Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Cornbread Recipe
This gluten-free and dairy-free cornbread recipe is incredibly moist and tastes good with any weeknight meal or for the holidays. This incredibly easy recipe with simple ingredients is better than any boxed mix. Try this healthy homemade cornbread!
Cornbread is such an easy way to elevate a meal. It tastes delicious aside almost anything and it’s easy to freeze if there happens to be leftovers.
There’s just nothing like the texture of a great cornbread, and this one has both texture and flavor.
Why You Need This Recipe
- This gluten-free and dairy-free cornbread recipe is made without wheat or dairy products.
- Cornbread should have some sweetness to it without being too sweet. This sweet cornbread is just right!
- Gluten-free flour with xanthan gum from Bob’s Red Mill mixed with gluten-free cornmeal makes for a grainy texture and a tender crumb. You won’t miss the all purpose flour in this great recipe.
Key Ingredients
- Gluten-free flour and yellow cornmeal make the base of this Southern cornbread.
- Vinegar and almond milk help make a dairy-free “buttermilk.” You can also use lemon juice if that’s what you have on hand.
- Sugar adds sweetness. You can use either white sugar or coconut sugar, but coconut sugar will alter the color of the bread.
- Coconut oil replaces butter without any dairy. You could also use avocado oil, if you prefer, but I think coconut oil is the best dairy-free option.
- Eggs help the bread to rise and make it fluffy.
- See the recipe card below for the full recipe.
Recipe Steps
Now let me show you how to make it!
Step One
Preheat the oven and spray your baking dish. Gather all your ingredients and you’re ready to go.
Combine the almond milk (or your favorite dairy-free milk) and vinegar then set aside.
In a large bowl add all the dry ingredients together.
Step Two
Stir the dry ingredient until combined.
Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.
Step Three
Add the milk mixture, eggs and coconut oil to the dry mixture and stir until a smooth batter forms.
Step Four
Pour batter into the baking dish and bake until it’s done. You can do this by inserting a toothpick to see if it comes out clean. If any batter is on the toothpick, pop the cornbread back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes.
Wait for the cornbread to cool enough to slice. Enjoy warm or at room temperature. You can serve the cornbread plain, with vegan butter, maple syrup, or a drizzle of honey.
I hope your family agrees that this is the best gluten-free cornbread recipe that they’ve ever had.
It’s one of my favorite foods and it goes great with Instant Pot Lentil Soup or Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup.
Recipe Tips
- You can also make this cornbread in a cast iron skillet or cast iron pan. But, you’ll need a very large skillet and you’ll need to make sure it’s well seasoned so the cornbread doesn’t stick to the bottom.
- After you’ve made your cornbread, store any leftovers in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the cooked cornbread for up to 2 months.
- I have not tested this recipe with an egg substitute like a flax egg. Please let me know if you try a a vegan version.
Recipe FAQs
Cornmeal doesn’t contain gluten as an ingredient, but oftentimes it is processed in the same facilities as wheat. Cross contamination is highly likely. If you are Celiac or sensitive to trace amounts of gluten, search for cornmeal that is labeled gluten-free.
Yes but freeze within two days of baking for best results. I like to place the slices on a plate or half sheet pan then freeze for 30 minutes. Place the slices in a freezer bag and use within 30 days for the freshest results. This method keeps the cornbread from getting smooshed in the bag.
Cornbread tastes best the day it’s made but will stay good on the counter for two full days or in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
Yes! But you’ll need to reduce the temperature to 375 degrees F and shorten the bake time to around 25 minutes. Check one of the muffins in the muffin pan with a toothpick and make sure it comes out clean.
Yes, but the cornbread will be denser and will have a slightly brown tint as opposed to bright yellow.
Don’t Miss These Gluten-Free Bread Recipes!
Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Cornbread Recipe
This gluten-free and dairy-free cornbread recipe is incredibly moist and tastes good with any weeknight meal. This incredibly easy recipe with simple ingredients is better than any boxed mix. Try this healthy homemade cornbread!
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or your choice of plant milk)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 1 cup gluten-free baking flour (I used the Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour)
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free yellow cornmeal
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spray an 8×8-inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a small pitcher or bowl, combine the milk and vinegar. Stir and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt. Stir or whisk to combine.
- Then, stir in the milk and vinegar mixture, eggs, and coconut oil.
- Stir the batter until it is smooth with no lumps.
- Pour the batter into your baking dish and bake for 28-32 minutes, or until the top starts to turn a golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cornbread cool in the pan for a few minutes before slicing it and serving it warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- If you want to make this recipe in a muffin tin, you’ll need to reduce the temperature to 375 degrees F and shorten the bake time to around 25 minutes. Check one of the muffins with a toothpick and make sure it comes out clean.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 5.7 g
- Sodium: 191.4 mg
- Fat: 10.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 28.3 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 3.1 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg
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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is studying to be a holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.
I am super picky about cornbread. I dont want it to taste like yellow cake with a bit of cornmeal tossed in. This is by far the BEST recipe I’ve found. The family agrees. I used coconut sugar and reduced the amount to 1/4c. Other brands were Nutiva butter-flavored coconut oil; Bragg’s ACV; and Califia unsweetened almond milk.
I’m thrilled you and your family enjoy this recipe! Thanks for sharing your tips.
Made this cornbread last night, came out amazing. Used Bob’s medium grind cornmeal. Gave great texture.
Yay, so glad you enjoyed it, Tammy!!!