How To Make Southern Hot Water Cornbread

Related Virtual Potluck Posts:

This year, I'm excited to take part in Eat The Culture's 2023 Holiday Roundup. Holidays often revolve around communal moments – sharing stories, laughter, and, of course, food. This year's roundup is all about those delightful 'lite bites' and drinks that set the tone for festive gatherings.

I had the pleasure of partnering with my friend Geo of Geo's Table who crafted a delicious Shrimp and Tomato Bisque with Corn. This dish pairs perfectly with my Hot Water Cornbread recipe. Learn more about Eat the Culture and find a complete list of recipes from all participants here.

Share these recipes with your friends and loved ones and follow each participant by using the hashtags #HolidayswithETC & #PerfectPartyPairings on Instagram.

In the heart of soulful Southern cuisine, where the comforting aromas of heritage and tradition make their way through the kitchen, learn how to make a humble yet extraordinary dish known as hot water cornbread. This golden delight captures the essence of simplicity and satisfaction, paying homage to a staple ingredient of the South—cornmeal.

With its crisp exterior, tender interior, and a touch of nostalgia in every bite, hot water cornbread is a testament to the power of transforming basic ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. So, come, dear food enthusiasts, and embark on a journey to savor the soulful taste and rich history of hot water cornbread, a true Southern treasure.

Southern delicacy - hot water cornbread. It’s light with a fluffy interior, but super crispy exterior.

Simple and humble ingredients come together for a delicious accompaniment to any legit Southern classic menu.

Simple and humble ingredients come together for a delicious accompaniment to any legit Southern classic menu.

Beats and Eats (MOOD MUSIC to pair with Cornbread)

Hot water cornbread is top 5 of my Grandma’s recipes I enjoyed the most. Probably cause it paired well with pretty much everything.

As the soothing melodies of Bill Withers' "Grandma's Hands" fill the room, a familiar warmth envelopes us, just like the comforting aroma of hot water cornbread wafting from the kitchen. With every heartfelt note, we are transported back to cherished moments spent in the embrace of our grandmothers, their hands gently guiding us through life's ups and downs.

Similarly, hot water cornbread carries the essence of those nurturing hands, capturing the essence of love and tradition in each crispy bite. So, let the soulful sounds of "Grandma's Hands" serenade your taste buds as you savor the simple yet soulful delight of hot water cornbread. Together, they create a harmonious symphony, celebrating the timeless connections that warm our hearts and nourish our souls.

What Is Hot Water Cornbread?

Hot water cornbread is a fried version of traditional cornbread. A corn meal based batter is combined with boiling hot water, formed into patties, and then fried in oil quickly. 

The hot water keeps these moist and dropping them in the fryer makes them crispy and flavorful.

My Uncle Bubba used to always say hot water cornbread was black folks cornbread. I can neither confirm nor deny if this is true, but I can say if you are black and grew up in the South, then you likely had hot water cornbread. And oh yeah, black folks hot water cornbread contained no cornbread mix!

Hot Water Cornbread Ingredients

Cornmeal (Yellow) - Provides color, grittiness, and flavor

Sugar - cooks are mixed on this with half preferring it and others against. I ‘m team sugar for balance.

Salt - flavor enhancer that brings out the corn flavor even more.

Pepper - I like mine peppery. The pepper adds a bit of bite and balance against the sugar/

Boiled Water - can’t make hot water cornbread without hot water. It binds and moistens.

Pork crackling (optional) - You won’t see crackling in many recipes. Grandma liked adding the crunchy pieces which makes these fun to eat. 

Vegetable oil or Canola oil - for frying. Occasionally I use vegetable shortening for more crispiness

Onion powder (optional)

How to make hot water cornbread

These are as simple as it gets. Simply mix the dried batter ingredients in a large bowl, add boiling water, shape the patties with your hands,and fry in hot oil using a deep fryer or cast iron skillet until golden brown.

To make this recipe you start by making the basis for the dough and then slowly add boiling water to the mixture. You’re looking for a firm dough that can be molded by hand, so it’s best to add the water sparingly until the texture is just right.

Then the cornbread is molded into patties before being fried in hot oil for 3-5 minutes each side. If you fry several at a time in a larger skillet (cast iron was my Mom’s pan of choice for anything cornbread-related) you’ll find this satisfying recipe comes together very quickly.

Place on a wire rack lined baking ship or a larger bowl layered with paper towels.

Serve the fried cornbread as is or with maple syrup

What Do You Serve Hot Water Cornbread With

Main Dishes

1. Fried Chicken
2. Barbecue Ribs
3. Okra Gumbo
4. Fried Catfish
5. Texas Chili

Side Dishes

1. Collard Greens
2. Black-eyed Peas
3. Fried Okra
4. Homemade Pork and Beans
5. Baked Beans

Cooking Hot Water Cornbread Considerations

Don’t be in a rush to add all the water at once. Add it incrementally until you get the texture you want. The thicker the cornbread batter the more dense the finished patties.

Mold the patties into whatever shapes you want/ You can make them as roughly shaped or uniformed as you desire. Don't work the cornmeal mixture too much otherwise the cornbread will end up dense and hard.

Serve hot water cornbread piping hot, right out of the grease or at minimum serve warm. Add a taste of hot sauce too.

The taste profile will be shaped greatly by your salt to sugar ratio. 

Recipe calls for adding in pork crackling. This is purely a texture play, but does level up the flavor. Chef Todd Richards adds popcorn to his. I’ve never tried it, but can see the application.

Use as a sopper for comfort stews/soups like Pozole, ham and beans stew, bison chili, or beef stew. You can also serve with jerk fried chicken.

My aunt likes to add lard or bacon grease to the mixture. I simply use pork crackling for flavor and texture.

Recipe Tips For Making Hot Water Cornbread

The batter will be sticky, so feel free to oil your hands (butter, canola, or cooking spray all work) to keep the batter from sticking in your hands.

Use yellow cornmeal vs white to ensure that nice golden color.

Eat this as a bread accompaniment to any meal. You can also make a big batch of them for snacking, dipping, or my favorite sopping. Pairing them with a big bowl of beans or collard greens allows you to sop all the delicious liquid from each.

If you make these on the sweeter side, they are damn near as good as your favorite pancakes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Simple Hot Water Cornbread

How is hot water cornbread different from regular cornbread?

Hot water cornbread differs from regular cornbread in its preparation method and texture. It is made with a minimalistic combination of cornmeal, hot water, and salt, while traditional cornbread often includes additional ingredients such as flour, eggs, milk, and leavening agents. Hot water cornbread has a unique crispiness and dense texture that sets it apart.

Can hot water cornbread be made in advance?

Yes, hot water cornbread can be made in advance and reheated when needed. Simply store the cooked cornbread in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat it in a preheated oven or skillet until warmed through.

Can I use self-rising cornmeal for hot water cornbread?

It is recommended to use plain cornmeal for hot water cornbread rather than self-rising cornmeal. Self-rising cornmeal already contains leavening agents, which may affect the texture and rise of the cornbread.

More Recipes

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Blackeyed Pea Falafel

Smoked and Fried Eggplant

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

Make this Cornbread Recipe

The best hot water cornbread patties are light and crispy in my opinion. Hot water cornbread, with its simplicity and soulful flavors, is a testament to the power of using humble ingredients to create something truly extraordinary.

If you make this hot water cornbread recipe or any other from the site, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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