Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Cornbread

Moist and sweet, this dairy-free gluten-free cornbread recipe bakes up in 30 minutes for a delicious side everyone will love. With hints of honey, this easy cornbread recipe is anything but dry.

Summer is the season of cook outs, BBQs, and potlucks. Some of the dishes we see often at these gatherings in the south include deviled eggs, baked beans, and cornbread.

It came as a bit of a shock to most people that I did not have a go-to recipe when it came to cornbread let alone a dairy-free recipe here on the site. It felt like a small gap in the menu that needed filling and fast.

I started with The Best Homemade Cornbread from Bless This Mess and began adapting from there to make it dairy-free and gluten-free. It took close to 6 tries to find the perfect balance of sweet and moist for this dairy-free and gluten-free cornbread but I think the resulting cornbread is nothing short of addictive.

Why We Love This Homemade Cornbread Recipe

While I have had my fair share of cornbread, it hasn’t always been my favorite in terms of side dish bread recipes. This recipe made me a convert. The balance of moist and sweet make it so addictive and easy to add to just about any potluck menu.

We have continued making this sweet cornbread recipe for a number of reasons include:

• Pantry staple recipe. All of the ingredients are things we have on hand in the pantry making it perfect for a last minute make before a BBQ.
• Sweet cornbread > all other cornbread. The hint of honey tips this gluten-free cornbread over to the sweet side and there is no going back.
• Moist. I know this is a taboo word for so many people but I cannot think of another word to describe how not dry this cornbread turns out.

Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Changes to Cornbread

Making this recipe a gluten-free and dairy-free cornbread took a few simple swaps.

• Vegan butter. In place of oil I opted for a melted vegan butter. It gave a little buttery flavor to the cornbread and also aids in the overall moisture of the final product.
• Non-dairy milk. Instead of whole milk I used almond milk. You can also use oat milk but it might be a little sweeter.
• Gluten-free flour. I replaced all purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free all purpose flour alternative.

Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour

This recipe was my first time using a gluten-free all purpose flour and it baked up just the same as a traditional all purpose flour.

I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to1 Baking Flour in this recipe because it was what we had available at the store.

Measuring the gluten-free flour I used the “spoon and level” method. I scooped the flour from the bag into a measuring cup but did not pack it down. Instead I made a mound at the top, then brought a knife out to level the top off.

Is Corn Meal Gluten-Free?

Yes. Corn meal is made from ground up, dried corn kernels which do not contain wheat, barley, or rye.

That said, some corn meal brands are manufactured on equipment that comes into contact with gluten so if you are following a strict gluten-free diet you will want to select packages of corn meal that are labeled gluten-free.

How to Make Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Cornbread

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Gluten-Free Flour– As mentioned above, I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour and measured using the spoon and level method.
• Corn Meal– The yellow corn meal gives a distinctive yellow color to the cornbread but you can also use white corn meal if you do not have yellow available.
• Sugar– Granulated sugar helps to sweeten the cornbread.
• Salt– To balance out the sweetness.
• Baking Powder– Helps the cornbread rise in the oven.
• Vegan Butter– Tenderizes the cornbread while also keeping it moist.
• Egg– Used to bind the batter together.
• Non-Dairy Milk– I used unsweetened almond milk but you could also use an unsweetened oat milk.
• Honey– For an extra boost of flavor and sweetness.

Step-by-Step Directions for Homemade Cornbread

• Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F and spray a 9×9-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
• Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl add gluten-free flour, yellow cornmeal, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Mix together.

• Add wet ingredients: Next add melted vegan butter, egg, almond milk, and honey. Mix until smooth.
• Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
• Bake for 30 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out clean).
• Cool: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

When you are ready to whip up a batch of this sweet dairy-free cornbread, there are a few different kitchen tools you might find handy.

• Glass mixing bowls– Great for mixing the batter.
• Whisk– Used to mix the batter together.
• 9×9-inch baking dish– Perfect for baking and storing the cornbread on the counter at room temperature.

Serving Suggestions for Sweet Cornbread

This gluten-free and dairy-free cornbread recipe makes a great side to a number of dishes. Some of my favorite sides include:

• Air Fryer Shishito Peppers
• Crock Pot Ribs
• Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs
• Frito Chili Pie
• Mexican Street Corn Dip
• Microwave Corn

Toppings for Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Cornbread

I think this gluten-free cornbread recipe is pretty great on its own, but if you want to top it off here are a few suggestions:

• Vegan butter– Just a shmear on top
• Honey– A little drizzle of honey over your warm slice
• Honey butter– Put the best of both worlds together and whip up the cinnamon honey butter from my Traditional Buttermilk Biscuits recipe

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Cornbread

Whether you are thinking about making this simple cornbread recipe in advance or simply storing left overs, here are some tips to keep it fresh and flavorful for the long haul.

• Storing– Place cooled cornbread in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days after baking.
• Freezing– I would suggest slicing the bread before storing in the freezer, then place in an airtight, freezer-safe container and store up to 3 months.
• Reheating from Frozen– Bring the cornbread out of the freezer an hour before you plan to serve it and allow to thaw on the counter at room temperature with the container closed. Heat in the microwave until desired temperature.

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Recipes to Make Next

• Creamy Dairy-Free Grits
• Turkey Taco Sweet Potato Skillet
• Greek Marinated Chicken Thighs

If you tried this sweet gluten-free and dairy-free cornbread recipe please let me know in the comments below!

You can also share a picture of it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy so I can see all of your life after dairy adventures!

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