Why Southern Kitchens Keep Winning Hearts

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy + disclosures for details.

Southern comfort food is all about big flavors, cozy vibes, and dishes that feel like a hug from the inside out. From crispy perfection in Air Fryer Fried Chicken to melt-in-your-mouth richness of Easy 3 Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits, these recipes bring Southern charm straight to your table. And don’t skip dessert—the tropical sweetness of Hummingbird Poke Cake proves indulgence is a Southern tradition worth keeping!

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Air Fryer Fried Chicken in all its glory
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This Air Fryer Fried Chicken with a crispy cornflake crust is a yummy alternative to traditional fried chicken. Juicy, tender, and flavorful!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Easy 3 Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits

A stack of buttermilk biscuits beside a spoon covered with jelly.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Using only butter, self-rising flour, and buttermilk, you can bake a batch of fluffy, golden biscuits that are the perfect addition to any southern meal. These biscuits are ideal for anyone looking for simple yet delicious comfort food recipes.

GET THE RECIPE: Homemade Biscuits

Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak

Chicken fried steak with country gravy.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Copycat Cracker Barrel Country Fried Steak Recipe brings the South straight to your home kitchen in just 45 minutes! Commonly known as chicken-fried steak in the Southern United States, this dish features seasoned cube steak coated in a golden-brown crust, perfectly complemented by a rich and creamy white sawmill gravy that’ll have you craving seconds and thirds!

GET THE RECIPE: Chicken Fried Steak

Hummingbird Poke Cake

ie-canva_free__studio_philippines-chapati_flour-2655979
Image Credit: Lyuba Brooke for Will Cook for Smiles

Indulge in this irresistibly tender Hummingbird Poke Cake, perfect for the blossoming seasons of spring and summer. In this rendition, we enhance the ease factor by transforming it into a poke cake, infusing each crumb with an extra layer of lusciousness courtesy of a velvety, sweet sauce. Topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting, its flavors and textures are bound to captivate your senses!

GET THE RECIPE: Hummingbird Poke Cake

Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese

Pimento cheese deviled eggs with paprika and chopped herbs on top, displayed on a white plate.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

If there is a single food guaranteed to appear at every Southern gathering, it is surely the Deviled Egg. Southern Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese incorporate bold and creamy pimento cheese and the typical ingredients for which these two-bite handhelds are famous.

GET THE RECIPE: Deviled Eggs

Jalapeno Cornbread

ie-canva_free__studio_philippines-chapati_flour-2655979
Image Credit: Lyuba Brooke for Will Cook for Smiles

Homemade Jalapeño Cornbread is a fantastic alternative to boxed mixes, offering a richer taste with a blend of sweet and spicy flavors. This simple recipe combines the zestiness of jalapeños with the richness of sharp cheddar cheese, making it a perfect companion for chili and soups.

GET THE RECIPE: Jalapeno Cornbread

“Chicken on The Ritz” Casserole

A spoonful of chicken casserole with a Ritz cracker topping.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

This “Chicken on The Ritz” Casserole uses fewer than ten ingredients to create a velvety, creamy sauce that’s perfect for busy nights. Starting with a tender rotisserie chicken speeds up this easy, satisfying meal, ideal for a quick weeknight dinner.

GET THE RECIPE: Ritz Cracker Chicken

Copycat Bob Evans Sausage Gravy and Biscuit Casserole

A plate of scrambled eggs and hot sausage biscuit and gravy casserole.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Prepare for breakfast casserole deliciousness as we recreate Bob Evans’ famous Sausage Gravy recipe! With just a bag of all-purpose flour and a skillet, we’ll whip up a batch of this savory delight. Then, we’ll layer it with biscuits to create a mouthwatering casserole that’s perfect for brunch, weekend breakfast, or even breakfast for dinner.

GET THE RECIPE: Biscuit and Gravy Casserole

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A spoonful of creamy baked corn casserole.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Southern Corn Pudding is farm to table fare, accompanying everything from grilled steak to the Thanksgiving dinner turkey! Baked until gorgeously golden brown, spoonsful of ‘creamy corn pudding bliss’ grace the dinner table in this classic southern dish.

GET THE RECIPE: Corn Casserole

Easy Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle

Layers of banana pudding, Nilla wafer cookies, and whipped cream.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Ask any self-respecting Southerner, and they’ll tell you that the ultimate Southern comfort dessert is Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding, a delicious scratch-made layered trifle boasting creamy vanilla pudding, Nilla Wafers, and luscious Cool Whip! This make-ahead, no-bake dessert is a breeze to whip up, utilizing simple ingredients sure to please a crowd.

GET THE RECIPE: Banana Pudding

Fried Zucchini Fritters

Fried Zucchini Fritters
Photo credit: Baking A Moment

This quick no-bake chocolate cheesecake recipe comes together in just 15 minutes! It’s light, airy, and oh-so chocolatey, rich, and decadent!
Get the Recipe: Fried Zucchini Fritters

Easy Homemade Corn Muffins

Cornbread muffins on a wire cooling rack.
Image Credit: Erren Hart for Erren’s Kitchen

This Easy Homemade Corn Muffins recipe is truly a standout! These muffins boast a delightfully crusty exterior while maintaining a soft, tender cornbread interior, striking the perfect balance of textures.

GET THE RECIPE: Easy Homemade Corn Muffins

Fried Chicken Sandwich

Fried Chicken Sandwich
Photo credit: xoxoBella

This delicious Fried Chicken Sandwich recipe offers a delectable upgrade from the typical fast-food version. Picture a perfectly seasoned, golden-brown coating enveloping succulent chicken, complemented by mouthwatering toppings.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken Sandwich

Garlic Cheesy Cornbread Drop Biscuits (Easy Cornbread Recipe)

A cloth-lined basket with baked cheese biscuits, a sliced block of cheese, a knife, and one biscuit on a baking tray nearby.
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

Cheesy Cornbread Drop Biscuits are EASY, delicious, and perfect for dinners when you want that little something extra. This easy cornbread recipe can be made in no time with the help of cornbread mix and a few extra ingredients!
Get the Recipe: Garlic Cheesy Cornbread Drop Biscuits (Easy Cornbread Recipe)

Fried Cabbage and Noodles

Fried Cabbage And Noodles
Photo credit: Budget Bytes

Fried Cabbage and Noodles is a simple and inexpensive comfort food that can be served as a side dish or the base to full meal.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage and Noodles

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week!

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *