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    Home » Snacks & Sides

    Best & Easiest Vegan Cornbread Recipe!

    Updated: Jan 20, 2023 by Verna Rindler · This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

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    vegan cornbread sliced into squares on a white plate

    Vegan Cornbread! Seriously the best cornbread recipe and so easy to make vegan! Taste just like Mom’s, not too sweet, delicious golden crust, light, fluffy cornmeal texture. 10 Minutes to mix, baked into squares or skillet cornbread. Ready in a jiffy to soak up some chili or stew!

    vegan cornbread ready to serve on a plate

    I’ve been making cornbread for a lot of years. My recipe is old school and making vegan cornbread was simple I just replaced a few ingredients to make it eggless and dairy free- apple sauce and oat milk worked like a charm- Tada! 

    -and let me tell the texture is spot on, (it's not gritty) moist light and fluffy with glorious crispy golden edges, and there is no need to use a cast iron skillet to achieve it! 

    Baking pan or glass pie plate or skillet is all you need! Or if you’re like my daughter she prefers cornbread muffins!

    This isn’t a sweet corn bread but more on the classic southern savoury side with just a touch of sugar added which you can easily omit if you like. I have always made it this way, I don’t like it sweet.

    This vegan corn bread recipe is lovely served with so many main dish meals and especially yummy with Chili! and makes an excellent side dish for your holiday dinner, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc..

    Great comfort food for November and the winter months!

    And I have a wonderful cheesy spicy jalapeño option to jazz up basic vegan cornbread. So keep reading😊

    vegan cornbread sliced into squares on a plate

    How to make vegan cornbread:

    For full recipe instructions and ingredients see recipe card below⬇️

    1. Preheat oven to 400° spray an 8x8 non stick baking pan or glass pie plate with cooking oil spray or grease with vegan butter. Set aside.
    2. Add plant milk and vinegar to a small bowl mix and set aside (this is your vegan buttermilk)
    3. In a large mixing bowl stir together the cornmeal and dry ingredients. Make a well in the centre. Pour in the buttermilk, oil and applesauce. Mix together and pour the batter into prepared pan.
    4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean.
    5. Let cool for a few minutes then slice into squares and serve. Enjoy with chili, stew, soups or along side your holiday meal!

    step by step photos how to make vegan cornbread

    vegan cornbread sliced into squares in baking pan

    What do you eat cornbread with?

    • chili!!
    • stew
    • veggies 
    • corn chowder
    • soups (like my Mexican bean and veggie soup yum!)
    • baked beans!
    • warm with vegan butter and spicy pepper jelly. SO GOOD!

    Variations for Vegan Cornbread:

    • Sweet Cornbread: add 1/3 cup white sugar to recipe
    • Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread: Add 1 to 1 and 1/2 cups grated vegan cheese (to dry ingredients) and 1-2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled jalapeño peppers
    • Oil free cornbread: replace the oil with applesauce. The bread will be heavier but still tasty!
    • Skillet Cornbread: Add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to your (well seasoned) cast iron skillet, spread around the bottom and up the sides, place in oven while it preheats. Pour in the batter and bake according to recipe!

    cornbread sliced into squares for serving

    Enjoy you guys! Happy Day! Please feel free to comment below and give this recipe a rating. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

    Follow me on PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM for more tasty Plant Based  & Vegan Recipes❤️

    Want more Vegan Bread Recipes? Check these out!:

    • Vegan Pumpkin Bread – Better Than Starbucks!
    • Best Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread Ever! (Easy Recipe)
    • Easy No Knead Bread (Best Artisan Bread Ever!)
    • Best Vegan Banana Bread (Easy 1 Bowl Recipe!)
    Print
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    vegan cornbread ready to serve on a plate

    Best & Easiest Vegan Cornbread Recipe!


    ★★★★★

    5 from 6 reviews

    • Author: Verna
    • Total Time: 35 minutes
    • Yield: 12 Servings 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Vegan Cornbread! Seriously the best cornbread recipe and so easy to make vegan! Taste just like Mom’s, not too sweet, delicious golden crust, light, fluffy cornmeal texture. 10 Minutes to mix, baked into squares or skillet cornbread. Ready in a jiffy to soak up some chili or stew!


    Ingredients

    Scale

    Wet ingredients:

    • 1 cup unsweetened plant milk, I recommend oat milk, could use almond milk
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1/3 cup oil, I use grapeseed oil. Olive oil is great too!
    • 1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce

    Dry ingredients:

    • 1 cup yellow cornmeal (polenta)
    • 1 cup all purpose flour
    • 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Optional add ins (see notes):

    • 1 to 1 and 1/2 cups grated vegan cheese (recommend Daiya)
    • 1-2 tablespoons pickled jalapeño peppers, chopped small

     


    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 400° spray an 8x8 non stick baking pan or glass pie plate with cooking oil spray or grease with vegan butter. Set aside.
    2. Add plant milk and vinegar to a small bowl mix and set aside (this is your vegan buttermilk)
    3. In a large mixing bowl stir together the cornmeal and dry ingredients. Make a well in the centre. Pour in the buttermilk, oil and applesauce. Mix together and pour the batter into prepared pan.
    4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean.
    5. Let cool for a few minutes then slice into squares and serve. Enjoy with chili, stew, soups or along side your holiday meal! For step by step photos see above post🔼 and for cornbread recipe variations see notes section*

    Notes

    • Sweet Cornbread: add 1/3 cup white sugar to recipe
    • Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread: Add 1 to 1 and 1/2 cups grated vegan cheese (to dry ingredients) and 1-2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled jalapeño peppers
    • Oil free cornbread: replace the oil with applesauce. The bread will be heavier but still tasty!
    • Skillet Cornbread: Add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to your (well seasoned) cast iron skillet, spread around the bottom and up the sides, place in oven while it preheats. Pour in the batter and bake according to recipe!
    • have not tested this recipe with coconut oil, whole wheat four or gluten free flour
    • Prep Time: 10 Minutes
    • Cook Time: 25 Minutes
    • Category: Snacks & Sides, Vegan Holiday Recipes, 30 Minutes Recipes
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American, Canadian,

    Keywords: vegan cornbread, cornbread vegan, vegan skillet cornbread, easy, best, easy vegan cornbread,

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cheeky_chickpea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #cheeky_chickpea_

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. ChaiMom

      February 24, 2022 at 7:40 am

      Hey,
      Quick question? Me and my husband are about to embark on the keto friendly eating plan for the time being...what could I substitute the applesauce with?
      ChaiMom

      Reply
      • Verna

        February 24, 2022 at 8:26 am

        Hi! I usually use apple sauce as an egg replacer for cornbread but you could try using flox eggs and or with a little vegan yogurt. Hope that helps!

        Reply
    2. Allyson

      January 06, 2022 at 5:51 pm

      Such a great recipe! Better than whitewater corn bread!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        January 07, 2022 at 8:57 am

        What a nice compliment thank you so much!

        Reply
    3. Janet Harris

      November 22, 2021 at 2:43 pm

      I am confused. If I use oil, then I skip the applesauce? I plan to add japolenos and cheese and even corn. This recipe looks very promising. We have gluten free and vegan issues, so trying to satisfy both needs. Also we are savory very sweet southern cornbread fans.

      Reply
      • Verna

        November 22, 2021 at 3:01 pm

        Hi Janet, The recipe calls for both oil and apple sauce. If you want it oil free use more apple sauce in place of the oil, it will be heavier though. Hope that helps and enjoy!

        Reply
    4. JJ

      October 03, 2021 at 9:56 pm

      Texture and flavor were spot on!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        October 05, 2021 at 8:23 am

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    5. Julen

      October 03, 2021 at 9:54 pm

      Very good will be making again . My husband have it the thumbs up

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        October 05, 2021 at 8:23 am

        Awesome! thanks

        Reply
    6. Fran

      September 21, 2021 at 11:57 am

      My mom says this is exactly how cornbread should taste. Thanks for recipe

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        September 21, 2021 at 12:33 pm

        thank you so much what a nice compliment!

        Reply
    7. JL

      September 21, 2021 at 11:54 am

      I've made this numerous times love the spicy version too

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        September 21, 2021 at 12:33 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    8. Lola

      March 06, 2021 at 8:13 am

      tried a couple vegan corn bread recipes we like yours the best! thank you

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        March 06, 2021 at 10:57 am

        you just made my day- thank you!

        Reply

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    Hi, I’m Verna! Major foodie of all things vegan! Welcome to The Cheeky Chickpea; here, you’ll find hundreds of restaurant-worthy easy vegan recipes. Some oil-free and gluten-free, from veggie-powered plant-based comfort foods to decadent desserts. Lots of tricks and tips up my chef sleeve…Grab your apron let’s get cooking!

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