Description
Smoky jalapeno bacon cornbread muffins deliver a bold southwestern flavor profile with crispy bacon and spicy peppers. Savory, hearty ingredients combine for a perfect side dish that will satisfy hungry diners at any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup (125 g / 4.4 oz) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (60 g) cooked bacon, crumbled
- ½ cup (75 g / 2.6 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) buttermilk
- ¼ cup (50 g / 1.8 oz) granulated sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 fresh jalapenos, finely diced (seeds removed for less heat)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp honey (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Calibrate oven to 375F (190C) and ready a muffin tin with non-stick spray or paper liners for optimal baking performance.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and smoky paprika in a large mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to create a uniform dry base that ensures consistent flavor distribution.
- Liquid Matrix Development: Whisk buttermilk, eggs, and selected fat into a smooth emulsion, creating a binding medium that will transform the dry ingredients into a cohesive batter.
- Batter Composition: Gently fold wet and dry mixtures until just incorporated, then delicately fold in cheddar cheese, crispy bacon fragments, and diced jalapeno peppers, ensuring even dispersion without overmixing.
- Baking Execution: Distribute batter into muffin cavities, filling each to approximately three-quarters capacity, then slide the tin into the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes until the surface achieves a rich golden-brown complexion and a test skewer emerges pristine.
- Cooling and Finalization: Rest muffins briefly in the tin, then transfer to a wire rack, optional honey drizzle can be applied to enhance the complex flavor profile, creating a delectable sweet-savory contrast.
Notes
- Minimize Mixing Moments: Overmixing the batter leads to tough, dense muffins; gently fold ingredients until just combined to maintain a tender, light texture.
- Customize Heat Levels: Adjust jalapeno quantity based on spice preference; remove seeds for milder flavor or include more for extra kick, ensuring balanced heat throughout the muffins.
- Smart Bacon Selection: Crisp bacon beforehand to prevent soggy spots; pat dry with paper towels to remove excess grease and maintain optimal muffin consistency.
- Moisture Management: Use room temperature ingredients to create smoother batter; buttermilk helps create a more tender crumb and enhances overall richness of the cornbread muffins.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg