I love cornbread. I've stated this before and it's fairly apparent in that I've used cornbread in salads and in pancake/waffle form. Cornmeal is always in my pantry and during chili making months, there's usually a piece with a slab of butter near by. This recipe is a bit of a mash-up with summer flavors. Cornbread is wonderful with fresh sweet corn and I can never get enough tomatoes during the month of July.
This sweet corn bread also features another pantry staple of mine: za'atar. I use this blend quite a bit and it is also amazing with the summer flavors. I'm so obsessed that this is just one of three recipes I'll be sharing in the next month that uses za'atar. But really, I'm just trying to convince you to keep a small stash of sumac on hand.
PrintZa'atar Tomatoes with Sweet Corn Bread
This corn bread is a riff on the recipe I traditionally use but I've halved the recipe in order to create a thin, base layer for the tomatoes. It's the perfect appetizer but I'd also suggest it for lunch!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Cuisine: appetizer
Ingredients
Tomatoes:
- 2 cups mixed cherry tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon za’atar
Cornbread:
- ¼ cup white wheat flour
- ¼ cup cornmeal
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or non-flavored oil, plus extra for melting
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup fresh corn kernels
For Serving:
- Olive oil, for serving
- Parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400˚F. Halve the tomatoes and place in a roasting pan or sheet tray. Roast for 18 to 20 minutes, until the tomatoes have softened and are starting to brown. Remove from oven and toss roasted tomatoes with za’atar.
- Place an 8” cast iron skillet, with 2 teaspoons butter, in the oven until the butter has melted. In a bowl, combine the flour with the cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, honey, melted butter, and milk. Pour into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the the corn.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and swirl the butter around the skillet. Pour the cornbread mix into the pan and return to oven. Bake for 15 minutes or until set and golden.
- Take the cornbread and cut it into wedges. Top with tomato mixture and sprinkle with parsley and olive oil before serving.
Notes
Tips & Tricks: You could make the cornbread ahead of time and top with the hot tomatoes. You could also use this recipe to serve a few more people but I recommend doubling the amount of tomatoes.
Stock up: get the pantry ingredients you will need: tomatoes, olive oil, sweet corn
Nutrition: see the information.
Nutrition
- Calories: 199
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 225
- Fat: 9.4
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4.7
- Cholesterol: 48
Sweet Corn Bread
variations
I created this as a kind of backyard appetizer but truth is, we've eaten this for lunch too. I like to bulk it up a bit more when we're having this as a meal but there are a few really nice ways to jazz it up.
Cheese/Egg Topping: I resisted having the core recipe container either of these items but this is how I like to make it a meal. Feta, added to the tomatoes, is amazing. However, I prefer a slice or two of fried halloumi or a poached egg.
Vegetables: Feel free to add a few more summer favorites. Roasted zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, and sweet corn are all wonderful with the za'atar blend.
Vegan: Make your favorite vegan cornbread recipe- I like this one but I usually use a nut milk.
Explore Tomatoes
Seasons are changing. As fall and winter approach, it's easy to jump into the excitement of fall produce. However, I hang on to tomatoes for as long as I can! By the time it's December, I'll be missing the fresh, just-off-the-vine taste. So, if you're still swimming in tomatoes, a few other recipes to make before the season ends:
Fried Polenta with Tomatoes and Feta
Za'atar Roasted Tomatoes
Oat Crepes with Tomatoes, Basil, and Goat Cheese
Shea says
This looks incredibly delicious and healthy! Cannot wait to try this out, thanks for the share. Love reading your blog!
Maria says
I have only recently started using za'atar in anything other than middle eastern style dishes and I have to say, it is mighty fantastic. This is a very clever idea. I love that you served it over corn bread. Well, I may or may not love anything served over cornbread lol!
Chris says
Hi! Can I sub all purpose white flour for the wheat flour? Thanks!
Erin Alderson says
Yes!
Sabrina says
thank you! I also love cornbread and love the idea of the waffle version too, so thank you for that too, but this to me is a perfect summer dish and again, great excuse for cornbread!
Emma says
This turned out so good! Made it for breakfast for my boyfriend and I along with some sauteed spinach and poached eggs. So so so good. Will definitely make in the future.
Sandy says
Should the tomatoes be tossed with olive oil before roasting?
Erin Alderson says
Honestly, I sometimes do and sometimes don't. Usually the tomatoes have enough liquid that the olive oil isn't needed. I didn't for this particular recipe.
Marie says
This looks absolutely lovely ! I am obsessed with za'atar as well ? Just one question : when do you add the fresh corn in the recipe ?
Thanks x
Erin Alderson says
Second step- last line! I fold it into the batter!
Joanna says
Great recipe! It is a surprising taste, perfect blend between sweet and savory, filling with energy for the rest of the day. I used "regular" tomatoes as I am trying to go through what is already in our fridge/pantry and they worked great.