbread poppers are dry. What did I do wrong?
- Dry cornbread is usually caused by overbaking or using too much flour. Make sure you’re measuring your ingredients accurately and not overbaking the southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers. Also, don’t overmix the batter!
Can I add cheese to these?
- Of course! Cheddar cheese is a classic addition to cornbread. You can also try adding jalapenos for a little kick. You know what I do when my southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers doesn’t turn out right? I just add cheese, then it turns out great!
Can I use almond milk instead of buttermilk?
- Almond milk will change the flavor but can be a substitute. Try adding a teaspoon of lemon juice to the almond milk.
Can I make these gluten-free?
- Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, but that might affect the texture of your southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers. My family has had mixed results, so experiment!

My Final Thoughts

This southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers recipe holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of my grandma and her simple, delicious cooking. It’s a dish that brings back memories of family gatherings and happy times.

Pro Tips

Here are my final Pro Tips for making the perfect southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers:

Don’t overmix the batter! This is the key to a tender, moist cornbread.
Use good quality cornmeal. It makes a big difference in the flavor and texture.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Add your favorite spices, herbs, or cheeses to customize the recipe to your liking.

Variations

Some southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers variations I’ve tried with my family include:

Jalapeno Cheddar: Add diced jalapenos and shredded cheddar cheese to the batter for a spicy, cheesy kick.
Bacon Cheddar: Cooked, crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese make these poppers extra savory and delicious.
Sweet Corn: Add fresh or frozen corn kernels to the batter for a touch of sweetness and texture.

My son, Ben, loves the bacon cheddar version, while my daughter, Lily, prefers the classic honey butter. My husband, Mark, will eat any of them!

I hope you’ll enjoy these along side these creamy garlic butter lobster tails I have created. creamy garlic butter lobster tails

Finished honey butter cornbread poppers on kitchen table

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I truly encourage you to make this southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers recipe your own. Add your own personal touch, experiment with different flavors, and most importantly, have fun! I hope your southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers cooking experience is filled with joy, laughter, and delicious results. And if you like, here’s some info about honey from the National Honey Board to read!

Happy baking! I can’t wait to hear what you think of these southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers!

Easy Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

Print Recipe

These Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers are such a fun, delicious appetizer or side dish! They’re easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

Author: Zoubida
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 24 poppers
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 box (8.5 oz) Jiffy corn muffin mix
1/3 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons honey
Pinch of salt

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large bowl, combine corn muffin mix, milk, egg, and vegetable oil. Stir until just combined.
Stir in cheddar cheese and green onions.
Fill a mini muffin tin with the batter, about 3/4 full.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
While the cornbread poppers are baking, whisk together melted butter, honey, and salt in a small bowl.
Once the cornbread poppers are done, brush them with the honey butter mixture.
Serve warm.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the honey butter mixture. You can also use different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack or pepper jack.