Sweet & Cheesy Vegan Thyme Cornbread (Gluten Free)
Today we are making a Sweet & Cheesy Vegan Thyme Cornbread (Gluten Free)! If you’re looking for a comforting, gluten-free, and dairy-free version of sweet cornbread, this recipe has you covered! Cornbread is a timeless favorite, known for its slightly crumbly texture and rich, golden flavor. Whether you’re enjoying it alongside a hearty bowl of chili, a summer BBQ, or just on its own, this sweet cornbread brings warmth and nostalgia to every bite. Plus, it’s made with wholesome ingredients that are safe for gluten and dairy sensitivities, so everyone can enjoy.
What makes this sweet cornbread extra special is its perfect balance of sweetness and moist, fluffy texture. It’s made with gluten-free cornmeal, which gives it that authentic, rustic feel, and a bit of dairy-free milk to keep it soft and tender. With a touch of sweetness from either maple syrup or honey, this cornbread offers a light, golden crust and a soft, crumbly interior. It’s the perfect mix of slightly sweet and savory, which makes it versatile enough to pair with savory dishes or enjoy as a simple snack.
Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or just whipping up a batch for a weekday dinner, this gluten-free and dairy-free cornbread is a crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to prepare, bakes quickly, and will make your kitchen smell amazing as it turns golden in the oven. Plus, no one will guess it’s allergen-friendly, so feel free to impress your guests with this delicious, worry-free treat!
Why You’ll Love This Sweet & Cheesy Cornbread Recipe
Versatile for Sweet or Savory Pairings: Whether you’re serving it with a savory soup or chili, or enjoying it on its own with a drizzle of honey or vegan butter, this sweet cornbread is incredibly versatile. The gentle sweetness allows it to complement a wide variety of dishes, making it a must-have recipe for any occasion!
Great for Holidays and Gatherings: Cornbread is a classic addition to holiday meals and potlucks, and this gluten-free, dairy-free version ensures that guests with dietary restrictions won’t feel left out. Its beautiful golden color and irresistible flavor make it the perfect crowd-pleaser for any gathering.
Substitutions
Cornmeal: For the best texture, opt for fine or medium-grind gluten-free cornmeal. Coarser cornmeal will give your cornbread a grittier feel, which some may enjoy, but finer cornmeal results in a smoother, more tender crumb.
Cashew Milk: Swap in another non-dairy milk, such as plain soy milk, almond milk or oat milk.
Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Bob’s Red Mill brand makes a great blend of gluten-free all-purpose flour to use in this recipe. Do not substitute this blend with another flour.
Xylitol: Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol used as a sweetener. It’s found in small amounts in many fruits and vegetables, and also in baking. It’s lower on the glycemic index as compared to regular sugar, and is considered a non-refined sweetener.
You can swap in regular white sugar as well. If using white sugar and you want the recipe to be 100% vegan, look for white sugar that is specifically vegan. Due to bone char being used in the processing steps of most white sugars, they wouldn’t technically be vegan.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Avocado oil can work as a neutral-flavored oil.
Chia Seeds: Use flax seeds, chia meal (chia seed powder) or flax meal (flax seed powder).
Sweet Thyme Cornbread Recipe Notes
- This salad tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge, which makes it perfect to make ahead!
- Drizzle pure maple syrup for a sweeter bread, or vegan butter for a savory version!
More Recipes You’ll Love
Garlic Butter & Caper Roasted Cauliflower
Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potato & Butternut Squash
Cheese & Potato Pierogies in Tomato Sauce (Vegan)
If you make this Gluten-Free Sweet & Cheesy Vegan Thyme Cornbread, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!
Sweet & Cheesy Vegan Thyme Cornbread (Gluten Free)
Equipment
- 8×8-Inch Square or 9×7-Inch Rectangular Baking Tray
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 3 tbsp warm water
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1 cup fine yellow cornmeal
- ⅔ cup xylitol
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp pink salt
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup cashew milk
- 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- extra oil for greasing the pan
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease the baking tray and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together the chia seeds and water. Let it sit for 15 minutes to form a "chia egg."
- Whisk flour, cornmeal, xylitol, baking powder, salt, nutritional yeast, thyme and oregano together in a large bowl.
- When the chia egg is ready, mix the 1 cup of milk, 6 tbsp of oil and the chia egg into the dry mixture until smooth. Do not overmix.
- Evenly pour into the greased pan. Bake for around 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the pan comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven. Cut into 12 pieces and enjoy with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of vegan butter!
Notes
-
Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
