This is the best, most delicious gluten-free cornbread recipe out there. It’s light and moist and is simple to make. Also, there is a dairy-free option!
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Watch the video below (right before the recipe) to see how easy it is to make these! Also, check out the video on Facebook!
Gluten Free Cornbread
Today I’m sharing my family’s secret for the best gluten free cornbread. It’s the recipe that my mom always made when I was kid and it’s the recipe that she’s passed down to me (the only difference is that we’ve converted it to being gluten free). Our secret family recipe?
The one that comes on the Quaker cornmeal container. Yup, it’s our tried-and-true, go-to family recipe 😂😂
Do you guys have recipes like that? Ones that are “family recipes” that have been passed down from your parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents that aren’t really family recipes but have come from brand packaging? My grandmother’s chocolate chip cookies are another one of those that we love and she loves to tell us how it was from a Nestle’s chocolate chip package when she was young.
Hershey’s chocolate cake, Philadelphia cheesecake, and Libby’s pumpkin pie are a couple other “famous” recipes that are also often innocently and deliciously claimed as family recipes. Not that there is anything wrong with that, recipes are meant to be shared and passed on to others. I’d love to know what recipes you and your family love that were originally off of a package!
As far as this “family cornbread recipe” goes, it’s a winner. This recipe originally called for skim milk but I like to add vinegar to make it a homemade buttermilk and if I have buttermilk, I use that.
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Key Ingredients for this Gluten Free Cornbread Recipe
- Gluten-Free all purpose flour
- Xanthan gum (omit if using Bobs Red Mill 1:1)
- Cornmeal
- Buttermilk
- Avocado OR Canola Oil
- 1 large egg, ROOM TEMPERATURE
Equipment Needed
How to make Super Easy Gluten Free Cornbread
Step 1. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk together.
Step 2. In another large bowl, add the wet ingredients and whisk together.
Step 3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
Step 4. Pour the batter into a prepared 8×8 square baking pan (parchment paper or non-stick spray) and smooth out with spatula. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-24 minutes.
Helpful Pro tips to know for this recipe
- To make your own buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to your regular dairy milk.
- If the flour mix you use contains xanthan gum, omit the amount I called for in this recipe.
- For dairy-free “buttermilk”, use 1 cup of unsweetened coconut milk plus 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in place of the buttermilk.
- Make sure your wet ingredients, such as your milk, is room temperature for optimal baking!
- Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 2 days. Individual pieces may also be wrapped and frozen.
- Make sure your oven is adequately preheated! Give it a few extra minutes to preheat so this cornbread will cook evenly and consistently. If you’re not sure about your oven temperature and its’ accuracy, purchase a cheap oven thermometer!
- You can check to see if it’s done by using a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cornbread and checking to see if it comes out clean.
Measuring your gluten free flour blend
I highly recommend you follow and sign up for this free guide on how to properly measure your flour blends. It’s very important to measure your flour the correct right way. It will increase the quality of the recipes that you bake. Consistency is key!
Can cornbread be made dairy-free?
The answer is a resounding yes! This can also very easily be made into a gluten free dairy free cornbread recipe by using unsweetened coconut milk in place of the milk/buttermilk. Still add some vinegar to make it more like “buttermilk”.
Some other ways to enjoy this recipe
If you want a different twist, there is a gluten-free sourdough cornbread recipe that you can try that is out of this world delish! I also have a recipe for cornbread in my cookbook- The Gluten-Free Quick Breads Cookbook that you should check out!
What to serve on the side
I shared my gluten free corn muffin recipe with you a while back and those muffins are a version of this bread. Like those muffins, this gluten free cornbread is great as a side dish for chili or ribs. Serve it with a vegetable and you’ll have a complete meal in a flash!
Is cornbread naturally gluten-free?
Many recipes call for all purpose or wheat flour to be added. So the short answer is no. But you can easily make it gluten free by substituting the regular flour for gluten free all-purpose flour.
What types of flour mixes should I use?
One great option is my all purpose gluten-free flour blend. It is a very versatile than can be used in several recipes, including this one! Also, you can try Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour which works very well.
King Arthur Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour is another great option which I’ve had success with. However, I really encourage you to avoid Cup4Cup. The batter is too thick and doesn’t work well with this recipe.
Note: Many times, gluten free flour mixes that you buy at the store have xanthan gum in them. Be sure to check the label just to make sure!
Homemade gluten free cornbread
This homemade cornbread is such an EASY recipe. I can’t emphasize it enough. As a kid, this was one of the first recipes I remember making when I was helping to get dinner on the table. If I could do it at 11, you got this!
Cornbread from scratch is a cinch, there’s no need for a mix! And if you’re looking for a sweet cornbread recipe, just add a bit more sugar than this recipe calls for.
If you have any bread leftover, I love it for breakfast toasted with a little bit of butter and drizzled with some honey! Or add some melted butter on top! If you have honey butter already made up, even better! Enjoy!
Be sure to watch the video below to see how easy it is to make this gluten free cornbread! You can also watch it on Facebook where you can easily share it.
<< CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS RECIPE >>
Watch the video below to see how easy these are to make. You can also watch this video on Facebook where you can easily share it.
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and hashtag #whattheforkfoodblog or tag @whattheforkfoodblog – I love seeing what you make!
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Gluten Free Cornbread
This is the best, most delicious gluten-free cornbread recipe out there. It's light and moist and is simple to make. Also, there is a dairy-free option!
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups gluten free all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 3/4 cup cornmeal [use a finely ground cornmeal for best results]
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1/4 cup avocado oil [or canola/vegetable oil]
- 1 large egg, room temperature
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray an 8x8 inch pan with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, xanthan gum, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, and egg. Pour the wet ingredients into a the dry ingredients and mix until incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the batter.
4. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-24 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Notes
- *To make your own buttermilk, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to your regular dairy milk.
- I use my Nightshade Free Flour Mix in this recipe. I have also tested it with Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Baking Mix with great results.
- If the flour mix you use contains xanthan gum, omit the amount I called for in this recipe.
- For dairy-free "buttermilk", use 1 cup of unsweetened coconut milk plus 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in place of the buttermilk.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 2 days. Individual pieces can also be wrapped and frozen.
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Nikki Short
Wednesday 11th of November 2020
I love this Cornbread! My husband is diabetic though so instead of regular sugar I always use Monk Fruit Sweetener in place of it. Turns out perfect every time and my kids can’t even tell it is sugar free.
Diana
Tuesday 10th of March 2020
Hi Shay,
Love love love your website. Your Nightshade free flour has been amazing ! Quick question..can I replace corn grits in place of corn meal to make this corn bread?
Alene
Thursday 23rd of January 2020
I made this today for the first time. It tasted delicious but was a little dense. And then I realized that Bob's Mill 1 to 1 has zanthum gum and I had already added it, per the recipe instructions. . Sighhh. I guess next time I will read all the way until the end of the recipe. And, it was pretty good just the way it was, warmed up with butter. So I'm sure it will be better without the extra zanthum gum.
Christine
Saturday 30th of November 2019
Made this delicious cornbread for Thanksgiving dinner and it turned out awesome. Your recipe has been added to our family favorites list on the first try! Thank you so much for posting this recipe!
Shay
Sunday 1st of December 2019
Thank you Christine! I'm glad your family loves it so much! I have 2 other versions of it in my The Gluten-Free Quick Breads Cookbook :)
Michelle Duncan
Wednesday 27th of March 2019
Made this tonight and ended up writing it down on a recipe card to make again! My husband likes it sweet so I did 1/2 cup sugar. Thank you! Delicious with my chili!
Shay
Saturday 13th of April 2019
Thanks Michelle, so glad you loved it! And thanks for sharing your sugar adjustment :)