When we were little, one of our very favourite things was making waffles. As much as we love waffles, however, having them for breakfast (or any other meal, really) wasn’t actually the thing we liked best about getting to eat them. The part we liked best was actually the process of making them in the waffle maker! Something about the idea of making a whole delicious meal in a funny little gridded contraption has just always amused it. We find it funny, though, that most people have never wondered what else might be made in a waffle maker besides, you know, waffles!
Just in case you’ve ever wondered the same thing, here’s a list of 15 awesome waffle maker recipes that will help you use the nifty little hot iron to make other things besides just your classic breakfast waffle.
1. Waffle ramen
Have you always loved ramen soup but you find that your favourite part of the meal is actually the noodles rather than the broth or any other extras or additions? We have to agree with you there; we just love the way the curly noodles soak up the flavour and we don’t need much else. We also, however, find that when the broth is left on the noodles too long, they become soggy and we much prefer them on the crunchier side. So how can you help re-instill a bit of that deliciously crunchy texture once you’ve drained the broth? Just A Pinch suggests putting them quickly into the waffle maker!
2. Waffle iron grilled cheese sandwiches
Do you have a waffle maker but not a panini press, even though you’re an avid lover of sandwiches of all kinds? We have to agree, there’s nothing quite like a good grilled panini but making it just by toasting the bread in the toaster beforehand or by grilling it in a pan like you would a regular grilled cheese doesn’t seem very exciting. Instead, try grilling your next cheese sandwich in your waffle maker, just like Fifteen Spatulas did here!
3. Chicken stuffed waffles
Now, don’t get us wrong- just because we’re talking about all of the other things you can make in a waffle maker doesn’t mean we don’t love a good waffle! We find that we enjoy them a lot more, however, when we get to try unique recipes that we might not find elsewhere. That’s why we were so excited when we came across these chicken stuffed waffles from Oprah.com. Talk about a unique take on the classic chicken and waffles dish!
4. Mac and cheese waffles
Is one of your favourite parts of making waffles the fun grid shape that you get when you press the iron shut? That’s certainly our kids’ favourite part and we love making them novelty foods because they’re a lot more likely to eat their dinners with no complaints when things that are both delicious and amusing are on the menu. This awesome “waffle” made of mac and cheese by Chef Troy is the perfect example of what we mean!
5. Waffle iron chocolate cookies
Are you a huge fan of making cookies of all kinds, so you’re always on the lookout for new flavours, shapes, ingredients, and so on? In that case, here’s an awesome option for you that your kids will love helping you make! The Better Baker shows you not only how to make deliciously rich chocolate cookies unlike any we’ve ever tasted, but also how to make them in a waffle maker so they finish a little more quickly than usual. That’s an added bonus, if you ask us!
6. Waffle iron scrambled eggs
Speaking of things that for some reason seem to taste better when they’re made more quickly than usual, check out these awesome waffle maker scrambled eggs featured on The Cozy Cook! They’re almost like an omelette thanks to the way you can bake things right into them in the iron, but they cook very quickly so you can serve up more family members faster and get everyone eating all together!
7. Pulled pork cornbread waffles
Now that we’ve mentioned unique waffle recipes that actually do include waffles but with new and somewhat unconventional combinations of foods, why stop at just one idea? The moment we saw these waffles topped with pulled pork on Pass the Sushi, we just knew we had to give you at least one more! Sure, the pulled pork itself is cooked separately from the waffles and the waffle maker, but we’re too busy drooling to consider not counting this recipe on our list for even one second.
8. Waffle iron fried cheese
One of our very favourite things to eat when we go out to a restaurant is mozzarella sticks, or fried cheese sticks of any kind, if we’re being fully honest with you. In fact, we love them so much that sometimes we wish we could have them at home. Lucky for all of us, Just A Pinch shows us how to make something very similar and just as delicious with this fried cheese recipe made on a waffle maker!
9. Waffle maker hamburgers
Are you a college student with very limited resources in the kitchen department beyond a few small plug in appliances but you’re still trying to cook for yourself whenever you can rather than spending the money to eat out? In that case, fire up the waffle make and throw on some burgers, just like Toledo Blade did here!
10. Waffled fried egg
Did the idea of making quick eggs in a waffle maker intrigue you but there’s just something about scrambled eggs that you’ve never liked quite as much as a good, hearty fried egg? In that case, we have a feeling you’re going to love this awesome tasting (and awesome looking) fried egg idea from The Novice Chef! We think it would be absolutely delicious on a sandwich.
11. Waffle iron churros
We don’t live in an area of town that has churros at easy access for us, so we’re always on the lookout for places to find them or ways to make them for ourselves if we have to! One of our favourite ways to make churros- equally for the novelty of doing it as for the taste- is in the waffle maker, just like Serious Eats did here! They show you how to mix the batter and sprinkle the churros with cinnamon and sugar, as well as how to make a delicious caramel dip!
12. Waffle iron cinnamon rolls
Are you spiralling through a whole series of baked sweet related cravings now thanks to the few unique dessert ideas we’ve shown you so far? Well, the good news is that we’ve got more for you! Pillsbury guides you through the process of making little bite sized cinnamon rolls in your waffle maker, just in case the big regular kind made in the oven aren’t quite right for your morning. We promise you they taste just as good, if not better!
13. Waffle iron hash browns
Perhaps you’re actually craving something a little bit more savoury and filling than fluffy baked things, as delicious as they are? Well, since we’ve already shown you a number of waffle maker egg options, here’s a scrumptious hash brown side to go with them! Serious Eats shows you just how to make them happen.
14. Waffled fried egg sandwich
All right, we know this recipe is technically just another waffle recipe like we already showed you before, but that still counts since they’re made in a waffle iron, right? Just in case your idea of the perfect waffle is savory and stacked with all kinds of hearty toppings, here’s a delicious avocado and fried egg breakfast sandwich made from fluffy, warm waffles. Check out the details on Upward and Onward.
15. Waffle iron donuts
Have you actually been scrolling through this list looking for something really novelty that will make your kids jump up and down with joy (or at least with a sugar buzz)? In that case, you’re all going to absolutely love these awesome little waffle iron donuts from Popsugar. As if a fluffy dough like this wasn’t yummy enough, they also show you how to make a mouth watering glaze with rainbow sprinkles to top it all off.
Do you have another favourite unique recipe to make with your waffle iron that you don’t see on our list? Tell us all about it or link us to the recipe in the comments section!
