Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
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Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins are moist, a bit spicy, and have the perfect touch of sweetness! A quick and easy side dish that is perfect when served with a bowl of soup, chili, or even just a glass of milk.

Spicy, Sweet, Irresistible Cornbread Muffins!

As much as I love cornbread, I might love cornbread muffins even more. There’s something about tender, buttery cornbread baked up in muffin form! And this recipe? It’s not just cornbread, y’all. These light, golden muffins are sprinkled with cheddar and studded with jalapeños! For anyone who likes things a little spicy, these wholesome corn muffins are the perfect side dish.

Corn muffins are also great for snacking, so make these for an after-school (or after-work) snack, and watch them disappear. Don’t like jalapeños? No problem! They are just as delicious without –  or you can check out the Tips section for a clever substitute.

(For more cornbread recipes, take a look at this recipe for classic Sweet Cornbread, and this family-sized Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread without the corn kernels!)

The ingredients for cornbread muffins, measured into small dishes and arranged on a work surface.

Recipe Ingredients

The ingredients for these jalapeño muffins include both cornmeal and corn kernels, plus fresh jalapeños, and sharp cheddar cheese. So good! Here’s the complete list in more detail. (For the full recipe, scroll on down to the bottom of this post!)

  • Flour: All-purpose flour is best here – don’t use self-rising flour, or the muffins won’t have the right texture.
  • Cornmeal: Finely ground cornmeal, not medium grind. Medium grind is much chewier and harder than finely ground cornmeal.
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar, or for a slightly warmer taste, substitute brown sugar, honey, or syrup. 
  • Rising Agents: Using both baking powder and baking soda ensures a light rise.
  • Salt
  • Butter: Melt and slightly cool the butter before adding it to the batter. 
  • Egg: One large, whole egg.
  • Milk: Or buttermilk, if you’d like a tangier taste to your cornbread. Both are scrumptious!
  • Cheese: Sharp, shredded cheddar cheese.
  • Corn: You can use fresh, frozen, or canned corn kernels.
  • Green Onions: Chopped.
  • Jalapeños: One chopped, and one sliced.
Cornbread muffins piled into a basket lined with a clean tea towel.

How to Make Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins

Cornbread muffins can be made in a regular muffin pan with cupcake liners, or you can use a cast-iron muffin tin if you have one. My Granny passed down her cast-iron muffin tin to me, and it makes fantastic corn muffins!

  • Prepare Your Pan and Oven. To get started, set your oven to preheat to 350°F. Coat a muffin tin with butter, or line it with cupcake liners. You may also use a cornbread pan.
  • Whisk the Dry Ingredients Together. Next, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 
  • “Assemble” the Cornbread Muffins. Gently stir in your shredded cheese, corn kernels, green onions, and the chopped jalapeño. Fill the muffin cups 3/4 of the way, and top each one with a jalapeño slice.
  • Bake! Bake the corn muffins for 14 – 16 minutes if you’re using a regular muffin tin, or 18 – 20 minutes if you’re using a cast-iron muffin tin. You’ll know the muffins are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes back clean.
  • Enjoy! Serve the muffins warm with a pat of butter.

Tips for Success

What else should you know about this down-home recipe? Glad you asked! These helpful tips for success will ensure a light, buttery, perfect result.

  • Sugar: If you want your muffins less sweet, feel free to reduce the amount of sugar or leave it out entirely. The muffins’ texture may change slightly, but they’ll still be great.
  • Don’t Overbake: Just like over-mixing, over-baking is the enemy of a good corn muffin. Bake them just until done, and then take them out, so they stay moist.
  • Mild Muffins: Not so sure about the jalapeños? You can substitute them with thinly sliced and chopped bell pepper instead. It will still have a hint of “chili” flavor, but without the heat.
A basket of muffins next to a bowl of chili. One of the muffins is in the bowl of chili.

Yummy Ideas for Serving

Sweet, spicy corn muffins are wonderful as a snack, but even better as a side dish with a flavorful main course. Especially if you choose a Southern or Southwestern recipe!

  • Chili: When chili weather hits, you can’t go wrong adding a side of jalapeño cornbread muffins to your favorite chili recipe. One of our favorites is this incredible Taco Ranch Chicken Chili
  • Collards: Collards with cornbread are a classic combination for a reason. This easy recipe for Beer Bacon Collard Greens is loaded with all kinds of flavor.
  • Beans: Make a pot of pinto beans, or go all out with these Instant Pot Charro Beans. You’ll love these savory beans with smoked sausage, bacon, tomato, and onion.
A corn muffin split and spread with butter on a small dessert plate.

Leftover muffins can be stored at room temperature for up to two days, in an airtight container. You can refrigerate them for about a week. Be sure to toss any corn muffins that have mold or seem otherwise spoiled.

If you’d like to warm up your cornbread muffins, I suggest the microwave – it literally takes just a few seconds! The oven is also good, though. Warm them at 350°F for 4 – 6 minutes, or until steamy hot.

A basket of corn muffins.

Can I Freeze This?

Yes, you can store these in the freezer – just cool them down first (this helps prevent freezer burn) and then put them in a freezer bag or another airtight freezer container. Use them within 3 months for maximum freshness and flavor.

More Bread Side Dish Recipes:

Close-up shot of jalapeno muffins.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Recipe
Yield: 12 Muffins

Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins

These Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins are moist, a bit spicy, and have the perfect touch of sweetness! Enjoy them with soup, chili, or just a glass of milk.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time18 minutes
Total Time28 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • cup finely ground cornmeal
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoons salt
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ cup milk, or buttermilk
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ¾ cup corn kernels, fresh, frozen or canned
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 2 jalapeños, 1 chopped and 1 sliced

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a cast iron muffin tin or cast iron cornbread pan with butter. (You may also use a regular muffin tin with cupcake liners.) Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine butter, egg and milk. Slowly add dry mixture to wet mixture, scrapping down to the bottom as needed. Do not over mix.
  • Gently stir in shredded cheese, corn, green onions and the chopped jalapeño. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full and top each muffin with a jalapeño slice.
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes if using cast iron, or 14-16 minutes if using a regular muffin tin. Muffins are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes back clean.
  • Serve warm with a slab of butter, or store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Notes

  • Storing: Leftover muffins can be stored at room temperature for up to two days, in an airtight container. You can refrigerate them for about a week. Be sure to toss any corn muffins that have mold or seem otherwise spoiled.
  • Sugar: If you want your muffins less sweet, feel free to reduce the amount of sugar or leave it out entirely. The muffins’ texture may change slightly, but they’ll still be great.
  • Don’t Over-bake: Just like over-mixing, over-baking is the enemy of a good corn muffin. Bake them just until done, and then take them out, so they stay moist.
  • Mild Muffins: Not so sure about the jalapeños? You can substitute them with thinly sliced and chopped bell pepper instead. It will still have a hint of “chili” flavor, but without the heat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 218kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 51mg, Sodium: 405mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g

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44 Responses
  1. Shauna E!

    The corn muffins turned out FANTASTIC! I seriously could have eaten the whole pan before my husband came home! Can’t wait to try some of your other recipes.

  2. Dianna @ The Kitchen Prep

    I love this post. I talk about my grandma a lot on my blog because she has a lot to do with my passion for being in the kitchen. She will be celebrating her 89th birthday in 2 weeks! It really is true that things taste better when they have a little bit of grandma’s touch to them. :)

  3. Gerry @ Foodness Gracious

    I love seeing those big jalapenos on top, so many times I’m left looking for the jalapenos, I like it spicy. I would crumble these up on top of my chilli…

  4. Jessica M.

    Hi! I love your blog! I made these muffins yesterday for 4th of July…they were AMAZING. Thank you for sharing this recipe. It is now my go-to cornbread recipe.

  5. Nutmeg Nanny

    I love cast iron. My skillet came from my great-grandma! That stuff is everlasting! Great job on the muffins too. They sound amazing!

  6. Michelle @ Brown Eyed Baker

    Oooh, love these! Remind me of a favorite jalapeno cheddar cornbread recipe I make. Can’t wait to give these a try. Also very jealous of your cast iron muffin pan! Getting kitchen goodies from grandma is the best!

  7. Loulou

    These look delicious and I’ll be trying them for sure! How lucky to have been handed down a treasure like that cast iron muffin pan from your grandmother. There is nothing like well seasoned cast iron and there are no shortcuts to getting it … Only usage and time will work!

    Loulou

  8. Joanne

    Your grandparents are SO adorable! I want to eat whatever they ate for the past 70+ years of their lives! It obviously did them good.

  9. Heidi @ Food Doodles

    Yummy! Love the jalapenos on top :) I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cast iron muffin tin before but that is awesome!

  10. Construction Supplies San Diego

    these muffins look great… I love the spiciness of the jalapeño and the savory of the cheese and the sweetness of the corn… I am saving this one for chili season :)

  11. Lindsay {life and kitchen}

    I love how active your grandparents are! Mine have iPads too, which officially makes them cooler than me. These muffins look great :)

  12. Cassie

    What a sweet family, so nice to spend time with those that we love, and to cook like them too. These muffins look and sound amazing!

  13. Kimmy @ Lighter and Local

    I’m always trying to make as much from scratch like my nana did. However, I’m with you, certain things (in moderation) I just can’t give up. And that’s A-OK… I’m sure our grandparents took a few shortcuts/liberties as well! :-)

  14. Veronica

    Awww, so sweet! They are lovely. Your post left me in tears. I was so close to my grandparents, but, sadly, my grandad passed away last year and I live 1500miles away of my grandma…missed them so much!!!
    PS: I’m loving your recipe, I will definitely give it a try!

  15. sally @ sally's baking addiction

    Your grandparents are adorable! I love my grandparents and miss them a lot – they live across the country. Cornbread is a classic favorite, usually paired with chili in my house. love the jalapeno twist!

  16. Eva @ Eva Bakes

    Love the pics of you with your grandparents. That cast iron muffin pan looks awesome – I want one too!

  17. Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey

    Your grandparents look so sweet :) I am totally jealous of your cast iron muffin tin.

  18. Katie from Katie's Cucina

    Love the cast iron muffin tin. Never thought to put fresh corn in cornbread! Love the idea!

  19. Ali @ Gimme Some Oven

    Love, love, love the sweet pics of you all together! And these look absolutely delicious. Love recipes (and muffin tins) with family stories! :)

  20. Averie @ Averie Cooks

    A cast iron muffin tin? Now THAT is worth it’s weight in gold! Love the pic of you and your super young looking grandma!

Welcome!

Jessica
I'm a trial & error, self taught, sugar addict who thankfully learned how to survive in the kitchen! I am also a wife, mama of 3.