Mealie Bread

This cornbread from Africa is so tender, moist, and flavorful. 

I love exploring how different parts of the world handle the same foods, and how many different ways there are to make something similar.

For me, Mexican cornbread with peppers and cheese is just as exciting to try as pumpkin cornbread with warm fall spice, which is just as fun to try as arepas con queso. There are so many fun ways to use cornmeal to make bread (and don’t forget about corn cakes!). I just want to try them all!

This cornbread comes to us from South Africa. Traditionally it is made by placing the batter in a can and then steaming it to bake it. The resulting cornbread is almost pudding like, it is so moist and flavorful! 

I know that most American kitchens aren’t set up for steaming bread in cans, and the thought of trying to rig up something to make it work seems daunting when I just need to get dinner on the table. So I have adjusted this recipe to give as close an approximation as I can. 

How to make mealie bread

This recipe is very simple to make! Here is a brief overview of the recipe to give you an idea of how it works. For the full set of directions and measurements, please make sure you scroll down to the recipe card below!

1. In a blender, process half the corn with the milk until the corn is pureed.
2. Add in the remaining corn and process just to chop the corn into smaller pieces.
3. Add the corn milk mixture to a medium sized mixing bowl, and whisk in the eggs and melted butter.
4. Fold in the dry ingredients and mix until just barely combined.
5. Transfer the mixture to a greased loaf pan and smooth the top so that it is even.
6. Bake in a preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the bread is set on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Allow the bread to cool in the pan, on a wire rack, for 5-10 minutes before removing from the pan.
8. Slice and enjoy. 

Tip: Let the bread cool as much as possible before slicing. This helps the bread finish baking a bit and helps it to keep its texture when you do cut it.

Timing of this recipe

This cornbread is a great addition to meals and won’t take long to make.

It will take you about 5-10 minutes to prepare the batter, 45-50 minutes to bake, and another 5-10 minutes to cool. You can be enjoying a slice of this bread in 70 minutes! 

Prepping ahead of time

This bread will keep, covered, on the counter for up to 3 days. You can also store it covered in the fridge for up to 7 days. For best results, reheat slightly before eating (although it is good room temperature, too!)

How to serve this to your family

A slice of mealie bread goes great with so many meals, including chicken chili, chicken meatloaf, or roast beef sheet pan. But because this recipe comes from South Africa, I would suggest serving it with another meal from Africa like sosaties or beef pilau.

How to make this kid friendly 

This bread is absolutely kid friendly as is. If your kids need a little more convincing to entice them into trying a cornbread different from what they normally enjoy, I recommend inviting them to join you in the kitchen to make them, and use some dinner conversations to explore the cornbread in a more thoughtful (vs reactionary) way.

Kids in the kitchen: How your kids can help you cook

Inviting our kids into the kitchen to help us cook new foods is a great way to get them more curious about the foods you serve, which helps them be more likely to try it. 

Mealie bread is a great recipe for this, as your kids can learn how to use a blender, practice measuring different consistencies of ingredients, and it is a no yeast bread recipe for them to make.

• Kids aged 1-3 can help you measure and mix ingredients.
• Kids aged 4-6 can do everything above plus help prepare the bread pan and use the food processor (with assistance).
• Kids aged 7-10+ can help you do everything above.

*Please note that these recommendations are generalized, and to please use your personal discretion with your child’s skill level. And always, always supervise! Read more about how to have your children help you in the kitchen.

Dinner conversations with kids

How we talk about our food is important! I love looking at food through an explorer’s lens – talking about how we experience a food’s texture, flavor, and smell, and how that all plays together in our opinion of it. 

Try these conversation starters at the dinner table: 

• How is this cornbread different from other cornbreads we have made before?
• What words can you use to describe the texture?

Read more about how to explore the sense of taste with your kids.