Gluten Free Sourdough Cornbread Recipe (2024)

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A simple sourdough cornbread recipe made with sourdough discard. Sourdough discard gives this quick bread a great yeasty flavor.

Gluten Free Sourdough Cornbread Recipe (1)

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You probably didn’t know you needed another cornbread recipe in your life but here we are. And you definitely need this homemade cornbread because it’s not just any old cornbread.

It’s gluten free cornbread made with sourdough discard and it’s probably the best cornbread recipe I’ve ever had.

The sourdough discard gives this cornbread a distinct yeasty flavor that’s just phenomenal.

Gluten Free Sourdough Cornbread Recipe (2)
Did you make this recipe? Leave a star rating and let me know in the comments! You can also leave a photo/comment on this pin for others to see.

Please, please, please put down your gluten free cornbread mix and give this homemade cornbread recipe a try! I guarantee, it’s easier than you think it is!

Plus, the results you get from this recipe are way better than anything you’d make from a box.

What You Need To Know About This Gluten Free Cornbread Recipe:

I adapted this recipe from my regular gluten free cornbread recipe. I use 1 cup of sourdough discard to replace 1/2 cup gluten-free flour and 1/4 cup milk.

Sourdough Discard Cornbread Ingredients

  • Sourdough Discard from a mature gluten-free sourdough starter.
  • Gluten-Free Flour – I use my nightshade-free gluten-free flour blend in this recipe with excellent results.
  • Xanthan Gum – omit if your flour blend contains it.
  • Cornmeal – for best results, use a finely ground cornmeal. If your cornmeal is too coarse, run it through a food processor for a few seconds to grind it finer.
    • See below for gluten-free cornmeal options.
  • Sugar – a little granulated sugar flavors the cornbread without making it sweet.
  • Baking Powder – Always use aluminum-free baking powder when baking. I use Rumford.
  • Salt – I use fine sea salt.
  • Milk – 2% or whole milk yields the best results. See below for dairy free.
  • Oil – I use avocado oil but canola or vegetable oil works great too.
  • Egg – use a flax egg for egg-free or your favorite substitute for eggs in baked goods.
Gluten Free Sourdough Cornbread Recipe (3)

Dairy Free Cornbread

To make dairy free cornbread, use unsweetened coconut milk beverage in place of the regular milk. Make this a vegan cornbread by using the dairy-free sub and use a flax egg in place of the regular egg.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Is cornmeal gluten free?

Cornmeal is made from ground, dried corn, which is a naturally gluten free food. Personally, we use Quaker Cornmeal because we’re not a Celiac family and it’s easy to find. Quaker doesn’t list their product as gluten free because there is a risk of cross-contamination so if you have Celiac Disease, look for cornmeal that’s labeled gluten free.

Arrowhead Mills makes certified gluten free cornmeal and Bob’s Red Mill also makes a gluten free cornmeal separate from their regular cornmeal. Bob’s Red Mill cornmeal is a medium-grind though so be sure to run it through a food processor to make it finer before baking.

Gluten Free Sourdough Cornbread Recipe (4)

Equipment Needed to Make Homemade Cornbread

How to Make Cornbread with Sourdough Discard

Step 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray an 8×8 square baking pan with non-stick spray or grease with butter.

Step 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, xanthan gum, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then set aside.

Step 3. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, and egg then whisk in the sourdough discard.

Step 4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until completely incorporated.

Step 5. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and gently smooth out the top and make sure the batter is evenly distributed in the pan.

Step 6. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-24 minutes or until done.

Step 7. Serve warm or room temperature with honey butteror spread with grass-fed butter and a drizzle of honey.

Gluten Free Sourdough Cornbread Recipe (5)

Tips for Making Cornbread from Scratch

  • Use finely ground cornmeal for the best texture.
  • Use discard from a mature sourdough starter. Your starter should be at least a week old.
  • Don’t overmeasure your flour. Too much flour will make your bread dense and dry.Get my free guide to measuring flour here.
  • Use a sourdough starter made with 100% hydration (made with equal parts flour and water). Too much flour or water will through off the ratios in this recipe and you can end up with cornbread that’s either too dry or too wet.

Other Gluten-Free Quick Bread Recipes To Try

  • Honey Cornbread – from The Gluten-Free Quick Breads Cookbook
  • Sourdough Banana Bread (made with sourdough discard)
  • Buttermilk Biscuits or my original Gluten Free Biscuit Recipe
  • Cheddar Bay Biscuits
  • 15+ Gluten Free Quick Bread Recipes
Gluten Free Sourdough Cornbread Recipe (6)
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Gluten Free Sourdough Cornbread Recipe (7)

Gluten Free Sourdough Cornbread Recipe (8)

4.70 from 30 ratings

A simple sourdough cornbread recipe made with sourdough discard. Sourdough discard gives this quick bread a great yeasty flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 22 minutes minutes

Total Time: 37 minutes minutes

Servings: 9 -16 pieces

By: Sharon Lachendro

Print Rate Pin

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup 105g gluten-free flour (note 1)
  • 1 teaspoon 4g xanthan gum
  • 3/4 cup 125g cornmeal (note 2)
  • 1/4 cup 50g granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons 10g aluminum-free baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon 3g fine sea salt
  • 3/4 cup whole milk room temperature (note 3)
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil or neutral oil of choice
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 cup 265g sourdough discard (note 4)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray an 8x8 square baking pan with non-stick spray or grease with butter.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten free flour, xanthan gum, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then set aside.

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, and egg then whisk in the sourdough discard.

  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until completely incorporated.

  • Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and gently smooth out the top and make sure the batter is evenly distributed in the pan.

  • Bake at 400 degrees for 20-24 minutes or until done.

  • Serve warm or room temperature with honey butter or spread with grass-fed butter and a drizzle of honey.

Notes

  1. I use my Nightshade-Free Gluten Free Flour Blend in this recipe. If your flour blend contains xanthan gum, omit what's called for in the recipe.
  2. Use gluten free cornmeal. For best results, use a finely ground cornmeal. If yours is coarse, run it through a food processor to make it a bit finer.
  3. For dairy free, use Silk Heavy Whipping Cream Alternative for the best whole milk sub. You can also use unsweetened coconut milk beverage.
  4. I used the discard from my starter made with Nightshade Free Flour Blend. Brown rice flour or sorghum starters would also work well in this recipe.
  5. Store leftovers at room temperature in an air-tight container up to 2 days. Leftovers can also be frozen for up to a month in a freezer-safe bag.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 86kcal

Disclaimers

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Facts are estimated and aren't always accurate. Please consult a doctor or nutritionist if you have special dietary needs.

Did you make this?Mention @whattheforkfoodblog or leave a comment rating below!

Did you make this cornbread recipe? Leave a star rating and let me know in the comments! You can also leave a photo/comment on this pin for others to see.

Gluten Free Sourdough Cornbread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why won t my gluten-free sourdough bread rise? ›

Your bread will not rise if your yeast or baking powder has expired. A dense loaf could also be the result of not measuring your ingredients accurately. Weight measurements are best (I have to update my recipes). Otherwise scoop the flour into your measuring cup and level without shaking or packing the flour down.

Can gluten intolerant people eat sourdough bread? ›

No, regular sourdough bread is not gluten-free.

While the natural bacteria may make it easier to digest, and the fermentation process decreases the amount of gluten, it still does not reach 20ppm (parts per million) or less of gluten, which is how the United States defines gluten-free foods.

Can you use gluten free flour for sourdough starter? ›

Learn how to make your own gluten-free sourdough starter from scratch at home. All you need is some gluten free flour, water, and a bit of time to start creating delicious sourdough products.

What are the best gluten free grains for sourdough? ›

I feed my starter with brown rice flour, but you can use sorghum, millet, or most other wholegrain flours for your starter. I would not recommend using a premade gluten-free flour blend, or a starch. Wholegrains work best because they give your starter a lot to feed on.

What is the secret to getting gluten-free bread to rise? ›

An easy way to create a good environment for gluten-free bread to rise is to turn your oven to 200 F; when it reaches this temperature, turn off the oven and place a shallow baking pan partially filled with hot water on one of the shelves.

What is the biggest challenge of making gluten-free bread? ›

One of the challenges is that when gluten-free dough is thickened with additives like starches and gums, it becomes sticky. Some bakers dust sticky dough with flour, but that's problematic with gluten-free formulations.

Is sourdough bread inflammatory? ›

The best bread to reduce gut inflammation is bread made from whole grains. Refined grains, such as the grains found in white bread and white pasta, are known to increase inflammation across the whole body. Sourdough bread and rye bread are both good options for an anti-inflammatory diet.

Is Ezekiel bread gluten-free? ›

Although Ezekiel bread is technically flourless, it is not a gluten-free product. Those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance shouldn't eat it. There are other flourless breads that do not contain gluten.

Why does sourdough upset my stomach? ›

The most common reaction to fermented foods is a temporary increase in gas and bloating. This is the result of excess gas being produced after probiotics kill harmful gut bacteria and fungi. Probiotics secrete antiomicrobial peptides that kill harmful pathogenic organisms like Salmonella and E. Coli.

What is the best flour for gluten-free sourdough bread? ›

What gluten-free flours can I use for sourdough? There are various gluten-free flours that can be used for sourdough baking. Popular options include brown rice flour, buckwheat flour, sorghum flour, millet flour, and tapioca flour. Each flour adds its unique flavor and texture to the final bread.

Do I need to add xanthan gum to gluten free flour? ›

Xanthan Gum adds thickness and viscosity to gluten-free breads and other baked goods. Without xanthan gum, your gluten-free baked goods would be dry, crumbly and flat. Because xanthan gum is gluten-free and vegan, it's the preferred thickener for those home bakers with food allergies.

Is oatmeal gluten-free? ›

Yes, pure, uncontaminated oats are gluten-free. The U. S. Food and Drug Administration considers oats a gluten-free grain under its gluten-free labeling regulations and only requires that packaged products with oats as an ingredient contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten overall.

Why do gluten-free people eat sourdough? ›

Does sourdough have less gluten than regular bread? Yes sourdough does have less gluten than regular yeasted bread. Sourdough goes through a long fermentation period whereby the lactobacteria in your starter start to break down the gluten in the flour. This results in a lower gluten level in your baked bread.

Is sourdough bread good for your gut? ›

Yes, sourdough contains the gut-friendly lactobacillus bacteria, but the high heat of baking destroys these probiotics. So, unless you'd like to eat the raw dough, sourdough is not a probiotic food. However, it does have some digestive benefits.

Is store-bought sourdough bread gluten-free? ›

Is sourdough gluten free? No. Sourdough is a low-gluten bread. It also contains lower levels of fructans, another substance that can cause unpleasant digestive symptoms in some people.

How do you fix sourdough bread that didn't rise? ›

When sourdough bread dough doesn't rise, it's usually because the starter you used wasn't active enough. To remedy this problem, make sure you're using recently fed, active starter with lots of bubbles. Also, next time try using warm (not hot) water when you mix up the dough and rising it in a warmer location.

Why is my gluten free sourdough bread so dense? ›

There are a few common reasons why your gluten-free bread may be turning out dense: Insufficient Leavening: Yeast or baking powder creates air pockets in the dough, allowing it to rise and become light. If you don't use enough leavening agents, your bread will not have enough gas bubbles to create that airy texture.

Why is my gluten free starter not doubling? ›

If your starter is struggling to double, place it somewhere warm, like inside a turned off oven with a light on. You can also try feeding twice a day to nudge the starter along. Once the starter has doubled in size, is bubbly, and has a sweet-sour aroma, it's ready to use in your gluten free sourdough bread recipe.

Why is my gluten free sourdough starter runny? ›

Too cold and your starter won't rise. Too warm and your sourdough starter will use the flour and water you feed it too quickly. This will mean that your starter will become runny and watery. If it's really warm and you don't feed the starter enough, it could also start to develop hooch.

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