Learn how to reheat cornbread so you can enjoy the same tasty side dish again! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best methods to reheat cornbread, as well as share tips on keeping it moist and creative ways to use any leftovers.
A pan of cornbread goes well with any Southern meal. I love to serve this with beans or soup in the winter or with a big vegetable plate in the summer. There’s nothing better than a hot slice of cornbread, smeared with butter. I love the crispy edges!
But, how can you reheat leftover cornbread and still get that freshly-baked taste and texture? I’ve found a few different methods that will bring that day-old cornbread back to life!
Can you reheat cornbread?
Reheating cornbread is an easy job! You can do this on the stovetop, in the oven, microwave, or air fryer – to name a few.
But, if you don’t plan on eating your leftovers within a few days, I recommend freezing the cornbread. This way, you can enjoy freshly baked cornbread whenever you want!
How to Reheat Cornbread
There’s nothing quite like the taste and smell of freshly baked cornbread. But what happens when you have leftovers? There are several ways to reheat cornbread without drying it out. Keep reading for 4 options to choose from.
Microwave
The microwave is perhaps the quickest and easiest way to reheat cornbread. Unfortunately, the microwave gets a bad rap for making breads or pizza crusts chewy and stale. But with this method, there are a few things you can do to prevent that…
For the best results, place the cornbread slices in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a moist paper towel. Heat for 20-30 seconds, checking every 10-15 seconds for desired warmth.
Carefully remove the plate from the microwave and enjoy!
Covering with a damp paper towel and/or adding a few pats of butter to the cornbread will help retain its moisture as it warms up.
Air Fryer
If you’re looking for a method that results in crispy edges, the air fryer is your friend!
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the cornbread slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 3-5 minutes, or until the cornbread is heated through and the edges are crispy. Remove the cornbread from the air fryer and serve immediately for maximum crispiness.
Oven
Reheating cornbread in the oven is another great option! In my opinion, it’s the best way and virtually fail-proof.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the cornbread in aluminum foil to help retain moisture. Place the wrapped cornbread on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Carefully unwrap the cornbread and serve warm.
Stovetop
This is my favorite option for heating up leftover cornbread – in the skillet! This method is perfect for getting that buttery, crispy goodness on the outside while keeping the inside soft and moist.
Grab a cast iron skillet and melt about a tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat. Once that butter’s all nice and melty, lay your slices of cornbread in the skillet, making sure they’re in a single layer.
Warm for around 3-4 minutes on one side until they’re beautifully golden brown and toasted. Then, flip and let the other side cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Toaster Oven
The toaster might seem like a good idea, but it comes with flaws. Now, here’s the deal: it’s easy-peasy, but it can get a bit messy. And let’s be real, cornbread can be delicate, right? Mine almost fell apart as I was trying to rescue it from the toaster. So, while it gets the job done, just watch out for those crumbly bits!
Just toss those slices of cornbread in the toaster and give ’em a good toast for about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the toaster carefully!
Instant Pot
Well, I haven’t personally given this method a whirl, but lemme tell ya, lots of folks swear by it!
Wrap cornbread slices of cornbread in aluminum foil. Then, pop ’em into your Instant Pot and set it to “keep warm.” Give it about 5-10 minutes, then check on your cornbread to see if it’s all nice and toasty.
Tips for Keeping Cornbread Moist
To ensure your cornbread stays moist and delicious during the reheating process:
- Cover: Store leftover cornbread in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.
- Moisture: Add a damp paper towel when reheating to help retain moisture.
- Butter: Spread a thin layer of butter on the cornbread before reheating to add moisture and flavor.
How to Store Leftover Cornbread
To make sure your leftover cornbread stays fresh, proper storage is key! Here are a few ways you can store leftovers:
Room Temperature
If you plan on eating the leftover cornbread within the next day or two, you can keep it at room temperature. Just pop it in an airtight container or wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it from drying out too quickly.
Now, if your home is warm or the climate is especially humid, the refrigerator may be a better choice to prevent molding.
Refrigerator
While this choice is better for more humid environments, it also can dry out the cornbread pretty quickly!
Storing cornbread in the fridge will extend its shelf life to about a week. Stash it in an airtight container or wrap it up in plastic wrap or foil.
Freezer
If you’ve got more cornbread than you know what to do with, pop those slices in the freezer for later. This is also the perfect way to enjoy fresh cornbread whenever you want without making a whole skillet!
Wrap the individual slices of cornbread slices in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and toss ’em in a freezer bag. Freezing your cornbread is a great way to make sure it stays good for weeks or even months and makes enjoying a slice easy and convenient.
How to Thaw and Reheat Frozen Cornbread
If you’ve got some extra cornbread stashed away and now you’re ready to bring it back to life, here’s how to thaw and reheat frozen cornbread:
Allow it thaw out in the fridge overnight. This’ll help it thaw nice and evenly without getting soggy.
Once your cornbread is all thawed out, reheat it in the microwave for a quick fix, air fryer for crispy edges, or pop it in the oven for a crispy exterior and soft, moist interior.
Just follow the reheating methods I mentioned above, and you’ll be enjoying that delicious cornbread in no time!
What to serve with cornbread?
- Vegetable Soup With Ground Beef
- Taco Soup
- Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe with Pulled Pork
- Thick and Hearty Irish Beef Stew with Guinness
- More soup recipes
Creative Ways to Use Leftover Cornbread
If you’re looking for other ways to use leftover cornbread, here are a few recipes to try:
- Cornbread Dressing: Crumble the cornbread and use it as a base for a flavorful cornbread dressing for Thanksgiving. This is a great way to use up stale cornbread.
- Cornbread Croutons: Cut leftover cornbread into cubes, toss with olive oil and seasoning, then bake until crispy for homemade croutons.
- Cornbread Panzanella: Combine cubed cornbread croutons with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and vinaigrette for a refreshing twist on the classic Italian bread salad.
- You can also crumble any leftovers to use as breadcrumbs in other recipes. Store in the freezer until you are ready to use.
More Cornbread Recipes
With these easy methods for reheating cornbread and creative ideas for using leftovers, you’ll never let a crumb go to waste.
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