
Lightly sweet pan-fried cornmeal flatbread — perfect with fish or jam.
Johnny cake is a beloved bread throughout the Caribbean. In the Turks & Caicos it is fried until golden and served alongside stewed fish, conch, or simply spread with butter and local guava jam.
Serves 6
Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and sugar. Add water gradually and knead to a soft, non-sticky dough.
Divide into 6 equal balls and flatten each into a ½-inch-thick round.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry cakes 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
Keep heat moderate so the inside cooks through.
Drain on paper towels and serve warm.
Do not overwork the dough or cakes will be tough.
Add a pinch of salt for savoury versions.
Bake at 190 °C for 20 minutes for a lighter version.
Add shredded coconut to the dough.
Store at room temperature up to 2 days; reheat in a dry pan.
Derived from Indigenous and colonial provisions, johnny cake became a staple across Caribbean islands as a versatile, inexpensive bread.
They share roots — both are cornmeal flatbreads with Indigenous and colonial American origins.
Per serving · 6 servings total
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