Air Fryer Cornbread

By
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
A recipe developer and food photographer, Leah Maroney is an ardent home cook and food blogger who has written over 300 recipes for The Spruce Eats.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 11/26/21
air fryer cornbread

The Spruce / Leah Maroney
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Cooling: 10 mins
Total: 45 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 1 pan
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
317 Calories
14g Fat
44g Carbs
6g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 317
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 78mg 26%
Sodium 449mg 20%
Total Carbohydrate 44g 16%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 96mg 7%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 150mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Make up a small batch of buttery cornbread right in your air fryer in 30 minutes with this easy air fryer cornbread recipe. The result is a warm, moist bread that has a crisp crust. You don’t have to heat up the whole oven, and it's a great option when you only need a small portion. This makes a mini batch of cornbread that is perfect for two to four people. 

Serve the cornbread with your favorite chili or barbecued meat. Or chop up the leftovers to make cornbread stuffing. It’s warm and comforting and ideal for cozy nights at home or a small barbecue.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup buttermilk

  • 1/3 cup brown sugar

  • 1/4 cup butter, melted

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 1 large egg

  • 1/2 cup cornmeal

  • 1/2 cup flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the air fryer to 365 F for 8 minutes. Heavily grease a small, 4- to 5-inch cake pan with butter.

    air fryer cornbread ingredients

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  2. Whisk the buttermilk, brown sugar, melted butter, honey, and egg in a measuring cup until the honey and sugar are well incorporated into the milk and egg.

    air fryer cornbread batter whisked in a bowl

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  3. Whisk the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium-sized bowl.

  4. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture with a whisk or spatula until the dry ingredients are just moistened. It is OK to have a few lumps but make sure you don't have any pockets of dry ingredients.

    cornbread batter in a bowl with a whisk

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  5. Add the batter to the baking pan and place the pan into the air fryer. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes or until the center comes out clean when pricked with a toothpick.

    cornbread batter in a pan in an air fryer basket

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  6. The top will be quite browned—this is OK, and it can be cut off if you prefer not to have it that dark.

    cooked cornbread in an air fryer

    The Spruce / Leah Maroney

  7. Use a knife to loosen the edges from the pan and flip the cornbread onto a plate. Let cool for about 10 minutes and serve warm.

Recipe Variations

  • You can make this gluten-free by substituting gluten-free flour for the regular all-purpose flour.
  • You can make this vegan by substituting dairy-free milk and plant-based butter.
  • There are tons of ways to change up this recipe. Try adding these tasty add-ins (or a combination of more than one):
  • 1/4 cup creamed corn 
  • 2 tablespoons canned diced chiles
  • 1 teaspoon chopped jalapeños
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped scallions
  • 1/4 cup chopped bacon crumbles
  • Add another tablespoon of honey for an extra sweet cornbread

Recipe Tips

  • Double-check that your pan will fit inside of your air fryer. Use a thinner baking pan as the air fryer cannot penetrate a thicker pan as well. Using a non-stick baking pan works well because the cornbread can stick if the pan is not greased enough. 
  • Make sure to use a lot of butter or cooking spray to coat the pan before you air fry.

What Kind of Pan Can You Use in an Air Fryer?

Any pans that are oven-safe will work in an air fryer. This includes oven-safe metal, nonstick, glass, cast-iron, and ceramic pans. Make sure your pan will fit inside the air fryer basic before using.

How Do You Reheat Cornbread in an Air Fryer?

To reheat cornbread in the air fryer, preheat to 320 F and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or just until warmed through and crisped.