17 Best Leftover Cornbread Recipes (2024)

These leftover cornbread recipes will bring new life to your day-old cornbread.

From French toast to pudding to crab cakes, cornbread is just as good the second time around!

There’s no bad time for a perfectly moist cornbread, right? It’s always a great pair with stews, chili, and lots of other savory dishes.

17 Best Leftover Cornbread Recipes (1)

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No main dishes? No worries. A fresh pan of cornbread is amazing on its own.

The problem comes when you make too much of it.

That’s why I’ve rounded up 17 fantastic leftover cornbread recipes to help you get creative with this staple side dish at home.

Cornbread is too precious to go to waste, anyway. So without further ado, let’s get started!

1. Cornbread Pudding

An easy way to use leftover skillet cornbread is to make a pudding out of it.

Besides the cornbread, other ingredients that you’ll need are already in the kitchen pantry.

This dish is simple but packs great flavors, making it a wonderful side dish for a holiday meal.

But because it’s a cinch to make, don’t be surprised if everyone requests it on a normal day.

The pudding is a combination of cornbread cubes, fresh herbs, cheese, and egg-milk mixture. Biting into that delicious custard-like center is the best part!

Turn it into a hearty breakfast by serving with a fried egg on top. Or, consider adding some protein for an easy last-minute lunch idea.

2. Cowboy Cornbread Casserole

This cowboy casserole makes use of everyday ingredients to create a one-dish dinner for the whole family.

It combines cornbread, veggies, cheese, and a protein of your choice, all baked in a two-ingredient creamy sauce.

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Be sure to use coarse and crumbled cornbread because it makes the perfect crust and stuffing!

If you’re looking for a more filling meal, simply serve the casserole with baked beans or roasted veggies.

3. Cornbread Dressing Fritters

Reignite your love for cornbread dressing by turning it into fritters! Only a little prep time is needed, and all you’ll have to do is mix, coat, and fry.

In 30 minutes or less, you’ll have crispy, golden brown dressing balls with a bonus of ooey-gooey cheese inside.

The spiced cranberry sauce will take things to the next level. It’s a sweet, creamy sauce with a little zing — and it’s so addictive!

4. Heirloom Tomato and Cornbread Panzanella

Panzanella is a Tuscan-style salad traditionally made with stale bread, onions, tomatoes, and a zesty dressing.

For this recipe, however, you can use your leftover cornbread. Just cut it into cubes and toast until crunchy good.

The combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, shallot, olive oil, and vinegar creates a perfect meld of summery flavors!

5. Cornbread Croutons

This is, perhaps, the easiest way to use up your leftover cornbread.

In 30 minutes, using only three ingredients, you’ll have deliciously crunchy croutons for soups and salads.

Simply cut your day-old cornbread into small cubes, and drizzle olive oil and sea salt over them.

Adding butter won’t hurt if you like your croutons to be buttery!

After a little mixing and baking, you’ll get crunchy cornbread pieces with a chewy interior. It’s a texture combination that can’t be beaten.

6. Cornbread Buttermilk Soup

Using day-old cornbread, you can make a comforting soup for all seasons! This cornbread buttermilk soup is satisfyingly good even when served hot or cold.

The secret to getting the best taste is to use high-quality buttermilk, as it adds a rich, creamy texture to the dish.

Still, the cornbread is just as important because it also helps thicken the soup and adds a subtle sweetness.

A couple of pantry spices are also used to create a beautiful medley of flavors.

7. Cornbread Crab Cakes

There are several ways to cook crab cakes — sautee them, grill them, or deep fry them. But the best way for me is to bake these flavorful fish cakes!

Baking crab cakes allow you to get that heavenly crisp exterior, minus the greasiness.

When the cornbread meets crab meat, these baked goodies will taste like no other fishcakes.

There are lots of other ingredients needed for the crab cake mixture, but they do come together pretty easily.

Oh, and don’t forget to serve these cakes with lemon-caper mayo for the best appetizer ever!

8. Cornbread Strata with Jalapenos and Cheddar

This recipe creates a hybrid of frittata and pudding, combining corn kernels, cornbread, cheese, jalapeños, and scallions for a flavor-packed brunch!

I especially love adding strips of cooked bacon to this dish for a more breakfast feel.

As a versatile recipe, you can also swap out the cornbread for other stale bread and use other ingredients for mix-ins.

9. Cornbread French Toast

It goes without saying that brioche is one of the best breads for making French toast.

But if plain or sweetened cornbread is all you have on-hand, don’t fret.

Cornbread French toast tastes AMAZING! Cornbread is an unusual ingredient for this classic French treat, but it works well.

Making cornbread French toast is quick and easy. It’s pretty similar to making a standard French toast.

Simply prepare the bread slices, dip them into the egg mixture, and cook.

You can get creative with the toppings, but nothing beats the classic combination of maple syrup and fresh berries!

10. Cornbread With Scrambled Eggs and Sausage

Best for breakfast or brunch, this cornbread with scrambled eggs and sausage is yummy and oh-so-hearty.

Everything will be done in 30 minutes if you have the cornbread all prepped (it needs to be crumbled).

This recipe calls for sausage, bell pepper, and onions for added bulk and flavor.

Feel free to use your choice of meat and veggies if you want to make other variations.

11. Layered Cornbread Breakfast Casserole

If you have leftover cornbread and chili (or other stew), this recipe might just be made for you!

Cornbread and chili are the main ingredients of this layered casserole, made even more satisfying with fried onion rings and eggs on top.

This is one of those leftover cornbread recipes that yields an impressive-looking dish.

So if you’re serving to guests, I’m sure they won’t notice that the casserole is made with leftovers!

12. Cornbread Salad

If you’re a salad lover but you haven’t tried cornbread salad, you’re seriously missing out on some good southern cooking.

This salad combines crumbled cornbread, bacon, corn, mayo, and veggies.

Mayo as a dressing works fine, but if you’re looking for more flavors, try mixing it with dry ranch dressing.

Chop the veggies and mix them with other ingredients. Toss everything into the dressing mix until well coated.

Garnish with tomato slices when ready to serve. This salad is as beautiful as it is delicious!

13. Cornbread Sausage Quiche

Quiche is a quintessential French tart known for its flaky pie crust and flavorful filling.

To put a southern twist on this classic, cornbread sausage quiche has been invented!

The sausage adds a meaty taste to this dish, while the shredded cheeses bring the unmistakable savory flavor.

If you’re looking for a little zing, feel free to use spicy sausage or hot sauce. Want some tang and a smoky-sweet flavor? Try BBQ sauce instead.

There are different variations you can try, so much so that you’ll want to occasionally have leftover cornbread at home!

14. Cornbread Chicken Bake

Cornbread and chicken match so well in this dish. It’s delicious, moist, creamy, and everything you’ll want in a baked casserole!

This recipe calls for a few pantry ingredients. But since casseroles are known for being versatile, you can make this recipe yours by removing or adding more ingredients.

For instance, you can add mozzarella for a cheesy bite or throw in some carrots and spinach for a pop of color.

15. Cornbread Pudding With Bacon

Sweet and savory makes a downright irresistible combination, which is exactly what you’ll get in this fridge clean-out recipe.

Besides your stale cornbread, bring out your leftover cheese, eggs, and bacon, and get ready to make something AWESOME!

If you don’t have bacon, this pudding recipe also works with other leftover meats, such as ham, sausage, and the likes.

You can also add other spices like jalapeños, bell peppers, or chives for a super flavorful side dish!

16. Mexican Sausage Cornbread Strata

Looking for a recipe for busy mornings and a way to use up leftovers? Make this breakfast casserole!

This strata recipe makes use of leftover meat, cheese, and veggies, creating a dish that can satisfy a hungry crowd!

It’s SO easy to make, especially when you assemble everything the night before.

To achieve a casserole bursting with Mexican flavors, go for spicy sausage. Serve with salsa and Tabasco sauce for extra heat!

17. Fried Cornbread and Eggs

Start your morning right with this delightful breakfast that’s a cinch to make!

It only requires mixing and frying everything until you get a sweet-savory dish with a little bit of heat.

You can upgrade this breakfast recipe by adding some sausage, bacon, or any other meat you prefer.

And of course, everything’s better with cheese, so don’t hesitate to use it as a topping along with jalapeños or hot sauce.

17 Best Leftover Cornbread Recipes (2)

17 Ways to Use Leftover Cornbread

These leftover cornbread recipes will bring new life to your day-old cornbread. From French toast to pudding to crab cakes, cornbread is just as good the second time around!

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a cornbread dish in 30 minutes or less!
17 Best Leftover Cornbread Recipes (3)

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17 Best Leftover Cornbread Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How long is cornbread good for in the fridge? ›

Need more time to eat your cornbread? Store it in the fridge. Follow the same method of wrapping it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and then a sealed plastic bag. Cornbread stores well in the fridge for up to five days.

How do you jazz up store bought cornbread? ›

Here are ten of our favorite no-fail combinations; give them a shot—or feel free to experiment on your own!
  1. Bacon and scallion. ...
  2. Green chile and cheddar cheese. ...
  3. Crumbled sausage and poultry seasoning. ...
  4. Fresh corn and basil. ...
  5. Pepperoni, parmesan, and black pepper. ...
  6. Spicy shrimp and creole seasoning. ...
  7. Brown sugar and pecan.

What is the difference between New York cornbread and southern cornbread? ›

Southern cornbread has traditionally been made with little or no sugar and smaller amounts of flour (or no flour), with northern cornbread being sweeter and more cake-like. Southern cornbread traditionally used white cornmeal and buttermilk. Other ingredients such as pork rinds are sometimes used.

Can I freeze cornbread? ›

Cornbread can be kept frozen for around three months for optimal freshness. So if you're in the mood to bake several batches of cornbread and freeze them, go right ahead. That way, you can enjoy slices or a whole loaf when you're craving cornbread but don't have the time or energy to bake.

Can you eat cornbread after a week? ›

Plastic wrap will keep air and moisture away from your cornbread so it lasts longer. Store your cornbread in the fridge for up to 1 week. After 1 week, your cornbread will start to lose its flavor and go bad. If you see excessive moisture or mold, your cornbread has started to spoil and you should throw it out.

Can Jiffy cornbread mix go bad? ›

For best results, we recommend using all “JIFFY” mixes by the “Best If Used By” date. Beyond this date, dependent upon local weather and storage conditions, the quality of the end product may be affected.

What does adding an extra egg to cornbread do? ›

The yolk will make the texture more dense and smooth, a bit brownie-like, while the fact that your original batter was too thick means that the additional liquid will help the baking powder achieve better leavening, giving you an airier texture.

How do you upgrade boxed cornbread? ›

Ways To Upgrade Cornbread Mix

To personalize the cornbread, the box also features this tip: Mix in 1 cup shredded Cheddar, 1 (4-ounce) drained can chopped green chiles, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne before baking for a zesty spin.

What can I add to store bought cornbread? ›

Need more ideas? Stir in diced jalapeño peppers, grated cheese, chopped country ham, or crumbled bacon. Bacon makes everything better. If jalapeños have too much of a kick for you, use a chopped poblano pepper.

What is cornbread in milk called? ›

Also referred to as “crumble-in,” this hearty snack of cornbread doused in milk is beloved among communities in the Southern United States, stretching from Appalachian West Virginia to the heart of Texas.

What is cornbread called in the South? ›

Both sources confirm that corn pone is cooked in a cast iron skillet, which is also the traditional cooking vessel for Southern cornbread. Cornbread came about as more ingredients were added to the basic corn pone recipe: buttermilk, eggs, and a leavener such as baking soda or baking powder (or both).

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.

Can cornbread be refrozen after thawing? ›

Yes, you can refreeze most previously frozen, thawed, and cooked foods as long as they haven't been left at room temperature for more than two hours.

Can I freeze rice? ›

Frozen rice can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months and still be tasty. After that it loses flavor and dries out but won't be unsafe to eat. An airtight container is your best defense against losing quality so vacuum sealing is great if you have that tool in your kitchen.

Is it better to freeze cornbread dressing before or after baking? ›

Yes, you can freeze dressing in advance of the Thanksgiving feast. There are two ways to go about it: You can prepare the recipe up until the point of baking, then freeze. Or bake the dressing according to the recipe, allow it to cool completely, and freeze.

Can you eat leftover cornbread? ›

Cornbread is best hot, right out of the oven. It will begin to dry out fairly quickly but will be eatable for 3 or 4 days after baking.

How long can you keep Jiffy cornbread? ›

Jiffy cornbread recipe leftovers can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or wrapped in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh for 1-2 days at room temperature. To store longer, place the leftover cornbread in the refrigerator and it will last 3-4 days.

Does homemade cornbread need refrigeration? ›

Cornbread usually stays fresh for a day or two when kept on the counter. But changes like temperature and humidity can shorten its life. Freezing or refrigeration is recommended after this point to maintain freshness.

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