Fluffy Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers Recipe

Southern kitchens buzz with excitement when honey butter cornbread poppers arrive at the table, promising a delightful twist on classic comfort food.

Crispy edges and tender centers make these bite-sized treats irresistible to anyone seeking a quick snack.

Small golden nuggets packed with southern charm will quickly become your new favorite appetizer.

Butter melts into every crevice, creating a rich and indulgent experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Sweet honey adds a delicate touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the savory cornbread base.

Each popper delivers a burst of flavor that dances between traditional southern cooking and modern culinary creativity.

You’ll want to double the batch because these little bites disappear faster than you can plate them.

Grab a napkin and get ready to impress everyone at your next gathering with this mouthwatering recipe.

What Makes Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers Special

• Dive into Deliciousness
• Whip up these poppers in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, making it a fast and foolproof recipe for busy home cooks.
• Capture the authentic taste of Southern cuisine with these bite-sized cornbread treats that bring warmth and nostalgia to your table.
• Perfect for game day parties, potlucks, family gatherings, or as a delightful appetizer that satisfies both kids and adults with its crispy exterior and sweet honey butter glaze.
• Master the art of frying without complex skills, using basic kitchen tools and a straightforward method that yields restaurant-quality results every single time.

What You’ll Need for Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

• Cornmeal: Foundation of Southern-style bread with hearty corn flavor, stone-ground preferred for richer taste.
• Flour: Provides structure and softness to the cornbread poppers, all-purpose works best.
• Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with golden brown color.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for light and fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile of the poppers.

• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness to the batter.
• Buttermilk: Creates tender crumb and provides tangy undertone, whole buttermilk recommended.
• Melted Butter: Contributes rich flavor and moisture to the poppers.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for deep frying, ensures crispy exterior of poppers.
• Honey: Natural sweetener for glaze with complex floral notes.
• Additional Melted Butter: Creates smooth, luxurious honey butter glaze.
• Pinch of Salt: Balances sweetness in the honey butter glaze.

Simple Way to Make Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

Mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly to ensure even distribution of all dry components.

Step 2: Prepare Wet Mixture

Whisk egg, buttermilk, and melted butter in a separate bowl until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Create Batter

• Gradually pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients
• Stir gently until just combined
• Avoid overmixing to keep the batter light and fluffy

Step 4: Heat Cooking Oil

• Warm vegetable oil in a deep skillet or saucepan
• Heat to 350°F (175°C)
• Test oil temperature by dropping a small batter bit that should sizzle and float

Step 5: Fry Cornbread Poppers

• Drop small spoonfuls of batter into hot oil using a cookie scoop
• Fry in batches to prevent overcrowding
• Cook 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally
• Achieve golden brown color and fully cooked interior

Step 6: Drain Poppers

Remove poppers with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Step 7: Prepare Honey Butter Glaze

• Melt butter
• Mix with honey
• Add a pinch of salt
• Stir until smooth and well blended

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Drizzle honey butter glaze over warm cornbread poppers or serve as a dipping sauce. Consume immediately for best taste and texture.

Useful Notes for Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

• Master Oil Temperature Control: Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain precise 350F oil heat, ensuring golden-brown poppers without burning or undercooking.
• Prevent Overmixing Batter: Stir wet and dry ingredients just until combined to keep cornbread poppers light and tender, avoiding tough textures.
• Smart Batch Frying Technique: Drop batter in small batches to maintain consistent oil temperature and prevent poppers from becoming greasy or soggy.
• Quick Glaze Application: Drizzle warm honey butter immediately after frying for maximum flavor absorption and delightful glossy finish.
• Drain Excess Oil Properly: Use paper towels to remove extra oil, creating crispy exterior while keeping interior soft and moist.

Save and Reheat Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers Like a Pro

• Store leftover cornbread poppers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep them in a single layer to prevent sogginess.
• Wrap poppers individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 1 month for best quality and taste.
• Warm poppers at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving, which can make them soft and rubbery.
• Gently warm honey butter sauce and drizzle over poppers before serving to revive their original delicious flavor.

What Tastes Great with Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers

• Robust, smoky pulled pork complements the sweet and crispy cornbread poppers, creating a perfect Southern-style flavor explosion.
• A smooth, caramel-forward bourbon with hints of vanilla balances the honey butter's sweetness and cuts through the poppers' richness.
• Crisp, tangy coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, golden cornbread poppers, adding a cool crunch to the plate.
• A zingy, slightly spicy jam creates a delightful flavor contrast, enhancing the cornbread's sweetness with a kick of heat.

Switch It Up: Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers Ideas

Gluten-Free Cornbread Poppers: Replace regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive individuals.

Vegan Honey Alternative Poppers: Swap egg with flax egg, use plant-based milk, replace honey with maple syrup, and utilize coconut oil instead of butter for dairy-free version.

Low-Carb Almond Flour Poppers: Substitute cornmeal with almond flour, reduce sugar, and use sugar substitute like erythritol to create a keto-friendly version of the classic recipe.

Air Fryer Healthier Option: Transfer batter to air fryer basket, spray with cooking oil, and cook at 370F for 5-6 minutes instead of deep-frying for a lighter preparation method with reduced oil content.

Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Southern-style honey butter cornbread poppers bring Southern comfort to your table with irresistible bite-sized charm. Warm golden morsels blend sweet honey and buttery cornbread goodness, inviting you to savor rich home-style flavors in every delightful little bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cornbread Poppers Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (120 g) yellow cornmeal
• ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk
• ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Dry Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 pinch of salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a fine, even powder of cornmeal, flour, sugar, leavening agents, and seasoning.
2. Whisk egg, buttermilk, and melted butter in a separate vessel until thoroughly integrated and silky.
3. Gently fold wet mixture into dry components, stirring minimally to prevent toughening the batter – some small lumps are acceptable.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to approximately 350F, verifying temperature with a small batter test that sizzles and rises instantly.
5. Utilize a cookie scoop or spoon to delicately release batter droplets into the simmering oil, maintaining a comfortable distance between each popper.
6. Rotate poppers periodically during frying, ensuring uniform golden-brown coloration and complete internal cooking – approximately 2-3 minutes per batch.
7. Transfer freshly fried poppers onto absorbent paper towels, allowing excess oil to drain and maintaining crisp exteriors.
8. Craft a luxurious glaze by whisking melted butter with honey and a subtle salt accent until perfectly smooth and glossy.
9. Shower warm cornbread poppers with honey butter drizzle or present the glaze separately as an indulgent dipping companion, serving immediately for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Ensure oil temperature remains consistent around 350F for even, crispy golden-brown poppers without burning.
• Control moisture by not overmixing batter, which prevents dense, tough cornbread texture and maintains light, airy result.
• Use buttermilk for tangy flavor and tender crumb, substituting with regular milk plus vinegar if unavailable.
• For gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornmeal or gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 295
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg