I have a secret to tell you: I never let perfectly delicious cornbread go to waste!
If you also end up with an overabundance of this tasty bread, fear not, because I’ve gathered 17 fantastic leftover cornbread recipes to spark your culinary creativity. These recipes prove that from French toast to savory crab cakes, cornbread can be even more magical the second time around.
1. Cornbread Salad
If a southern meal is what you crave, check out this stellar suggestion! This cornbread salad is calling out to all salad enthusiasts!
It’s a flavor explosion, blending crumbled cornbread with tasty bacon, sweet corn, luscious mayo, and a medley of crisp veggies. If you want an extra burst of flavor, try blending the mayo with dry ranch dressing. Just mix the veggies and combine them well with other goodies before tossing with the dressing mixture.
A tasty sprinkling of tomato slices adds the perfect finishing touch to this lovely dish!
2. Cornbread Chicken Bake
This moist, creamy bake harmonizes chicken and cornbread with unmatched flair. It’s a truly yummy masterpiece!
While the recipe suggests several pantry staples, don’t hesitate to make it your own. To make the flavors sing, you could even throw in carrots and spinach for a vibrant burst of color. Better yet, add mozzarella for a cheesy, comforting hug.
The options are endless!
3. Fried Cornbread and Eggs
Here’s an amazing breakfast that sets the perfect tone for the day! In just a few minutes, get ready to whip up everything before frying it to a sweet-meets-savory dream with a dash of heat.
Have you considered upping the ante for this breakfast recipe? Try adding sausage, bacon, or any other meat that steals your heart! And don’t hold back – cheese is always welcome.
Top with jalapeños or hot sauce to make things interesting.
4. Cornbread Buttermilk Soup
Transform day-old cornbread into a soothing, versatile dish. With this luscious recipe, you’ll get a cornbread buttermilk soup for all seasons!
For the best flavors, it’s important to use high-quality buttermilk to give this dish a creamy richness. Also, the cornbread matters a lot here, helping to thicken the soup and contributing a subtle sweetness. Finally, a couple of spices ensure this soup brings a beautiful harmony of flavors.
What could be better?
5. Cornbread Croutons
Perhaps the simplest of all, here’s a stellar way to harness your leftover cornbread! In just 30 minutes with three basic items, you’ll have tasty, crunchy morsels for soups and salads.
Just cube your day-old cornbread and drizzle with olive oil and sea salt. If you love a more buttery taste, adding butter is a must!
A bit of mixing and baking later, you get crunchy cornbread pieces with a chewy center – a texture that you can’t beat!
6. Mexican Sausage Cornbread Strata
Do busy mornings have you scrambling? If you also want to use those tasty leftovers, then look no further. This is the dish!
This strata recipe creates a crowd-pleasing creation from leftover meat, cheese, and veggies. Preparing this yummy bake is also remarkably easy when you assemble everything the night before.
To give this classic dish a Mexican kick, make sure you go with spicy sausage. Serve with Tabasco sauce and salsa for extra heat!
7. Layered Cornbread Breakfast Casserole
If you’re sitting on leftover cornbread and chili, this one is calling your name! With fried onion rings and eggs garnishing the top, this layered casserole stars cornbread and chili, creating a hearty bake.
You can create a seriously impressive dish thanks to this recipe.
Even better, no one will guess it features leftovers! Just plate it before your family and friends, and prepare to bask in the glow of their compliments.
8. Cornbread Strata with Jalapenos and Cheddar
Mixing frittata and pudding vibes, this recipe produces a tempting brunch dish.
Corn kernels, cheese, jalapeños, scallions, and cornbread come together for a treat packed with flavor! Plus, I recommend enhancing this bake with crispy bacon strips to create a more traditional breakfast feel.
Given how simple this recipe is, swap out the cornbread for another kind of bread. I also recommend mix-ins with different goodies to keep things interesting!
9. Cornbread French Toast
Brioche might be a top contender for making French toast, but don’t worry if cornbread is all you have. Cornbread French toast is just as delicious! Cornbread might seem like a weird choice for this iconic French treat, but it works wonders.
Making cornbread French toast is fast and easy, just like making standard French toast. Get the bread slices ready, coat them well in the egg mixture, and then cook!
Toppings are your creative playground, but you can’t beat the combo of fresh berries and maple syrup.
10. Cornbread Dressing Fritters
Do you want to fall head-over-heels all over again for cornbread dressing? Then turn it into tasty fritters!
With minimal prep, just mix everything, coat, and then fry. The result? Irresistible golden brown dressing balls with oozing cheese inside – all in 30 minutes.
To really kick things up a notch, use spiced cranberry sauce. This sweet, creamy sauce has a light zing that makes it completely irresistible.
11. Cornbread Pudding With Bacon
Savor this perfect sweet-savory balance – it’s downright delicious and comes together in this awesome fridge clean-out recipe. Alongside the star, cornbread, grab your cheese, eggs, and bacon before making something magical! Bacon isn’t the only way to go, though.
This pudding recipe also works wonders with ham, sausage, and other leftover meats. You can also amplify the flavor with spices like bell peppers, jalapeños, or chives for an extremely yummy side dish.
12. Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
This cowboy casserole relies on everyday items to create a family-friendly, one-dish dinner. It brings together cornbread, cheese, veggies, and protein, with a creamy sauce created from just two ingredients.
Crumbled cornbread, something hearty, makes the perfect crust and stuffing.
Want an even heartier, more satisfying meal? Just plate alongside baked beans or roasted veggies!
13. Cornbread With Scrambled Eggs and Sausage
Whether for breakfast or brunch, this cornbread with scrambled eggs and sausage hits the spot and is oh-so-filling. If you have the cornbread ready, it all comes together in 30 minutes.
With added flavor and bulk, this dish features sausage, bell pepper, and onions.
Want to switch things up? Use your favorite veggies and meats to customize this dish.
14. Cornbread Pudding
If you need a great use for cornbread, you can’t go wrong when you transform it into a rich, creamy pudding!
Aside from the cornbread, the ingredients you need probably already live in your kitchen.
While easy to make, this dish brims with deliciousness, making it a standout side for any holiday meal.
In fact, it’s so simple that everyone will be begging for it on any random day.
This dish combines cornbread cubes, fresh herbs, cheese, and an egg-milk mixture. The delicious custard-like center is the heart of this dish!
For a hearty breakfast, just plate with a fried egg. For a quick lunch, throw in some protein. Delicious!
15. Heirloom Tomato and Cornbread Panzanella
Have you heard of panzanella? It’s a Tuscan-style salad with day-old bread, onions, tomatoes, and a delicious dressing.
Your leftover cornbread gives this salad a unique spin! Dice it into small cubes before toasting until crispy.
This recipe merges summery flavors thanks to tomatoes, mozzarella, shallot, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
16. Cornbread Sausage Quiche
Quiche is a classic French tart, recognized for its flaky crust and flavorful filling. To give it a taste of the South, the cornbread sausage quiche was born!
While shredded cheeses contribute the unmistakable savory side, the sausage delivers the meatiness.
For a dash of heat, feel free to rely on your favorite hot sauce or spicy sausage.
Want that craveable tangy, smoky-sweet taste? Try BBQ sauce instead.
There are so many possible takes that you’ll be inspired to always have cornbread leftovers.