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Savory Hatch Chili Cornbread Recipe with Creamy Honey Butter

Hatch chili cornbread - featured image

A quick and easy savory cornbread with smoky Hatch chilis and a creamy honey butter that balances spicy and sweet flavors perfectly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (150g) yellow cornmeal
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk or 2%
  • ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup roasted, peeled, and chopped Hatch chilis (fresh or canned)
  • ½ cup (60g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
  • For the creamy honey butter:
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a 9-inch cast iron skillet or baking pan in the oven to heat for about 10 minutes.
  2. If using fresh Hatch chilis, roast under the broiler or on a grill until charred (5–7 minutes), steam covered for 10 minutes, then peel and chop. If using canned, drain and chop. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
  4. In a separate bowl, beat eggs lightly. Add milk and melted butter, mixing until combined.
  5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined; batter should be thick but pourable.
  6. Fold in chopped Hatch chilis and shredded cheddar cheese gently.
  7. Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven, grease lightly with butter or oil, pour in the batter, and smooth the top.
  8. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. While baking, whip together softened butter, honey, and salt until smooth to make the creamy honey butter.
  10. Let cornbread rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with a dollop of creamy honey butter.

Notes

Preheat the pan to create a crispy crust. Do not overmix the batter to avoid toughness. Rotate pan halfway through baking if browning unevenly. Use fresh roasted Hatch chilis for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute butter and cheese accordingly. For gluten-free, replace flour with gluten-free blend.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hatch chili cornbread, savory cornbread, honey butter, quick cornbread, spicy cornbread, easy cornbread recipe