This johnny cakes recipe, aka hoe cakes, makes fluffy, flavorful cornmeal pancakes that are perfect for breakfast or for topping with savory ingredients. So delicious!
Johnny Cakes Recipe
We're cooking up southern Johnny Cakes in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen today, my friends. Would you care for one? If you've never tried Johnny Cakes, you're in for a special treat.
These cornmeal pancakes are absolutely delicious, and I think you're going to love them.
What are Johnny Cakes?
Johnny Cakes are basically pancakes made with cornmeal, giving them a distinctive corn flavor. They go by different names depending on where you find them, such as hoe cakes, journey cakes, Shawnee cakes, johnny bread, cornmeal flatbread and others.
They originate in early America with native Americans and are served in different parts of the world, from the American south to Jamaica.
I see johnny cakes on menus all over the south, where they are widely popular. They're often served as a side, though many enjoy them for breakfast. Recipes in my Jamaican cookbooks use only flour and skip the cornmeal. I particularly love the cornmeal version, as it makes the flavor more distinctive.
Patty and I love to use them as a base and top them with meats, like pulled pork or pulled chicken. Pour over a bit of sauce or gravy and boom! Big flavor right there. They're a blank slate for the spicy food lover.
As with any recipe, you'll find variations from place to place and cook to cook, with different ingredients added in, different thickness of batter and more. Consider this as a base recipe that you can easily vary up in creative ways.
Let's talk about how to make Johnny Cakes, shall we?
Johnny Cakes Ingredients
- Flour. All-purpose flour is best for this recipe.
- Cornmeal.
- Baking Powder.
- Salt.
- Eggs.
- Buttermilk. You can use milk instead. Whole milk is great.
- Water.
- Oil. For cooking. You can use any fat, like bacon fat, lard, melted butter. Use your preference.
How to Make Johnny Cakes - the Recipe Method
Mix Dry Ingredients. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, salt and baking powder until combined.
Make the Johnny Cake Batter. Stir in the beaten eggs, buttermilk or milk and water. Mix until you have a thick batter. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes to let the wet ingredients hydrate the dry ingredients.
Cook the Johnny Cakes. Heat a bit of vegetable oil in a large cast iron pan or frying pan to medium heat. Add 1/4 cup johnny cake batter to the pan and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side.
Repeat! Remove the johnny cakes from the pan and set them onto a baking sheet or plate. Repeat with the remaining batter until all the batter is used up. Add more oil to the pan as needed. Serve hot!
Makes about 10 thick johnny cakes.
Boom! Done! Johnny cakes are ready to serve. What do you think? They look so inviting, don't they? I just want to eat them all up again. So delicious with their distinctive corn flavor.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Thinner Johnny Cakes. This recipe makes thick, fluffy johnny cakes. You can make them thinner by thinning out the batter with a bit more milk or water, up to 1/2 cup or more. This makes them more like corn crepes.
- Recipe Variations. You can easily include other ingredients to change the flavor of your johnny cakes. Add vanilla, sugar or honey for sweetness, spices like nutmeg or chili powder, melted butter for richness. Make an extra spicy version, my chilihead friends. I know you want to!
- Cheesy Johnny Cakes. Try adding shredded cheese to the batter before cooking for cheesy johnny cakes. They're so good! I love these as appetizers or snacks. You can easily add in 1 cup of shredded cheese or more. They're a bit like cheesy cornbread waffles this way.
- Serving Ideas. Most people serve their johnny cakes with butter and maple syrup. This is great for breakfast, but we love to use them as a base. Top them with pulled pork or a spicy curry, or serve them alongside soups or stews to sop up the gravy. Make small johnny cakes and top them creatively for easy appetizers or party treats.
- Can I Make Johnny Cakes without Masarepa? Yes, you can, though the flavor may be different. Try using the following recipe, given to me by an avid visitor here. Thanks, Jérémie!
Masarepa Substitute
- 1 1/2 cups masa harina
- 1/4 cup coconut flour or almond flour
- 1/4 cup gluten-free flour or arrowroot starch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Storage & Leftovers
You can make johnny cakes ahead of time and keep them covered in the refrigerator for a couple days. Easily reheat them in a hot pan or in the oven to serve.
You can also freeze them in an airtight container for a month or longer. Reheat and you're good to go.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this johnny cakes recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. Keep it spicy!
Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Johnny Cakes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour use all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- Salt to taste I use 1/2 teaspoon
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 cup buttermilk or use milk - use more for thinner johnny cakes
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons oil or use butter or lard
Instructions
- Mix together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
- Stir in the beaten eggs, buttermilk or milk and water. Mix until you have a thick batter. Let the batter rest for 5 minutes to hydrate the dry ingredients.
- Heat a bit of oil in a large pan to medium heat. Add 1/4 cup johnny cake batter to the pan and cook 5 minutes per side, or until they are nicely browned.
- Remove the johnny cakes from the pan and repeat until all the batter is used up. Add more oil to the pan as needed. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Lee says
Gave me an idea, where I changed it a bit. 1/2 c. Waffle/pancake mix, 1/2 c. SR cornmeal, no bake pwd., 1 egg, 1/2 cup milk, 1 top. Ghee, and a dash of reaper pwd. And cooked them in a waffle iron. Came out great, firm, fully cooked "Johnny Hoe Waffles". Topped with butter, pecans and apple sauce! Yummy. Next time gonna add some cinnamon.
Mike H. says
Love it. Glad you've customized it to your liking, Lee!
David Lilly says
I don't quite understand the
"Masarepa Substitute"
1 1/2 cups masa harina
1/4 cup coconut flour or almond flour
1/4 cup gluten-free flour or arrowroot starch
1 teaspoon baking powder
What is preferred: Cornmeal / Masarepa (Pan) / Masa Harina?
Really digging the arepas, just wanting to try this twist...
Mike H. says
Hey, David. I would use masa harina for the substitute. There is more info on it here.
Vicki says
This is my go to recipe from now on. My family really enjoy them so much. We do breakfast for dinner at times (brinner) and these are perfect! I like to use a buttermilk powder and water with mine in place of milk. They are so fluffy. Thank you for the recipe. It takes me back to when all my kids were home.
Mike H. says
You are very welcome, Vicki. Very happy you are enjoying the recipe!
Linda says
Delicious and a nice change from pancakes for weekend breakfast. Thank you.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Linda!
Sarah says
The recipe was easy to follow and cut in half. I discovered that I was out of baking powder so I had to look up how to make a substitute using cream of tartar and baking soda. I will be making this often as a substitute for a pan of cornbread when there’s just me.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Sarah! Yes, we really love these, great to serve in so many ways.
Sheila says
can cornmeal mix be used in this recipe?
Mike Hultquist says
Sheila, I have only made with this pure cornmeal, so I'm not sure, but I think you'd likely be just fine, depending on the additional ingredients included in the mix.
Jérémie says
The Avid Visitor will never be able to thank you in return for the pleasure he has received, here! Cheers, Mike!
I'm drooling from eating these Johnny Cakes, but will have to wait for this weekend to...
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Much obliged, my friend!
Eric Hallowell says
We made this after the recent post of the recipe. Took your suggestion to pair with pulled pork and wow! So easy and a truly great dish. A new favorite Pairs great with homemade chili infused maple syrup and hot honey.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Glad you enjoyed it, Eric! I appreciate it!
Jim says
Hi Mike, I use creamed corn instead of corn meal. Much more tasty.
I add 4 liquid tablespoons of coconut oil, and 1/2 a chopped onion. Instead of salt I use 1 desert spoon of powdered chicken stock.
I use hardly any milk and add my SR flour until I have a thick almost dough. Thanks for the original recipe. Give it a try, they are delicious
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Sounds tasty.
col says
these are similar to what we call 'drop scones' over this way (scottish pancakes) but with cornmeal and no sugar.
look very tasty and have been added to the list of things to try.
thanks for sharing and a great post as always Mike.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Interesting to know, Col. I'll have to try those, which also sound similar to pancakes here. I hope you enjoy them!
David C Fowler says
I've known about Johnny Cakes for years but never made them. Super easy, great flavor and texture. They've become a favorite.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Yes, so good, David!
jeffrey palmer says
I can see where this recipe gets married with some diced (SEEDS included:))
jalapenos
Yum already
Jeff
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Absolutely. Enjoy!