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Best Vegan Cornbread Recipe with Corn

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This best Vegan Cornbread recipe creates a delicious, dense cornbread perfect for serving with stews and chili. You’ll love that this cornbread is made with minimal ingredients and makes a great side dish for your favorite plant-based meals. This recipe works great for homemade stuffing too! See post tips for making vegan corn muffins and gluten-free cornbread too!

Two slices of vegan cornbread are stacked on top of each other with more slice in the background.

I love nights at home with Shawn. Truth be told, I’m a homebody. Of course, I like to get out too, because I’m right on that line between introvert and extrovert. So as long as I get some people time in during the day, then an evening at home feels like perfection.

After a busy day, it’s time for some delicious vegan cornbread served with a great big pot of vegan chili!

Making a cornbread recipe vegan was one of my first priorities after going vegan over 10 years ago! I confess homemade cornbread is the best, and this recipe does not disappoint!

Why This Recipe is a Winner

  • Adding vegan butter to the batter means this cornbread infused with a buttery taste
  • Using a bit of Agave Nectar adds hints of sweetness that doesn’t overpower this recipe
  • Adding whole kernel corn adds both texture and flavor to this delicious quick bread, making it irresistibly delicious!
Looking down on ingredients, such as corn in a bowl, cornmeal, flour, melted butter, and more.

Recipe Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time!

This recipe calls for minimal ingredients:

  • Whole wheat pastry flour — You can substitute all-purpose flour
  • Cornmeal
  • Baking Soda & Baking Powder
  • Salt
  • Vegan Butter — I used Earth Balance
  • Agave Nectar — Or a syrup sweetener of your choice, like maple syrup
  • Plant-based Milk — I like using soy milk, but any plain plant-based milk will work.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar — You can substitute white vinegar
  • Corn — Canned or frozen works here.

How to Make Vegan Cornbread

So, if you’re wondering how to make cornbread without eggs, I’m ready to get started with the answer! Here are the steps:

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients — Stir together the flour, cornmeal, baking soda and powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the whole kernel corn (if using).
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients — Melt the vegan butter and add that to a separate bowl along with the agave nectar, plant-based milk, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine it all.
  3. Make the Batter — Pour the milk mixture in with the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
  4. Pour and Bake — Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, until the cornbread is golden on top.

I like adding whole kernel corn to my cornbread, because of the texture and flavor it adds. Also, if I remember correctly, it’s the way my grandma used to make her cornbread.

Yes, you can buy a vegan cornbread mix these days, but making cornbread from scratch is the best.

Marly’s Tips

A note on sweetness: I feel like there’s something amiss in the the cornbread mix world. Some people seem to look at cornbread as if it were a cake, making it light and airy and super sweet! I prefer a cornbread that has a bit of sweetness, but not too much.
Pouring whole kernel corn into a mixing bowl with flour and cornmeal.

Vegan Cornbread Muffins

I usually make this easy vegan cornbread in a round cake pan, but you can make it in a muffin pan.

Making cornbread into muffins is critical when you need to make a batch in a hurry! That’s because muffins take less time to bake, meaning you can get dinner on the table even faster!

What is the texture of cornbread?

Cornbread has a delicious, golden brown crust and a soft, cake-like texture inside. Many will serve cornbread with hearty stews and chili recipes because the cornbread can be crumbled into the stew creating a thick, lightly sweet sensation in every bite.

Can I substitute eggs in cornbread?

It’s easy to make cornbread without eggs. Here are some great egg substitutes for cornbread: chia seeds, ground flaxseed, whipped tofu, unsweetened applesauce, and even store-bought egg replacers such as Ener-G.

Do you have to incorporate baking powder in vegan cornbread?

Baking powder is a leavening agent and will help create rise both in cornbread and vegan cornbread muffins.

Is cornbread vegan?

Many store-bought cornbreads and cornbread mixes are not vegan because they use either eggs or dairy or both. Some may even use lard, making them not suitable for vegetarians either. You can find cornbread mixes made without animal products and then add plant-based milk and egg substitutes. Or make homemade cornbread using plant-based ingredients.

Is cornmeal vegan?

Corn is a plant and Cornmeal is basically dried, ground corn, making it vegan.

Gluten Free Cornbread

To make this cornbread gluten-free, simply replace the flour with gluten-free baking flour. Also, be sure to add one flax egg, however, to act as a binder.

Vegan cornbread in a white baking dish with a bowl of whole kernel corn in the background.

Marly’s Tips

Here are tips for making this vegan cornbread perfect every time:

  • Make these into cornbread muffins to reduce the baking time
  • Feel free to add a little more agave if you prefer your cornbread sweeter
  • Add fresh slices of jalapeños on the top before baking (remove the seeds to make it less spicy)
  • You could also add some vegan cheddar shreds over the top
  • Transform this into an oil-free recipe by replacing the vegan butter with unsweetened applesauce

There it is — some ideas for adapting and/or perfecting this vegan cornbread recipe. Now, comes the best part — planning what you will serve it with. For example, I love a plate of cornbread sitting next to a big bowl of Vegan Chili Mac and Cheese.

What Do you eat Cornbread with?

Cornbread is a perfect savory quick bread for many recipes, such as chili, soups, and stews. You can serve vegan cornbread with these recipes:

Also, for an interesting twist, I made a tasty Vegan Corn Casserole that combines some of the same ingredients with vegan cheese on top. It’s pretty tasty!

A slice of vegan cornbread cut in half with butter melting on one side.

We hope you love this recipe for Vegan Cornbread as much as we do. If you decide to make it, snap a photo and share it with us using #namelymarly on Instagram or Twitter. We LOVE seeing your photos!

Lightly sweet, perfect vegan cornbread is made with minimal ingredients, and makes a great side dish for soups, chili, and stews. Use this cornbread for your stuffing recipes too!

Perfect Vegan Cornbread

This homemade vegan cornbread is so much better than the kinds made with a mix. It’s lightly sweetened and made with only a few ingredients. Serve it with a dollop of vegan butter with soup, chili, and more!
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Perfect Vegan Cornbread
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 178kcal
Author: Marly

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
  • 1 cup Cornmeal
  • ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ cup Vegan Butter
  • ⅓ cup Agave Nectar (or maple syrup or honey)
  • 1 cup Plant-based Milk , not vanilla flavored
  • 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 cup Corn kernels , optional

Instructions

  • Heat your oven to 375F. Spray a small baking pan (9" square, or small rectangle pan) with vegetable spray. 
  • Combine the flour, cornmeal, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
  • In a separate, microwave-safe bowl, add the vegan butter. Microwave for about 20 seconds, until melted. Add the agave nectar, plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine.
  • Make sure to drain the corn (if using canned). Add corn (if using) to the flour mixture and stir until the corn is coated. Pour in the milk mixture and stir until just combined.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, until the cornbread is golden on top.
  • Serve warm. Place in a sealed container and refrigerate any unused portions. It should last 4 – 5 days in a the fridge; up to a month in the freezer.

Recommended Equipment

9x9-inch Baking Pan
9×9 inch Baking Pan

Notes

I specify to use plain plant-based milk, but there have been times when all I had was vanilla-flavored milk and this recipe still came out tasting fine.
If you’re using a muffin pan, reduce cooking time to approximately 18 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Perfect Vegan Cornbread
Amount Per Serving
Calories 178 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 240mg10%
Potassium 156mg4%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 410IU8%
Vitamin C 0.2mg0%
Calcium 43mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

I hope you enjoy vegan cornbread recipes to the very last bite!

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22 Responses to Best Vegan Cornbread Recipe with Corn

  1. I like that you listed a few different ways people can adapt this recipe to their preferences. I know there’s a lot of people who will skim a recipe and see something they don’t like in it, and not give it a chance, not realizing they can alter it to suit their needs. Very smart and helpful to those who need that! Also, I love that photo of the individual ingredients. I feel oddly hypnotized by it. Haha.

    Reply

    • Oh Cassidy! I’m so excited for you to try cornbread for the first time! I highly recommend corn bread muffins. I think you’ll love them!

  6. This sounds really good, I’ve been looking for a good recipe and I’m sure I’ve found it! Is there a sub. for the vinegar?

    Reply

    • Hi Lucia, so glad you like it! I would consider subbing something like lemon juice for the vinegar in this cornbread recipe.

  8. I just made this and it is by far the best vegan cornbread I’ve made! I did omit the corn, but it turned out perfectly. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Also, I am so with you on cornbread not being sweet!

    Reply

    • You and I are on the same page — cornbread has its own sweetness…doesn’t need to taste like a cake!

  9. I just used this recipe and though I’ve made cornbread a LOT, not too many as a vegan. I definitely added the corn. I used part applesauce for the part of the oil…since the vegan butter was melted and I used avocado oil. I did half maple, half agave. Not big changes, right? i put oil in a cast iron pan just to grease it and heated it up for a crispy crust. It is delicious! Thank you.

    Reply

    • Hi Christy! Thanks for your comment. The recipe calls for a square baking pan. I added a picture to call it out better.

  11. Love this recipe it is amazing, I make with the lentil sloppy joes, such a satisfying comfort food.

    Reply

    • Thank you so much Joanna! I’m so glad you and your 2 year old love this recipe. Sending you both big virtual hugs! 🙂

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