Seriously Up Your Boxed Cornbread Game With A Spicy Addition

Even if you love cornbread, it's worth remembering that the crumbly yellow loaf is merely a starting point for you to layer in your favorite ingredients. Adding extra flavor to cornbread is a welcome change when you're serving it as a side to soak up gravy, and this move is even more appreciated when it's being eaten on its own as a snack or with some extra crispy fried chicken (which you can achieve with a bit of vodka). Boxed cornbread in particular occasionally needs some additional bolstering to give it some character and raise its appeal.

The answer for many is to reach for a package of chili paste to boost boxed cornbread. That's because the sweet flavors of corn, which taste great in ice cream, also pair very well with spicy notes. A touch of chili paste mixed into cornbread batter can even help end the enduring debate on just how sweet cornbread should be, since the spice helps balance out the sweetness. It certainly keeps those who prefer a more savory bread happy. 

One look at the wide variety of chili pastes available will tell you just how many options this opens up for your next boxed cornbread. If you're feeling confused, simply add the spice that best complements the rest of your meal. Once you've tried spicy cornbread, you might never go back to making this Southern staple any other way.

If you're going the boxed cornbread route, you probably don't want to spend all the time you saved on whipping up a homemade spice mixture for the bread. Fortunately, chili paste works very well in cornbread and lets you decide just how punchy you want the heat to be. Remember that cornbread's defining characteristic is that it is delicate in flavor and texture. Whatever style of chili paste you pick, use a measured amount that doesn't overpower cornbread's underlying flavors.

If you're trying spicy cornbread for the first time, start with a smoky Mexican chili paste. The deep-roasted chili and light cornbread flavors are made for each other, and the heat is just subtle enough to be felt while not fundamentally changing the flavor of your cornbread. You can also consider using buttermilk instead of water in the batter for added creaminess and tang that can help balance out the heat. Finally, a smoky chili paste works well with sweet toppings so if you're a fan of the swicy food trend and like to combine cornbread with honey, jam, or syrup, this is the way to go.

Another option is to use a simple chili paste like sambal oelek, made from ground chilies and a touch of vinegar. This adds heat with minimal modifications and is a good option for when you don't want cornbread interfering with the central dish. For irresistible boxed cornbread that you could snack on all day, mix a spoonful of chili crisp into the batter and enjoy the playful flavors and textures it adds to this simple classic.