This is a classic Southern hot water cornbread recipe made with just 4 simple ingredients and fried in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop!
Hey Cousins! Today, I am sharing a TRUE Southern classic: hot water cornbread! This has got to be one of my most requested recipes. I actually uploaded a hot water cornbread recipe many years ago on my YouTube channel, but a lot of y’all missed that video. Since then, I’ve revised my recipe, so it’s time I share my new-and-improved version of a Southern classic.
Now, y’all know I have many different types of cornbread recipes on my blog. We’ve got traditional cornbread, Southern sweet cornbread, jalapeno cornbread, cornbread dressing, and even a sweet pumpkin cornbread. Literally, ALL kinds of cornbread (and that ain’t even it, y’all)! So, it’s only natural that I would also have a simple hot water cornbread. If you’re looking for a simple side dish that is done in just a few minutes and uses the most basic ingredients, this recipe is for you.
What is Hot Water Cornbread?
So, what exactly is hot water cornbread?! Well, it’s… cornbread! LOL! However, it does call for fewer ingredients than a traditional cornbread recipe. It’s as simple as it sounds—cornbread made with hot water.
While cornbread is a Southern staple, its origins date back thousands of years to Native American culture in Mexico. It was a staple because of how readily available the ingredients were—cornmeal and water. Hot water cornbread is as close to traditional as you can get.
Hot water cornbread is fried with oil (though, I have heard that some people actually bake it… and that is a NO from me!). Pan-frying the cornbread patties in the oil gives them a perfectly crisp exterior and fluffy, soft center. It pairs well with Southern pinto beans, Southern greens, cabbage, and more. Feel free to serve some sweet tea with your meal to go extra authentic.
Wondering how to make hot water cornbread? Well, first, let’s talk about ingredients.
Ingredients Needed to Make Hot Water Cornbread
So, what ingredients do you need to make hot water cornbread? I bet you’ve guessed hot water and cornmeal? Y’all would be right! To make a classic hot water cornbread recipe, you need the following:
- Yellow cornmeal: I use regular ol’ yellow cornmeal. Others use self-rising cornmeal (you can make your own), which helps with that light and fluffy interior.
- Self-rising flour: if you can’t find self-rising cornmeal (not always the easiest to find), use self-rising flour to give the cornbread patties some extra lift.
- Hot water: you have to use boiling water. I don’t make the rules; that’s just how it is!
- Granulated white sugar: sugar gives the cornbread a little bit of sweetness, but not too much. It’s the perfect amount to get that yummy, savory-sweet cornbread flavor.
- Oil for frying: the best oil to use for frying hot water cornbread is a neutral oil that doesn’t have any flavor. A neutral oil will give your cornbread patties a perfectly golden-brown, crisp exterior without an overwhelming fried oil flavor.
Now, a little disclaimer: I use peanut oil for frying in my video tutorial below. However, if you’re using a neutral oil like vegetable oil or canola oil, your hot water cornbread will turn out just fine. Additionally, you can add a pinch of salt to your cornbread batter to balance out the sweetness from the sugar. I don’t include salt in my recipe.
Hot Water Cornbread FAQs: How to Make the Best, Easiest Cornbread Recipe
Now, in a minute, I’ll tell y’all how to make hot water cornbread (spoiler alert, it really is the EASIEST recipe). But first, I want to take a second to answer some of your questions. Just like many Southern recipes, there are customizations and alterations you can make to a hot water cornbread recipe.
Why is my cornbread batter too sticky?
Since the ingredients in this cornbread are so basic, it might get a little sticky—that’s okay! If your cornbread batter is too sticky while forming the patties, butter or grease your hands (with some cooking spray) while working and work quickly!
How much water do you use in hot water cornbread?
I use about one and a half cups of boiling water in my recipe, and that gives me the perfect consistency. Less water will make the batter extra thick, likely resulting in a dense cornbread. Too much water and the batter will be runny and won’t fry well. It’s a perfect balance and all about the texture!
Can you make hot water cornbread ahead of time? Can you reheat it?
Serving it fresh is absolutely best, but it IS possible to make hot water cornbread ahead of time. You can make the batter no more than a day ahead of time and store it in the fridge (in an airtight container) until you’re ready to use. To reheat, you can:
- Reheat the cornbread in the oven at 350 degrees for a few minutes.
- Reheat on the stovetop in a skillet with a tablespoon of oil (this will ensure a crispy outside).
- Pop it in the toaster oven for a fast-and-easy reheat.
How many servings does this hot water cornbread make?
I got six cornbread patties from this recipe, and mine are shaped similarly to a regular-size hamburger. You can make yours larger or smaller, or you could easily double the recipe to make more servings.
What’s the difference between hot water cornbread and regular cornbread?
There are definitely a few key differences. First, hot water cornbread has far fewer ingredients—no buttermilk, eggs, or butter. Regular cornbread is baked, and hot water cornbread is fried. Hot water cornbread is a much simpler, straightforward cornbread recipe with few variations. It’s also traditionally formed into little patties, whereas regular cornbread is typically baked in a pan or loaf.
What’s the difference between cornbread and hoe cakes?
Hoe cakes, also called corn cakes or Johnny cakes, are basically cornmeal pancakes. They are made with essentially the same ingredients as pancakes—milk or buttermilk, flour, and baking powder—but also with cornmeal. Like pancakes, they’re cooked with minimal oil in a skillet or pan. They are essentially savory pancakes! Hot water cornbread has, again, fewer ingredients and has more structure, like traditional cornbread.
Can I top hot water cornbread with anything?
Absolutely! Hot water cornbread is delicious topped with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup if you want extra sweetness. A pad of butter will melt and soak into the tender bread, giving it a salty creaminess. Hot water cornbread is also delicious when drizzled with hot sauce if you want some kick. Pro-tip: you can also dip your cornbread into whatever you’re serving it with (like chili, collard greens, gravy, you name it).
How to Make Southern Hot Water Cornbread: Video Tutorial & Recipe Card
Finally, we’ve reached the directions! It’s as simple as one-two-three, I’m tellin’ y’all. As always, the full measurements, directions, and a helpful video tutorial are included in the recipe card below. Here are the main steps:
- Mix the cornmeal, self-rising flour, and sugar together in a large mixing bowl.
- Carefully pour the boiling water into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined.
- Next, form the cornbread patties. A warning, the batter will still be quite warm from the hot water at this point, so use caution! You could also wear food-safe gloves to protect your hands.
- In a deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. I use a cast iron skillet, but you can use any type of skillet that’s deep enough for about one inch of oil.
- Fry the cornbread patties in the hot oil for no more than two minutes per side until each side is a perfect golden brown color.
- Finally, remove the cornbread from the oil and allow it to drain on paper towels.
That’s it! Perfect hot water cornbread in about 10-15 minutes from start to finish. Practice makes perfect, so if you don’t get it quite right the first time, keep on tryin’! With simple ingredients, you can make this recipe again and again without breaking the bank.
If you loved my hot water cornbread recipe, have questions, or even if you just want to share your memories of your moms and grandmas making this classic for you, comment below! As always, remember to tag and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, and check out all my cookbooks! I just released a brand new cookbook, Super Soul Food with Cousin Rosie, with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else.
Hot Water Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup self rising flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cup boiling hot water
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Pour the vegetable oil into a medium sized skillet (I use my cast iron).
- Heat the oil over medium heat.
- Combine the cornmeal, self rising flour, and sugar in a medium sized bowl.
- Sift or whisk until everything is well combined.
- Next, pour in the hot water, and mix.
- Form the mixture into patties.
- Fry the patties for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
- Remove from the oil, and and place on paper towel lined plate.
- Let cool.
- Serve & enjoy!
Hi Rosie! I make my Hot water cornbread the same way. It was my grandmother’s way to make them. They are very good with greens, beans and soups. Making hot water cornbread Sunday for dinner. We are having Collards, turnip greens and kale muxed and cooked in cajun smoked turkey . Beef Neckbones, mashed fresh garlic taters, fried okra and kiwi pound cake with creamy butter cream frosting. Love your reciped. By the way do you have a recipe for kiwi pound cake? If so share with us.
Oh my stars!!! That sounds amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever even had kiwi pound cake, but I will ask my aunts to see if they have a recipe for it.
Tried it, LUV IT ,but got fancy and added finely diced onions and BOOM!!! AWESOMENESS!! Keep your awesome recipes coming, we love them!!!!!
Thanks for trying! 🙂
Oh my goodness!! Bless you for sharing this recipe that I could never get right!!! thank you!
I hope you give it a try 🙂
I Love this recipie my Mother makes cornbread like this when she cooks greens and beans and dip and you got a good meal.Thank you for your post it was nice to see the old time way to make it.
Glad that you liked the post! 🙂
How man patties did you get in total from this recipe ?
I made about 6. It just depends on how big you want the patties to be.
I’m from Tennessee and make this a lot. We use plain or self-rising cornmeal which has the flour already in it. Love your recipes
Hi Etta! Yes, self cornmeal works. However it isn’t sold everywhere 🙁
Yes, thank you for posting. I tried to make HWC years ago and it didn’t turn out too good. 🙁 But this recipe seems simple, and the HWC looks good. So I will give it another try. Hopefully, it taste as good as it look in the picture/video.
Yes, definitely give this recipe a try ! XOXO
I hope I get this right. My mother, bless her soul, made this a lot but I just couldn’t do it.
Practice makes perfect 🙂
Thanks r his recipe. My mother made HWC. She passed away and I never got the recipe.
Thanks for coming by!
Hi Rosie, hope you are doing well. For the Hot water Cornbread, how do you keep it soft if you have left overs or do you just make it fresh each time? Please advise. Thanks Much
Hi Bridget! I serve it fresh each time 🙂
Hello,
Thanks for the tastey HWC recipe. I tried a different recipe 2yrs ago. Outcome wasnt good. Found ur recipe & it came out perfect. Thanks again!!!
Thanks so much for trying my recipe Terri!
HI, Rosie
How many servings does this recipe make?
Hi Tashia! It depends on how big you make the patties 🙂
Ms. Rosie, thank you for the recipe. I tried this cornbread at my boyfriends house for the 1st time today and I want to learn to cook all his favorite things. Can’t wait to try it.
OMG I trying to learn how to cook hot water cornbread for years now and I almost gave up until i came across your recipe. Not only is it easy it’s the BEST. Because of you I’ve crowned myself hot water cornbread queen lol. I don’t know when was the last time I even made skillet cornbread b\c of your hot water cornbread recipe. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PASSION WITH US AND GOD BLESS YOU!!!
Thanks so much for trying my recipe Lonya!
My family is originally from the south. My auntie passed away years ago, and we haven’t had her hot water cornbread since then. So glad I stumbled onto this site. Brought tears to my eyes to see this recipe. I am going to make this soon for my family.
This recipe was spot on. I’ve been trying unsuccessfully to make good hot water cornbread. Love love love all you recipes Rosie. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much Chandra!
Rosie; I finally had the chance to make these today; we will be having them with Ribs on the grill. When my wife tasted them; with honey; “OMG These are my new most favorite food”. Thanks so much for your wonderful recipes. I will be trying others as well; Mama was from the South and I have always enjoyed Southern cooking.
Easy and quick reminder of an old time favorite. Im very thankful this site and the recipes. Very satisfied with the results. Although I used self rising cornmeal and spelt flower a little less fluffy but still crispy and delicious.
Great recipe!!! I was out of eggs but thought about what I could make that was simple and quick for breakfast….this was the go to options. They came out great!!
Several years ago my Aunt introduced me to hot water cornbread, I loved it. Fast forward several years to my Husband asking if I knew about hot water cornbread and of course I boasted skills..well it turned out so Horrible, I hadn’t tried making it again until Today.. My Aunts recipe called for cornmeal, seasoning & boiling water.. Soo I was skeptical, but I followed your recipe to a T.. Girlfriend These are Scrumptious
Made these for dinner along with a pot of Beefy vegetable soup. My kids loved it. I had a couple leftover. So I put them in a bowl with some berries, honey and a splash of milk. Freaking amazing.
Thank you for this recipe.
This is a good recipe. Thanks so much for the recipe and the video.
Expensive double oven not working. Tried your hot water cornbread with pinto beans & mustard greens. Yummy.
Hello, I will be trying your recipe today. It will be my first time. I am making stew kidney beans with smoked turkey neck. Over rice, I believe it will make a great combination.
Hi Rosie,
It’s only me and my cat, Margaret, this year. So since I am from New Orleans, I decided to make some good old fashion Red Beans and Rice. I needed some really good Cornbread to go along with it, to sop up all that good juice, and in looking at the comments your recipe looks be perfect for my dinner (and probably other things to :-).)
Excellent, easy, quick hot water cornbread. I have a granddaughter with egg, dairy, palm and coconut allergies. She loved this so much and I will be making it several times a week to go with our veggies. She will have the leftovers for breakfast with some Maple syrup.
This recipe was easy peasy and they came out perfect !!!! Thanks for sharing