Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers are truly the stuff of legend in my world: irresistibly fluffy cornbread bites fried to crispy, golden perfection, then bathed in a luscious honey butter glaze. They embody everything joyful about Southern comfort food: sweetness from the honey, a toothsome crunch from cornmeal, pops of juicy corn, and that warm, welcoming richness only cornbread can deliver. Whether you’re serving them at a potluck, a backyard barbecue, or just on a lazy Sunday afternoon, these poppers are pure bite-sized celebration!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is half the fun, especially when they’re this simple yet powerful. Each one shines, working its magic on taste, texture, and color to create Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers that are impossible to resist.
- Cornmeal: Provides authentic Southern flavor and irresistible texture to the poppers.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the poppers tender structure and balances the hearty cornmeal.
- Granulated sugar: Just a touch sweetens the batter and enhances the honey butter glaze.
- Baking powder: Lifts the poppers, keeping them fluffy and light inside.
- Salt: Brightens and balances both the sweet and savory notes.
- Buttermilk: Classic in Southern baking, it adds tangy richness and a soft crumb.
- Large eggs: Help bind the batter for perfectly round poppers.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Delivers buttery flavor and moistness—vital for both batter and glaze.
- Honey: Adds floral sweetness and that signature Southern finish.
- Corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen): Pops of texture and color amp up the flavor.
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola): Neutral, high-heat oil ensures even, golden frying.
- For the honey butter glaze: Unsalted butter, honey, and a pinch of salt combine for a shiny, irresistible crown.
How to Make Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start with a big bowl and combine your cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Give everything a good whisk—this ensures those poppers will have an even rise and the perfect tender crunch in every bite.
Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and honey until the mixture is completely smooth and well-blended. The aroma is already enough to make your mouth water!
Step 3: Combine and Fold
Pour your wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently, just until combined; over-mixing can make the poppers tough, so a light hand here goes a long way. Now fold in those beautiful corn kernels so they’re evenly distributed.
Step 4: Heat the Oil
Pour about 2 inches of vegetable or canola oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven and heat it to 350°F. Use a thermometer for the most reliable results—steady oil temperature ensures a golden, crispy exterior every single time.
Step 5: Fry the Poppers
Carefully drop tablespoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry them for 2 to 3 minutes per side until each popper is golden brown and perfectly cooked through. Scoop out with a slotted spoon, letting the poppers drain on paper towels.
Step 6: Make the Honey Butter Glaze
In a small saucepan, melt unsalted butter with honey and a pinch of salt, stirring until warm and silky. This honey butter glaze is your secret weapon—it transforms every popper into a sticky, shiny, utterly irresistible treat!
Step 7: Glaze and Serve
While the poppers are still warm, drizzle the honey butter glaze over them or, for the full Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers experience, toss gently to ensure every popper gets evenly coated. Serve while they’re warm and watch them disappear!
How to Serve Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers
Garnishes
For a visually stunning platter, finish the poppers with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, chopped fresh chives, or a dusting of smoked paprika. These little touches add color, extra flavor, and a dash of personality to the Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers.
Side Dishes
These poppers are incredibly versatile—pair them with spicy barbecue, a big pot of chili, creamy coleslaw, or collard greens. They also make a show-stopping addition to a Southern-style brunch alongside eggs, crispy bacon, or fruit salad.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers extra festive by piling them high in a bread basket lined with a cheerful napkin, threading them onto skewers for a fun party platter, or serving them in paper cones at your next cookout. Individual mini crocks with extra honey butter glaze are always a huge hit!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with a few extra Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers (a rare occasion!), let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The glaze keeps them moist, but they’re best enjoyed fresh.
Freezing
Want to get ahead on party prep? Freeze fully cooled poppers (unglazed) in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to two months. When ready to serve, simply reheat, make the glaze fresh, and toss to coat as if they were just cooked.
Reheating
To bring back that just-fried magic, reheat the poppers in a 325°F oven for about 8–10 minutes until warmed through. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them a bit chewy. Glaze just before serving to keep them perfectly shiny and soft.
FAQs
Can I make Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers without buttermilk?
Yes! If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, let it sit for five minutes, and use as directed. It gives a similar tang and tender crumb.
Can I add different mix-ins to the batter?
Absolutely! Try folding in diced jalapeños for heat, shredded cheddar for extra richness, or even crispy bacon crumbles. Just keep mix-ins to about 1/2 cup so the batter isn’t too heavy.
What’s the best oil for frying Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers?
Stick with a neutral oil like vegetable or canola—they have a high smoke point and won’t mask the lovely flavors of your poppers. Avoid olive oil, as it can become bitter at high temperatures.
Can I bake these instead of frying?
You can, but you’ll get a different texture—more like mini muffins. Spoon the batter into greased mini muffin tins, bake at 400°F for around 12–15 minutes, and brush with honey butter glaze while warm.
How do I know when the poppers are fully cooked inside?
After frying, the poppers should be deeply golden and crisp on the outside. Break one open—if it’s fluffy, moist, and there’s no raw batter, you’re good to go. If unsure, fry a minute or two longer for peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Invite a little Southern sunshine into your kitchen and share the love with a basket of Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers. There’s just something magical about serving up these warm, golden bites—whether for friends, family, or maybe just for yourself. Give them a try, and your table will never be short of smiles or requests for seconds!
Print
Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 poppers 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers are a delightful twist on classic cornbread, perfect for snacking or as a side dish. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and drizzled with a sweet honey butter glaze, these poppers are sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
For the honey butter glaze:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter, and honey until smooth. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the corn kernels.
- Deep-Frying: Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F. Drop tablespoonfuls of batter into the hot oil, frying in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Honey Butter Glaze: For the glaze, melt the butter with honey and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Drizzle the warm honey butter over the poppers or toss them gently to coat. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a spicy kick, add 1–2 minced jalapeños to the batter.
- These poppers taste best fresh but can be kept warm in a 200°F oven until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Side Dish
- Method: Deep-Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 poppers
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
