Wondering what you can do with your extra cornbread? We wouldn't judge you for eating it right out of the pan, but you might want to try these genius leftover cornbread recipes instead!
There are SO many delicious ways to make and serve cornbread. Whether you make yours from scratch or use a box mix, you really can't go wrong! We just so happen to love this 20-minute cornbread recipe because it's a shelf cooking dream. You only need a few basic kitchen staples to make it!
*Note: When you click the links in this post, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
No matter how you choose to make your cornbread, we can all agree on one thing: wasting food is the WORST. Well, problem solved! We put together a list of ten tasty, easy, leftover cornbread recipes for you. Cover your phone because you might start drooling soon. Here we go!
3 LEFTOVER CORNBREAD RECIPES THAT ARE PERFECT FOR BREAKFAST
We love biscuits and pancakes as much as the next gal, but cornbread deserves a spot at the breakfast table, too! Don't believe us? Check out these recipes:
- Cornbread French Toast – Fun fact: you can pretty much make French toast with any type of bread, and that includes cornbread! So, mix an egg with a splash of milk, cinnamon, and brown sugar, then dip each slice of leftover cornbread into the batter. Cook over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes per side, top with fruit and syrup, and prepare to fall in love!
- Single-Serving Casserole in a Mug – Are you solo for breakfast? Only have a little bit of cornbread left to use? This cornbread bacon and egg casserole from The Spruce Eats is well worth a try! By the way, if you love a good mug recipe, you have to check out these mug cakes!
- Southwest Eggs with Cornbread – If you like huevos rancheros, you'll love this idea! Instead of using a tortilla as the base, use your cornbread. You can pan-fry it for a few minutes or pop it in the microwave. Top with eggs any style (we like ours runny) and garnish with hot sauce, cheese, beans, corn, avocado, or anything else you have leftover.
Now that you're probably good and hungry, let's move on to some hearty casseroles! We love a one-dish dinner, and these ideas don't disappoint.
3 LEFTOVER CORNBREAD CASSEROLE RECIPES
Grab your favorite casserole dish and get ready to whip up some comfort food the whole family will love! Here are three leftover cornbread casserole recipes:
- Tamale Casserole – You guys. This one is just SO delicious! Promise us you'll try it, okay? Even the kids love this super easy tamale casserole. And yep. You can use up that leftover cornbread to make it!
- Chili Cornbread Bake – Have leftover chili to use, too? Then we've got a FREE dinner idea for you. Say hello to this chili cornbread casserolefrom Belle of the Kitchen!
- Cornbread Chicken Bake – We bet you already have some form of chicken on hand, so why not try a cornbread and chicken bake? You can use shredded chicken from the freezer, canned chicken, or leftover rotisserie chicken. (Can you tell we love using leftovers?!) Bonus: this Taste of Home Chicken cornbread bake recipe works in the slow cooker, too.
Don't run off to start that casserole just yet! You'll want to stick around for the genius ideas that are coming up next.
HOW TO MAKE CORNBREAD CROUTONS
We've been known to turn croutons into a whole snack. Who needs the salad anyway? We'll take a little lettuce and ranch with our croutons, please. 😉
Anyway….did you know that you can make croutons out of cornbread? You sure can! Just cube those leftovers, coat them in a little olive oil and your favorite seasonings, and then bake them at 375°F for around 12 minutes. You can adapt our homemade crouton recipe!
3 WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER CORNMEAL OR CORNBREAD MIX
So you've got a box of cornbread mix left, but you're not feeling cornbread? Try one of these dishes instead:
- Easy Corn Pudding – Round up an 8.5-ounce package of cornbread mix, a can of creamed corn, a can of regular corn, and 1/4 pound of softened butter. Preheat your oven to 350°F and drop the butter in a casserole dish to melt in the oven. Remove your dish, add the drained cans of corn, plus then cornbread mix, stir, and bake uncovered for about 30 minutes. This makes a great holiday side dish!
- Breading for Fish, Chicken, or Pork – Combine a box of cornbread mix with your favorite spices and seasonings, then dredge your meat or fish in a little flour, followed by a lightly beaten egg, and then the cornbread mixture. This is especially yummy on white fish like tilapia or flounder, but it's great on pork chops or chicken, too!
- Southern-Style Cornbread Stuffing – Depending on where you live, you might call this dressing. Whatever you call it, it's delicious! Give this a try for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Grandma's cornbread dressing recipe from Allrecipes is about as easy as it gets.
Whatever you do, never toss that cornbread mix!
CAN YOU FREEZE CORNBREAD?
Okay, by now, you may be wondering if you can freeze your leftover cornbread. It's a great question, and we're here to help! The short answer is yes.
Just wrap your cornbread tightly in plastic, then wrap in another layer of foil, or drop the wrapped cornbread in a freezer-safe bag. It should last up to four months. Don't forget to label!
Ready to use it? Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then transfer it to a baking dish, cover in foil, and warm at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Voila! Good as new!
Now that you know all there is to know about leftover cornbread, we think you should go make a batch!
Tell us, what's your favorite type of cornbread: loaf or muffins? Leave us a comment below!
Want to make a soup to go with your cornbread? Try one of these!
- This foolproof broccoli cheddar soup is ready in 30 minutes!
- Move over, Olive Garden. This chicken gnocchi soup is a dream!
- Need something easy for dinner tonight? It doesn't get much better than this tuxedo soup.
Have an a-maize-ing day!
