11 Tips You Need When Making Chili Cornbread Bowls

Use muffins

Prepare your cornbread as you usually would, or grab some muffins from the bakery. If you find larger muffins, you might even be able to create bigger bowls for your chili.

Slice off the tops and hollow out some of the cornbread from the center to make space for the chili. You can save the muffin tops to enjoy with scrambled eggs and sausage for a filling breakfast.

Full-sized or oversized muffins are ideal for this method, as mini muffins are typically too small to hold more than a small spoonful of chili. They also tend to crumble more easily due to their limited cornbread structure. Larger muffins are simpler to scoop out while maintaining their shape. Mini cornbread loaves can work similarly, but they have a more rectangular form.

Get the right pan

The dimensions of your cornbread bowls will primarily be influenced by the type of pan you choose for baking. If you desire larger bowls, opt for a bigger muffin tin; conversely, smaller pans will yield smaller bowls. A cast iron skillet is an excellent choice for creating a communal bowl that beautifully showcases the cornbread alongside your dish.

When selecting the ideal size for your serving dish, consider how you intend to present the chili. For individual servings meant to be an appetizer in a larger meal, standard-sized muffins are ideal. They provide just the right amount of chili for each guest to savor a few spoonfuls, along with the cornbread once they finish. If you plan to serve cornbread bowls and chili as the main course, you may want to choose a larger option. Dutch ovens come in various sizes, including oversized individual portions that can go directly into the oven. This also simplifies cleanup, as they can transition from oven to table without the need for an additional dish.

Don't overfill

Regardless of the method you choose to make your cornbread bowls, overfilling with batter can lead to a messy outcome. Since one of the main attractions of serving chili in this way is the impressive presentation, a messy bowl is the last thing you want.

Muffin tins, skillets, and Dutch ovens vary in size, but a good guideline is to fill your pan about halfway with cornbread batter. Using a scooper or measuring cup will help ensure that each muffin compartment receives an equal amount of batter for consistent results.

Keep in mind that the batter will rise as it bakes, contributing to the cornbread's characteristic fluffiness and light texture. However, if you overfill the bowl, it may overflow, resulting in an uneven top and possibly spilling onto the bottom of your oven. These drips can burn, affecting the flavor of your final dish and increasing your cleanup efforts.

If you're using a loaf pan for your cornbread, the shape will differ slightly, but the same principle applies. Fill the loaf pan about halfway to accommodate the expansion during baking.

Cheat with boxed mix

The flavors of the chili harmonize beautifully with the edible bowl, making it difficult to distinguish whether the cornbread is homemade or store-bought. Opting for a mix can save you considerable time while still delivering a tasty dish. Most boxed mixes include all the dry ingredients necessary for cornbread; you simply need to add eggs, milk, and oil. You can choose to stick with classic sweet cornbread or experiment with a flavored version by adding extra spices.

To enhance your mix even further, think about incorporating some add-ins for added fluffiness and flavor. Cheddar cheese, whether grated or cubed, brings a delightful sharpness that complements both cornbread and chili. You can mix it directly into the batter before baking and sprinkle shredded cheese on top of your chili bowl just before serving. A boxed mix serves as a convenient foundation for extra flavor that you can easily keep in your pantry.

Mix in flavor

You can start with a boxed cornbread mix and personalize it by adding your favorite ingredients. Incorporate extras into the cornbread batter to create a distinctive flavor profile for your dish. This approach allows you to craft a new variation each time you prepare it.

For added moisture and a tangy kick, consider mixing in buttermilk or sour cream. Chopped bacon can enhance the flavor of the batter, while jalapeños—whether sliced, diced, or pickled—are a fantastic way to add some heat. A touch of honey or melted butter, typically used as toppings for cornbread, can also be blended into the batter for extra richness. Just be careful not to overdo it, as you want to maintain the bread's texture.

You can also easily incorporate nutritious ingredients like blueberries, mashed sweet potatoes, or pumpkin puree. Some combinations work particularly well with specific types of chili, such as a sweet cornbread paired with a spicy slow-cooker chili or a spicy cornbread served alongside a 3-bean vegetarian chili.

Grease the pan

A fantastic chili cornbread bowl features well-defined sides that keep the robust chili securely in place and prevent any spills. It not only looks impressive but also requires just a minor tweak in your preparation to achieve flawless results every time. Simply apply a bit of cooking spray or melted butter to the interior of the pan or pot before adding your cornbread batter. This will help prevent sticking.

If you're using a muffin pan, consider using paper or silicone muffin liners instead. For loaf pans, line the interior with parchment paper, allowing some to hang over the edges. Once the cornbread has finished baking and cooled, you can easily lift it out of the loaf pan by pulling on the parchment.

When using a cast iron skillet, ensure it is well-seasoned to avoid sticking and to promote even cooking. Preheating the skillet on the stove before adding the batter can also help minimize the chances of the cornbread adhering to the sides or bottom. Cast iron is ideal for achieving those crispy edges that make cornbread so delicious, and you can create and serve your bowl directly in the skillet for a charming, rustic presentation.

Let them cool

Although the enticing aroma of sweet and savory cornbread may tempt you, it's important to let it cool after taking it out of the oven. Try to resist the temptation to grab a steaming hot cornbread muffin (unless you want a taste, of course) for your bowls. Allowing them to cool for a few minutes will help ensure they release easily from the pan or pot.

Removing them too soon can lead to uneven bowls, particularly if they have adhered to the sides. A helpful tip is to run a knife along the edges while they are still warm, but before you take them out of the tin, tray, or pan, to ensure a clean separation of the muffins or loaves.

If you're serving your cornbread bowls directly in the dish, this concern is less significant. You can simply cut off the top of the bread and hollow out the inside to create space for your chili. However, it can be easier to manage the bread after it has cooled slightly, so exercise caution when handling food straight from the oven.

Using a serrated bread knife can also be beneficial when slicing into hot cornbread, as it minimizes pulling and helps prevent crumbling.

Leave a base layer

When you carve out the center of the cornbread to create a bowl, make sure to leave a sufficiently thick layer at the bottom. If you cut too much, the chili may spill out. Larger muffins and loaves are ideal for this purpose, so consider opting for oversized cornbread, keeping in mind that the final product will contain significantly less bread than the entire muffin. Unsure what to do with the leftover cornbread? Combine it with beans, tomatoes, peppers, and plenty of cheese to whip up a delicious cornbread salad.

Be sure to do the same along the sides, ensuring enough bread remains to hold the chili securely inside the bowl. This can be challenging, particularly with smaller muffins and loaves intended for individual servings. If you're concerned that your bowls might be too delicate after hollowing them out, you can serve them in individual pots or with bowls for extra support. If you choose this route, it's best to prepare and bake the bowls in the serving dish, provided it is oven-safe. This way, you can avoid removing them and risking collapse. It also makes it much simpler to cut off the top and hollow out the bowl for the chili.

Top with cheese, onions, and sour cream

Be sure to enhance your chili cornbread bowls for the ultimate presentation and flavor. Classic chili toppings complement the sweet and savory notes of cornbread beautifully, so don’t fret if some toppings spill over the bowl—it's all part of the charm of edible bowls! Traditional favorites like shredded cheese, onions, and sour cream are great choices, but you can spice things up with jalapeños or other peppers. Fresh additions like sliced avocado and diced tomatoes bring a refreshing touch, while chips add a satisfying crunch to every bite. There are countless ways to personalize your chili and make it uniquely yours.

Many of the same ingredients that taste great as mix-ins can also serve as toppings. Consider setting up a DIY topping bar, allowing everyone to customize their chili to their liking. Provide the bowls, prepare a variety of chili options, and arrange toppings in small self-serve bowls. The result? Custom cornbread bowls tailored to each person's taste!

Put them under the broiler

This technique involves preparing and serving your chili in an oven-safe dish, resulting in a truly impressive meal. By placing the bowls, filled with chili, under the broiler and adding a sprinkle of shredded cheese on top, you create a delicious, cheesy crust. If you plan to add other toppings, feel free to layer them on top of the melted cheese afterward. The delightful mix of sweet cornbread, hearty chili, melty cheese, and tasty toppings will make this a dish you'll eagerly anticipate.

It only takes a few moments, so stay close to the oven. The broiler emits high heat from above to brown and cook food. While it won't bake the cornbread from scratch, it will warm the dish, so handle it with care. Remove the bowls as soon as you notice the cheese bubbling and turning golden. Leaving them in for too long can lead to burnt cheese and dried-out cornbread, and it may even compromise the bowl's integrity, causing chili to spill and create a mess in the oven.

Get creative

Cornbread bowls offer endless possibilities beyond just chili. Once you’ve perfected the technique, let your creativity flow and explore new ways to savor cornbread bowls. You can fill them with stew, macaroni and cheese, or even chicken and rice.