Healthy Cornbread Recipe (whole wheat) (2024)

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By: Rachel GurkPosted: 05/13/2016

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Serve up a slice of cornbread with your chili….without the guilt! This healthy cornbread recipe is just as satisfying as traditional cornbread, and you can feel better about eating it.

Healthy Cornbread Recipe (whole wheat) (1)

About this healthy cornbread

I made some simple swaps to make this cornbread a little healthier than traditional cornbread.

  • whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose
  • maple syrup instead of granulated sugar
  • olive oil instead of canola oil

Now, it’s not like you’re eating celery or anything, but it’s certainly a less indulgent way to enjoy cornbread. We hardly ever eat chili without cornbread, so it’s nice to have something a little lighter to accompany the chili.

If you don’t eat a lot of whole wheat flour and are not used to the texture and density of it, start off by using half whole wheat and half all-purpose, or use a white whole wheat flour.

You could also make this into muffins! Pour into a muffin pan and reduce baking time (I’d start with 15 or 16 minutes and go from there).

This would be great with jam, too! Try it with strawberry freezer jam or orange marmalade!

Healthy Cornbread Recipe (whole wheat) (2)

More Quick Breads Using Whole Wheat Flour

I substitute whole wheat flour for white all purpose flour whenever I can. It’s much more nutritious and adds an extra layer of hearty flavor. Here are some of my favorite recipes:

  • Pumpkin Streusel Bread
  • Whole Wheat Banana Bread
  • Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
  • Whole Wheat Applesauce Bread with Walnuts
  • Whole Wheat Biscuits with Cornmeal, Cheddar, and Black Pepper

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

10 servings

Print Rate Recipe

Serve up a slice of cornbread with your chili. This healthy cornbread recipe is just as satisfying as traditional cornbread, and you can feel better about eating it.

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 cup milk
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 egg whites (or 1 egg)
  • 1 ¼ cups whole wheat flour
  • ¾ cup cornmeal
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 8- or 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking or baking spray.

  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together maple syrup, milk, olive oil and egg whites.

  • On top of wet ingredients, add dry ingredients and whisk together until combined. Don’t overmix.

  • Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Notes

  • if you prefer, substitute all-purpose flour for the whole wheat flour, or a combination of the two.
  • Bread can be baked in a 8 inch square pan if you prefer.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 182kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 166mg, Potassium: 154mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 25IU, Vitamin C: 0.05mg, Calcium: 90mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

  1. Adonna Puckett says

    I’m from and in Deep South. We don’t sweeten our cornbread. At all.
    What do I replace it with, maybe more cornmeal?

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      I haven’t tested this without sweetener so I can’t guarantee it will turn out as sugar/honey can affect texture as well as taste. Let me know if you give it a try!

      Reply

  2. Brian T Truax says

    Healthy Cornbread Recipe (whole wheat) (11)
    I have been making this recipe for years now and it is hands down the best cornbread going! What’s not to like. Quick, easy, nutritious, and delicious. I do use the entire egg but find that the cornbread turns out just fine.

    Thanks Rachel!

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      I’m so glad you like it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review!

      Reply

  3. Emma says

    How can i make this with much less syrup? Since it’s liquid i think there must be something I need to add to balance it out.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      I haven’t tested it, so I’m not sure. I think you could just reduce it slightly and it would still turn out okay, but I haven”t tested it. Let me know if you give it a try.

      Reply

  4. Roxanne Cole says

    Healthy Cornbread Recipe (whole wheat) (12)
    I had to cook it longer because of it’s density but it was delicious. I added a Jalapeno pepper.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  5. Alicia Murray says

    I really liked the recipe and will use it again.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      I’m so glad it was a hit!

      Reply

  6. Drew says

    I found this on the web. I’m used to cooking with whole wheat flour but this recipe made a dense rather flavorless bread. I would not make it again.

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      Sorry to hear that this wasn’t a home-run for you!

      Reply

  7. Theresa Putz says

    I don’t like sweet cornbread, can I omit the maple syrup? The recipe looks great, however! Thx!

    Reply

    • Rachel Gurk says

      Probably, but I haven’t tested it that way! It may affect the texture.

      Reply

Older Comments

Healthy Cornbread Recipe (whole wheat) (2024)

FAQs

Can cornbread be healthy? ›

Alternatively, those with a sweet tooth can add a bit of brown sugar for a touch of flavor or enjoy it with a drizzle of honey or jam. Cornbread is a good source of several nutrients, including phosphorus and selenium. It's also easy to make and can be enjoyed in many ways.

Which is better for you cornbread or wheat bread? ›

CORN BREAD

It has double the amount of polyunsaturated fats (the good kind) than wheat or barley, although not as much as oat bread. It's important to know that corn bread contains iodine, which is not found in many foods, but is vital for proper functioning of the thyroid gland.

Is 100% whole wheat bread healthy? ›

Good bread makes your body happy

The benefits of eating 100% whole-wheat or whole-grain far surpass just the taste. Eating whole-grain foods within an overall healthy diet helps to lower your risk for many diseases, including: Stroke. Diabetes.

Which is healthier, whole wheat or whole grain? ›

Whole grains are healthier than whole wheat because they often contain more fiber. Though 100% whole wheat can be a type of whole grain, some products contain a mix of wheat and white flour. Look for labels that say whole grain or 100% whole wheat, as both are healthy choices.

Can you eat cornbread while losing weight? ›

Cornmeal, the primary component of cornbread, is a whole grain. Whole-grain meals supply essential fibre to the diet. Even though cornbread has a good amount of fibre, it is still not recommended for weight loss due to its high carbohydrate content. However, it will not raise your weight if consumed in moderation.

Why does cornbread raise blood sugar? ›

Yes, corn will raise your blood sugar because it contains carbohydrates. However, it has a low glycemic index and is a good source of fiber. Pairing it with foods rich in fiber, protein, and fat can help reduce the rate at which your blood sugars rise and promote blood sugar management.

Which is better for you whole wheat or multigrain bread? ›

Whole wheat bread is healthier than multigrain bread. Because 100 per cent whole wheat bread has the whole grain which has nutrients like B vitamins, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and magnesium intact in every slice,” Dr Patel said.

Is Jiffy cornbread good for you? ›

Corn bread is a good source of several nutrients. Calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, folic acid, folates and vitamins A, B-6 and B-12 are found in corn bread. Unfortunately, prepared mixes may also contain extra sodium, sugars and animal fats. It's much better for you if you make your own from scratch.

Is it OK to eat whole wheat bread everyday? ›

Whole grains provide more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than refined. But overdoing whole wheat bread can add pounds, too. So account for it in your daily calorie budget.

Is Pepperidge Farm 100 whole wheat bread healthy? ›

Always crafted with 100% Whole Grain flour, Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain Thin Sliced breads are delicious and a good source of fiber per two slices… our way of helping you maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Why is 100% whole wheat bread so heavy? ›

The bran in whole wheat flour weakens the gluten strands by cutting into them and disrupting the gluten matrix. This decreases the overall extensibility and elasticity of the dough so that it cannot hold onto as much carbon dioxide – resulting in a denser bread.

What is the healthiest rice to eat everyday? ›

For example, whole grains are better for our health when compared to simple carbs – which is why brown rice or black rice are regarded as the healthiest options. You should certainly be looking into eating whole grain rice.

Is Dave's Killer Bread healthy? ›

In short, Daves Killer Bread 'Powerseed' is a healthy options because it: Has whole grains as the first ingredient: Whole grains have many nutritional benefits, including fiber, antioxidants, and specific B vitamins.

Is peanut butter healthy? ›

Peanut butter is a concentrated source of nutrition that may offer potential health benefits. One study showed that eating peanuts every day can lower the overall risk of death by up to 21%—and reduces the occurrence of heart disease by 38%.

How healthy is cornmeal? ›

Cornmeal is a good source of carbohydrates and fiber and is fortified with a micronutrient premix containing iron, zinc, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 (folic acid), B12, and D3 per USDA Commodity Requirements.

How long is cornbread safe to eat? ›

Need more time to eat your cornbread? Store it in the fridge. Follow the same method of wrapping it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and then a sealed plastic bag. Cornbread stores well in the fridge for up to five days.

How many calories are in a slice of homemade cornbread? ›

There are 183 calories in 1 piece of Cornbread (Home Recipe).

Is Southern cornbread good for you? ›

While it's typically made with cornmeal, which offers some nutritional benefits like fiber and certain vitamins, it can also be high in calories and carbs depending on how it's prepared. Moderation is key, but hey, enjoying a slice of homemade cornbread now and then can definitely lift the spirits!

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