• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Simply Low Cal
  • Low Calorie Recipes
    • Air Fryer
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Main Dish
    • Dips, Dressings & Sauces
    • Drinks
    • Instant Pot
    • Recipe Roundups & Downloads
    • Salads
    • Side Dish
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soup
    • Snack
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes +
  • Easy Main Dishes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes +
    • Easy Main Dishes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Side Dish

    Low Calorie Cornbread

    Published: September 14, 2020 · Modified: February 5, 2024 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    552 shares
    • Share
    • Yum
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    low calorie corn bread Pinterest pin.

    This Low Calorie Cornbread is buttery, perfectly sweetened and a great low fat and low sugar alternative to classic cornbread. Serve a slice of cornbread with your favorite soup or chili recipes for a hearty meal.

    Check out my recipes for Low Calorie Banana Bread and Low Calorie Biscuits for more bread recipes.

    Corn bread stacked on a plate.
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients You Need
    • Step By Step Photos
    • How To Make Low Calorie Cornbread
    • Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions About Low Calorie Cornbread
    • More Bread Recipes You Might Enjoy
    • Low Calorie Corn Bread
    • #respond

    This recipe for low calorie cornbread is everything I love about southern cornbread with a lot fewer calories! This easy recipe lightens up traditional cornbread recipes with cornmeal, cream-style corn, fat free sour cream and reduced fat cheese. It has a perfect texture while being just as moist, crumbly and delicious without the need for lots of calories. 

    This sweet and soft cornbread is great for the whole family. It's a gluten-free cornbread recipe that tastes as great as classic recipes. The best part is it has great corn flavor and a light texture.

    Cornbread is also delicious topped with butter, honey or jam! With this quick homemade cornbread recipe, you'll never want to reach for a boxed mix again. The batter comes together in a cinch and bakes in under 30 minutes. If you like a bit of spice, feel free to heat things with jalapeños - this recipe is super versatile! You can also serve this cornbread with something sweet like butter, honey or jam for a touch of sweetness. 

    Sliced corn bread on a plate and a wood platter.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    The detailed instructions will show you how to prepare freshly baked cornbread with ingredients that are mostly pantry staples!

    It is made with low fat and low sugar ingredients, making it much lower in calories than traditional cornbread. This is a gluten-free recipe. There's no flour in this easy cornbread recipe.

    Ingredients You Need

    Labeled ingredients for the cornbread.
    • Yellow cornmeal: This type of cornmeal is coarse flour made from ground dried corn that gives cornbread its gritty-crumbly texture. It's inherently gluten-free and does not expand. It helps make moist, dense baked goods.
    • Baking powder: Acts as a leavening agent to help the cornbread rise and gain volume.
    • Salt: Strengthens the batter and helps achieve a moist, crumbly texture. It also highlights the sweet and buttery flavors.
    • Granulated sugar: Makes the cornbread perfectly sweet and helps keep it moist and tender.
    • Cream-style corn (no salt added): This gives the cornbread a soft, creamy texture with tasty pieces of sweet corn in each bite. Del Monte and Great Value are good options for canned no-salt-added cream-style corn. Always double-check your labels, but canned cream-style corn should also be gluten-free.
    • Fat free sour cream: Makes this cornbread extra rich and moist. You can use fat-free sour cream to keep things low fat; otherwise, full-fat sour cream and Greek yogurt work.
    • Reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese: Loads this cornbread up with irresistible cheesy flavor while keeping this recipe low fat and low calorie. You can use mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, Mexican-blend or Colby jack.
    • Butter (melted): Helps make cornbread with fluffy centers and firm, golden brown surfaces.
    • Egg & egg whites: Act as a binder to hold the batter together. Using a combination of whole egg and egg whites makes a soft and airy textured cornbread.

    Step By Step Photos

    Cornmeal and baking powder in a bowl.

    Mix the dry ingredients together.

    Creamed corn, sour cream and an egg in a bowl.

    Mix the wet ingredients together.

    Cream cheese in a bowl.

    Softened cream cheese.

    Cornbread batter in a bowl.

    Stir dry mixture in wet until combined.

    Cornbread batter in a baking pan lined with parchment paper.

    Pour mixture into the prepared pan.

    Baked cornbread in a baking pan lined with parchment paper.

    Bake!

    How To Make Low Calorie Cornbread

    Step 1: Preheat oven and prepare baking dish. Preheat the oven to 425 ℉ and spray a 9x9-inch baking dish or cast iron pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set the baking dish aside.

    Step 2: Combine dry ingredients. In a medium mixing bowl, mix the cornmeal, baking powder, salt and sugar together until combined.

    Step 3: Mix wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, mix the cream-syle corn, sour cream, cheese, butter, egg and egg whites with a heavy wooden spoon.

    Step 4: Stir dry and wet ingredients together. Stir the dry cornmeal mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix the batter.

    Step 5: Bake. Pour mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean with a few crumbly bits.

    Step 6. Cool and serve. Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing into squares. Enjoy!

    NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

    Sliced cornbread on a table.

    Tips

    • Overmixed cornbread batter can result in a dry, chewy texture. As soon as the batter is combined, leave it be.
    • For some added texture, fold ¼ cup whole corn kernels into the batter.
    • Be careful not to over-bake the cornbread. When it's ready, it should be firm and golden brown on top.
    • The cornbread will continue to firm up while it cools. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Let it cool completely before slicing.
    • To bake into muffins, pour the mixture into a greased muffin pan and bake at 425 ℉ for 15 to 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with just a few crumbs attached.
    • Instead of granulated sugar, you can use an unprocessed, natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. A reader mentioned using agave syrup instead of sugar with excellent results. There's no need for lots of sugar.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Low Calorie Cornbread

    How many calories are in this cornbread?

    This recipe yields 12 squares of cornbread. Each of those squares is about 108 calories, roughly 100 calories less than traditional cornbread recipes made with flour.

    How do I store cornbread?

    Cornbread will always be best enjoyed the same day. However, it can be stored on the counter wrapped in aluminum for 1 to 2 days. You can also store cornbread in the refrigerator for up to a week. The aluminum foil helps keep the cornbread from drying out.

    Can I freeze the cornbread?

    Yes! Once the cornbread is thoroughly cooled, store it in freezer-safe bags, squeezing out as much air as you can before sealing the bag. Cornbread will last in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.

    More Bread Recipes You Might Enjoy

    • Thumbnail of protein banana bread recipe.
      Protein Banana Bread Recipe
    • Thumbnail of whole wheat breadsticks.
      Whole Wheat Breadsticks
    • Thumbnail of low calorie zucchini bread.
      Low Calorie Zucchini Bread
    • Thumbnail of low calorie pumpkin bread.
      Low Calorie Pumpkin Bread

    If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to signup for my newsletter!

    Thumbnail of low calorie corn bread.

    Low Calorie Corn Bread

    4.75 from 24 votes
    By Kate
    This low calorie cornbread is buttery, perfectly sweetened and a great low fat and low sugar alternative to classic cornbread.
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep 15 minutes mins
    Cook 25 minutes mins
    Total 40 minutes mins
    Servings 12 Servings
    Calories 108kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Special Equipment

    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ¾ cup + 3 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 4 tablespoons melted butter
    • ¾ cup fat free sour cream
    • 1 cup no salt added cream-style corn
    • ½ cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 large egg whites

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 425 ℉ and spray a 9x9-inch baking dish or cast iron pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set the baking dish aside.
    • In a medium mixing bowl, mix the cornmeal, baking powder, salt and sugar together until combined.
    • In a large mixing bowl, mix the cream-syle corn, sour cream, cheese, butter, egg and egg whites with a heavy wooden spoon.
    • Stir the dry cornmeal mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix the batter.
    • Pour mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean with a few crumbly bits.
    • Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing into squares. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Overmixed cornbread batter can result in a dry, chewy texture. As soon as the batter is combined, leave it be.
    • For some added texture, fold ¼ cup whole corn kernels into the batter.
    • Be careful not to over-bake the cornbread. When it's ready, it should be firm and golden brown on top.
    • The cornbread will continue to firm up while it cools. Let it rest for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Let it cool completely before slicing.
    • To bake into muffins, pour the mixture into a greased muffin pan and bake at 425 ℉ for 15 to 17 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with just a few crumbs attached.
    • Instead of granulated sugar, you can use an unprocessed, natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. A reader mentioned using agave syrup instead of sugar with excellent results. There's no need for lots of sugar.
    • Storing: Cornbread will always be best enjoyed the same day. However, it can be stored on the counter wrapped in aluminum for 1 to 2 days. You can also store cornbread in the refrigerator for up to a week. The aluminum foil helps keep the cornbread from drying out.
    • Freezing: Once the cornbread is thoroughly cooled, store it in freezer-safe bags, squeezing out as much air as you can before sealing the bag. Cornbread will last in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 108kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 267mgSugar: 3g

    All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Tried this recipe?Give it a star rating and leave a comment below!

    More Side Dish

    • Thumbnail of air fryer zucchini and squash.
      Air Fryer Squash And Zucchini
    • Thumbnail of zucchini fritters.
      Low Calorie Zucchini Fritters
    • air fryer mashed potatoes thumbnail picture.
      Air Fryer Mashed Potato Balls
    • Thumbnail of low calorie stuffing.
      Low Calorie Stuffing
    552 shares
    • Share
    • Yum
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emilio

      January 19, 2022 at 12:08 am

      Hi there! Couple questions, is it normal for the middle to sink in for a bit after cooling (cooked for 25 minutes)? The toothpick came out clean however. Excited to give it a taste later!

      Reply
      • Erika

        January 19, 2022 at 4:36 pm

        Hi Emilio, that can happen for many reasons. Sometimes if the baking powder isn't fresh, if the pan was overfilled or if the batter was over mixed. I hope you still enjoyed the taste of the bread.

        Reply
    2. Terri Hartman

      January 12, 2021 at 12:28 am

      Very unusual cornbread recipe that has no flour in it! But it was deliciously different—more moist than others I’ve tried. We added a chopped and seeded jalapeño that gave it a little kick. We also used agave syrup instead of sugar. And we like our cornbread a little thicker so we used an 11x7 glass pan. It got all crusty on the sides and bottom. Really good.

      Reply
    3. Lisa Huff

      September 14, 2020 at 4:27 pm

      Love that you put sour cream in your corn bread! Will have to give it a try!

      Reply
    4. Kathryn Donangelo

      September 14, 2020 at 4:20 pm

      Made this as a side with our veggie soup and it was soooo good! You can't even tell it's low-cal which is amazing, thank you!

      Reply
    5. Tammy

      September 14, 2020 at 4:15 pm

      Ahh yes totally agree! Cornbread with chili or soup is the ultimate comfort! Love this lightened up variation....looks so delicious!

      Reply
    6. Katie

      September 14, 2020 at 4:01 pm

      My mouth is watering at the idea of this. Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    7. Angela

      September 14, 2020 at 3:54 pm

      Great recipe! I love the cream corn in it.

      Reply
    4.75 from 24 votes (19 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    low calorie corn bread Pinterest pin.
    Headshot of Kate the blog owner

    Hi and welcome! Simply Low Cal is the blog about DELICIOUS low calorie recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and snacks that anyone can make. You will find plenty of healthy recipes for anyone. About Me

    POPULAR RECIPES

    • Thumbnail of low calorie banana bread.
      Low Calorie Banana Bread
    • Thumbnail of low calorie chicken noodle soup.
      Low Calorie Chicken Noodle Soup
    • Thumbnail of healthy snow cone syrup.
      Healthy Snow Cone Syrup
    • Thumbnail of 100 calorie blueberry muffins.
      100 Calorie Blueberry Muffins
    • Thumbnail of low calorie protein shake.
      Low Calorie Protein Shake
    • Thumbnail of PBfit soft gluten free cookies.
      PBfit Soft Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

    THE BEST OF WINTER

    • Thumbnail of low calorie hot chocolate.
      Low Calorie Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
    • Thumbnail of low calorie pecan pie.
      Low Calorie Pecan Pie
    • Thumbnail of low calorie gingerbread latte.
      Low Calorie Gingerbread Latte
    • Thumbnail of low calorie mashed cauliflower.
      Low Calorie Mashed Cauliflower
    • Thumbnail of low calorie snickerdoodle latte.
      Low Calorie Snickerdoodle Latte
    • Thumbnail of low calorie broccoli cheddar soup.
      Low Calorie Broccoli Cheddar Soup

    FEATURED IN

    as seen in.

    Footer

    low calorie corn bread Pinterest pin.

    ↑ back to top

    Featured In

    as seen in banner.

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! For emails and updates

    Contact

    • [email protected]

    AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

    © 2025 SIMPLY LOW CAL | MAMA IS WORKING LLC

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.