Name: Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 slices applewood-smoked bacon, finely chopped; 1 cup medium-ground yellow cornmeal; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons sugar; ½ teaspoon salt; 3 teaspoons baking powder; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; 2 eggs; 1 cup buttermilk; 1 stick unsalted butter, melted; ⅓ cup honey, plus more for serving

If you’re looking for a comforting, crowd-pleasing treat that’s equal parts sweet and savory, you’ve got to try this Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe. Imagine crispy golden edges with a tender, buttery center studded with smoky bacon and drizzled with floral honey – pure magic!

A golden yellow cornbread with a slightly rough texture is baked in a black cast iron skillet with a blue handle, and it is sliced into six pieces with one piece partially removed showing the inside crumb, which is moist and speckled with small bits of cooked bacon. The top crust is crisp and has a few browned spots and small green chopped chives scattered over the surface. The skillet sits on a white marbled surface with a pale green cloth nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t get enough of this skillet cornbread. Every time I make it, the house fills with that intoxicating smell of sizzling bacon and sweet honey, and it always disappears way too fast!

Perfect Crispy Edges: Baking in a cast iron skillet gives that golden, slightly crunchy crust that’s pure comfort food heaven.
Sweet and Savory Harmony: Honey and smoky bacon create a flavor combo that’s seriously addictive.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these staples in your kitchen already, making it an easy go-to recipe.
Quick & Easy: From start to finish, it takes just 35 minutes to bake this delicious side or snack.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you dive in, let’s chat about the core ingredients that make this honey bacon skillet cornbread so special. Using quality bacon and real honey elevates the flavor, and opting for medium-ground yellow cornmeal gives you that classic texture without being too gritty.

Flat lay of medium-ground yellow cornmeal in a small white ceramic bowl, all-purpose flour in a small white ceramic bowl, granulated sugar in a small white ceramic bowl, fine salt in a small white ceramic bowl, baking powder in a small white ceramic bowl, baking soda in a small white ceramic bowl, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl of buttermilk, a small white ceramic bowl with melted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden honey, six slices of raw applewood-smoked bacon neatly arranged, all ingredients placed with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Applewood-smoked bacon: Adds smoky richness and a satisfying crisp texture to the cornbread.
Medium-ground yellow cornmeal: Gives the bread its signature crumb and authentic cornbread flavor.
All-purpose flour: Balances the texture so the bread isn’t too dense or crumbly.
Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to complement the honey and bacon.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavors and balances sweetness.
Baking powder: Provides the lift needed for a tender, fluffy crumb.
Baking soda: Works with the baking powder to ensure lightness.
Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a subtle tang, keeping the cornbread tender.
Unsalted butter: For that delicious buttery flavor and moist texture.
Honey: Infuses floral sweetness that contrasts beautifully against the smoky bacon.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe is how easily it adapts to your tastes and pantry staples. Feel free to mix it up by adding your favorite ingredients or tweaking the flavors to make it uniquely yours.

Spicy Kick: I love adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or some finely diced jalapeño to the batter for a subtle heat that contrasts beautifully with the honey’s sweetness.
Dairy-Free Version: If you need to skip dairy, substitute the buttermilk for an almond or oat milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice, and replace butter with melted coconut oil. The cornbread still comes out tender and flavorful!
Herb Infusion: Fresh thyme or rosemary chopped and stirred into the batter adds an earthy brightness that complements the smoky bacon wonderfully.
Sweet Twist: Swap out the sugar for maple syrup and drizzle that on top instead of honey for a deeper, richer sweetness that’s especially comforting in colder months.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe

A single triangular piece of golden cornbread is placed slightly off-center on a plain white plate. The cornbread has a crumbly texture with bits of cooked bacon visible inside. On top of the cornbread, there is a small pool of light amber syrup that drips slightly onto the plate. Small green chopped chives are scattered over the syrup and around the plate. To the right of the cornbread, a silver fork rests on the plate’s edge. The surface underneath the plate features a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven to 400°F

Always start by preheating your oven! Setting it to 400°F ensures that once your batter is ready, the heat is spot-on for baking a cornbread with that sought-after golden top and crispy edges.

Step 2: Crisp Up the Bacon

Warm your 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat and add the finely chopped applewood-smoked bacon. Cook until the pieces are crispy and irresistible — about 5 to 7 minutes. Then, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Be sure to keep 1 tablespoon of that flavorful bacon fat in the pan; it’s key to a savory crust!

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

While the bacon cooks, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. This step ensures even distribution so every bite rises beautifully and tastes balanced.

Step 4: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and honey. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy—this gives the cornbread its tender crumb and that subtle sweet note from the honey.

Step 5: Combine and Fold in Bacon

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just moistened. Resist the urge to overmix here; a light hand keeps your cornbread tender. Finally, fold in the crispy bacon pieces so they’re evenly distributed throughout.

Step 6: Prepare Your Cast Iron Skillet

Swirl the reserved tablespoon of bacon fat evenly around the warm skillet, coating the bottom and sides. This adds a beautiful crispness and a savory base layer of flavor to your cornbread crust.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour the batter into the prepared skillet and transfer it to your oven. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. You’ll know it’s done when the edges have turned a lovely deep golden brown and a sweet honey aroma fills your kitchen.

Step 8: Serve Warm with a Honey Drizzle

Remove the skillet from the oven and let it cool just a minute or two. Then slice and serve warm, adding an extra drizzle of honey on top to highlight the sweet-and-savory dance in every bite. Trust me, the contrast is magical.

Top Tip

These tips will help you master the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and texture in your Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe. Trust me, a few key tricks make all the difference!

Use Fresh Bacon Fat: I always keep a tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet before adding the batter. It creates that unbeatable crispy crust and infuses the cornbread with smoky goodness.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stir just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the cornbread tough instead of tender, and we want that fluffy, soft center!
Preheat Your Cast Iron Skillet: Starting with a warm skillet helps the edges crisp up quickly, adding great texture contrast to the moist bacon-studded crumb.
Serve Warm with Honey: A drizzle of honey on top right before serving elevates the natural sweetness and creates a delightful flavor harmony.

How to Serve Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe

A black cast iron pan with blue handles holds a creamy, thick, pale yellow dish with a lumpy texture, topped with scattered small pieces of crispy browned bacon. The pan rests on a white marbled surface with a soft green and white striped cloth beside it. The dish looks warm and hearty with a slightly uneven surface showing bits of bacon inside the mixture photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For a beautiful presentation and an extra flavor boost, top each slice with a small pat of butter or a quick drizzle of honey right before serving. Fresh herbs like chopped chives or parsley can add a vibrant pop of color and freshness, too.

Side Dishes

This cornbread is a natural sidekick to hearty Southern favorites like fried chicken, collard greens, or chili. It pairs wonderfully with smoky barbecue ribs or simple roasted vegetables for a comforting, wholesome meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap leftover cornbread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh and moist for up to 2 days.

Freezing

To freeze, cool cornbread completely, then wrap it in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or place slices in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until warm and slightly crisp on the edges. Microwaving works too if you’re short on time—just be careful not to dry it out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe without bacon?

Absolutely! You can simply omit the bacon and increase the butter or add some extra honey for sweetness. The cornbread will still have a beautiful texture and flavor.

What can I substitute for buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk, stir 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar into 1 cup of whole milk and let it sit for 10 minutes. This homemade substitute works perfectly in this recipe.

Can I use a skillet other than cast iron?

While a cast iron skillet gives the best crust and even heat, you can use any oven-safe skillet or baking pan. Just be aware the texture may vary slightly.

How do I know when the cornbread is done baking?

Bake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This usually takes about 25 minutes at 400°F.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so satisfying about pulling a warm skillet of Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe from the oven — the crispy edges, the tender crumb, the sweet-salty combo of honey and bacon. Whether you’re serving it as a side dish for a cozy family dinner or enjoying it as a snack, this cornbread brings comfort with every bite. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I love sharing it. Happy baking!