Eagerly awaiting a solution for your stale cornbread, these innovative recipes will breathe new life into yesterday’s leftovers. From sweet treats like French toast and pudding, to savory dishes such as crab cakes, cornbread is just as delicious the second time around! It’s undeniable that perfectly moist cornbread is always a great accompaniment to stews, chili, and many other hearty meals. However, when you’ve made too much, it can be a challenge.
That’s why I’ve curated 17 fantastic leftover cornbread recipes to inspire your creativity at home. Cornbread is simply too precious to go to waste, after all. So let’s dive right in!
Cornbread Pudding
Honoring leftovers can be a creative way to turn them into something new and exciting, like making a pudding out of leftover skillet cornbread. Conveniently, the required ingredients are likely already stocked in your kitchen pantry, making this dish not only tasty but also budget-friendly. This simple yet flavorful side dish is perfect for holiday meals, but its ease of preparation means it might become a regular staple in your household, with everyone requesting it on any given day.
The pudding’s delightful combination of cornbread cubes, fresh herbs, cheese, and egg-milk mixture creates a satisfying texture that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters. One of the highlights is taking a bite into the creamy custard-like center – an absolute treat! To elevate this dish further, consider serving it with a fried egg on top for a hearty breakfast or adding some protein for a quick and easy lunch solution.
Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
Taking advantage of everyday ingredients, this cowboy casserole offers a convenient solution for a one-dish dinner that can be enjoyed by the whole family. The dish brings together cornbread, mixed vegetables, cheese, and a protein of your choice, all wrapped up in a rich two-ingredient creamy sauce. To achieve the ideal texture, it’s essential to use coarse and crumbled cornbread as it serves not only as a crunchy crust but also provides a satisfying stuffing for each bite.
For an even more substantial meal, simply serve the casserole alongside baked beans or roasted vegetables.
Cornbread Dressing Fritters
Victoriously revive your enthusiasm for traditional cornbread dressing by transforming it into crispy fritters that pack a flavorful punch. This creative twist requires minimal preparation time and simply involves mixing the ingredients together, coating them in a light batter, and frying until golden brown.
Heirloom Tomato and Cornbread Panzanella
Understanding the essence of Panzanella, a classic Tuscan-style salad, is crucial to creating an authentic dish. Traditionally made with stale bread, onions, and juicy tomatoes, this recipe can be easily adapted by substituting cornbread – a great way to repurpose leftover baked goods. To do so, simply cut your cornbread into cubes and toast until crunchy golden brown, bringing out its hidden texture.
The harmonious union of sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, pungent shallot, rich olive oil, and tangy vinegar perfectly encapsulates the essence of summer’s fresh flavors!
Cornbread Croutons
Transforming leftover cornbread into crispy croutons is perhaps one of the simplest and most delicious ways to repurpose it. Within 30 minutes, using just three ingredients, you’ll have perfectly crunchy accompaniments for soups and salads at your fingertips. To begin, cut your day-old cornbread into small cubes, then generously drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Adding a pat of butter can also enhance the flavor, if you prefer your croutons to be richer.
After a brief mixing and baking process, the result is crunchy on the outside and chewy within – a delightful texture combination that’s hard to resist.
Cornbread Crab Cakes
Taking a cue from traditional cooking methods, there are several ways to prepare crab cakes – sautéing them, grilling them, or deep-frying them come to mind. However, in my opinion, baking these savory fish patties is the way to go.
Cornbread Strata with Jalapenos and Cheddar
Yellowing in memory, this recipe is a masterful blend of frittata and pudding, combining sweet corn kernels with a twist of spicy jalapeños, crunchy scallions, creamy cheese, and the comforting crunch of cornbread. I especially enjoy adding strips of crispy cooked bacon to give it a more indulgent breakfast feel.
One of the joys of this versatile recipe is that you can swap out the cornbread for other types of stale bread and experiment with different mix-ins, such as diced ham or roasted vegetables, making each serving unique.
Cornbread French Toast
When it comes to versatile breads for French toast, brioche often takes center stage. However, if you’re working with plain or sweetened cornbread instead, don’t worry – cornbread French toast is a game-changer! This unconventional twist on the classic breakfast treat might raise an eyebrow at first, but trust us, it’s surprisingly effective. The process of making cornbread French toast is just as straightforward as whipping up a standard French toast.
Simply prepare your bread slices, dip them into the egg mixture, and cook to perfection. Feel free to get creative with toppings, but for many, there’s no beating the timeless combination of maple syrup and fresh berries!
Cornbread With Scrambled Eggs and Sausage
Just imagine starting your day with a warm, crispy cornbread paired perfectly with scrambled eggs and savory sausage – it’s a match made in heaven. This delightful breakfast or brunch option can be whipped up in just 30 minutes, provided the cornbread is prepped ahead of time by crumbling it into smaller pieces. The recipe itself is quite versatile, incorporating sausage, bell pepper, and onions to add depth and bulk to the dish.
Of course, feel free to experiment with other ingredients and variations to suit your taste preferences.
Layered Cornbread Breakfast Casserole
A perfect solution for utilizing leftover cornbread and chili (or other stews) in a delicious and impressive way! The main ingredients of this layered casserole are cornbread and chili, which are elevated by the addition of crispy fried onion rings and fluffy eggs on top. This recipe is an ideal example of how to repurpose leftover cornbread into a show-stopping dish that’s sure to impress your guests. In fact, they may not even notice that it’s made with leftover ingredients!
Whether you’re looking for a creative way to reduce food waste or simply want to serve up something new and exciting to your family, this casserole is a great option.
Cornbread Salad
Revisit your go-to salads and give cornbread salad a try, you won’t be disappointed by the authentic southern flavors. Combining crumbled cornbread, crispy bacon, sweet corn, creamy mayo, and crunchy veggies creates a delightful harmony of textures and tastes. For an added zing, mix the mayo with dry ranch dressing to create a more complex flavor profile.
Chop the veggies into bite-sized pieces and combine them with the other ingredients before tossing everything in the dressing until well coated. Finish off this stunning salad by garnishing it with fresh tomato slices when ready to serve – its beauty is as captivating as its deliciousness!
Cornbread Sausage Quiche
Often associated with traditional French cuisine, quiche has been given a delicious southern twist in the form of cornbread sausage quiche. This innovative dish combines the flaky crust and rich filling of a classic quiche with the hearty flavors of cornbread and spicy sausage, creating a truly unique culinary experience. The addition of shredded cheeses adds an unmistakable savory flavor to this already flavorful dish.
For those who like a little extra kick, feel free to use spicy sausage or hot sauce for added depth, or try BBQ sauce for a tangy smoky-sweet flavor that’s sure to elevate the dish even further. With so many variations possible, it’s no wonder that cornbread sausage quiche has become a favorite among home cooks who love experimenting with new flavors and ingredients.
Cornbread Chicken Bake
Virtually anyone who has ever tried cornbread and chicken together would agree that they are a match made in heaven. This dish is not only incredibly delicious but also incredibly satisfying, with a perfect balance of textures and flavors. The addition of creamy elements takes the casserole to a whole new level, making it an absolute delight for the taste buds! This recipe is versatile enough to accommodate various ingredient preferences and dietary needs.
Feel free to get creative by swapping out or adding more ingredients to suit your taste. For example, you could add some extra cheesy goodness with mozzarella or mix in some nutrient-rich carrots and spinach for a burst of color and freshness. The possibilities are endless!
Cornbread Pudding With Bacon
Creating something delicious from leftovers is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and this fridge clean-out recipe does just that by combining sweet and savory flavors in perfect harmony. Crammed with your stale cornbread, leftover cheese, eggs, and bacon, you’ll be making a culinary masterpiece that will leave everyone asking for more!
Fortunately, if bacon isn’t an option, you can substitute it with other leftover meats such as ham, sausage, or even chicken, to give this pudding recipe its own unique twist. To take it to the next level, don’t hesitate to add your favorite spices like jalapeños, bell peppers, or chives for a super flavorful and aromatic side dish that will complement any meal!
Mexican Sausage Cornbread Strata
Unifying the flavors of last night’s dinner into a new breakfast creation sounds like a dream come true. This strata recipe is an ideal solution for those busy mornings when you need to use up leftovers quickly. It uses leftover meat, cheese, and veggies to create a hearty dish that can feed a large crowd.
Fried Cornbread and Eggs
Beginning your day with a mouth-watering breakfast is essential for a productive morning. This delightful dish requires minimal effort, as all you need to do is mix and fry the ingredients until they come together in perfect harmony, creating a sweet-savory flavor profile with just the right amount of heat. For added variety, consider upgrading this recipe by incorporating sausage, bacon, or your preferred choice of meat.
Furthermore, elevating it with cheese is a no-brainer – pair it with jalapeños or hot sauce for an extra kick.
17 Ways to Use Leftover Cornbread
Five delicious ways to repurpose leftover cornbread are presented below. Fresh out of ideas on what to do with yesterday’s cornbread? Fear not! Here are a few creative suggestions to breathe new life into your stale bread. From French toast and pudding to crab cakes, cornbread is incredibly versatile and can be transformed into something truly special the second time around!
Instructions
Delving into the world of quick and easy recipes, there’s one classic that stands out from the rest: cornbread. To make this beloved dish, it’s essential to first choose your favorite recipe, then meticulously organize all the required ingredients to avoid any last-minute substitutions or omissions.
