--- title: "Meatless Friday: Cornbread Dumplings" description: Monica Portogallo dresses up any vegetarian chili recipe with this easy-to-make dumplings. Download our printable recipe card. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20231020%20MPortogallo%201.png ---                                           [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/meatless-friday-cornbread-dumplings#) [MEATLESS FRIDAY](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/meatless-friday) # Meatless Friday: Cornbread Dumplings Oct 20, 2023 7:00:00 AM  |  by [Monica Portogallo](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/monica-portogallo) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20231020%20MPortogallo%201.png) *Monica Portogallo dresses up any vegetarian chili recipe with this easy-to-make dumplings. Download our printable recipe card.* --- My kids love chili and cornbread, but some days I don’t want the extra work (and dishes) of making cornbread along with the chili. So one day it occurred to me: what if I made cornbread the way I made dumplings, on top of the chili?  I found [this recipe](https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/bread/other-bread/cornbread-dumplings.html) and adapted it based on what I had on hand and our preference for sweeter cornbread. The kids approved, and I only had one extra dish because I mixed it in a 4-cup measuring cup.  Drop these puppies on top of your favorite vegetarian chili, adding a little extra water if it’s a thick one, and enjoy!  #### Cornbread Dumplings  2 c cornmeal  1/2 c all-purpose flour  ½ tsp baking powder   ½ tsp salt, or more to taste   2 tbsp maple syrup or honey   water as needed (milk could also be used if desired)    Stir together the dry ingredients. Mix in the maple syrup and enough water to hold the mixture together well. Shape into about 2-inch diameter patties. Add to a large simmering pot of chili, adding additional broth or water to the chili if it is thick. Turn heat down to medium low and cover the pot with a lid. Cook for about 15 minutes, until firm.     > [Click to tweet: > In time for slow-cooker season, a great topper for your favorite vegetarian chili. #MeatlessFriday #CatholicMom](https://ctt.ac/A55HQ)   If you need a vegetarian chili recipe, try one of these past meatless Friday recipes:  [Vegetarian Chili](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2020/03/06/meatless-friday-vegetarian-chili/)  [Sweet Potato Chili](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/meatless-friday-sweet-potato-chili)  [Slow Cooker Vegan Chili](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/meatless-friday-slow-cooker-vegan-chili)  [Chili and Corn Muffins](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/01/10/meatless-friday-chili-and-corn-muffins)  [![Download printable recipe card](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/eb7ab57c-a001-44fb-af56-ff6df82766c3.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/eb7ab57c-a001-44fb-af56-ff6df82766c3)   [![See our full list of Meatless Friday recipes](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/78e80fc5-0f87-4e45-9328-c9be5b685c01.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/78e80fc5-0f87-4e45-9328-c9be5b685c01)   ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20231020%20MPortogallo%202.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20231020%20MPortogallo%202.png) --- Copyright 2023 Monica Portogallo Images: Copyright 2023 Monica Portogallo, all rights reserved. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-cornbread-dumplings%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-cornbread-dumplings%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-cornbread-dumplings%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Meatless%20Friday%3A%20Cornbread%20Dumplings) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-cornbread-dumplings%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-cornbread-dumplings%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Monica Portogallo](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Monica%20Portogallo.jpeg) ### [Monica Portogallo](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/monica-portogallo) Monica Portogallo is a mother and registered dietitian nutritionist who does her best not to miss the lessons God sends to her through the joys and struggles of daily life. She lives in California. ## Related Blog Articles [ Meatless Friday: Mozzarella Tikka Fauxsala Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/meatless-friday-mozzarella-tikka-fauxsala) [ Caramel Coconut Delight: A Treat for your Celebration Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/caramel-coconut-delight-a-treat-for-your-celebration) [ Meatless Friday: Red, White, and Blue Nachos Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/meatless-friday-red-white-and-blue-nachos) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to receive our free daily digest email. Copyright © 2026 CatholicMom.com. All Rights Reserved.