Oil Free Vegan Cornbread [Whole Wheat Option]

This easy vegan cornbread recipe is wonderfully moist and delicious, with just the right amount of sweet. It’s simple to prepare, perfect to serve with chili or baked beans, or a great side for your Thanksgiving dinner!

This recipe was originally published in October 2018. It has been updated for content and photos.

Made using basic pantry ingredients, you can whip up this cornbread quickly and easily at any time of year.

I know you’re going to love this one!

It’s not only delicious, but it’s vegan and allergen friendly. It’s nut free, soy free with a simple swap, oil free and even refined sugar free.

Plus, it’s a great recipe for a holiday party (or any party). Who doesn’t love cornbread?!

Perfect for big events like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, birthdays, you name it!

Dare I call this version a healthy cornbread?

Yup, it’s pretty healthy, as far as cornbread goes!

It’s low in fat and far lower in calories than traditional cornbread recipes. Plus there’s very little sugar (only 2 tablespoons in the entire loaf!) and there’s no oil at all if you use my unsweetened applesauce version.

Go classic with corn meal and white flour, or try it using whole wheat flour for an unrefined, whole food plant based (WFPB) version. See the notes in the recipe card below to make it with whole wheat flour.

What I won’t call this cornbread, is too sweet.

This is definitely a savoury version, so if that’s not your thing, add more sugar and use sweetened applesauce instead. Or, pour some maple syrup on it once baked. I’ve never personally tried that, but I hear it’s amazing.

How to make vegan cornbread

Start by preparing your chia egg in a small bowl and set aside for 5 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

Add all the dry ingredients to one bowl, and wet to another. Mix them both separately. (photos 1-2)

Then add the dry, to the wet and mix only until incorporated, without over mixing. Some lumps are a-ok! Set aside and let the batter rest for 10 minutes. (photo 3)

Pour the mixture into your prepared loaf pan and bake in your preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, approx 25 minutes. (photos 4-5)

Once baked, allow your loaf to cool for at least 20 minutes before removing from the pan and slicing. You may serve as is, or with some gravy or cranberry sauce, which is especially delicious on holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Expert Tips

For the best textured vegan cornbread, don’t use course corn meal for this recipe. You want fine or medium ground corn meal. Course corn meal can result in a more gritty texture.

Also, make sure to purchase corn meal, and not corn starch. They are not the same! Corn starch is JUST the starch with everything else removed. You can find corn meal in the flour section of your supermarket.

Make sure not to over mix your batter. I know it’s super tempting to keep mixing until your batter is perfectly smooth. But don’t do it! A few lumps are perfectly fine. In fact, over-mixing will lead to a dry, tough cornbread.

Cornmeal takes longer to absorb water than flour, so let your batter rest for 10 minutes before baking. By giving the batter some extra time to absorb more liquid, your cornbread will be softer.

Variations

To make this recipe into vegan cornbread muffins instead, prepare as directed and divide into 12 muffin cups. Bake in your preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Optional add-ins: Change up the recipe by adding in 1-2 finely chopped jalapeno peppers, 1 cup of chopped scallions/green onion, 1 cup of canned or frozen (and thawed) corn, or 1 cup of dried fruit, such as raisins or cranberries.

You may use unbleached all purpose white flour, or all purpose whole wheat flour for this recipe. I prefer the texture using white flour, but both options are delicious. To make it with whole wheat flour, see the substitutions required in the notes section of the recipe card below.

I haven’t tested this recipe with gluten free flour, however, I believe a gluten free all purpose flour  should work well at a 1:1 ratio.

How long does it keep?

Cornbread tastes best fresh out of the oven, but it keeps at room temperature for up to 4 days. Cover with a clean, dry towel, or store in a sealed container.

You may also refrigerate, if preferred, and heat in the oven or microwave to enjoy warm.

Can you freeze cornbread?

Yes! Vegan cornbread, or any cornbread freezes very well. Allow the bread to fully cool to room temperature before freezing.

Thaw in your refrigerator or counter and reheat if preferred, or enjoy at room temperature.

What to serve with cornbread?

• Instant Pot Vegan Chili (or stove top)
• Creamy Autumn Soup w/ Squash & Pumpkin
• Vegan Chicken Soup w/ Jackfruit & Potato
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes (or stovetop)

More delicious vegan breads

1. Our Whole Wheat Fig and Walnut Bread is light and delicious, with no kneading required! Easy to make, and even easier to eat!
2. This Vegan Cranberry Orange Bread is moist and absolutely drool-worthy, using zero refined sugar. Drizzled in a sweet orange glaze, your friends and family will never guess this bread is actually quite healthy.
3. Our Chocolate Zucchini Bread is not only vegan and gluten free, but it’s so chocolatey, fudge-y and delicious, that no one would guess there’s hidden zucchini in here!

If you tried this recipe, please let me know about it in the comments below. I always love hearing from you! Don’t forget to Subscribe to This Healthy Kitchen to be among the first to get my new recipes! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter to see more delicious food and get all the latest updates.

Buon appetito,
Rosa

Oil Free Vegan Cornbread - Whole Wheat Option

Easy vegan cornbread is moist and delicious, with just the right amount of sweet. Simple to prepare, and the perfect pairing for chili.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Resting Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Course: Appetizer, Breakfast

Cuisine: American, Canadian

Servings: 10 (Makes 1 5"x9" Loaf)

Calories: 132kcal

Author: Rosa

Equipment

• 5"x9" Loaf Pan

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup corn meal fine or medium ground
• 1 cup all purpose unbleached white flour or whole wheat flour *see notes
• 2 tbsp unrefined coconut sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 chia egg (1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water)
• 1 cup soy milk or plant milk of choice
• 3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce or 1/3 cup of vegetable oil or other neutral oil

Instructions

• Prepare your chia egg in a small bowl by combining 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and set aside for 5 minutes.
• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
• Add all the dry ingredients to a medium size bowl and whisk well. Then in a seperate bowl, combine the chia egg with the milk and applesauce (or oil) and mix well. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and mix using a silicone spatula or large fork until combined, without over mixing. Let the batter rest for 10 minutes.
• Pour your batter into your prepared loaf pan, and spread gently using a silicone spatula. Bake for 23-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before slicing.

Notes

* To make the whole wheat flour version, use an additional teaspoon of baking powder, and 2 additional tablespoons of plant based milk of your choice.

Make it soy free by swapping the soy milk for almond, cashew, or coconut milk (not the canned kind).

Lining the loaf pan with parchment paper makes it easier to remove once baked. I like to grab the sides of the parchment paper and lift the bread out and onto a cutting board, so it cools enough to slice quicker. Alternatively you may grease the sides of the pan if not avoiding oil.

Make sure to let your loaf cool down some before slicing.

Best fresh, within 1-2 days, however, leftovers keep at room temperature for up to 4 days, covered with a clean dry towel, or in a sealed container. OR freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Slice | Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 220mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 1mg

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*Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools.