Easy Southern Hoecakes Recipe

🥞 Easy Southern Hoecakes Recipe

Crispy around the edges, tender in the middle, and delicious with butter or honey, Southern hoecakes are a simple cornmeal favorite.

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar — optional
• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup buttermilk
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 2–4 tbsp water, as needed
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil or butter for the skillet

👩‍🍳 Directions

1. Combine dry ingredients: Mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
2. Add wet ingredients: Stir in the egg, buttermilk, and melted butter.
3. Adjust consistency: Add water a tablespoon at a time until you have a thick but spoonable batter.
4. Rest: Let the batter sit for about 5 minutes.
5. Heat the skillet: Place a cast-iron skillet over medium heat and add a thin layer of oil.
6. Cook: Drop about 2 tablespoons of batter into the skillet for each hoecake. Gently flatten.
7. Flip: Cook for about 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp around the edges.
8. Serve: Transfer to a plate and serve hot with butter, honey, maple syrup, or alongside savory Southern dishes.

⭐ For the crispiest hoecakes

Use a well-heated cast-iron skillet, keep the cakes relatively thin, and don’t overcrowd the pan.

Tip: Southern hoecake recipes vary. Some traditional versions use mostly cornmeal and water, while others include flour, egg, and buttermilk—so feel free to adjust the recipe to your preferred texture.