Air Fryer Cornbread Muffins Recipe
Skip the complication of baking cornbread in the oven and use your air fryer instead! This quick and easy air fryer cornbread recipe is the best way to make deliciously savory muffins in minutes. Whip up the batter from scratch and bake up a classic side dish for dinner without ever turning on your oven.
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Reasons You'll Love This Cornbread MuffinRecipe
Craving warm, buttery cornbread but short on time? Skip the lengthy oven preheat and grab your air fryer instead. This simple air fryer cornbread muffin recipe delivers fluffy, golden-brown muffins in a fraction of the time, making it the perfect side dish for any weeknight meal. Read on to discover five reasons why these savory muffins will become your new go-to recipe.
- They're Incredibly Quick and Easy: One of the biggest advantages of using an air fryer is speed. Traditional oven-baked cornbread can take up to 40 minutes, including preheating. With an air fryer, you can have perfectly cooked, warm cornbread muffins ready in about 15 minutes from start to finish.
- They're Ideal for Small Batches: Not everyone needs a full pan of cornbread. This air fryer recipe is perfect for singles, couples, or small families who want just a few muffins without the temptation of leftovers. It allows you to make exactly what you need, reducing potential food waste. This is especially handy for weeknight dinners when you're looking for a quick side to accompany chili, soup, or a barbecue dish. Making a small batch ensures every muffin is enjoyed fresh and warm, right out of the air fryer.
- They Free Up Your Oven: When you're preparing a big meal for holidays like Thanksgiving or a family dinner, oven space is prime real estate. By using your air fryer to make the cornbread muffins, you free up your main oven for the turkey, roast, or casseroles that require longer baking times.
- You'll Keep Your Kitchen Cool: On a hot summer day, the last thing you want to do is turn on your oven and heat the entire kitchen. An air fryer contains the heat within its compact space, allowing you to bake without raising the temperature of your home. This makes it the ideal appliance for year-round baking.Ready to whip up a batch of these delicious muffins? Grab your cornmeal and buttermilk, and prepare to be amazed at how simple and satisfying homemade cornbread can be.
What Do I Need to Make Air Fryer Cornbread?
If you plan on making a small batch of muffins for dinner, you can't go wrong when you use your air fryer. Just grab a handful of common pantry ingredients to make homemade cornbread in an instant. To make these corn muffins, you'll need:
- Fine cornmeal
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Egg
- Buttermilk
- Melted butter
- Olive oil spray
How Do I Make Air Fryer Cornbread?
There's no need to turn on your oven to bake a batch of homemade corn muffins for dinner. Just follow these easy instructions to learn how to make cornbread in the air fryer.
Step One: Prepare the Batter
Before you can bake your cornbread, you'll need to take a few minutes to preheat your air fryer to 330 degrees. While the air fryer is warming up, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and melted butter until smooth. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth, making sure not to over mix the batter.
Step Two: Fill a Muffin Pan
Allow the batter to rest in the bowl for around five minutes, until it has thickened. Then, lightly grease an 6-cup muffin pan with olive oil spray or brush the pan with melted butter. Divide the batter evenly between each cup, filling each around ¾ of the way full.
Step Three: Air Fry the Muffins
Place the pan in the air fryer basket and bake at 330 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes, until the tops of the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cornbread to cool slightly before removing from the pan and enjoy!
How Do You Store Cornbread Muffins?
Since this recipe prepares a small batch of muffins, you may not have any delicious cornbread left when your meal is over! But if you do have a few extra pieces, you can store them at room temperature. Make sure to allow the cornbread to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container.
To store the cornbread for longer, you can keep the muffins in the refrigerator for up to five days. Or wrap them well with plastic wrap and store them in a zip-top bag in the freezer for up to two months.
Allow the frozen muffins to thaw in the refrigerator. After that, you can warm up the leftovers in the microwave or in the air fryer at 300 degrees for 2 to 3 minutes.
Can I Make Cornbread Without Buttermilk?
Don't have any buttermilk on hand? Don't worry! You can still make this cornbread muffin recipe. Simply combine ¾ cup milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice. Stir to mix the ingredients together, then allow them to sit at room temperature for at least five minutes until the milk has curdled slightly.
Air Fryer Cornbread Recipe Ideas
Now that you know how to make cornbread in the air fryer, you'll want to make this easy recipe all the time! And with these simple recipe ideas, you'll have plenty of ideas of ways to change up the muffins to create unique side dishes for each meal.
- Double the recipe. Need a big batch of cornbread for dinner tonight? You can prepare 12 muffins by doubling the recipe ingredients. Simply prepare the batter according to the recipe instructions, then bake the muffins in batches if your air fryer is too small to cook all 12 at once.
- Make it sugar free. The small amount of sugar in this recipe helps add a hint of sweetness to each bite. But it's not necessary to the recipe. If you'd like your muffins to be more on the savory side, simply leave the sugar out. You can also swap out the sugar for a natural sweetener, like maple syrup or honey, if desired.
- Bake them in the oven. Don't have an air fryer? You can also prepare this homemade corn muffin recipe in the oven. Follow the instructions for preparing the batter, then bake the muffins at 375 degrees for 14 to 16 minutes, until the tops are golden and set.
Delicious Dishes to Serve with Cornbread Muffins
Cornbread muffins are a true comfort food classic. With their slightly sweet flavor and tender, crumbly texture, they're delightful on their own, perhaps with a simple pat of butter. But their true magic lies in their versatility. A good cornbread muffin can elevate a simple meal into something truly special. Here are some of our favorite foods to pair your latest batch of cornbread muffins with.
- Classic Chili: This is arguably the most iconic pairing, and for good reason. The hearty, spicy, and savory flavors of a good beef or bean chili are perfectly balanced by the sweet, cake-like texture of a cornbread muffin. It's the ultimate combination for a cold day. Use your muffin to scoop up every last delicious bite.
- Barbecue Pulled Pork: Sweet, smoky, and tender pulled pork is a fantastic match for cornbread muffins. The soft bread soaks up the tangy barbecue sauce beautifully. You can serve the muffins on the side or even slice them open and create mini pulled pork sliders for a fun and crowd-pleasing appetizer.
- Hearty Beef Stew: Just like chili, a slow-cooked beef stew full of tender meat and root vegetables is a perfect companion for cornbread muffins. The rich, savory gravy is ideal for dipping, turning a simple muffin into a flavor-packed bite. This pairing creates a deeply comforting and filling meal.
- Fried Chicken: Combine two Southern classics for a meal that's sure to be a hit. The crispy, savory crust of fried chicken contrasts wonderfully with the soft, sweet cornbread. The muffin serves as a lighter, slightly sweet counterpoint to the rich, savory chicken, making for a perfectly balanced plate.
- Black-Eyed Peas: A staple in Southern cuisine, black-eyed peas are a simple yet flavorful side that pairs wonderfully with cornbread. Whether you serve them simply seasoned or as part of a more complex dish like Hoppin' John, their earthy flavor is a natural fit for the muffin's subtle sweetness.
Whether you're planning a family dinner, a holiday feast, or a simple weeknight meal, there's a perfect pairing for your cornbread muffins. Experiment with these ideas to discover new ways to enjoy this beloved comfort food. Explore our collection of recipes to find the perfect dish to accompany your next batch of homemade muffins.
Air Fryer Cornbread Muffins Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup fine cornmeal yellow or white
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- or ¾ cup milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Olive oil spray for greasing muffin tin
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 330°F (165°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, and melted butter until smooth.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Let batter sit for 5 minutes to hydrate.
- Lightly grease an 8-cup muffin cases with olive oil spray or brush with butter.
- Divide the batter evenly between the 12 muffin cups — each should be about ¾ full.
- Place the cases in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 330°F for 12–14 minutes, or until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Brush warm muffin tops with extra melted butter for added shine (optional).
- Let cool slightly before removing. Serve warm.
Notes
1. With chili or stew
2. Alongside meatloaf or roast chicken
3. Split and buttered at breakfast
4. Topped with honey butter
5. Stuffed with BBQ pulled pork for mini sliders Storage
• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerator: Store for up to 5 days. Reheat in air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes.
• Freezer: Wrap well and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, then reheat in air fryer to refresh texture. FAQs Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Double all ingredients and use a 12-cup muffin tin. Cook in batches if needed. Can I leave out the sugar?
Yes. The sugar is optional and can be skipped for a more savory muffin. What if I don’t have buttermilk?
Mix ¾ cup milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice. Let sit for 5 minutes. How do I know when they’re done?
Insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean or with dry crumbs. Can I bake these in the oven instead?
Yes. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 14–16 minutes, or until golden and set.
Nutrition
