Description
Chefs adore Southern-Style Honey Butter Cornbread Poppers as a crowd-pleasing appetizer that blends sweet and savory flavors. Crispy exterior and tender interior make these bite-sized morsels irresistible for gatherings and comfort food lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk
- ¼ cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (120 g) yellow cornmeal
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tbsps melted butter
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsps honey
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, blending into a uniform powder with consistent texture.
- Liquid Element Integration: Whisk egg, buttermilk, and melted butter in a separate container until completely emulsified, creating a smooth, cohesive liquid mixture.
- Batter Formation: Delicately incorporate wet ingredients into dry components, stirring minimally to maintain a light texture – tolerating slight lumps for optimal consistency.
- Oil Preparation and Temperature Calibration: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350F, verifying readiness through a quick batter test that immediately sizzles and rises.
- Frying Technique: Carefully drop batter dollops into hot oil using a cookie scoop, ensuring adequate spacing between poppers and maintaining consistent oil temperature.
- Cooking and Color Development: Rotate poppers during frying to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior, cooking thoroughly for 2-3 minutes per batch, monitoring color and texture.
- Drainage and Preliminary Finishing: Rescue poppers onto absorbent paper towels, allowing excess oil to dissipate while preserving their crisp, delicate exterior.
- Honey Butter Glaze Creation: Whisk melted butter with honey and a whisper of salt until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency that complements the cornbread’s texture.
- Final Presentation: Lavish warm poppers with honey butter drizzle or serve glaze alongside as a decadent dipping sauce, ensuring immediate consumption for peak gustatory experience.
Notes
- Control Oil Temperature: Maintain consistent 350F heat to ensure crispy, golden-brown poppers without burning or undercooking.
- Minimal Batter Mixing: Stir wet and dry ingredients gently to prevent gluten development, keeping cornbread poppers tender and light.
- Drain Excess Oil: Use paper towels to remove extra oil, preserving the poppers’ delicate crunch and preventing sogginess.
- Honey Butter Balance: Whisk honey and butter thoroughly for a smooth, glossy glaze that complements the savory cornbread without overwhelming sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg