Indulge in the rich, buttery taste of Cracker Barrel-style cornbread muffins from the comfort of your home. Gentle, golden, and subtly sweet, these muffins are ideal served with soup, chili, or dinner of your choice.

Golden, fluffy Cracker Barrel-style cornbread muffins on a plate, awaiting serving.
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Bring the warm, comforting flavor of Cracker Barrel to your kitchen with these light, golden cornbread muffins.

Slightly sweet, buttery, and just tender enough, they’re a perfect side dish for soups, stews, chili, or any filling meal.

Easy and quick to make with basic ingredients and some easy steps, these muffins are great for weeknights, special holiday dinners, or whenever you need that traditional Southern-style cornbread flavor.

Bake a batch and enjoy a fresh, homemade treat everyone around the table will enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

  • Soft & Fluffy: Perfection-soft muffins that just melt in your mouth.
  • Buttery Goodness: Rich, buttery taste in each bite.
  • Slightly Sweet: A touch of sweetness complements savory meals exquisitely.
  • Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and speedy steps make it easy.
  • Perfect Pairing: Excellent paired with soups, chili, or rich dinners.

Cracker Barrel Cornbread Muffins Ingredients

Ingredients needed for Cracker Barrel Cornbread Muffins on kitchen table.
  • All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour provides structure and texture for traditional corn muffins.
  • Yellow Cornmeal: The key ingredient that gives corn muffins signature texture and flavor.
  • Salt: Enhances the flavor of the muffins.
  • Corn Kernels: Adds bursts of sweetness and texture to the muffins. Canned or thawed frozen corn can be used.
  • Baking Powder: Acts as a leavening agent, helping the muffins rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Buttermilk: Provides moisture and tanginess to the muffins.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the muffins rise and creates a softer texture by reacting with the acidity in the buttermilk.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure and richness to the muffins.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the muffins, balancing the savory flavors of the cornmeal and salt.
  • Vegetable Oil: Contributes moisture and tenderness to the muffins.
  • Serving: Serve with melted butter, maple syrup, or a drizzle of honey.

How to Make Cracker Barrel Cornbread Muffins

Mixing dry and wet ingredients in bowls to make cornbread batter prior to air frying.

Step One: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, salt, and baking powder. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and eggs until well combined.

Folding corn kernels into cornbread batter once wet and dry ingredients are mixed.

Step Two: Mix wet ingredients with dry ingredients and blend just until combined. Don’t overmix; batter will have a few lumps. Fold in corn kernels lightly until they are distributed evenly through the batter.

Cornbread batter spooned into cups and placed in an air fryer basket to bake.

Step Three: Spoon the batter into the muffin cups and fill almost to two-thirds full. Arrange the filled muffin cups in the preheated air fryer basket with a small space between each of the muffins so that air can flow. Air fry at 350 degrees F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes of cooking time or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of one muffin is clean.

Serving: Once cooked, carefully remove the muffins from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving. Serve with melted butter, honey, or jam.

Warm, homemade Cracker Barrel-type cornbread muffins, golden brown and presented in a plate.

Cracker Barrel Corn Muffins Recipe Tips

  • Don’t Overmix: Only mix the batter until it’s combined—overmixing creates heavy muffins.
  • Use Buttermilk: Buttermilk contributes tang and a softer, more tender crumb.
  • Check Doneness Early: Begin testing for doneness with a toothpick a few minutes before the timer rings.
  • Add Extra Flavor: Add corn kernels, cheese, or jalapeños for a twist.
  • Serve Warm: Serve these muffins fresh from the oven with butter or honey

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

  • Storing: Keep cooled cornbread muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Store them with a paper towel inside the container to absorb moisture and maintain freshness.
  • Freezing: Wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months for the best taste and texture.
  • Reheating: Warm muffins in the oven at 300°F for 8–10 minutes, or microwave for 20–30 seconds until heated through. For a bakery-fresh taste, brush with a little melted butter before serving.
Golden Cracker Barrel cornbread muffins on a plate, served warm and ready to eat.

Cracker Barrel Corn Muffins Recipe Faqs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk? Yes, buttermilk gives the muffins extra tenderness and flavor. If you don’t have it, mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice as a substitute.

Can I add mix-ins to the batter? Absolutely! Try folding in corn kernels, shredded cheese, or diced jalapeños for extra flavor.

Do these muffins taste exactly like Cracker Barrel’s? They’re a very close copycat with the same buttery, slightly sweet flavor—perfect for serving at home!

More Copycat Cracker Barrel Recipes

air fryer copycat cracker barrel grilled chicken tenders

cracker barrel carrot recipe

Cracker Barrel Herb Roasted Chicken Recipe

cracker barrel cinnamon roll pie

air fryer cracker barrel macaroni and cheese

broccoli cheddar chicken (cracker barrel copycat)

air fryer cracker barrel’s buttermilk biscuits

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Golden, fluffy Cracker Barrel-style cornbread muffins on a plate, awaiting serving.

Cracker Barrel Cornbread Muffins

4.25 from 4 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Description

Enjoy warm, buttery Cracker Barrel cornbread muffins at home—soft, golden, and slightly sweet. The perfect side for chili, soups, or any meal.

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, or gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 cup corn kernels, canned or thawed frozen
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, or sugar substitute, if preferred
  • 2 large eggs

Instructions

  • Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, salt, and baking powder.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and eggs until well combined.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps in the batter are okay.
  • Gently fold in the corn kernels until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  • Line the air fryer basket with silicone muffin cups or paper liners.
  • Spoon the muffin batter into the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
  • Place the filled muffin cups in the preheated air fryer basket, leaving space between each muffin for air circulation.
  • Air fry the corn muffins at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Once cooked, carefully remove the muffins from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving.
  • Enjoy your delicious air fryer corn muffins as a tasty snack or accompaniment to your favorite meals!

Equipment

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 254kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 6gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 540mgPotassium: 164mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 118IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 133mgIron: 2mg

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