When it comes to Southern cooking, cornbread is as classic as it gets. This lightly sweet plant-based version gets a boost of color and flavor from frozen corn and fresh red bell pepper. Serve a big slice as a side to a warm bowl of chili or enjoy on its own with a hearty slather of homemade corn butter.
By Nancy Macklin, RDN ,
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened, unflavored plant-based milk
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup frozen corn
- ¼ cup chopped red bell pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan or 2-quart square baking dish with parchment paper. In a bowl stir together the first five ingredients (through vinegar). Let stand 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl stir together the next five ingredients (through sea salt). Add milk mixture. Stir just until moistened. Stir in corn and bell pepper. Spread batter in prepared pan.
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 5 minutes. Cut into squares and serve warm.
Nutritional Information:
Per serving (1/9 of recipe), 139 calories, 30 g carbohydrates, 4 g protein, 1 g total fat, 195 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 3 g sugar
Note: Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only.
I have made this recipe numerous times. I sub date syrup for maple syrup. Sometimes I use gluten free oat flour instead of whole wheat and use gluten free cornmeal for GF family. I have made it with 2 cups of cornmeal and it turns out fine.
If I do not have applesauce, I core an apple and throw it in a high power blender.
You can use the same amount of avocado.
can I not use whole wheat flour and just use the corn meal or almond or hazelnut or chickpea or coconut flour?
And if i do not have apple sauce?
Hi Jenny,
Yes, feel free to experiment! You could try a gluten-free flour mix instead of the whole wheat flour. Almond and hazelnut flour are much richer flours and likely to yield a significantly different result, so I would be more cautious about using them. Applesauce is important to this recipe, because it provides moisture and sweetness and helps to bind. We have a guide to making applesauce from scratch if you’re interested: https://www.forksoverknives.com/how-tos/ingredient-iq-apples-how-to-choose-prep-preserve-cook-store/
Instead of red bell pepper, I will add half a finely chopped jalapeño ! So good!
As a lifelong Southern girl, I hate sweet cornbread. Can the sweeteners be omitted and still get a moist bread? What could I substitute?
Can this be made without the corn and red pepper, and would more of other ingredients have to be added?
Hi PNS,
Yes, you can omit the frozen corn and red bell pepper from the recipe (as long as you still include the cornmeal). It will just yield a smaller volume of bread. If you give it a try, please let us know how it goes.
Thank you,
Courtney Davison
Editor, Forks Over Knives
Could I use jarred roasted red peppers?
Hi there, Mary,
You can use jarred peppers, if you drain them first.
Thank you,
Courtney, editor with Forks Over Knives
This sounds like it could be a very tasty meal.I am sure to make use of this quick and easy recipe.
It’s delicious! As a Southern girl I have to have Cornbread to survive and this is just what I wanted .
Is there something else I can use again applesauce? My husband is allergic to apples.
Can this be used in a bread machine?
How do I make it gluten free?
Try subbing with Bob’s Red Mill G/F all purpose baking flour
I love the addition of red bell pepper in this recipe. It makes me wonder what else I could substitute in… maybe some kale or green onions!
Can another flour – oat flour, for example, or a nut flour like almond, work with the cornmeal? Thank you.