10 Classic Cornmeal Recipes

From fish fries to corn dogs and even creamy, comforting polenta, cornmeal is a classic pantry staple with almost infinite uses everyone loves at the table.

Perfect for every birthday party, barbecue, and outdoor dinner, mini corn dogs will become a family favorite.

These corn muffins, just a little bit sweet with lots of corn flavor, are easy to make and are perfect for a an on-the-go breakfast. You can also use this recipe to make a loaf of corn bread, one of the best (and easiest) kinds of breakfast breads.

Everything you want for breakfast (think eggs, ham, and cheese) in a neat little cornmeal muffin package.

Achieve creamy polenta with the help of vegetable broth, butter, and a healthy amount of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Topped with garlicky shrimp and you've got a hearty, satisfying meal.

Next taco Tuesday try out this single-skillet taco pie and relish only having one pan to clean.

Top simple cheesy polenta with herb-marinated mushrooms for a vegetarian side dish.

Fish fries are the perfect way to spend a Friday night. If you can't find perch locally, sub in any white fish like catfish or tilapia.

A coat of cornmeal (instead of flour) makes for extra crunchy and crispy fried chicken.

Pumpkin purée adds a bit of extra sweetness to standard cornbread, making it the perfect pairing for spicy chili.

These easy-to-make cookies are sweet and crispy: the perfect afternoon treat. Corn has a lot of natural sweetness which pairs well with the coconut. If you don't have yellow cornmeal on hand, you can easily use polenta instead.