Southern-style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

Highlighted under: Comfort Food

These delightful Southern-style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers are the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving feast! Soft, fluffy, and bursting with sweet buttery goodness, these bite-sized treats are sure to impress your family and friends. Serve them warm with a drizzle of honey butter for a comforting side that pairs beautifully with savory dishes. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, they are a crowd favorite that will elevate your holiday table.

Violet Hart

Created by

Violet Hart

Last updated on 2025-11-23T06:47:18.252Z

These Southern-style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers bring together the sweetness of honey and buttery cornbread, making them a delightful addition to any meal.

Perfect for Any Occasion

Southern-style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers are not just for Thanksgiving; they are versatile enough to shine at any gathering. Their delightful balance of sweetness and savory flavor makes them perfect for holiday meals, family reunions, or even casual dinner parties. Pair them alongside fried chicken or BBQ for a true Southern feast, and watch as your guests rave about their irresistible taste.

Moreover, these poppers are incredibly easy to make, allowing you to spend more time with your loved ones and less time in the kitchen. With just a handful of ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up a batch in no time. They're also a great recipe to get the kids involved in cooking, making it a fun activity for the whole family.

Healthier Indulgence

While these cornbread poppers are undeniably delicious, they also incorporate ingredients that can be a bit healthier compared to traditional options. With the use of whole corn kernels and the choice of lighter sweeteners such as honey, you can enjoy a sweet treat that isn’t solely based on refined sugars. This adds a nourishing aspect to your dish, pairing well with the holiday spirit of sharing comfort and joy without excess guilt.

Additionally, you have the option to make these poppers even healthier by incorporating whole grain flour or reducing the sugar content. Such modifications still result in a tasty end product, allowing you to customize your poppers to better fit your dietary preferences.

Serving Suggestions

These Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers can be served as a delightful appetizer or a comforting side. For an elevated experience, consider serving them alongside a selection of savory dips or spreads that complement their sweetness. A savory garlic herb spread or a tangy cream cheese dip can add new flavors to your dining experience, making the poppers even more enjoyable.

For a festive touch, serve the poppers in individual portions with an attractive presentation. You could even place them in mini baskets lined with festive napkins for a charming table display. Enhancing their look will surely impress your guests, making these poppers not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes.

Ingredients

Gather these ingredients to start making your delicious poppers!

For the Cornbread Poppers

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

For the Honey Butter

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Now that you have all the ingredients ready, let's move on to the cooking steps!

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers.

Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a mini muffin tin.

Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.

Combine Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, melted butter, and eggs until smooth.

Combine Mixtures

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the corn kernels.

Bake the Poppers

Spoon the batter into the mini muffin tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Make Honey Butter

While the poppers are baking, mix softened butter, honey, and cinnamon in a small bowl until well combined.

Serve

Once the poppers are done, allow them to cool slightly, then serve warm with a drizzle of honey butter.

Enjoy your delicious Southern-style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers!

About Cornmeal

Cornmeal is a finely ground flour made from dried corn. It forms the backbone of many Southern recipes, offering a unique flavor and texture that is loved in dishes like cornbread, polenta, and grits. Using medium or fine cornmeal will yield the best results for these poppers, giving them a light and fluffy texture that complements their buttery goodness.

In addition to its delicious taste, cornmeal is also packed with nutrients. It's a source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential minerals, making it a handy ingredient to keep in your pantry for both sweet and savory culinary adventures.

Storage Tips

If you're fortunate enough to have leftovers, storing your Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers is easy. Allow them to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, but for longer freshness, consider refrigerating them, where they will last for up to a week.

For reheating, simply microwave the poppers for a few seconds or warm them in the oven at a low temperature. Add a little extra honey butter on top to regain that moist, delicious texture and flavor. Enjoying them warm will provide a taste that’s just as scrumptious as when they were freshly baked.

Secondary image

Questions About Recipes

→ Can I make these poppers ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the batter in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Bake them fresh when you're ready to serve!

→ How can I store leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven before serving.

Southern-style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

These delightful Southern-style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers are the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving feast! Soft, fluffy, and bursting with sweet buttery goodness, these bite-sized treats are sure to impress your family and friends. Serve them warm with a drizzle of honey butter for a comforting side that pairs beautifully with savory dishes. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, they are a crowd favorite that will elevate your holiday table.

Prep Time15 minutes
Cooking Duration20 minutes
Overall Time35 minutes

Created by: Violet Hart

Recipe Type: Comfort Food

Skill Level: Beginner

Final Quantity: 24 poppers

What You'll Need

For the Cornbread Poppers

  1. 1 cup cornmeal
  2. 1 cup all-purpose flour
  3. 1 tablespoon baking powder
  4. 1/2 cup sugar
  5. 1 teaspoon salt
  6. 1 cup buttermilk
  7. 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  8. 2 large eggs
  9. 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

For the Honey Butter

  1. 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  2. 1/4 cup honey
  3. 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

How-To Steps

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a mini muffin tin.

Step 02

In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.

Step 03

In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, melted butter, and eggs until smooth.

Step 04

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the corn kernels.

Step 05

Spoon the batter into the mini muffin tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 06

While the poppers are baking, mix softened butter, honey, and cinnamon in a small bowl until well combined.

Step 07

Once the poppers are done, allow them to cool slightly, then serve warm with a drizzle of honey butter.

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 180
  • Fat: 8g
  • Carbohydrates: 26g
  • Protein: 3g