Name: Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 1 cup yellow cornmeal; ½ cup all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup buttermilk; 1 large egg; 2 tablespoons honey; 2 tablespoons melted butter; ½ cup finely shredded cheddar cheese (optional); ¼ cup diced jalapeños (optional); oil for frying; 3 tablespoons butter; 1½ tablespoons honey

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Get ready to fall head over heels for Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers! These golden, bite-sized delights are everything you crave in classic cornbread—crisp edges, tender middle, a gentle pop of sweetness—bundled up into an irresistibly snackable form. With a drizzle of decadent honey butter glaze, every bite is a celebration of Southern comfort, perfect for sharing and guaranteed to spark joy at your table. Whether you serve them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, a side for your next barbecue, or a simple treat for yourself, these poppers are a love letter to both tradition and pure flavor fun.

Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed how a few everyday pantry staples come together to create these magic morsels! Every ingredient plays its part, from crispy crust to that signature buttery sweetness, making these Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers the star of your spread.

Yellow cornmeal: Gives the poppers their signature hearty flavor and golden hue.
All-purpose flour: Adds structure and keeps the texture light and fluffy inside.
Granulated sugar: Balances the savory with a whisper of subtle sweetness.
Baking powder: Ensures a festive, puffed result with every batch.
Baking soda: Reacts with buttermilk for that perfect lift and tenderness.
Salt: Enhances every other flavor in the poppers—don’t skip it!
Buttermilk: Lends creaminess, classic tang, and irresistibly soft crumb.
Large egg: Binds everything together and adds richness.
Honey: Threads sweet Southern charm into both the batter and glaze.
Melted butter: Brings complete richness and a melt-in-your-mouth finish.
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional): Adds gooeyness and a savory boost if you’re feeling extra.
Diced jalapeños (optional): For a hint of heat and lively flavor play.
Oil for frying: Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point for that perfect, golden crunch.
For the Honey Butter Glaze: Butter and honey—melted together into liquid gold, brushed on as the finishing touch for pure bliss.

How to Make Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. This not only blends the leaveners evenly but also helps break up any clumps, setting you up for a beautifully light and even crumb in your poppers.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, egg, honey, and melted butter until everything looks silky and smooth. This richly flavored mixture is the secret behind the irresistible moisture and depth in every bite.

Step 3: Bring Everything Together

Pour your wet ingredients into the bowl of dry, stirring just until the batter comes together—don’t overmix! Fold in the cheddar and jalapeños now, if you’re using them. Let the batter rest for 5 to 10 minutes so the cornmeal can hydrate, which leads to the softest, fluffiest poppers possible.

Step 4: Heat the Oil

While your batter rests, pour 2–3 inches of oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot and heat it to 350°F. Using a thermometer helps you nail the perfect temperature: hot enough to brown and puff the poppers, but gentle enough to keep them tender inside.

Step 5: Fry the Poppers

Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, drop tablespoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, frying just a few at a time to avoid crowding. After 2–3 minutes per side, you’ll see them turn golden brown and puff up beautifully. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, resisting the urge to sneak one immediately (but who could blame you?).

Step 6: Make the Honey Butter Glaze

In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt together butter and honey. Once your cornbread poppers are cool enough to handle but still warm, brush them generously all over with the honey butter glaze. This step takes these bites from delicious to truly unforgettable.

How to Serve Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

Garnishes

Dress up your Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, a few extra droplets of warm honey, or some finely chopped chives for color and flair. These little extras catch the light and add a fresh pop to each platter.

Side Dishes

These poppers play particularly well alongside hearty chili, creamy tomato soup, or any classic Southern spread like collard greens or fried chicken. Serve them as an appetizer at cookouts, game days, or family suppers—they’ll disappear in a flash!

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, pile your poppers high in a basket lined with a checkered napkin and a little dipping bowl of extra honey butter. At brunch, layer them atop a salad of spicy greens or serve with sweet-hot pepper jelly. They even shine as mini sliders: just split, fill with pulled pork or chicken, and brush with more honey butter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers (a rare event!), cool them completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. It’s best to glaze them fresh before serving, though.

Freezing

You can freeze unglazed poppers! Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then move to a zip-top freezer bag for up to 2 months. Just reheat before glazing and serving for best results.

Reheating

To revive that just-fried magic, warm your poppers in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes. You can also crisp them up in an air fryer. Brush with fresh honey butter glaze once they’re heated through for the best flavor and texture.

FAQs

Can I bake these instead of frying?

Absolutely! Spoon the batter into a greased mini muffin tin and bake at 375°F for 10–12 minutes. While you’ll miss some of the deep-fried crunch, you’ll still get that soft, golden cornbread bite.

What’s the best oil for frying?

Go for a neutral, high-smoke-point oil—think vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. They let the flavor of the Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers shine without adding any off-tastes.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap in your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour, and double-check that every other ingredient is gluten-free. The results are just as chewy and delicious.

How spicy are these with jalapeños?

With fresh diced jalapeños, expect a pleasant, mild heat that stays in the background. If you love more of a kick, add a pinch of cayenne or swap for hotter peppers to dial up the fire.

Can I double or halve the recipe?

Yes! The recipe scales beautifully. Just keep in mind that if you make them smaller or larger, you might need to adjust frying time accordingly. They’re fun to make for both small get-togethers and big parties!

Final Thoughts

There’s something downright joyful about sharing homemade Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers—whether it’s with your family on a cozy night in or friends at the weekend barbecue. Their perfect blend of nostalgic comfort and fresh, sweet-savory goodness is bound to win hearts. Roll up your sleeves, give them a try, and discover the magic for yourself!

Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 24 poppers 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers are a delightful twist on traditional cornbread, combining a sweet and savory flavor profile. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and drizzled with a luscious honey butter glaze, these poppers are perfect for snacking or as a unique appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Batter:

1 cup yellow cornmeal
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup buttermilk
1 large egg
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons melted butter
½ cup finely shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
¼ cup diced jalapeños (optional)
oil for frying

Honey Butter Glaze:

3 tablespoons butter
1½ tablespoons honey

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Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients: buttermilk, egg, honey, and melted butter until smooth.
Pour wet ingredients into dry: Stir until just combined. Fold in cheese and jalapeños if using. Let batter rest for 5–10 minutes.
Heat oil: Heat 2–3 inches of oil in a deep pot to 350°F.
Fry the poppers: Using a small scoop, drop batter into hot oil. Fry for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown.
Make the glaze: Melt butter and honey, then brush over warm poppers before serving.