Hot Water Cornbread
Introduction
This hot water cornbread recipe is a simple Southern-style cornbread made with cornmeal, hot water, salt, egg, and milk. The mixture is stirred until the cornmeal is fully moistened, shaped into patties, and fried until browned. The finished cornbread is served hot and makes a comforting side dish.
Watch the Video
What Is Hot Water Cornbread?
Hot water cornbread is a type of cornbread made by combining cornmeal with hot water before forming the mixture into patties. In this recipe, an egg, milk, and salt are also added before the patties are fried until browned.
Southern Hot Water Cornbread
This recipe follows a simple Southern-style preparation: cornmeal is moistened with hot water, combined with egg, milk, and salt, shaped into patties, and fried.
The result is a warm, fried cornbread that can be served as a side dish with a meal.
Fried Cornbread
Unlike baked cornbread, these fried cornbread patties are cooked directly in hot oil on the stovetop. The patties are shaped by hand and fried until browned on both sides.
More Southern-Style Recipes
Ingredients for Hot Water Cornbread
- 2 cups cornmeal
- 1/2 teas salt
- 3/4 cup very hot / boiling water
- 2 tbs milk
- 1 egg
- 1 oil for frying (about 2 inches)
Ingredient Notes
- Cornmeal: The base of the recipe. The video uses approximately 2 cups of cornmeal.
- Hot Water: Hot water is gradually stirred into the cornmeal until all the dry meal is moistened.
- Egg: One egg is added to approximately two cups of cornmeal.
- Milk: A little milk is added to the mixture after the egg.
- Salt: Salt is added according to taste.
- Oil: The patties are fried on the stovetop until browned.
How to Make Hot Water Cornbread
1. Add the Cornmeal
Place the cornmeal in a large bowl. The video uses approximately two cups of cornmeal.
2. Add the Hot Water
Gradually pour hot water into the cornmeal while stirring. Add the water a little at a time rather than all at once.
3. Mix the Cornmeal
Continue stirring until all of the dry cornmeal is moistened. The mixture should remain somewhat clunky rather than completely smooth.
4. Add Salt
Add salt to the cornmeal mixture according to taste and stir it in.
5. Add the Egg
Add one egg to approximately two cups of cornmeal and stir it into the mixture.
6. Add the Milk
Add a little milk and continue mixing. The milk helps incorporate the egg and brings the mixture together.
7. Shape the Cornbread Patties
Once the cornmeal mixture is ready, form it into patties. The patties should not be too thin.
Place the prepared patties on a parchment-lined pan until they are ready to fry.
8. Fry the Cornbread
Heat oil in a pan on the stovetop. Carefully place the cornbread patties into the hot oil.
9. Brown and Flip
Fry the patties until browned, then carefully flip them so both sides cook evenly.
10. Serve Hot
Once the hot water cornbread is browned and cooked, remove it from the oil and allow excess oil to drain before serving.
Serve the cornbread warm.
Tips for Making Hot Water Cornbread
Add the Hot Water Gradually
Pour the hot water into the cornmeal a little at a time while stirring. This helps make sure all the dry cornmeal becomes moistened.
Keep the Mixture Slightly Clunky
The video notes that the mixture should be “clunky.” It does not need to be completely smooth.
Don’t Make the Patties Too Thin
Shape the mixture into patties that aren’t too thin so they can be fried properly.
Flip the Patties While Frying
Once the patties have browned on one side, carefully flip them to cook the other side.
Serve It Warm
Hot water cornbread is especially enjoyable while it is still warm and freshly fried.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Make Hot Water Cornbread?
To make hot water cornbread, combine cornmeal with hot water, stirring until all the dry cornmeal is moistened. Add salt, one egg, and a little milk, then shape the mixture into patties and fry them until browned.
Can I Use Water Instead of Milk for Cornbread?
This recipe uses both hot water and a little milk. The hot water is added to the cornmeal first, while milk is added later along with the egg. For this particular recipe, follow the listed ingredients rather than substituting the milk unless you have tested the substitution.
Can You Make Cornbread With Water?
Yes, this recipe uses hot water as a key part of preparing the cornmeal mixture. The hot water is gradually added while stirring until all of the dry cornmeal is moistened.
How Do You Cook Hot Water Cornbread?
Form the prepared cornmeal mixture into patties and carefully place them into hot oil. Fry until browned, then flip and continue cooking until the other side is browned.
How to Make Cornbread Patties?
For this recipe, mix the cornmeal with hot water, salt, one egg, and a little milk. Once combined, shape the mixture into patties that aren’t too thin, then fry them until browned.