Whether you are making a quick weeknight family meal or taking a dish to a potluck, gluten-free cornbread is one of the most versatile side dishes you can make, and everyone loves it! Bake the recipe in a pan for traditional, flaky cornbread or pour the batter into muffin tins for tender, sunshine-colored gluten-free cornbread muffins.
Made with honey and dairy-free “buttermilk” this recipe is healthier than the processed sugar recipes and it’s allergen-friendly. This is one of our family’s favorite recipes and I have found that I can whip up a batch quickly and it can bake while I am prepping the rest of our meal.
This cornbread pairs perfectly with these crispy baked chicken drumsticks!
Gluten-Free Cornbread
The aroma of cornbread baking always takes me back to the simpler days of my childhood. I can’t help but close my eyes when I take the first steaming, buttery bite, savoring the moment. I just love the fresh, moist texture and the subtly sweet flavor.
Sure, you could go buy a gluten-free cornbread mix, but homemade is always better and gluten-free cornbread is quick and easy to make.
Traditionally, cornbread is served with heavy, winter foods like chili, soups and stews, but we love it as a light, warm-weather side dish, too. Some of our favorite summertime recipes to have with cornbread are Lemony Cedar Planked Salmon, Flanken Ribs, and London Broil.
Dairy-Free “Buttermilk”
To make gluten-free dairy-free cornbread, you need to make dairy-free buttermilk. It is simple to make and makes all the difference in this recipe, which typically calls for buttermilk. Mixing the coconut milk and apple cider vinegar together gives the same reaction as traditional buttermilk.
Canned Coconut Milk
I use the Thai Kitchen brand of canned coconut milk in this recipe, since it’s extra thick and creamy.
Apple Cider Vinegar
If you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand, you can also use fresh squeezed lemon juice, or white distilled vinegar.
This mock dairy-free “buttermilk” makes this recipe rich and delicious. Not to mention, it also aids in leavening, so please don’t omit it from the recipe!

Whether you are making a quick weeknight family meal or taking a dish to a potluck, gluten-free cornbread is a versatile side dish everyone loves!
Is All Cornmeal Gluten-Free?
NO! As with all ingredients, you must make sure you are purchasing a certified gluten-free product. Although cornmeal on its own does not have gluten, it is often processed with equipment that also processes foods containing gluten, so cross-contamination is possible.
How to Store Gluten-Free Cornbread
If you have leftovers, they can easily be stored for another meal and cornbread warms up nicely in the microwave. The best way to keep your cornbread moist is to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. It will keep on the counter for a day or two.
What To Do with Leftovers
- Warm up leftovers for breakfast – it goes great with a frittata or scrambled eggs
- Use in place of gluten-free breadcrumbs to make crunchy chicken nuggets
- Make croutons or gluten-free cornbread stuffing
- Crumble over soup or salad
Of all of the recipe conversions I have done, making cornbread gluten-free is one of the easiest and tastiest. Put this on your menu today!
I hope you enjoy this gf cornbread as much as my family does!
xoxo,
Mēgan
Gluten-Free Cornbread Recipe:
Whether you are making a quick weeknight family meal or taking a dish to a potluck, gluten-free cornbread is a versatile side dish everyone loves! I use the Thai Kitchen brand of canned coconut milk in this recipe, since it’s extra thick and creamy. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand, you can also use fresh squeezed lemon juice, or white distilled vinegar. If you are unable to use vegan butter, you can also use more coconut oil, or ghee (if you tolerate it).
Gluten-Free Cornbread
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
CANNED COCONUT MILK
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
VEGAN BUTTER
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 282Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 309mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 4g
Don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @allergyfreeak and #allergyfreealaska with your cornbread gluten-free pics!
Ashley
Sunday 18th of October 2020
I don't know how to express how grateful I am to you. I've tried so many different websites and cookbooks and I have yet to find anything so delicious as your recipes. The pumpkin bread and cornbread are better (way better) than my best gluten recipes. Thank you thank you thank you for what you do. Since the celiac diagnosis, we appreciate so deeply that we can benefit from these recipes. Seriously. So good. You are magic.
Mēgan
Sunday 18th of October 2020
Ashley, your comment literally brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for your kind compliments - I really needed this today! HUGS!!! :)
Roslyn
Tuesday 5th of May 2020
Hi Mēgan, I was wondering if you have ever made your cornbread with any egg replacement? If so, what did you use? Or do you recommend anything to try? My son has an egg allergy, as well as others. I’m still a novice to baking allergy friendly foods but I have found may of your recipes absolutely delicious!!!! Words cannot express how grateful I am for you and others out there that share your experience/recipes. It has made our life transition from never having to deal with food allergies to having a child with 6 of the top 8 allergies a little less stressful when I have a place to look to find so many wonderful recipes to try! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!!
Mēgan
Wednesday 13th of May 2020
Hi Roslyn! You are sweet! THank you so much for the compliments. I actually haven't tried this recipe with any type of egg replacement (we've been testing eggs again with my daughter). That said, I want to try an egg-free variation, I've just run out of cornmeal and am waiting for what I've ordered to come in! So if I'm able to come up with a vegan variation, I'll post it. ;)
Cindy
Saturday 2nd of May 2020
Hey I’m a knitter also
Mēgan
Wednesday 13th of May 2020
Thank you, Cindy! I hope you enjoy it! (I love knitting!)
Cindy
Saturday 2nd of May 2020
It looks amazing I have a recipe almost as close to this one but I’m going to make this one I love cornbread I grew up on this I’m in my late 60’s. Thx