Cornbread is a southern comfort food that is crisp and golden on the outside and soft on the inside. Rather than being baked, this type of cornbread is made in small patties and then fried.
This easy recipe uses ingredients to make patties of cornbread that are golden and crunchy.
This recipe will pair well with beans, collard greens, fried chicken, fish, barbecue or other dishes.
Table of Contents
What is a Hot Water Cornbread?
Hot water cornbread is a cornbread made using boiling water and salt with cornmeal.
Hot water is used to moisten the cornmeal and this helps to produce a thick mixture that is shaped before being deep-fried. It can be prepared with other ingredients such as a bit of flour and/or sugar.
Ingredients for making Hot Water Cornbread!
Ingredients for this quick and easy recipe:
- 2 cups cornmeal: the primary flavors and consistency builder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups boiling water
- Vegetable oil
The Instructions
To Make Hot Water Cornbread:
- Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Add the boiling water. Mix the ingredients together until you get a thick mixture
- Add more hot water if dry
- Cool the cornmeal mixture. Set aside.
- Heat some oil.
- Take small amounts of the hot water cornmeal mixture and form into rounds or ovals.
- Place the shaped cornbread dough in the hot oil
- Deep-fry for about 2-4 minutes.
- Pour each hot water cornbread out into a paper towel.
- Serve the hot water cornbread while it is still hot!
Tips
- It needs boiling water to make hot water cornbread. The hot water helps to make the mixture more malleable.
- Water should be added slowly. The water absorption rate may vary between the different brands
- Allow the dough to cool a bit before handling.
- Be sure to form a thin, not too thick piece of dough. Thick dough will lead to uneven cooking – the outside will be overdone and the inside not done enough.
- Use hot oil so that hot water cornbread is thoroughly cooked and has that nice crispness and crunchiness.
- Make sure not to overload the pancake griddle. When the pan is overcrowded, there will not be enough oil
- It is best when it is still warm.
Also Read: Easy Smoked Pulled Pork Recipe
Side dish suggestions
Hot water cornbread is a somewhat versatile side dish and makes excellent pairings with some traditional Southern foods like:
- Collard greens and other greens
- Fried chicken
- Fried fish or catfish
- Chili
- Beer, wine, or beer and wine.Barbecue or pulled pork.
- Soups and stews
Recipe variations
There are a number of ways to modify the hot water cornbread recipe.
The sweet hot water cornbread may be prepared by using a few more sweetening agents in the dough itself or by brushing some honey on top.
Alternatively, you can make jalapeño hot water cornbread by adding chopped jalapeño to the dough – or onion hot water cornbread by adding some chopped onions.
A variation of this is to create a cornbread hot water dish, adding some shredded cheese to the dough.
Also Read: 
Ingredient Substitutions
Yellow Cornmeal Substitute
White cornmeal can be used as a substitute for yellow cornmeal.
Vegetable Oil Substitute
You can opt for canola oil or any other oil that you prefer.
Sugar Substitute
Try something other than sugar or, even better.
Flour Substitute
Even consider making the preparation without any flour whatsoever!
Anyone who wants to make a tasty side dish can use this recipe.
You now know how to make it now. So try a little to see how it works. Make it sweet, or add some other flavor. You could even add jalapeños, onions or cheddar cheese for a different variation of hot water cornbread.
Serve these hot water cornbread patties with Southern staples like beans, collard greens, fried chicken, fish or even with some barbecued meat.
