Camping Skillet Cornbread Recipe - Fresh Off the Grid (2024)

With golden brown edges and just a touch of sweetness, this Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread is a super easy to make on the stovetop or over a campfire. It’s the perfect side dish for any type of grilled meat, stew, or bowl of chili!

Camping Skillet Cornbread Recipe - Fresh Off the Grid (1)

You might think baking at a campsite would be a little tricky, and generally speaking that is true, but this skillet cornbread is an exception!

This cornbread so easy to make, even without any fancy equipment. All you need is a cast iron skillet and some aluminum foil, and you’re ready to “bake” some delicious buttery cornbread right over your campfire or camp stove.

There’s a sharp divide in the world of cornbread between the Northern style, which tends to be sweeter and more cake-like, and the Southern style, which tends to be more savory and bit more crumbly. This recipe we’re sharing today is a blend between both styles—a little sweet, a little savory (which will likely offend everyone, equally).

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But we feel this middle-of-the-road approach gives you a really versatile cornbread, that’s pairs great with anything grilled, stews, and chili. Or, you can spread a layer of butter and drizzle a bit of honey and eat it for dessert! It’s perfect both ways.

So if you’ve got a cast iron skillet and looking for a quick & easy camping side dish, this skillet cornbread is your golden ticket!

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Ingredients

Cornmeal (or polenta): To get that classic cornbread texture, we suggest using medium-ground cornmeal. It’s large enough to give the bread some nice corn texture, without being gritty. You can also use ground corn that is sold as polenta, which is just the Italian version of medium-ground cornmeal.

Flour: Regular AP flour.

Baking Powder: Make sure your baking powder is aluminum-free. You’ll be using a decent amount of it in this recipe and if it contains aluminum you will definitely have a noticeable metallic-off taste.

Salt: Just enough to balance out the sweetness of the honey.

Milk: We used whole milk for the final recipe, but also tested it will oat milk. If using oat milk, opt for the extra creamy variety.

Eggs: This will bind the cornbread together. Bob’s Red Mill egg substitute can also be used as vegan sub.

Honey: The perfect sweetener for cornbread! Honey gives you a subtle, understated sweetness which plays so well with the next ingredient…

Butter: Half the butter goes to the skillet, for toasty delicious edges, and the other half goes to batter, for a buttery delicious flavor.

Equipment:

Cast Iron Skillet: This recipe is best prepared in a cast iron skillet, which will radiate the heat upwards and allow you “bake” the cornbread. We used our 10” Lodge skillet.

Aluminum Foil: It’s important to cover the top of the lid with aluminum foil to trap the rising heat. Cut small slits in the foil to allow steam to escape.

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How to make Skillet Cornbread

Melt the Butter

Whether you’re making this cornbread over a campfire or camp stove, the first step is to melt the butter in your cast iron skillet. Do this over low, controlled heat. Swirl the butter around to coat the entire pan. Once completely melted, remove the skillet from the heat.

Make the Batter

Crack the eggs and add the honey to a large mixing bowl, and whisk vigorously. You really want to make sure the eggs and the honey are completely mixed together. No honey clumps! Next, add the milk. Then you will want to spoon out a half of the melted butter from the skillet and mix it into the wet ingredients.

Once all your wet ingredients have been incorporated, it’s time to add the dry ingredients. Add the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold gently with a fork until you reach a smooth, wet batter.

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“Baking”

Pour your batter into the cast iron skillet, which should still have half the melted butter coating the bottom.

Next you will want to rip off a sheet of aluminum foil and cover the top of the cornbread, crimping around the edges so it doesn’t accidentally blow off. Using a sharp knife, slice a few vent slits in the foil to allow steam to escape.

Place the skillet over medium-low heat, either on your camp stove or on the grill grate over a bed of embers or coals. You really want to err on the side lower heat to avoid burning the bottom before the top has a chance to set.

After about 20 minutes, take a peak under the foil. The batter will have risen considerably. Once the top of the cornbread looks to be set, take it off the heat. Keep it covered and let it rest for another 5 minutes.

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Camping Skillet Cornbread Recipe - Fresh Off the Grid (7)

Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread

This quick and easy cast iron cornbread can be made right over your campfire.

Author: Fresh Off The Grid

4.75 from 108 votes

Print Pin Rate Save

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

8 slices

Ingredients

  • ½ stick butter , (4 tablespoons)
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup cornmeal, medium grind
  • ½ cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Heat the butter in a 10" cast iron skillet until melted. Remove from the heat.

  • In a large bowl, beat the eggs andhoneytogether until smooth. Add the milk and 2 tablespoons of the melted butter, then stir to blend.

  • Mix thecornmeal,flour,baking powder, andsaltinto the wet ingredients to combine.

  • Place the skillet back on the campfire or stove to reheat the butter. Swirl to coat the bottom. Pour the batter into the skillet, ensuring that it is in an even layer. Cover the skillet with foil, crimping the foil around the edges. Using a sharp knife, slice a few vent slits in the foil to allow steam to escape.

  • Cook over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, then move off the heat and let the bread rest (still covered) for an additional 5 minutes.

  • Cut into slices and enjoy.

Notes

Make ahead steps: The dry ingredients (cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt) can be measured and combined ahead of time. Store in an airtight container in your camp pantry box.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g

*Nutrition is an estimate based on information provided by a third-party nutrition calculator

Side Dish

Camping

Camping Skillet Cornbread Recipe - Fresh Off the Grid (2024)

FAQs

Why does my cornbread keep sticking in my cast iron skillet? ›

The most common reason food sticks to cast iron is because the pan is simply too hot. Because cast iron retains heat much better than other types of cookware, you generally don't need to use as high of a heat setting as you normally would with stainless steel or aluminum cookware.

Is cornbread better in cast iron skillet? ›

Why use a cast-iron skillet for cornbread? Cast iron can get really hot, is nonstick, and can go from stovetop to oven. It's really a must for cornbread with a crispy bottom!

What can you use instead of a cast iron skillet for cornbread? ›

If you don't have a cast iron skillet, an ovenproof skillet, baking dish or even a pie dish will work. Just make sure you heat it up first in a hot oven before pouring on your batter. Alternatively, if using a cast iron skillet, heat your skillet on the stove to melt your butter.

What's the difference between Southern cornbread and regular cornbread? ›

Northern cornbreads tend to be more cake-like, on the sweet side, with a finer crumb due to more flour in the mixture. Southern cornbread is flavored with bacon grease, and cooked in a cast iron skillet, a perfect side for barbecues, or chili. It also tends to be rather crumbly.

Can you leave cornbread in cast iron skillet overnight? ›

I would not leave food in any pan overnight, especially cast iron. By not removing the food, you invite corrosion to any cast iron product. cast iron is wonderful to cook in and adds iron into your diet but is not suited for storing food because any acid in the food will eat into the iron, which will corrode.

Should I let cornbread cool before removing from cast iron? ›

Should I let cornbread cool before removing from cast iron? Let the cornbread cool slightly in the skillet before slicing and serving. It will be a bit sturdier (and less crumbly), and the hot skillet will be a bit easier to handle as it cools slightly. The cornbread is great served warm or at room temperature.

What is the difference between Yankee cornbread and Southern cornbread? ›

The thing that distinguishes Southern cornbread from, say Yankee cornbread, or any other cornbread one is likely to eat outside of the southern states, is that it is savory, not sweet, and it is made mostly with cornmeal.

Should I bake cornbread in a glass or metal pan? ›

Glass, ceramic, and cast iron work best, but you can also use metal baking dishes.

What is the secret to cooking with cast iron? ›

For one, cast iron pans aren't perfectly smooth and foods like eggs may get stuck. For the best results, make sure to keep your cast iron pan seasoned, and preheat the skillet for a few minutes before you add any food to it. This allows the pan to heat evenly and prevents most food from sticking. Add fat as needed.

Is there anything I shouldn't make in a cast iron skillet? ›

Is There Anything You Shouldn't Cook in Your Cast-Iron Skillet? Experts Weigh In. While there's nothing that's technically off limits, the pros say you should be careful with acidic foods, like tomato or wine sauce, which can corrode the seasoning if left in the pan for too long.

Should I use butter or oil in a cast iron skillet? ›

When cooking in cast iron, you should add a little oil to the pan before adding your food. This helps ensure the food doesn't stick, and it helps build layers of seasoning. You can generally use whatever oil you prefer, as long as the cooking temperature is below the smoke point of the oil.

Can you put aluminum foil on cast iron skillet? ›

Aluminum Foil Can Extend the Life of Your Cast Iron Pan | The Kitchn.

What did Native Americans call cornbread? ›

Among them was a version of Indian bread made of cornmeal, salt and water called pone or corn pone. The name came from the Algonquin word apan, meaning "baked." The Narragansett word for cornbread, nokechick, became no-cake and then hoe-cake.

Which makes better cornbread white or yellow cornmeal? ›

Southerners, on the other hand, tend to prefer white cornmeal. Many people believe that it is because, in the old South, families used white cornmeal as it more closely resembled “fancy” European wheat flour. In any case, today it remains a main component in traditional Southern buttermilk cornbread.

What is cornbread called in the South? ›

It is commonly called "cornbread" in the Southern United States and is not known by a different name in this region. Cornbread is a simple bread that is made by mixing cornmeal, flour, salt, baking powder, and milk to form a batter, which is then baked in the oven.

How do you keep Jiffy cornbread from sticking to the pan? ›

When making cornbread, use this trick: Add a few drops of oil to the batter and then pour your batter into an already hot pie pan. This will prevent the cornbread from sticking.

How do you keep cornbread muffins from sticking to the pan? ›

First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it nice and hot before you even begin making the cornbread muffin batter. Next, grease a 12-cup muffin pan with butter or spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the muffins from sticking.

Should you grease a pan for cornbread? ›

As soon as you pour your cornbread batter into a hot, greased pan, it immediately starts the process of creating the crispy outer layer, even before the cornbread is baked,” Delk Adams says.

How long should cornbread cool before taking out of pan? ›

Allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes and serve.

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