Moist & Fluffy Sweet Potato Cornbread brings the comfort of Southern kitchens straight to your table. This isn’t your average cornbread—it’s slightly sweet, incredibly moist, and delicately spiced, with a soft crumb that practically melts in your mouth. The sweet potato adds both moisture and a subtle earthiness, making it a perfect companion to chili, soups, or even a drizzle of honey for a cozy breakfast.
If you’ve never tried sweet potato in your cornbread, this is your sign. It transforms the texture, gives a warm color, and balances beautifully with the cornmeal. Whether you bake it in a skillet or a pan, this cornbread turns out golden, tender, and just sweet enough to stand out without overpowering your meal.
What Makes Sweet Potato Cornbread So Good?
Sweet Potato Cornbread stands out because of the natural sweetness and creaminess the sweet potatoes bring to the table. It adds a depth of flavor that pairs well with savory dishes but is equally satisfying on its own. It’s also a great way to use up leftover mashed sweet potatoes, and a brilliant option for holiday meals or Sunday dinner.
You can bake it in a cast iron skillet for those crisp edges or in a classic baking dish for soft, evenly baked squares. Either way, the sweet potatoes ensure a moist bite every time.

Ingredients for the Moist & Fluffy Sweet Potato Cornbread
- Sweet Potatoes: The star of the recipe, these add sweetness, moisture, and a velvety texture to the cornbread.
- Cornmeal: Provides that signature gritty texture and golden flavor we all expect from cornbread.
- All-Purpose Flour: Balances the cornmeal and helps give the bread its soft structure.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Essential for rise and lightness.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a caramel-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with sweet potato.
- Salt & Cinnamon: Enhance and round out the flavors.
- Eggs: For structure and binding.
- Buttermilk: Gives the cornbread a tender crumb and slight tang.
- Melted Butter: Adds richness and flavor throughout.
How To Make the Moist & Fluffy Sweet Potato Cornbread
Step 1: Prep the Sweet Potatoes
Start by roasting or boiling your sweet potatoes until tender. Once cooled, mash them until smooth. You’ll need about one cup of mashed sweet potato.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and a pinch of cinnamon. This creates the base of your cornbread.
Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, mix the mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter until smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Don’t overmix—a few lumps are fine. The batter will be thick and creamy.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish or cast iron skillet and pour in the batter, smoothing the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Allow the cornbread to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with butter, honey, or alongside your favorite savory dishes.
How to Serve and Store Sweet Potato Cornbread
Serve this cornbread warm from the oven with a generous swipe of salted butter, a drizzle of honey, or even maple syrup for a sweet touch. It’s a dream alongside a steaming bowl of chili, collard greens, or roasted turkey.
For storing, let the cornbread cool completely. Wrap slices individually in foil or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or a warm oven to bring back the fluffiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned sweet potatoes?
Yes! Just make sure to drain and mash them thoroughly. Avoid using candied yams, which come in syrup.
What can I substitute for buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk, use regular milk with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using.
Can I make this cornbread gluten-free?
Absolutely. Swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Why is my cornbread dry?
Overbaking is usually the culprit. Keep an eye on it around the 25-minute mark and check for doneness with a toothpick.
Can I make this into muffins?
Yes! Spoon the batter into a greased or lined muffin tin and bake at the same temperature for 15–18 minutes.
Is this sweet enough to serve as dessert?
It has a subtle sweetness, but if you want to turn it into a dessert, try serving it with whipped cream and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Want More Cornbread & Cozy Bake Ideas?
If this Sweet Potato Cornbread hits the spot, here are a few other comforting recipes you might love:
- Cinnamon Sweet Alabama Pecanbread is a soft, nutty dream with a cozy cinnamon hug.
- Amish Applesauce Cake brings wholesome sweetness and rich spice to your dessert table.
- Easy Pumpkin Muffins offer fluffy, seasonal flavor perfect for fall mornings.
- Old Fashioned Egg Custard Pie delivers silky-smooth comfort in every bite.
- Condensed Milk Snow Cookies for a melt-in-your-mouth treat to round out any meal.
Save This Pin + Share Your Results
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest baking board so it’s always on hand when the craving hits.
And I’d love to hear how it turned out! Did you go full skillet-style or opt for pan-baked squares? Did you add nuts, spices, or even a drizzle of honey butter?
Drop a comment and share your twist. Questions welcome too—let’s make every batch better, together!
👉 For more cozy, homemade recipes just like this, check out my daily cooking posts on Pinterest at Life with Jam.

Moist & Fluffy Sweet Potato Cornbread
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 slices
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This sweet potato cornbread is moist, fluffy, and packed with rich flavor. Sweet potatoes add natural sweetness and softness to each bite, making this recipe the perfect side for savory dishes—or even a stand-alone treat with a bit of butter and honey.
Ingredients
1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 large eggs
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup melted butter
Instructions
1. Roast or boil sweet potatoes until soft. Cool, peel, and mash until smooth.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In a separate bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter. Mix until smooth.
4. Pour wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish or cast iron skillet.
6. Pour batter into the dish and smooth the top evenly.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with butter or honey.
Notes
Don’t overmix the batter; it should be slightly lumpy for the fluffiest result.
Bake in a cast iron skillet for crispy edges and a rustic finish.
Let it rest after baking so the crumb can set without becoming dry.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg


