Skillet gluten-free cornbread is the perfect side dish to serve with chili or to use for Thanksgiving cornbread stuffing.

overhead of the cornbread in the skillet with a wedge cut

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Why You’ll Love This Gluten-Free Cornbread Recipe

If you are looking for a fluffy, lightly sweet cornbread made without gluten, then your search is over! This simple recipe takes only about 5 minutes to pop in the oven and goes with Turkey Pinto Chili, Barbecue Chicken, Barbecue Beef or Chicken Gumbo Stew.

It was with my favorite healthy cornbread recipe in mind that I started working on this gluten-free cornbread recipe. This version is made in a cast iron skillet in the oven. You heat the skillet up in the oven as the oven preheats, and then you pour the batter in. That helps give the bread a nice crispy edge.

This cornbread is only lightly sweet, but if you prefer Southern-style cornbread without any sugar at all then it can be made without any sugar. The sugar-free version is great for Thanksgiving stuffing by the way! Try my cornbread stuffing with apples and pecans!

Ingredient Notes

Stone-Ground Cornmeal

I made this cornbread with locally ground cornmeal which I prefer to the processed (and not whole grain) stuff you get in a canister. Being stone ground means it is naturally more nutritious and has a delicious grainy texture that makes this skillet cornbread hearty and satisfying for a side dish or as an ingredient in cornbread stuffing.

Gluten-Free Flour

I prefer Cup4 Cup of those that I have tested. King Arthur GF All-purpose Flour comes in very very close on its heels. We’ve gotten great results for both of them.

Buttermilk

For the best rise I use buttermilk for the batter. The acidity in the buttermilk reacts with the baking soda and creates tiny bubbles wich helps to leaven the bread. If you do not have it you can mix a little lemon juice into regular milk to mock up similar results.

Sugar or Honey

To sweeten this cornbread I used regular white sugar but honey works well too. You can omit the sugar altogether if you prefer unsweetened cornbread.

the skillet of cornbread from overhead on a navy napkin

Step-By-Step Instructions For This Recipe

Making gluten-free cornbread in a skillet is easy peasy! The basic steps for making this delicious side are as follows: 

Preheat the oven and the skillet — Swirl a little oil into the cast iron skillet, then pop it into the oven as it preheats. This will give the cornbread a nice brown crusty layer once you slice it! 

Mix the wet and dry ingredients separately — While the oven is preheating, mix together the wet ingredients in one bowl, and the dry in another (this will prevent the baking powder and baking soda from reacting too soon). When the oven is preheated, mix everything together.

Bake the cornbread — Pour the batter into the hot skillet (be careful!) and bake until it’s fully set. To test the doneness of the cornbread, insert a knife into the center and see if it comes out clean.  

Gluten-Free Serving Suggestions

Serve this cornbread warm for the best texture. Let it cool about 30 minutes then slice into wedges.

FAQs

Can this be made ahead?

If serving to company we suggest making it fresh and serving warm. To prep it ahead mix the wet mix and dry ingredients and keep them separate. Keep the wet mix in the fridge up to 1 day ahead stored in an airtight container. Mix the batter and bake fresh before serving.

How to reheat

Reheat wedges of the cornbread for 20 seconds in the microwave. To reheat in the oven, take the cornbread out of the skillet and wrap wedges in foil. Bake at 350 degrees F until heated through, about 25 minutes.

Can this be frozen?

Wrap slices in plastic, then add to a 1 gallon freezer bag. Press as much air out of the bag as possible and seal shut. Freeze up to 1 month. Unwrap and defrost in the microwave for about 35 seconds. Enjoy warm. Alternatively defrost on the counter and reheat in the oven.

Thanks so much for reading! If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my email newsletter to get a free weekly menu plan and the latest recipes right to your inbox. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought!

Happy Cooking! ~Katie

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skillet cornbread slice in the pan

Gluten-Free Skillet Cornbread


  • Author: Katie Webster
  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings 1x

Description

This gluten free cornbread recipe is baked in a cast iron skillet. Serve with chili or use for Thanksgiving stuffing. Bonus: you can make it with or without sugar.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 6 tablespoons avocado oil or organic canola oil, divided
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 1/3 cup buttermilk
  • 1 1/2 cup stone ground cornmeal
  • 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar, optional
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

  1. Swirl 1 tablespoon oil in a 9-inch cast-iron skillet and place on a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 375ºF.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 5 tablespoons oil, eggs and buttermilk in a large bowl. Whisk cornmeal, baking mix, sugar (if using), baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl.
  3. When oven is preheated, add the dry mix to the wet mix and stir to combine. Pull the oven rack out, and brush the hot canola oil around the inside of the skillet. Carefully pour the cornbread batter into the hot skillet.
  4. Bake until the cornbread is puffed and golden brown, and set up in the center, 22 to 24 minutes. Serve warm for the best texture. Let it cool about 30 minutes then slice into wedges.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 22 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/10 of the cornbread (about 3 ounces)
  • Calories: 210 calories
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 394 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 5 g

Keywords: gluten free cornbread, gluten-free skillet cornbread, how to make cornbread without flour