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Low-Carb Cornbread tastes so much like traditional southern cornbread, but without all the sugar or starch! This delicious comfort food comes together in one bowl and a few easy steps.

3 squares of low carb cornbread on a wooden cutting board

Traditional southern cornbread gets its name because it’s made with cornmeal as well as fresh or frozen corn. Unfortunately, both of these ingredients are relatively high in carbs, which can cause unwanted blood sugar spikes.

But with this low-carb cornbread recipe, you can enjoy a delicious square or slice any time you want!

Table of Contents

Why you should make this recipe

If you’ve been searching for a low-carb cornbread with a nostalgic traditional cornbread flavor – look no further.

The secret to replacing the cornmeal is using a combination of almond flour and coconut flour. The blend of the two flours gives us a delicious taste and just the right texture!

You’ll love sharing this comfort food with friends and family or enjoying it throughout the week as a snack or side.

And to make this almond flour cornbread even better, the batter comes together in one bowl and just 5 easy steps. It’s so easy to whip up any time!

Ingredients

With just a handful of ingredients, you can have a pan of delicious and warm cornbread in no time. Thankfully, this keto cornbread recipe is gluten-free and sugar-free and has a fairly simple ingredient list.

  • eggs: for best results, use room-temperature eggs
  • milk or cream: unsweetened almond milk is always a great choice
  • unsalted butter: melted
  • vinegar: regular white distilled vinegar works but apple cider vinegar is a better option
  • coconut flour
  • almond flour: blanched, fine almond flour is ideal
  • sea salt
  • baking soda: for rice and fluffiness
  • grated cheddar cheese: skip the bagged grated cheese to avoid anti-caking agents

Some recipes use corn extract but we find that this easy keto cornbread is delicious without it.

Step-by-step instructions

When you need an easy side dish that everyone will love, this recipe is perfect. One bowl means minimal clean-up, too!

Just 5 simple steps and 30 minutes of cook time to this delicious cornbread that no one will ever guess is keto friendly!

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350F (180°C). Grease a 10-inch (25cm) pan with coconut oil or another healthy oil and set aside.

Raw ingredients for the cornbread separated into small bowls

Step 2: Meanwhile, add all of the ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl.

Wet and dry ingredients in a glass mixing bowl with a wooden spoon

Step 3: Mix together the ingredients until they are well combined and no lumps remain.

Cornbread dough mixed together in a glass mixing bowl

Step 4: Spoon the cornbread batter into the prepared pan and smooth over the surface. 

Unbaked dough transferred to a round glass baking dish

Step 5: Bake for 35 – 40 minutes until the top has browned and turned golden. A good rule of thumb to check for doneness is to insert a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the cornbread is ready to be removed from the oven. Finally, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15 – 25 minutes before slicing and serving. 

Expert tips

  • Make sure you combine the batter well so no lumps remain.
  • Don’t overbake the cornbread – it will be too dry. Keep an eye on it as it’s baking in the oven. As soon as it has browned and turned golden, run the toothpick test and remove the cornbread from the oven.
  • For that classic presentation, use a 10-inch cast iron skillet to bake your cornbread.
  • Or use a muffin pan to make keto cornbread muffins instead.

Variations

The combination of the low-carb flours with the butter and eggs makes such a fantastic replacement for traditional cornbread. I love serving this comfort food exactly as it is!

However, lots of people have add-ins that they like to include. You can feel free to add those to this recipe if you like. Check out the many ways to make this cornbread your very own:

  • Spice up the batter by adding jalapenos, chilis, or bell peppers. I’ve seen a lot of southern cornbreads baked with jalapenos for a tasty little kick.
  • Add a few slices of chopped, cooked bacon or even a different type of cheese for a delicious take on classic cornbread.
  • Prefer sweeter cornbread? Some cornbread recipes include sugar for a sweeter taste. If this is how you like your recipe, you can add some low-carb sweetener to get the taste just right.

If including extra ingredients, I recommend keeping it between a 1/2 cup and 1 cup’s worth of additions. This amount is enough to add flavor but won’t affect the texture of the final product and will ensure that it still rises perfectly in the oven.

Serving suggestions

Cornbread is wonderful to enjoy as is, slightly warmed with a pat of butter and a drizzle of sugar-free syrup. Traditionally, this classic quick bread is served with chili or another hearty soup.

However, being that this recipe is for 8 servings, you may find yourself with some extra cornbread.

That’s a great thing considering there are some fun ways to get creative with your leftovers!

I like to slice a piece into small squares and then pan-toast them. This makes a perfect low-carb alternative to croutons! Additionally, you could also crumble a slice into a pan and toast it to create breadcrumbs. 

Another option is to use your cornbread to create a tasty, low-carb stuffing. It’s great to serve around Thanksgiving, and you could even use it to stuff the turkey!

Storage and reheating instructions

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and will stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature.

This recipe is great to make over the weekend so you have a tasty snack or side to enjoy throughout the week!

Additionally, cornbread can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze keto cornbread, I recommend wrapping individual servings in plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn and storing it in freezer bags or freezer-safe containers.  Cornbread thaws quickly at room temperature.

If you enjoy your cornbread warm, slightly heat it up in the microwave or in a convection toaster oven for a few minutes. It will be just as tasty as fresh from the oven!

Nutrition tips

Ever wondered how many carbs are in a small piece of cornbread made with cornmeal?

In a typical serving made from a dry mix, there can be as many as 30 grams of carbs! So while it may seem tempting to have just one slice, even a small piece can have an undesired impact on your blood sugar.

That’s why I recommend this low-carb version of traditional cornbread. With about 14 total carbs and 4 grams of fiber, each slice comes out to 10 net carbs. That’s a pretty big improvement!

Golden brown baked cornbread with a bread knife, ready to serve

Frequently asked questions

What is a healthy alternative to cornmeal?

There are quite a few healthy alternatives to cornmeal but not all of them are low-carb. For diabetes-friendly cornbread, a healthy alternative is the combination of almond flour and coconut flour.

Does cornbread raise blood sugar?

Traditional cornbread does raise blood sugar because of the carbs in corn-based ingredients and regular sweeteners like sugar. However, this recipe is great for those seeking a low-carb lifestyle because the carbs are low.  

Other healthy low-carb recipes

Looking for more ideas for tasty, low-carb recipes that everyone will enjoy? Here are a few of my favorites that I know you’ll love: 

You can also check out this roundup of Healthy Low Carb Dinner Recipes for even more great inspiration!

When you’ve made this dish, please don’t forget to let me know how you liked it and rate the recipe in the comments below!

Low-Carb Cornbread

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Three squares of cornbread stacked
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Easy Low-Carb Cornbread tastes so much like traditional southern cornbread, but without all the sugar or starch! This delicious comfort food comes together in one bowl and just a few steps.
Author: Christel Oerum
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients 

  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk or cream
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, (melted)
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar
  • ½ cup coconut flour
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350F (180°C). Grease a 10-inch (25cm) pan and set aside.
  • Add all of the ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
    6 large eggs, 1 cup milk or cream, ⅓ cup unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vinegar, ½ cup coconut flour, 1 cup almond flour, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
  • Mix the ingredients together until they are well combined and no lumps remain.
  • Spoon the cornbread dough into the prepared pan and smooth over the top of the batter.
  • Bake for 35 – 40 minutes until the top has browned and turned golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15 – 25 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

This recipe is for 8 servings.
Variations: Feel free to add other ingredients, but limit to 1 cup of additions to ensure it doesn’t affect the texture of the final product. Some ideas are jalapenos, chilis, or bell peppers for a spicy kick. Or cooked and chopped bacon for more savory cornbread. Or add a low carb sweetener for sweeter bread.
Serving suggestions: Best served warm with a hearty soup like chili. But you can cut into small pieces and pan toast them for low carb alternative to croutons. Or crumble cornbread into low carb breadcrumbs. Alternatively, you can use cornbread to make tasty, low carb stuffing.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and will stay fresh for up to 5 days. You can also freeze individual servings wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn and stored in freezer bags for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition Info Per Serving

Nutrition Facts
Low-Carb Cornbread
Amount per Serving
Calories
332
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
23.6
g
36
%
Saturated Fat
 
10.4
g
52
%
Trans Fat
 
0
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3.3
g
Cholesterol
 
174.8
mg
58
%
Sodium
 
370.5
mg
15
%
Potassium
 
286.5
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
 
14.3
g
5
%
Fiber
 
4
g
16
%
Sugar
 
7.7
g
9
%
Protein
 
16.5
g
33
%
Net carbs
 
10.3
g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian