Best Vegan Cornbread Muffins (Moist & Delicious)

These easy vegan cornbread muffins are sweet, and moist, and compliments an abundance of recipes.

vegan cornbread muffins with maple syrup

I really do love cornbread. I have since I was a kid. My mom never made cornbread from scratch. Mom made Jiffy Mix but I didn’t know any difference and those days bring back fond memories.

Back to these cornbread muffins, I make this no-fail recipe all the time. Actually, I got this recipe from a vegan cooking class I took at a local Wholefoods in Chicago in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It was a wonderful class and I learned so much about plant-based cooking that I use every day. So that money is well spent. This recipe works perfectly with my one-pot easy vegan chili, black eyed-peas, lentil bolognese, or my hearty mushroom & vegetable stew.

Why you’ll love these cornbread muffins

Easy to prepare
Healthy-ish
Refined sugar-free

Ingredients for these cornbread muffins

Corn Meal is a coarsely ground flour made from dried corn. It’s commonly used in Southern-style cooking, particularly for cornbread and muffins. Cornmeal adds a nutty flavor and texture to the muffins.
All-Purpose Flour is a versatile type of flour that’s commonly used in baking. It’s made from a blend of hard and soft wheat and has a moderate protein content. The flour helps to give structure to the muffins.
Vegan Buttermilk is made by mixing plant-based milk (such as almond milk) with an acid (such as apple cider vinegar). The acid reacts with the baking soda in the recipe, causing the muffins to rise. The vegan buttermilk also adds moisture to the muffins.
Vegan Butter is a dairy-free alternative to traditional butter. It adds richness and flavor to the muffins.
Maple Syrup is a natural sweetener that adds a hint of sweetness to the muffins. It also helps to balance out the flavors of the cornmeal and flour.
Light Brown Sugar is a mixture of granulated sugar and molasses. It adds sweetness and moisture to the muffins.
Baking Soda is a leavening agent that helps the muffins to rise.
Baking Powder is another leavening agent that helps the muffins to rise.
Salt is added to the muffins to enhance the flavor of the other ingredients and to balance out the sweetness.

How to make vegan cornbread muffins

Firstly, in a large cup, combine the almond milk and lemon juice to create vegan buttermilk. Set aside for 5 or 6 minutes to curdle.
Secondly, sift all-purpose flour into a mixing bowl and add the yellow cornmeal, light brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix together.
Thirdly, add the vegan butter to a bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals bringing it out to stir every 30 seconds until the vegan butter is melted.
Fourthly, add the vegan buttermilk mixture and maple syrup to the melted vegan butter and whisk together. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until combined well. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
Fifthly, pour the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Finally, let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to make cornbread oil-free

To make this cornbread oil-free simply swap out the oil/butter for applesauce.

Vegan Cornbread Muffin Q&A

What makes vegan cornbread muffins different from traditional cornbread muffins?

Vegan cornbread muffins are made without any animal products such as eggs, milk, or butter. They use vegan substitutes like plant-based milk, vegan butter, and flax eggs.

Can I make vegan cornbread muffins gluten-free?

Yes! You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of the regular all-purpose flour.

What can I substitute for vegan buttermilk?

You can make vegan buttermilk by mixing plant-based milk (such as almond milk) with an acid (such as apple cider vinegar). You can also use lemon juice instead of vinegar.

Can I substitute honey for maple syrup in this recipe?

Honey is not vegan. To keep this recipe vegan use agave nectar or another vegan liquid sweetener in place of maple syrup. If you are not vegan then feel free to use honey.

Can I make vegan cornbread muffins without any sugar?

Yes, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe or substitute it with a natural sweetener such as mashed bananas or unsweetened applesauce.

How do I store vegan cornbread muffins?

You can store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze the muffins for up to 2 months.

What can I substitute for an egg in cornbread?

You can substitute an egg for a flax egg. A flax egg is ground flax meal combined with water. However, for this recipe, I do not use any egg substitutions.

What is the best non-dairy milk for cornbread?

Choose any non-dairy milk your choice. Some non-dairy milk options include almond, oat, cashew, walnut, & pistachio.

Tips for making this recipe perfectly

Add mix-ins: You can add mix-ins like chopped jalapenos, vegan cheese, or corn kernels to add extra flavor to the muffins.
Don’t overmix: Overmixing can make the muffins tough and dense. Mix the batter until everything is just combined.
Preheat the oven: Make sure to preheat the oven before baking the muffins. This ensures even baking and helps the muffins to rise.
Let the muffins cool before removing them from the pan: If you remove the muffins too soon, they may fall apart. Let them cool in the pan for a few minutes before removing them.

cornbread muffins with butter & maple syrup

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