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Southern Honey Butter Poppers

Featured in Crowd-Pleasing Recipes for All Ages.

Combine flour, cornmeal, and cheese, bake tiny bites, then add honey butter for a sweet and savory treat.
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Ranah
Updated on Sat, 26 Apr 2025 15:35:54 GMT
Golden fluffy Southern-style honey butter mini cornbread bites. Pin it
Golden fluffy Southern-style honey butter mini cornbread bites. | tastycoock.com

These Bite-Sized Honey Butter Cornbread Gems turn ordinary cornbread into addictive little mouthfuls of Southern comfort. Every morsel offers the ideal mix of sweet honey and smooth butter in a golden package that's crunchy outside but soft and fluffy inside. What makes these tiny treats so wonderful is how they take basic pantry items and make them extraordinary, fitting in perfectly at family suppers or fancy dinner parties. Their small size makes them great for groups, while their down-home Southern taste brings a cozy feeling to any table.

I've made these so many times, and I've learned the tricks are getting the mix just runny enough and making sure you don't leave them in the oven too long.

Key Ingredients

  • Cornmeal: Gives that signature texture
  • All-Purpose Flour: Helps them hold together
  • Honey: Brings natural sweetness
  • Fresh Butter: Adds a rich taste
  • Baking Powder: Makes them puff up
  • Eggs: Keeps everything stuck together

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Step 1: Get Ready
  • First, turn your oven on to 375°F - this exact temp will give you that golden outside while keeping the inside nice and tender.
  • As the oven warms up, get your mini muffin tin ready by coating each little cup with melted butter or cooking spray.
Step 2: Mix Your Dry Stuff
  • In a big bowl, stir your cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt together until they're all mixed up.
Step 3: Get Your Eggs Ready
  • In another bowl, beat your room temp eggs until they look light and bubbly - this puts air in them and helps make your poppers lighter.
Step 4: Get Your Wet Mix Ready
  • Melt your butter on low heat just until it's liquid, then let it cool a bit before mixing it with the honey.
  • Pour the beaten eggs into your butter-honey mix, whisking all the time so everything blends smoothly.
Step 5: Put Everything Together
  • Make a hole in the middle of your dry stuff, then pour in your wet mix.
  • Use a rubber spatula to fold everything together with gentle movements. Stop as soon as you don't see any dry flour - too much mixing will make tough cornbread.
  • Your batter should be thick but still able to pour, kind of like cake batter.
Step 6: Fill Your Tins
  • Fill each mini muffin cup about 3/4 full using a small scoop or spoon.
  • Tap the pan lightly on the counter to get rid of any air bubbles.
Step 7: Add Extra Flavor
  • For an amazing finish, brush some extra melted honey butter on top before they go in the oven.
Step 8: Cook Them
  • Put the pan in the middle of your hot oven and time it for 15 minutes.
  • Don't open the oven while they're cooking, cause that can mess up how they turn out.
Step 9: Let Them Rest
  • After taking them out, let your poppers sit in the pan for exactly five minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.
  • This short rest helps them firm up without getting soggy from trapped steam.
Golden Southern-style cornbread poppers, rich with honey butter, elegantly arranged on a rustic table with honey on the side. Pin it
Golden Southern-style cornbread poppers, rich with honey butter, elegantly arranged on a rustic table with honey on the side. | tastycoock.com

What I really like about these little guys is how flexible they are - they taste just as good with a bowl of chili as they do with extra honey for breakfast!

Great Food Matches

Enjoy them with a big bowl of chili or some smoked meat for a real Southern feast. They're also tasty breakfast treats with a bit more honey butter on top.

Customization Ideas

Try adding chopped jalapeños if you want some kick, or mix in your favorite cheese for a savory option. Fresh corn kernels can give them extra sweetness and a nice bite.

Keeping Them Fresh

Store them in a sealed container for up to three days. Warm them up briefly in the oven to bring back their crispy outside.

Fluffy Southern-style cornbread poppers, infused with honey butter, presented on a wooden platter with a honey drizzle. Pin it
Fluffy Southern-style cornbread poppers, infused with honey butter, presented on a wooden platter with a honey drizzle. | tastycoock.com

Final Thoughts

After spending years tweaking cornbread recipes, these Honey Butter Gems really stand out because they've got that perfect balance of sweetness and texture. They show that sometimes the tastiest foods are just clever spins on old favorites. Whenever I make these poppers, I'm reminded that good Southern cooking isn't complicated - it's all about simple ingredients and careful handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use frozen corn instead of fresh?
Frozen corn works great—just let it thaw and remove the water before adding to the mix.
→ What if I don’t have buttermilk?
Mix 1 cup of milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar, let it sit a few minutes, and use as a swap.
→ How do I store leftovers?
Keep them in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the fridge for about 4 days.
→ Can I make these gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour, and it’ll work just fine.
→ What other cheeses can I use?
Swap in Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a bold, different taste.

Honey Butter Cornbread

Cheesy mini cornbread mixed with sweet corn and topped with honey butter for a perfect bite-sized snack.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Family Favorites

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Southern

Yield: 24 Servings (24 mini poppers)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Dry Ingredients

01 1/4 cup sugar – makes the batter slightly sweet to balance the flavors
02 1/2 teaspoon salt – brings out all the good flavors
03 1 tablespoon baking powder – helps the poppers rise and stay fluffy
04 1 cup all-purpose flour – adds structure and softness to the batter
05 1 cup cornmeal – gives that classic cornbread feel

→ Wet Ingredients

06 1/4 cup melted butter – makes the batter rich and smooth
07 2 large eggs – keeps everything together
08 1 cup buttermilk – gives moisture and a little tangy taste

→ Add-Ins

09 1/2 cup shredded cheddar – adds a cheesy flavor and looks great
10 1 cup sweet corn kernels (fresh or thawed frozen) – brings a slight crunch and sweet taste

→ Honey Butter Topping

11 1/4 cup softened butter – mixed with honey for a creamy, sweet spread
12 1/4 cup honey – drizzle over the poppers for the perfect finish

→ Optional Garnish

13 Chopped parsley or chives for a touch of color (optional)

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prep a mini muffin tin by lightly greasing it or opt for silicone molds for an easier cleanup.

Step 02

Grab a big bowl and mix the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir until everything looks evenly blended.

Step 03

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter until it's smooth and totally combined.

Step 04

Slowly pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir just enough to mix—don’t overdo it, or the batter will get dense.

Step 05

Toss in the sweet corn and shredded cheese, then gently fold them in so they’re spread out evenly in the batter.

Step 06

Scoop batter into the muffin tin, aiming to fill each cup about two-thirds full. This keeps them baking evenly.

Step 07

Pop them in the oven for 12-15 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the tops turn golden and a toothpick poked in the center pulls out clean.

Step 08

While they’re baking, mix the honey and softened butter in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.

Step 09

When they come out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes. Take them out of the tin, drizzle with honey butter, and sprinkle with parsley or chives if you like. Serve warm and dig in!

Notes

  1. You can use either fresh corn or thawed frozen kernels. Make sure they’re not too wet, or they’ll mess with the texture.
  2. Switch up cheeses like pepper jack or Monterey Jack for a different flavor twist.
  3. Be gentle with your mixing. Overmixing can stop the batter from staying light and puffy.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mini muffin tin or silicone baking molds
  • Large and medium mixing bowls
  • A whisk for mixing
  • Spatula to fold the batter
  • A toothpick to check if they’re done

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy from butter and cheese.
  • Use gluten-free flour if needed for a gluten-free option.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 150
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 3 g