Skip to Content

How to Fix Undercooked Cornbread (Plus 4 Causes)

How to Fix Undercooked Cornbread (Plus 4 Causes)

Share this post:

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one of these links and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. In addition, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Freshly baked cornbread is such a delight. It has a crispy golden brown crust on the surface and a soft, thick texture within, which makes it delicious. However, it can be hard to determine when the cornbread is ready due to its appearance.

The cornbread can seem done from the outside. However, if you cut into it, you might discover that it needs more time in the oven as it isn’t entirely cooked.

Don’t worry; you can salvage the undercooked cornbread easily. In this article, we’ll show you how to fix undercooked cornbread. Let’s dive right in.

How to Fix Undercooked Cornbread

You may fix undercooked cornbread by putting it back in the oven for an additional few minutes. However, this only applies when the bread’s exterior may appear fully baked, yet its interior may still be gooey.

If the top is brown and the middle hasn’t finished cooking, cover the bread with foil. The cover prevents the crust from burning while enabling the inside to bake well.

Follow these instructions to reheat the cornbread:

  1. Inspect the consistency of your batter. If there is a lot of fluid, it will remain moist and not cooked well. If that’s the case, you can add more dry ingredients, such as flour and cornmeal, to balance the batter’s consistency.
  2. Set the oven’s temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
  3. Put the cornbread on a cookie or baking sheet.
  4. To prevent the top from burning, wrap the bread with aluminum foil.
  5. Put the cornbread in the oven and set the timer for 10 to 15 minutes.

You can use the par-bake method if you can’t re-bake the cornbread at the moment. Par-baking is half-baking a cornbread, then freezing it for storage.

To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Make sure that the cornbread is only half-baked
  2. Let the cornbread cool down. After that, securely cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer
  3. Leave the cornbread to thaw in the refrigerator a day before you intend to serve it
  4. Once you’re ready, begin baking the loaf for around 15 minutes

How Can You Tell When the Cornbread Is Done?

Cornbread in the Oven

Typically, the batter for cornbread needs to bake for at least 10 to 20 minutes. It should remain on the pan after baking for an additional ten minutes to harden as it starts to cool.

When you remove the cornbread out of the oven, the middle will be a little crumbly. However, if you leave it in the pan for a while, the cornbread’s center will solidify.

It can be hard to determine when cornbread is ready, as it usually needs to have a moist consistency. Additionally, the top should turn into a crisp golden brown and maybe a little cracked.

If the cornbread breaks apart when you pick it up, that means it’s not done cooking. Using a toothpick is a common method to determine if the cornbread is done. It’s a simple procedure.

Place a toothpick in the middle of the cornbread. If you remove the toothpick and it’s clean with no batter, that means it’s ready.

Why Is My Cornbread Undercooked?

Having undercooked cornbread could be frustrating. There are some causes for that, including oven temperature and batter issues.

The following are some of the most common causes of undercooked cornbread:

1 – Not Checking if the Cornbread Is Done

It’s possible that you took the cornbread out of the oven before it was fully cooked. Therefore, you should always check to see if it’s finished before removing it.

One way to test the cornbread is by using the toothpick method we mentioned earlier. Another way is to use a digital cooking thermometer.

The interior should be between 195 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. However, several factors can influence the readings, such as the size of the skillet and the oven settings.

2 – An Issue With the Batter

Cornbread Batter in a Cast Iron Skillet

Essentially, the batter turns into cornbread. Therefore, if there’s a problem with it, the cornbread may not be of good quality.

Baking powder boosts cornbread’s rising potential. The rising of the cornbread is important as the longer it rises, the more flavor the cornbread will have. Additionally, it gives it a fluffier texture.

If the batter isn’t prepared properly, it could turn out dense, dry, and undercooked. Therefore, allow the batter to rest for 15 to 20 minutes before cooking to ensure that it will be perfect.

The time will allow the baking powder to activate and absorb more air, which will prevent the dry texture you’re afraid of.

Once you’re ready, pour the batter into the skillet. Make sure to distribute the batter gently to have a smooth surface.

3 – Unbalanced Flour Measurements

Sometimes, the measurements of the flour can be off. This may affect the consistency of the cornbread. Therefore, it can turn overly moist and cause a mushy, uncooked cornbread.

For the best results, you can use these measurements:

  • One cup of all-purpose flour
  • One cup of cornmeal
  • One cup of milk
  • One large egg
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup cooking oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon of salt
  • Four tablespoons of baking powder

4 – Oven Temperature

The oven temperature greatly affects the quality of the cornbread you’re baking. You can wind up with cornbread that doesn’t rise much if your oven isn’t hot enough.

If your oven is too hot, your cornbread may only bake on the surface before the core finishes cooking.

The best way to go about this is to preheat the oven beforehand. You may need to let the oven warm for up to an hour to reach the appropriate temperature.

Once ready, you can start cooking your cornbread.

Final Thoughts

When baking cornbread, it might be difficult to gauge when it’s ready to serve. Usually, the outside could indicate that it’s thoroughly cooked.

However, when you cut it, you discover that the cornbread needs more time to bake.

There are two ways to fix undercooked cornbread. The first method is to reheat the dish in the oven for a short time while wrapping it in tin foil.

The second method is to par-bake the cornbread. You can also insert a toothpick in the center of your cornbread to determine whether you can take it out from the oven or not.

If it comes out gooey, that means it needs a little more to bake. If nothing is sticking to the toothpick, it means it’s done, and your delicious cornbread is ready to be served.

Share this post:

Sabine

Wednesday 19th of October 2022

Thanks for sharing your recipe and tips. My cornmeal is almost always undercooked and I'm determined to perfect my cornbread this autumn. I'm a little nervous about using 4 tablespoons of baking powder and typically use 1-2 teaspoons myself, but I'm willing to give your recipe a try.