Southern Honey Butter Bites (Printable Recipe)

Golden bites with honey butter, crisp outside and soft inside—ideal for gatherings or cozy sides.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Cornbread Dough

01 - 1 cup yellow cornmeal
02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1 cup buttermilk
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
10 - 1/2 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels (optional)

→ Honey Butter Topping

11 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
12 - 2 tablespoons honey
13 - Pinch of flaked sea salt

→ Garnish (Optional)

14 - Finely chopped fresh chives

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Generously grease a mini muffin pan with butter or nonstick spray to ensure easy release and crisp edges.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
04 - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold using a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing. If using corn kernels, fold them in at this stage.
05 - Distribute the batter evenly among the mini muffin cavities, filling each almost to the top to achieve a domed shape.
06 - Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The edges should be crisp and lightly browned.
07 - While baking, melt butter and stir in honey and sea salt until fully emulsified.
08 - Brush warm bites generously with honey butter. Sprinkle with chopped chives and let rest in the pan for a few minutes before serving.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain a tender texture.
02 - Frozen corn should be thawed and well-drained before adding to prevent excess moisture.
03 - Store baked bites in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze without honey butter for longer storage.
04 - Let refrigerated batter come to room temperature for 15 minutes before baking.