Copycat Trader Joe's Cornbread Crisps Recipe

One treat that stole my heart—and likely yours—is the Trader Joe’s Cornbread Crisps. Perfectly sweet, salty, and satisfyingly crunchy, these little bites are everything you could want in a snack. But here’s the thing: they’re not always available, and when they are, they fly off the shelves faster than you can say “backstock.”

Table of Contents

How to make Trader Joe’s Cornbread Crisps

Trader Joe’s Cornbread Crisps are thin, crunchy snack crackers made from real cornbread that has been baked and crisped into bite-sized pieces.

Ingredients

For this recipe, we’ll use basic ingredients to mimic the sweet and salty flavor of Trader Joe’s Cornbread Crisps:

Cornmeal (medium grind): 1 cup
All-purpose flour: ½ cup
Sugar: 2 tablespoons (adjust based on desired sweetness)
Baking powder: 1 teaspoon
Salt: ½ teaspoon
Ground cumin or smoked paprika (optional): Pinch for an extra savory kick
Eggs: 2 large
Unsalted butter: 3 tablespoons, melted and cooled
Milk: ½ cup (or use buttermilk for added tang)

Instructions

Make the Cornbread Batter:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. If you’re adding spices like cumin or paprika, mix those in too.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, butter, and milk until smooth. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring until combined. You should have a slightly thicker-than-usual cornbread batter—if needed, add a splash of milk to adjust the consistency.

Bake Thin Cornbread Sheets:

Spread the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring an even, thin layer (about ¼ inch thick) across the surface. The thinner you spread the batter, the crispier your crisps will be!
Bake for 15–20 minutes or until lightly golden and firm to the touch. Let it cool completely before proceeding.

Cut and Roast for Crispiness:

Once cooled, carefully remove the cornbread sheet and place it on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the cornbread into bite-sized triangle or square shapes, mimicking the Trader Joe’s look.
Arrange the pieces on a fresh baking sheet in a single layer (don’t overcrowd them).
Roast the cut pieces in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until they turn golden brown and crispy.
Let the crisps cool completely on a wire rack for maximum crunch. Serve them solo, pair them with dips like hummus or pimento cheese, or enjoy them as a crunchy topping for chili or soups!

Pro Tips for Perfect Crisps

Aim for Thin Batter: The thinner your initial cornbread layer, the crispier the final product. Use an offset spatula for even spreading.
Add Cheese or Herbs: To get creative (and add flavor), sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, rosemary, or chili flakes onto the cornbread sheet before baking.
Experiment with Sweetness: Trader Joe’s Cornbread Crisps have a hint of sweetness, but you can dial it up or down depending on your preference. Add or reduce sugar accordingly.
Store Correctly: Keep the crisps in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days—they’ll stay crunchy and delicious.

What to serve with

Trader Joe’s Cornbread Crisps are incredibly versatile, making them more than just a standalone snack. Their sweet, slightly salty, and cornbread-like flavor pairs beautifully with a variety of dips, spreads, and dishes.

a. Savory Dips

Cornbread Crisps pair perfectly with savory dips because their slightly sweet flavor balances the saltiness and richness of these options:

Pimento Cheese: A classic Southern pairing. The creamy, cheesy, and tangy profile complements the crisps perfectly.
Spinach Artichoke Dip: The creaminess and earthy flavors of spinach and artichokes contrast wonderfully with the crispy cornbread base.
Hummus: Try roasted garlic or red pepper hummus for a flavor boost. The heartiness of the crisps adds a fun twist to this Mediterranean staple.
Guacamole: The creamy, zesty flavors of guacamole are elevated when paired with slightly sweet crisps instead of traditional tortilla chips.

b. Sweet Dips

Lean into the cornbread crisp’s natural sweetness with these complementary sweet spreads:

Honey Butter: Whip up a quick honey butter by combining softened butter and honey for a luxurious, sweet pairing.
Fruit Preserves or Jam: Apricot, peach, or raspberry jam adds a fruity burst of flavor that complements the slightly salty crisps.
Pumpkin Dip: Creamy pumpkin dips with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg are fall favorites that match the cornbread flavor perfectly.

Ingredients Substitutes

Recreating Trader Joe’s Cornbread Crisps at home is fun and customizable, and part of that flexibility comes from using substitutes for various ingredients.

1. Cornmeal Substitute

Cornmeal is the star ingredient for Cornbread Crisps, but if you don’t have it on hand or need a different texture, here are some substitutes to consider:

Polenta (Fine to Medium Grind): Polenta can easily replace cornmeal since it’s essentially the same ingredient but sometimes ground slightly coarser. Opt for a finer grind for a lighter and crispier texture.
Masa Harina: This Mexican corn flour has a slightly different flavor due to the nixtamalization process (softer and earthier), but it works well in this recipe.
Corn Flour: A finer grind of cornmeal, corn flour can work if you want a smoother batter, but you may lose a little of that signature gritty texture.
Grits: Regular or instant grits can be used in place of cornmeal, but grind them finer in a food processor beforehand for consistency.
Ground Oats: If you don’t have corn-based ingredients, finely ground oats can mimic the texture of cornmeal, although the flavor will be slightly different.

2. All-Purpose Flour Substitute

Flour provides structure and balance to the cornbread batter. You can replace it with several other options depending on your diet:

Whole Wheat Flour: Use in place of all-purpose flour if you’re looking for a healthier option. Keep in mind it has a slightly nuttier flavor and denser texture.
Gluten-Free Flour Mix: For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend available in most grocery stores. These blends are designed to mimic the properties of regular flour.
Almond Flour (or Nut-Based Flours): Almond flour adds a slightly nutty flavor and is a great gluten-free alternative. However, you may need to add an extra egg or a binder like xanthan gum to keep the batter cohesive.
Chickpea Flour (or Gram Flour): This gluten-free substitute adds a mild savory flavor to the crisps, which pairs well with the cornbread vibe.
Cornstarch with Oats: Blend equal parts cornstarch and ground oats for an easy homemade flour substitute that’s light and gluten-free.

3. Sugar Substitute

Sugar gives Cornbread Crisps their signature sweetness, but there are plenty of alternatives if you want to adjust the sugar content or avoid refined sugar:

Honey or Maple Syrup: Use 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup in place of 2 tablespoons of sugar. These add moisture and sweetness, though the batter may be slightly softer.
Brown Sugar: A richer, molasses-infused sweetness that works perfectly if you want a deeper flavor. Use an equal amount as the recipe’s sugar.
Coconut Sugar: A slightly less sweet, natural substitute that works well in a 1:1 ratio with granulated sugar.
Monk Fruit Sweetener or Stevia: For a low-carb, keto-friendly option, use monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Start with a small amount (they’re significantly sweeter than sugar) and adjust to taste.
Agave Nectar: A liquid sweetener alternative for refined sugar, but it will make the batter slightly wetter, so reduce the milk a touch.

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe’s Cornbread Crisps (or your homemade version!) are the ultimate multitasker.

More Trader Joe’s Recipes:

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Copycat Trader Joe’s Cornbread Crisps Recipe