Popcorn Meal Cornbread

At The Old Mill, cornmeal has been at the heart of our kitchen for generations. Ground between century-old millstones, it’s a staple that has nourished families and flavored Southern cooking for as long as anyone can remember. One of the most unique meals to come from our historic gristmill is Popcorn Meal — made not from field corn, but from whole popcorn kernels.

The difference is unmistakable. Popcorn Meal has a coarser grind than traditional cornmeal, giving every recipe a rustic texture, an extra crunch, and a hint of that unmistakable popcorn flavor. It’s the kind of ingredient that makes a simple skillet of cornbread taste richer, heartier, and more rooted in tradition.

This recipe for Popcorn Meal Cornbread showcases the ingredient in its purest form. Baked golden in a cast iron skillet, it’s crisp on the edges, tender inside, and brimming with flavor. It’s cornbread the way Southern kitchens have always intended — humble, hearty, and unforgettable.

Cornbread has always been more than a side dish in Southern kitchens. It’s a tradition passed down through cast iron skillets, family tables, and recipes shared from one generation to the next. With Popcorn Meal, you get a taste of that heritage in every slice.

If you’d like to try it for yourself, you can find our stone-ground Miller’s Special Popcorn Meal, milled fresh at The Old Mill, available online, in our General Store and Farmhouse Kitchen.

It’s the secret ingredient that makes cornbread (and so much more) POP with Southern flavor.

P.S. Popcorn Meal isn’t just for cornbread. It makes an incredible crispy coating for fried pork chops, too. If you’re ready to try it, don’t miss our Popcorn Meal Pork Chops recipe — another Southern classic straight from our kitchen.

👉 [Get the Pork Chops Recipe]

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Popcorn Meal Cornbread

Cook time: 25 MinTotal time: 25 Min

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups Miller's Special Popcorn Meal
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup vegetable oil plus 2 tablespoons to grease the skillet

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Place the popcorn meal and salt in a large bowl, and stir to combine.
3. Stir the baking soda into the buttermilk, and add the egg and ¼ cup oil and stir until just combined.
4. Pour 2 tablespoons oil in a 10-inch cast iron skillet and place over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, pour the batter into the skillet, and place the pan in the oven.
5. Bake until the top is firm to the touch and the sides are well browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Turn out onto a board and slice into wedges. Serve warm.
6. For a 12-inch skillet — bake 18 to 23 minutes.