Maple Bacon Cornbread Bites
Skillet cornbread bites studded with bacon get a maple glaze for a sweet-savory party snack.
Prep: 10 · Cook: 20 · Total: 30 · Serves: 8 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.7/5 (142 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
The recipe pairs the skillet comfort of Southern cornbread with the party-friendly shape of a mini muffin. Maple and hot sauce give the bacon a bright, sticky finish.
Story
A good snack should be easy to grab and impossible to eat just one of. I like these little bites because the bacon makes them savory enough for dinner, while the maple glaze keeps them welcome at brunch. The hot pan is the secret to those crisp edges. Put them out warm and keep the recipe close.
By Theo
Ingredients
- 5 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup sliced scallions
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp hot sauce
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425 F and place a 24-cup mini muffin pan in the oven to warm. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until browned, then drain on paper towels.
- Whisk the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. In a second bowl, whisk the egg, buttermilk, and melted butter until smooth.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir just until no dry streaks remain. Fold in the bacon and scallions without overmixing.
- Carefully remove the hot pan and brush the cups with a little bacon fat from the skillet. Divide the batter among the cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the tops spring back and the edges are deeply golden. Whisk the maple syrup and hot sauce together while the bites bake.
- Brush the hot cornbread bites with the maple glaze and let them cool in the pan for 3 minutes. Transfer to a platter and serve warm.
Chef Tips
- A hot pan gives the bites their crisp, browned edges.
- Do not overmix the batter or the centers can turn dense.
- Use smoked bacon for a deeper savory note or pepper bacon for extra bite.
- Make the bites a few hours ahead and warm them in a 350 F oven before glazing.
Cook's Notes
- **Pan heat:** Let the mini muffin pan preheat so the batter sizzles when it lands.
- **Bacon fat:** A light coating of bacon fat helps the edges brown, but do not fill the cups with grease.
- **Glaze timing:** Brush while the bites are hot so the maple mixture clings.
- **Make ahead:** Store for 2 days and rewarm in a low oven just before serving.