Grit cake recipe are a Southern favorite made with creamy grits, cheddar cheese, butter, and a few simple seasonings. They turn golden and crispy on the outside while staying soft and cheesy in the middle.
I wanted to share this grit cake recipe because it gives everyday ingredients a delicious twist without making things complicated.
The trick is to let the cooked grits chill until firm before cutting and frying them. Let me show you how to make this tasty grit cake recipe at home.
Why This Recipe Is A Must Try?
You’ll want to try this grit cake because they turn creamy, cheesy grits into golden, crispy cakes with a soft center. The sharp cheddar, butter, and garlic bring rich flavor to every bite, while fresh chives add a little freshness.
I like how simple ingredients create a comforting Southern dish that works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Serve grit cake recipe with eggs, fried chicken, or your favorite dipping sauce for a homemade dish your family will enjoy.
How To Prepare Grit Cake Recipe?
Recipe Overview
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern American
Yield: 8 servings
Main Kitchen Utensils
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Baking dish
- Large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 cup (160 g) stone-ground grits
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken stock
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons (42 g) unsalted butter
- 2 cloves (6 g) garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
- ½ teaspoon (1 g) ground black pepper
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- 3–4 tablespoons (45–60 ml) oil
- 2 tablespoons (6 g) chopped fresh chives
- 2 cups (480 ml) water
How To Make Grit Cake Recipe
Step 1
Pour the milk, chicken stock, water, and salt into a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
Step 2
Slowly whisk in the grits, lower the heat, and cook according to the package directions. Stir regularly until the mixture becomes thick and creamy.
Step 3
Mix in the butter, shredded cheddar cheese, minced garlic, and black pepper. Stir until the cheese melts and everything is evenly combined.
Step 4
Spread the cooked grits in a lightly greased baking dish. Let them cool completely, then refrigerate for 2–3 hours until firm.
Step 5
Remove the chilled grits from the dish. Shape the mixture into round cakes using your hands or a round cutter, keeping them about ½ inch thick.
Step 6
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the grit cakes in the hot oil and fry for 3–5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
Step 7
Transfer the cakes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with chopped fresh chives and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts Of Grit Cake Recipe
| Nutrition | Amounts |
|---|---|
| Calories | 340 kcal |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 37 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
What Makes Recipe So Delicious And Appealing?
These grit cakes are so delicious because of their crispy golden outside and soft, cheesy center. Sharp cheddar adds a rich, cheesy flavor, while butter, garlic, and black pepper bring a savory taste to every bite.
Cooking the grits in milk and chicken stock gives them a creamy texture with plenty of flavor. Chilling the mixture helps the cakes hold their shape when fried, creating a crisp crust.
Fresh chives add a light, fresh finish that brings everything together.
Tips And Variations
Tips
1. Cook the grits until thick and creamy, stirring frequently to prevent lumps from forming or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
2. Refrigerate the grits until completely firm before cutting. This helps the cakes hold their shape during frying.
3. Fry the cakes in hot oil over medium heat, leaving space between each piece so the edges turn golden and crispy.
Variations
1. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to give the cheesy cakes a little heat.
2. Stir cooked, crumbled bacon into the grits along with the cheddar cheese for a smoky, savory flavor.
3. Mix chopped parsley or green onions into the cooked grits for a fresh flavor that pairs nicely with the creamy cheese.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these grit cakes warm so you can enjoy their crispy golden edges and soft, cheesy centers. They go well with scrambled eggs, bacon, or breakfast sausage for a filling breakfast.
For lunch or dinner, serve them with fried chicken, grilled shrimp, or roasted vegetables. I also like the idea of setting out ranch dressing, spicy mayo, or hot sauce for dipping.
Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped chives for a little color and mild onion flavor.
How To Make This Cake Even More Delicious?
1. Add extra sharp cheddar cheese to the cooked grits for a richer, cheesier flavor. A little Parmesan also adds a pleasant savory taste.
2. Stir in crispy cooked bacon or finely chopped smoked sausage before chilling the grits. These additions give the cakes a deeper flavor with every bite.
3. Use a mixture of butter and garlic to bring out more savory flavor. Freshly minced garlic works especially well with cheddar.
4. Season the grits with a pinch of paprika, cayenne pepper, or Cajun seasoning for a little extra warmth. Adjust the amount to suit your taste.
5. Serve the cakes with homemade ranch dressing, spicy mayo, or a drizzle of hot honey. A sprinkle of fresh chives just before serving adds a fresh finish.
How Do I Freeze?
Freezing this grit cake recipe makes it easy to enjoy them whenever you want. Let the cooked grit cake recipe cool completely, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Place the tray in the freezer until the grit cake recipe feel firm. Transfer them to a freezer safe bag or airtight container, adding parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together.
Label with the date and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to serve this grit cake recipe, reheat them straight from frozen in the oven until heated through and crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Grit Cakes Made Of?
Grit cakes are made with stone-ground grits, milk, chicken stock, cheddar cheese, butter, garlic, and seasonings. The cooked grits chill until firm, then get coated in flour and pan-fried until golden and crispy.
Can I Make Grit Cakes Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the grits a day ahead. Pour the cooked mixture into a baking dish, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Cut into cakes and fry when you’re ready to serve.
Why Are My Grit Cakes Falling Apart?
Grit cakes may fall apart if the cooked grits haven’t chilled long enough. Make sure the mixture becomes completely firm before cutting. Handle the cakes gently when coating and frying.
How Do I Keep Grit Cakes Crispy?
Fry them in properly heated oil over medium heat. Avoid overcrowding the skillet because too many cakes can lower the oil temperature. Place the cooked cakes on a wire rack to help maintain their crispy coating.
Can I Bake Grit Cakes Instead Of Frying Them?
Yes, arrange the flour-coated cakes on a lightly greased baking sheet. Brush or spray both sides with oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and lightly crisp.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy making these grit cake recipe in your own kitchen. The crispy golden outside and soft, cheesy center make them a delicious choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Give this grit cake recipe a try and let me know how it turns out in the comments. I’d love to hear what you served with them and how everyone liked them.
Save this grit cake recipe so you can make these homemade Southern style grit cakes whenever you’re in the mood for something warm and comforting.
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Grit Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Baking dish
- Large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 cup 160 g stone-ground grits
- 2 cups 480 ml milk
- 2 cups 480 ml chicken stock
- 1 cup 113 g shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons 42 g unsalted butter
- 2 cloves 6 g garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon 5 g salt
- ½ teaspoon 1 g ground black pepper
- ½ cup 60 g all-purpose flour
- 3 –4 tablespoons 45–60 ml oil
- 2 tablespoons 6 g chopped fresh chives
- 2 cups 480 ml water
Instructions
Step 1
- Pour the milk, chicken stock, water, and salt into a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
Step 2
- Slowly whisk in the grits, lower the heat, and cook according to the package directions. Stir regularly until the mixture becomes thick and creamy.
Step 3
- Mix in the butter, shredded cheddar cheese, minced garlic, and black pepper. Stir until the cheese melts and everything is evenly combined.
Step 4
- Spread the cooked grits in a lightly greased baking dish. Let them cool completely, then refrigerate for 2–3 hours until firm.
Step 5
- Remove the chilled grits from the dish. Shape the mixture into round cakes using your hands or a round cutter, keeping them about ½ inch thick.
Step 6
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the grit cakes in the hot oil and fry for 3–5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
Step 7
- Transfer the cakes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with chopped fresh chives and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition Facts Of Grit Cake Recipe
Calories: 340 kcal | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 5 g | Protein: 9 g | Carbohydrates: 37 g | Fat: 17 g | Saturated Fat: 7 g | Sodium: 650 mg