Cornbread is delicious for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With the perfect amount of sweetness, it pairs well with any dish- chili, soup, salads, mac, and cheese…YUM. We all know that freshly baked cornbread is the best- so how do you recreate this experience with leftovers? There are several great ways to reheat extra cornbread, so let’s dive straight in and find out how.
DRY CORNBREAD
Cornbread is delicious, and if you manage to make a batch and actually have leftovers, chances are you will gobble it up the next day. Room temperature or cold cornbread is enjoyable, but we all know warm-straight-out-of-the-oven cornbread is downright heavenly.
While it may not be obvious, cornbread can actually be tricky to reheat! The reheating process can lead to dry, stale cornbread. I think we all agree that is the last thing anyone wants!
As cornbread has a crumbly, coarse texture, it is very easy to dry out when reheating. There are a few ways to prevent dryness that are easy and can add extra flavor.
- Use a moist paper towel to cover the cornbread. Fully wrapping the cornbread can also work great to lock in moisture. This would work best with small pieces rather than a loaf.
- Wrap in aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Brush butter on top to add moisture (and flavor!). A little melted butter is always a good idea!
- Sprinkle the top of the cornbread lightly with sugar. This will create a delicious, unexpected crust! For best results, reheat in an oven, so you get that nice crispy top.
Cornbread is best enjoyed as soon as you make it. While it lasts up to 5 days in an airtight container, the longer it sits, the higher chance it will become stale.
HOW TO REHEAT CORNBREAD
There are several reheating methods, depending on your time and available kitchen appliances. The duration of heating or cooking time will vary, but overall each method is fast and easy. Play around with the different methods to see which result you like best. I personally love mine on the drier side, with crispy, toasty edges.
MICROWAVE
When you’re short on time, the microwave is a great option to warm up cornbread. Place the bread on a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. This will help keep the cornbread moist.
When using the microwave, it is very easy to overheat and dry out the cornbread. Work in short increments of time, such as 30 seconds, and keep a close eye on the cornbread- it gets hot quick!
OVEN
Reheating cornbread in the oven is a great option and, in my opinion, guarantees the best results.
Set the oven to 350 degrees. Place cornbread on an oven-safe surface, such as a cookie sheet, baking dish, or cast iron skillet. It will take 5-10 minutes for the cornbread to evenly reheat.
If you like your cornbread toasty, you can crisp it up by using the broiler setting. Move the oven rack close to the broiler- this is usually located at the top of an oven. Broil until golden delicious and the edges start to brown. Keep a close eye on it because it can quickly burn! It should only take a couple of minutes.
Similar to an oven, the toaster oven is also a great option for warming up cornbread. The method is the same, so you can follow the same steps listed above.
STOVETOP
My husband loves cornbread muffins, and his favorite way to enjoy them is when they’re toasted. The best way to reheat on the stovetop is with a cast iron skillet.
Heat the skillet on medium-low heat and brush with a small amount of vegetable oil or butter. This will help keep the cornbread moist and create a golden brown crust while cooking. Slice the muffins in half and place on the skillet once it is nice and hot.
You want to leave it alone for a minute or two, so it creates a scrumptious crust. If this is the first time enjoying leftover cornbread this way, you will thank me! It is super delicious with a small amount of butter and jam slathered on top.
INSTANT POT
The instant pot may not be your first guess to reheat cornbread- it certainly wasn’t mine! However, the results are surprisingly delicious! Using the instant pot is also a great option if you want to keep your cornbread warm for a prolonged amount of time, similar to a slow cooker.
Set the instant pot to the Slow Cook function. To warm cornbread, wrap the cornbread in aluminum foil to further prevent the cornbread from drying out. You could also add butter to help moisten. It will take approximately 10 minutes for the cornbread to heat up.
AIR FRYER
Air fryers are very popular and super easy to use. This appliance is an easy way to reheat cornbread and keep the fluffy cornbread texture.
Preheat the air fryer for 5-7 minutes, and then place the cornbread in a silicone, non-stick mold. Heat for up to 15 minutes- any longer and the cornbread may burn and dry out.
HOW TO EAT LEFTOVER CORNBREAD
We all know cornbread is delicious on its own, but sometimes it is best enjoyed in a fresh new way. Some delicious toppings and pairings are:
- Butter (duh). Take it to the next level and try it with flavored butter, such as cinnamon.
- Honey or maple syrup.
- Jam or preserves. Fig jam is delicious and pairs well with the corn flavor.
- Cheese: Melt some cheese on top when reheating for an easy savory option.
- Cornbread pudding. Use leftovers to create a new dish!
Cornbread pairs well with just about every dish you can think of. While it is a popular and classic Thanksgiving dish, it is honestly good during the whole year. Here are a few delicious ways to enjoy cornbread leftovers:
- With mac and Cheese- a classic pairing!
- As a delectable side to veggies, such as easy brown sugar-baked carrots.
- On the side of a soup, stew, or chili. Cornbread is great at mopping up the leftover sauce!
- With summer barbecue, a nice side salad, and some watermelon (am I the only one longing for summer just thinking about that combo?!).
HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER CORNBREAD
The best option to keep cornbread moist and fresh after baking is to tightly cover it in plastic wrap. Wrapping tightly ensures minimal air, which can help the cornbread from drying out. Cornbread will stay fresh in an airtight container for 5 days.
FREEZING
If you have leftovers and you don’t want to enjoy them straight away, freezing is a great option. When freezing cornbread it should last 2-3 months in the freezer. It is best enjoyed as soon as possible. If you leave it in the freezer too long, it can become victim to freezer burn.
Wrap the cornbread tightly with plastic wrap. Wrapping cornbread twice with plastic wrap is a good idea, as it can help prevent freezer burn. Once wrapped place in a freezer-safe bag. Be sure to write the date on the bag! It is easy to forget how old food items have been sitting in the freezer.
When you want to enjoy it, you will need to thaw the cornbread before reheating it. If you don’t thaw properly, you will get mushy cornbread. Let it come to room temperature by either leaving it on the kitchen counter or placing it in the fridge. It should take a few hours for it to thaw before it is ready to reheat.
Once the cornbread has thawed, use one of the methods listed above to reheat, and enjoy!
Cornbread is a traditional American food that is enjoyable any time of year, with any type of food. While it is best enjoyed fresh, there are several easy ways to reheat cornbread and get that delicious oven-fresh bite. Let me know in the comments below what your favorite reheating method is, and how you enjoy your cornbread!
