What are the ingredients in Jiffy cornbread? A Complete Breakdown

November 4, 2025 •

3 min read

The Jiffy brand, first introduced in 1930, is a staple in many kitchens, with its corn muffin mix being the most popular product. Despite its popularity and long history, many people still ask what are the ingredients in Jiffy cornbread, especially given the different varieties available today.

Quick Summary

Jiffy cornbread mix contains a blend of wheat flour, degermed yellow corn meal, and sugar. The classic mix includes lard, while modern vegetarian and honey versions use vegetable shortening. Various leavening agents, flavorings, and enriched vitamins are also included to ensure a consistent result.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: The base of Jiffy mix is wheat flour, degermed yellow corn meal, and sugar.
Shortening Differences: The classic mix contains lard, while the vegetarian and honey versions use palm and soybean oils.
Leavening Agents: The mix includes various leavening agents and phosphates to ensure reliable rising and a tender crumb.
Enriched Nutrients: Jiffy mix is fortified with vitamins and minerals like niacin, reduced iron, and folic acid.
Homemade vs. Mix: Homemade recipes often have fewer, more recognizable ingredients compared to the mix's longer list of stabilizers and preservatives.
Added Ingredients: The box requires adding wet ingredients like egg and milk to complete the batter.

A Closer Look at Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix Ingredients

Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix is a popular choice for quick and easy cornbread. Understanding its ingredients reveals what gives it its characteristic flavor and texture and how it differs from homemade versions. The key components generally include a mix of flours, a sweetener, a fat source, and leavening agents.

Classic, Vegetarian, and Honey Varieties

Jiffy offers several variations of its corn muffin mix, primarily differing in the type of shortening used. The classic mix contains lard, while the vegetarian and honey versions utilize vegetable shortening. This distinction is important for those with dietary restrictions or preferences.

Here are the main ingredients found in the different Jiffy Corn Muffin Mixes:

Classic Corn Muffin Mix: Features WHEAT FLOUR, DEGERMED YELLOW CORN MEAL, SUGAR, and LARD (with preservatives). It also contains leavening agents like baking soda and phosphates, salt, enriched flour ingredients (niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), and wheat starch.
Vegetarian Corn Muffin Mix: Replaces lard with VEGETABLE SHORTENING (palm oil, soybean oil). The other core ingredients, such as WHEAT FLOUR, DEGERMED YELLOW CORN MEAL, SUGAR, leavening agents, salt, and enriched flour ingredients, are similar to the classic mix, with the addition of natural flavor, dextrose, and corn starch.
Honey Corn Muffin Mix: Includes WHEAT FLOUR, SUGAR, DEGERMED YELLOW CORN MEAL, VEGETABLE SHORTENING (palm oil, soybean oil), MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, and DRIED HONEY, along with other additives for flavor, leavening, and preservation.

Jiffy vs. Homemade: A Comparison of Ingredients

The convenience of Jiffy mix comes with a longer list of ingredients compared to typical homemade cornbread. The table below highlights some key ingredient differences:


Feature	Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix	Typical Homemade Cornbread	Key Differences
Shortening	Lard (Classic) or Vegetable Shortening (Vegetarian/Honey)	Melted Butter or Vegetable Oil	Animal fat vs. plant-based fat; Jiffy's fats include preservatives.
Sweetness	Sugar is a primary ingredient, sometimes with dried honey	Varies significantly	Jiffy offers consistent sweetness, while homemade is customizable.
Cornmeal	Degermed yellow corn meal	Yellow or white cornmeal, various grinds	Jiffy uses degermed cornmeal for a smoother texture and longer shelf life.
Leavening	Baking Soda and various phosphates	Baking Powder, Baking Soda, sometimes buttermilk	Jiffy uses multiple chemical leaveners for reliable results.
Additives	Preservatives, enriched flour, emulsifiers	None, or basic additions	Jiffy includes stabilizers and emulsifiers for shelf stability and consistency.

How Jiffy's Ingredients Create the Final Product

The carefully selected ingredients in Jiffy mix are designed for consistent, easy baking. The blend of flours forms the structure, while the shortening and sugar contribute to moisture and flavor. The various leavening agents are activated when wet ingredients are added, producing the rise and tender crumb. This combination ensures a predictable outcome with minimal effort. You can also enhance the mix by stirring in ingredients like cheese, sour cream, or canned corn.

Conclusion

Jiffy cornbread mix offers a convenient option for making cornbread, built upon a base of flour, cornmeal, and sugar. The type of shortening (lard or vegetable), the combination of leavening agents, and the presence of preservatives distinguish it from homemade versions. With classic, vegetarian, and honey options, Jiffy provides choices to suit different dietary needs and taste preferences, maintaining its status as a long-standing family favorite.

Enhance Your Jiffy Cornbread

Additional Ingredients for an Upgrade

Flavorful Additions: Add shredded cheese, creamed corn, or chopped jalapeños for a savory twist.
Moisture and Texture: Substitute milk with sour cream, yogurt, or buttermilk for a moister result.
Sweetness: Incorporate extra honey or maple syrup for more sweetness.
Fat: Use melted butter or quality vegetable oil for richer flavor.
Spices: A pinch of black pepper or chili powder can add depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference is the type of shortening used. The classic mix contains lard (animal fat), while the vegetarian version uses vegetable shortening made from palm and soybean oil.

Yes, the classic 'JIFFY' Corn Muffin Mix contains lard. However, the company also offers a vegetarian version that uses vegetable shortening instead.

The mix includes a combination of baking soda and various phosphates, such as sodium acid pyrophosphate and monocalcium phosphate, to help the cornbread rise.

Yes, you can substitute or add ingredients to customize Jiffy cornbread. For instance, using buttermilk or sour cream instead of regular milk can lead to a moister texture.

Jiffy includes stabilizers, preservatives, and enriched flour to ensure a consistent, long-lasting product with a reliable outcome. A homemade recipe relies only on fresh ingredients and standard leavening.

Yes, the official Jiffy Honey Corn Muffin Mix ingredient list includes dried honey for its signature flavor.

Jiffy cornbread mix contains wheat and derivatives. The vegetarian mix also contains soy lecithin, while the classic mix contains lard.

Degermed corn meal is corn meal with the germ, or embryo, removed. This process removes the oil from the germ, increasing the mix's shelf life and resulting in a smoother texture.