Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits-Baked in a Skillet
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Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits baked in a cast iron skillet are buttery, soft biscuits with that classic cornbread flavor. Cooking in cast iron gives these a crisp outer edge with a soft, fluffy biscuit like center.
If you like baking in cast iron check out my recipes for Blueberry Butter Swim Biscuits or Cornmeal Biscuits baked in a cast iron skillet.

Homemade Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits are so easy to whip up with just a few basic pantry ingredients. These cast iron skillet Cornmeal Butter Swim Biscuits are made by adding biscuit batter to melted butter, then baked to golden perfection. This recipe is perfect for the beginning baker to the experienced chef. Serve with your favorite soup, breakfast, or bowl of chili.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
⭐️ Classic cornbread flavor
⭐️ Ready in just 20 minutes
⭐️ Buttery, biscuit taste
⭐️ Made with just a few ingredients
Why Cook in a Cast Iron Skillet
This butter swim biscuit recipe is for anyone looking to make an easy homemade biscuits. Cast iron is known for its heat retaining abilities, like its superpower, that helps cook foods evenly and make that perfect crispy crust that is so good on these cornmeal butter swim biscuits.
When seasoned correctly, cast iron has a lovely non-stick finish that also makes cleaning up a breeze. Who doesn’t love that?
For other Cast Iron Bread recipes check out my recipes for Homemade Cast Iron Bread, same day skillet focaccia, and homemade english muffins.

Ingredients for Skillet Cornbread Swimming In Butter Biscuits
This recipe comes together quick with just a few ingredients, things you probably already have on hand.
- Butter– unsalted butter is what was used to make this recipe, but salted will work as well.
- flour– all purpose flour
- cornmeal– fine ground yellow cornmeal
- baking powder– makes the biscuits puff up and rise with a soft, airy texture
- salt– balances out the flavor
- honey– adds just a touch of sweetness and that classic honey cornbread flavor
- buttermilk– reacts with the baking powder to help leaven the biscuits, an easy substitute for buttermilk is to mix 1 tablespoon vinegar with milk
⭐️ Full ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Easy Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits
I’m obsessed with my regular butter swim biscuit recipe, so I had to test out how biscuits made with cornmeal would turn out, and let me tell you these are delicious!! I think I might prefer these to a slice of good old cornbread.
- Melt the butter– while the oven is heating to 425º F, place the butter into a 10.25 inch cast iron skillet and allow to melt in the oven as it heats up. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t brown.

- Make the batter– in a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and honey. Pour in the buttermilk and stir with a wooden spoon until the batter is mixed, don’t over mix the batter. It will be lumpy, not smooth. Pour the batter evenly into the skillet with the melted butter.

- Bake– just before baking use a knife or pastry scrapper to slice the biscuits into squares. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve– serve with butter, honey butter, or your favorite jam.

Storage and Freezing
- Countertop– store in an airtight container, or zip top bag on the counter for up to 3 days. I do not recommend storing in the skillet.
- Refrigerator– these can be stored in the refrigerator in a container or zip top bag for 1 week, cool completely before storing.
- Freezer– freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
Recipe Tips and Questions
- Can I use self-rising flour or cornmeal? Yes, however, you will need to omit the baking powder and salt from the recipe as the self-rising flour/cornmeal already contains these ingredients.
- What if I don’t have a cast iron skillet? No problem, these can be baked in a 9 inch or 7 x 11 inch baking pan. Just follow the recipe as written.
- the biscuits are done when the top is golden brown and the biscuits are soft and bounce back to the touch.
- if you feel the biscuits are not done, but are already browned on top, place a piece of foil over the pan to finish baking.

Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuit Serving Suggestions
- serve warm with butter, honey, or jam
- bake as a side dish to eat with grilled chicken, a bowl of warm soup or chili
- make for breakfast with scrambled eggs and bacon to make breakfast sandwiches
⭐️After you give this recipe a try please come back and leave me a review! I would love to hear how it turned out for you! ⭐️
Cornbread Butter Swim Biscuits-Baked in a Skillet
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 3/4 cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat and Melt the ButterPreheat your oven to 450°F. Place 1/2 cup butter directly into a 10.25-inch cast iron skillet and transfer it to the oven to melt as it preheats. Watch it closely so it doesn't brown.
- Mix the Cornbread DoughIn a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all purpose flour, 1 cup cornmeal, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt. Stir in 2 tablespoons honey and 1 3/4 cup buttermilk, mixing just until a lumpy dough forms (do not overmix).
- Slice and BakePour the batter evenly over the melted butter in your hot skillet. Use a knife or bench scraper to pre-slice the dough into equal squares, then bake for 15–20 minutes until the tops are golden brown and spring back to the touch.
Notes
- Nutrition facts are just an estimate of the ingredients listed
- If you don’t own a cast iron skillet, this recipe can be baked in a 9 inch square baking dish or a 9 inch round cake pan.








