10 Great Things to Do With Your Leftover Cornbread
Cornbread is a favorite in many homes, often showing up on our tables with its delicious crumbly texture and sweet, savory taste. Whether you’ve baked a batch for a family get-together or couldn’t resist picking up some cornbread from your favorite bakery, chances are you’ll have leftovers.
Rather than tossing them, why not get creative and discover new ways to enjoy that leftover cornbread?
In this blog, we’ll check out 10 awesome ideas for using up your leftover cornbread and transforming it into tasty dishes that’ll make your taste buds sing.
1. Cornbread Croutons
Got some leftover cornbread lying around? Why not turn it into some tasty croutons to jazz up your salads or soups? Start by cutting the cornbread into small cubes. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and your favorite herbs or spices.
Pop them in the oven until they’re nice and crispy. These cornbread croutons will add a whole new level of flavor and texture to your salads, giving you a crunchy and savory bite in every mouthful.
2. Cornbread Stuffing
Who doesn’t love a good cornbread stuffing, especially around the holidays? Put those leftover cornbread scraps to good use by whipping up a savory stuffing for your next roast chicken or turkey dinner.
Just crumble the cornbread into little pieces and mix it with sautéed onions, celery, herbs, and some chicken or vegetable broth. Bake it until it’s golden and delicious. The slightly sweet and crumbly texture of the cornbread adds a nice twist to the classic stuffing recipe.
3. Cornbread Breakfast Casserole
Looking to shake up your breakfast routine? Use that leftover cornbread to make a hearty breakfast casserole. Crumble the cornbread and layer it with cooked breakfast sausage, cheese, and beaten eggs.
Throw in some diced veggies for extra flavor and nutrition. Bake until the eggs are set, and you’ve got yourself a delicious breakfast casserole that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers throughout the week.
4. Cornbread French Toast
Give your brunch a little upgrade with some Cornbread French Toast. Mix up some eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and a dash of cinnamon. Dip slices of cornbread into the mixture until they’re nicely coated, then cook them on a griddle or skillet until they’re golden brown.
Top them off with your favorite syrup, fresh fruit, or a dollop of whipped cream for a sweet and indulgent breakfast or brunch treat.
5. Cornbread Panzanella Salad
Switch up your salad game with a Cornbread Panzanella Salad. Instead of regular bread, use leftover cornbread cut into cubes and toasted until crispy. Toss them with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and fresh herbs.
Drizzle on a simple vinaigrette made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard. You’ll end up with a refreshing and flavorful salad that’s perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for grilled meats.
6. Cornbread Pudding
Turn that leftover cornbread into a decadent dessert with some Cornbread Pudding. Crumble up the cornbread and mix it with a custard made from eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Bake it until it’s set and has a nice golden crust.
This warm and comforting dessert is the perfect way to repurpose your cornbread into a sweet treat that’s sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
7. Cornbread Tostadas
Give your Mexican-inspired meals a fun twist with some Cornbread Tostadas. Cut the cornbread into rounds or squares and toast them until they’re nice and crispy.
Top them off with your favorite tostada toppings like refried beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and salsa. These cornbread tostadas offer a tasty and unexpected base for a Tex-Mex flavor explosion.
8. Cornbread Grilled Cheese
Take your grilled cheese sandwich game up a notch by swapping out regular bread for leftover cornbread. Slice up the cornbread and layer it with your favorite cheese. Grill it until the cheese is melted and the cornbread is crispy and golden brown.
You’ll end up with a Cornbread Grilled Cheese that combines the classic comfort of grilled cheese with the unique flavor and texture of cornbread.
9. Cornbread Crab Cakes
Put a coastal spin on your leftover cornbread with some Cornbread Crab Cakes. Crumble up the cornbread and mix it with lump crab meat, green onions, breadcrumbs, and Old Bay seasoning.
Shape the mixture into patties and pan-fry them until they’re golden and crispy. These cornbread crab cakes offer a delicious twist on the traditional seafood favorite, adding a sweet and savory element to every bite.
10. Cornbread Muffins
Got just a bit of leftover cornbread? Whip up some Cornbread Muffins for a quick and easy snack. Just crumble up the cornbread and mix it with some eggs, milk, and a touch of baking powder.
Pour the batter into muffin tins and bake until they’re golden brown. These individual-sized cornbread muffins are perfect for snacking on the go or serving as a side dish for soups and stews.
What to Do with Leftover Sweet Cornbread
When you’ve got some leftover sweet cornbread, there are plenty of tasty ways to give it new life. Here are a few ideas to make the most out of your extra-sweet cornbread:
- Sweet Cornbread Trifle: Make a yummy dessert by layering crumbled sweet cornbread with whipped cream, fresh berries, and a drizzle of honey. Mixing the moist cornbread with sweet berries creates a delicious trifle that looks good and tastes even better.
- Sweet Cornbread Parfait: For a fancy yet quick treat, put together a Sweet Cornbread Parfait. Just layer crumbled sweet cornbread with vanilla yogurt and your favorite fruit compote. It’s a simple dessert that’ll satisfy your sweet cravings.
- Sweet Cornbread Pudding Cups: Turn your sweet cornbread into individual pudding cups. Mix crumbled sweet cornbread with a custard made from eggs, milk, and a bit of sugar. Bake until set, and you’ll have tasty Sweet Cornbread Pudding Cups, perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying solo.
- Sweet Cornbread Ice Cream Sundae: Take your ice cream sundae to the next level with sweet cornbread. Crumble the cornbread over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and add caramel sauce, chopped nuts, and a cherry on top. The mix of warm, crumbly cornbread with cold, creamy ice cream is a heavenly dessert combo.
What to Do with Leftover Cornbread Stuffing
Got some leftover cornbread stuffing? Don’t let it go to waste! There are plenty of tasty and creative ways to use it beyond just the usual holiday meal. Here are some ideas:
- Stuffed Peppers: Take your cornbread stuffing and use it to fill some bell peppers. Cut the peppers in half, scoop out the seeds, and stuff them with your leftover stuffing. Pop them in the oven until the peppers are nice and tender. It’s a fun twist on the classic stuffed peppers recipe.
- Cornbread Stuffing Frittata: Whisk some eggs and pour them over your leftover cornbread stuffing in a skillet. Bake it up until it’s cooked through. You’ll end up with a hearty Cornbread Stuffing Frittata that’s great for breakfast, brunch, or a quick dinner. Feel free to add cheese, veggies, or any leftover meat you have on hand for extra flavor.
- Cornbread Stuffing Balls: Roll your leftover cornbread stuffing into bite-sized balls and bake them until they’re golden brown. These little Cornbread Stuffing Balls are perfect for snacking or serving as appetizers. Dip them in cranberry sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty treat.
- Cornbread Stuffing Breakfast Hash: Turn your cornbread stuffing into a savory breakfast hash by sautéing it with diced potatoes, onions, and your choice of protein. Top it off with a fried or poached egg for a filling and delicious breakfast that puts those leftovers to good use.
Can I Freeze Leftover Cornbread?
Yep, you can freeze leftover cornbread to make it last longer. Just make sure it’s completely cooled down first.
Wrap it up nice and tight with either plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Then, pop it into a sealed freezer bag, getting rid of as much air as you can to stop it from getting freezer burn.
If you’ve got one, using a vacuum sealer works great too. Don’t forget to put a label on it with the date so you know when you froze it. Frozen cornbread stays good for around 2-3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just let it thaw out in the fridge or on the counter, and then warm it up in the oven for that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.
How Long is Leftover Cornbread Good For?
How long leftover cornbread stays good depends on how you store it and where you keep it. Normally, if you put it away right, leftover cornbread can last for 2-3 days if you leave it out at room temperature. But if you want it to last longer, it’s better to stick it in the fridge or freezer.
If you toss it in the fridge, leftover cornbread can stay tasty for about a week. Just make sure you put it in a sealed container or wrap it up tight in plastic wrap so it doesn’t dry out.
To make it last, you can freeze it. When it’s frozen, it can keep its quality for 2-3 months. Again, make sure to use something airtight like a freezer bag or more plastic wrap to avoid freezer burn.
Always use your best judgment and check for any signs that it’s gone bad, like mold, weird smells, or changes in texture, before you chow down on leftover cornbread. If it doesn’t look or smell right, it’s safer to toss it out to avoid getting sick from it.
Final Thoughts
Don’t waste your leftover cornbread! Get creative and turn it into a bunch of tasty dishes that go beyond just reheating. You can make things like cornbread stuffing, tostadas, cornbread pudding, and even ice cream sundaes.
There’s so much you can do with it! Next time you have some leftover cornbread, give one of these 10 ideas a shot and enjoy all the delicious flavors it brings to your table.
