My Jiffy cheesy cornbread recipe is easy and delicious! Made with corn muffin mix, adding sharp cheddar cheese gives it a tangy flavor, while sour cream keeps it moist, giving this southern classic a tender texture and cheesy flavor. Half of the cheddar is mixed into the cornbread batter, while the other half is sprinkled on top to create a golden brown, bubbly, and slightly crispy cheese crust. Best of all, this old-fashioned cheesy Jiffy cornbread comes together quickly and only takes 25 minutes to bake. With its combination of sweet corn, tangy cheddar, and contrasting soft and crispy textures, this easy cornbread is a delicious side dish for soup, stew, chili, collard greens, or a holiday dinner. If you want to learn how to make Jiffy cheesy cornbread, follow my step-by-step directions and watch the video below!
Jiffy Cheesy Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1 8.5 oz box Jiffy corn muffin mix
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese (4 oz mixed into the cornbread batter / 4 oz sprinkled on top)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (120g)
- 1/3 cup milk (80g)
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter
- 2 Tablespoons oil
Instructions
- Grease an 8x8-inch casserole dish.
- Melt 2 Tablespoons of butter, then set it aside to cool down.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Divide the 8 oz of shredded cheese in half, then set the cheese aside.
- Add the Jiffy corn muffin mix to a large mixing bowl and break up any large clumps.
- Add the milk, melted butter, oil, sour cream, 4 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and egg. Mix until everything is thoroughly combined. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl while mixing so that no dry cornmeal remains underneath.
- Pour the batter evenly into the greased 8x8-inch casserole dish and smooth the top.
- Sprinkle the remaining 4 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the batter.
- Bake uncovered at 400°F for 25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden brown and bubbly and the cornbread is cooked through.
- Allow the cornbread to cool for a minimum of 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Recipe Review
I really liked how this Jiffy cheesy cornbread turned out. The sharp cheddar flavor was definitely there, giving the cornbread a tangy, savory taste that worked especially well with the natural sweetness of the corn. I also liked that the cheese didn’t completely overpower the cornbread itself—the sweet corn and tangy cheddar were both prominent and worked together in perfect harmony. Also, as seen in my Jiffy cornbread with sour cream recipe, the sour cream in this version added a nice richness and helped keep the cornbread soft and moist without making it mushy or waterlogged.
I also thought the flavor balance was excellent. The combination of sweet corn, salty cheddar, and tangy sour cream gave this Jiffy cornbread much more flavor than you would expect from a boxed corn muffin mix. If you like foods with contrasting sweet and savory flavors, this is definitely a version worth trying.
The texture was another highlight. The inside was soft, moist, and tender, while the cheese on top became golden brown and bubbly, with some slightly crispy edges. I especially liked the contrast between the soft cornbread underneath and the browned cheese crust on top. It gave the cornbread a little bit of crunch without taking away from its tender texture.
I also loved how easy this recipe was to make. Since it starts with Jiffy corn muffin mix, there is very little prep work involved, and everything can be mixed together in one bowl before being poured into the casserole dish. The cornbread also only needs about 25 minutes in the oven, making this a particularly convenient side dish when you don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking.
Although I think the recipe has plenty of sweetness as written, you could experiment with adding a small amount of sugar if you wanted to make the contrast between the sweet corn and tangy cheddar even more noticeable. I considered trying 1 tablespoon of white sugar, but honestly, I don’t think it’s necessary—the finished cornbread already has a very nice balance of flavors.
This recipe would also be easy to customize. You could add jalapeños for some heat, or try other mix-ins such as bacon bits or green onions. In fact, Jennifer Locklin of Jennifer Cooks made green chile and cheese cornbread muffins that look fantastic, so the creative possibilities are endless! However, if you want a simple cheesy cornbread that lets the corn and cheddar flavors shine, I wouldn’t change anything.
Overall, this was a 20/10 success! This is easily the best version of Jiffy cornbread I’ve made so far, and I honestly wouldn’t change anything about the recipe. The combination of sweet corn, tangy cheddar, moist and tender cornbread, and the slightly crispy cheese on top makes this a delicious side dish for soup, stew, chili, collard greens, or a holiday dinner. It’s even substantial enough to serve as part of a meatless meal. If you’re looking for an easy way to turn a box of Jiffy corn muffin mix into something extra flavorful, I think you’ll really enjoy this cheesy cornbread!
Jiffy Cheesy Cornbread FAQs
Yes! You can add cheese to Jiffy cornbread mix. While following the directions on the box is fine, Jiffy corn muffin mix is a convenient base for a variety of mix-ins—including shredded cheese.
Adding cheese gives Jiffy cornbread a savory, tangy flavor that contrasts nicely with the natural sweetness of the corn. If you like foods with a lot of contrasting flavors—sweet, savory, and tangy—then you’ll love Jiffy cornbread with cheese.
Sharp cheddar is my favorite cheese for southern-style Jiffy cornbread because its tangy flavor provides a nice contrast to the sweetness of the corn. You can also experiment with other cheeses, such as mozzarella, cottage cheese, or even processed cheese products like Cheese Whiz, depending on the texture and flavor you want.
8 ounces is the total amount, divided between 4 ounces mixed into the batter and 4 ounces sprinkled on top. This is enough to give the cornbread a good cheesy flavor throughout, as well as slight crispiness from the browned cheese on top, without overwhelming the corn flavor.
No—”Jiffy cornbread with cheese” generally refers to a moister, more tender cornbread with shredded cheese added to the batter and sprinkled on top. On the other hand, “Jiffy cornbread casserole” typically includes shredded cheese along with creamed corn and corn kernels, making it even moister and softer while giving it extra corn flavor.
Bake this Jiffy cheesy cornbread uncovered at 400°F for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden brown and bubbly and the cornbread is cooked through. All ovens are different, so I’d check it at the 20-minute mark to see if it’s done.
This recipe makes 6 standard servings of cornbread. If you wanted to use the cheesy cornbread as the main part of a meal, you could cut it into 4 very large slices.
Yes. You can bake this cheesy Jiffy cornbread as muffins instead of in an 8×8-inch casserole dish. Divide the batter evenly among a greased or lined muffin pan, top each with shredded cheese, and then bake until the cheese on top is melted, browned, and bubbly and the muffins are cooked through. The exact baking time will depend on the size of the muffins, so begin checking them after about 15 minutes.
Yes! You can add both cheese and corn to Jiffy cornbread mix for additional corn flavor, sweetness, and texture. A drained 15.25-ounce can of whole-kernel corn is a traditional option, or you can use about 2 cups of thawed frozen corn. If using canned corn, make sure to drain it well before adding it to the batter.
Yes. There are plenty of ways to customize cheesy Jiffy cornbread. Sour cream, which I use in this recipe, adds moisture and tenderness, while jalapeños can add heat. In addition to bacon bits or green onions, the Jiffy website has a recipe for cornbread with green chiles and Monterey Jack cheese that looks absolutely delicious.
Other Jiffy Cornbread Recipes
If you like Jiffy cornbread variations, be sure to try:
Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream – This version is super moist and tender.
Jiffy Cornbread with Creamed Corn – Cream-style corn not only enhances the corn flavor but also makes it soft and moist.
Jiffy Cornbread Taco Casserole – With cheesy Jiffy on the top and seasoned taco meat, beans, and vegetables underneath, this one-dish casserole is a great southern and Tex-Mex fusion dish.
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