When we registered for our wedding recently, I was reading an article about how you shouldn’t buy a panini press because you will never use it. Instead, you can just use your waffle maker. This got me to thinking… what other genius waffle maker recipes are out there that I don’t know about?
Turns out there are dozens of brilliant waffle maker hacks that I knew nothing about. As soon as I saw them, I thought “Why didn’t I think of that?” Here’s a list of some of my favorite unconventional foods that you can make in a waffle iron.
Breakfast Recipes
1. French Toast Waffle Sticks
Kids and adults alike will love this fresh take on French Toast. This waffle maker recipe was developed by a busy mom of 4 who uses it as a quick breakfast option on quick weekday mornings. So, it is perfect to add to your weekday rotation or try out on a lazy Sunday morning. (via The Baker Mama)
2. Omelet Waffles
Waffle makers aren’t just for carbs anymore. Now you can serve up a healthy, protein-packed omelet in no time with your waffle maker. With this hack, you don’t need to be a gourmet chef who can flip omelets in an egg pan to get it cooked on both sides. Because let’s be honest, that wasn’t happening. (via Growing Up Gabel)
3. Waffle Maker Hash Browns Two Ways
Using just frozen tater tots and your waffle iron, you can whip up nearly instant hash browns for your breakfast or brunch. It does not get much easier than this! (via Tablespoon)
Don’t have tater tots or prefer to use fresh potatoes? This waffle maker hack is still for you and will save you a ton of time. (via Babble)
4. Sweet Potato Breakfast Sandwich
Are you on a Paleo or Whole 30 diet but craving a sandwich? This recipe is just what you need. Make faux bread by cooking shredded sweet potato in your waffle maker. In fact, this is much better than bread since the sweet potato is packed with healthy nutrients. (via Fit Mitten Kitchen)
5. Bacon in the Waffle Maker
Already have your waffle maker out for cooking up some waffles? Don’t dirty another dish. Instead, use your waffle maker to cook up some bacon. (via One Good Thing by Jillee)
6. Blueberry Muffin Waffles
Do you love the taste of muffins, but don’t often make them because of the hassle? Well, this recipe is just what you need. Mix up your favorite muffin mix, stick it in your waffle maker and it will be done in just 1-2 minutes! No muffin tins or liners needed and cooks in a fraction of the time – what’s not to love? (via The Whitlock Family Blog)
7. Cinnamon Roll Waffles
Cinnamon rolls just got even sweeter. Try out this recipe and you will never turn on your oven to make cinnamon rolls again. Throw some refrigerator cinnamon roll dough in your waffle maker and you’ll have breakfast on the table in less than 10 minutes! If the smell doesn’t make everyone come running, I don’t know what will. (via Yellow Bliss Road)
Lunch & Dinner Recipes
8. Waffle Maker Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a staple in our house, so I was thrilled when I saw this option to cook them in a waffle maker. What is especially brilliant about this is that you don’t have to worry about the toughest part – flipping the quesadilla. Instead, the waffle iron quickly cooks it on both sides. Teen kids could easily pull this off when you need a break from cooking. (via Tablespoon)
9. Pizza Waffles
This genius waffle maker hack is almost like a calzone. Essentially, you use biscuit dough and stuff it with your favorite pizza toppings. It is such a quick and easy way to have personalized pizzas for everyone in the family if you can’t agree on what toppings to get. Just don’t go adding a fork inside (for the fellow RHONY obsessed readers). (via Babble)
10. Waffle Maker Grilled Cheese
A grilled cheese recipe with no flipping required. This waffle maker hack is beyond easy. Just make up your grilled cheese like you always would, but instead of cooking it in a skillet, you can just stick it in your waffle iron and it will be done so much faster! It is like using a panini press, so it also works for a variety of other grilled sandwich or panini recipes. (via ifood.tv)
11. Waffled Ramen
Have you been OD’ed on ramen since your college days? Well, you can give it a fresh makeover with this clever new take. Who would have ever thought you could cook ramen in a waffle iron? So creative and delicious because the waffle iron gives it that crispy texture that you’ll love. Add a fried egg or whatever topping you like and dig in. (via Serious Eats)
12. Cornbread Waffles with Chili & Fixings
Ever whipped up a delicious batch of chili and either forgot the cornbread or just didn’t have the time to make it? Well, this brilliant recipe solves both of those problems. Mix up your cornbread mix and throw it in the waffle maker and it will be done in no time! You can serve a slice on the side if you are watching your carbs or serve your chili over it like pictured here. It is almost like having a cornbread bowl for your chili and who wouldn’t want that? (via The Country Cook)
13. Pulled Pork Waffle Taco
Instead of classic pulled pork sandwiches, why not change things up and try pulled pork waffle tacos? This yummy recipe is mostly homemade, but you could also make a lot of shortcuts by buying slaw, BBQ sauce and using a waffle mix to make it easier. (via The Crumbly Cupcake)
14. Easy Mac & Cheese in the Waffle Maker
Crispy on the outside, but cheesy on the inside. Actually, you could even use this as bread for a guilty pleasure sandwich on a cheat day or after a late night out. I was shocked reading through this recipe because I thought for sure it would leave a terrible mess in the waffle maker, but no. It pops right out in one piece. (via Scattered Thought of a Crafty Mom)
15. Leftover Stuffing Waffles
When you have lots of Thanksgiving leftovers, you need to get creative with ways to use them because it can be boring to eat the same thing meal after meal. This leftover stuffing waffle is a perfect way to breathe new life into your Thanksgiving stuffing. It gives it that crispy outer shell with the moist, seasoned inside. You could even use this to make a turkey & cranberry sandwich with a moist maker (any Friends fans out there? 😉 ). (via Just a Taste)
16. Mashed Potato Leftovers in the Waffle Maker
Continuing on our Thanksgiving leftover theme, you can also transform leftover mashed potatoes in your waffle maker for breakfast! (via Just a Taste)
17. Waffled Corn Dogs
This is one of the most clever waffle maker recipes in my mind and so perfect for a summer party or BBQ. Plus, with only 4 ingredients and 5 steps, it couldn’t get much easier. Watch a video on how to make them here: (via Kraft Recipes)
Check out another way to make waffle dogs and a couple other of the featured recipes in this video. I love watching these type of videos because they really help me remember how to make the recipe.
Waffle Maker Snacks
18. One-Minute Waffle Iron Baked Apples
I love this addition to the list because it is a very healthy snack option to make in your waffle maker and only takes one minute! You can even add a little cinnamon for an extra touch. (via Cupcake Project)
19. Kale Chips in the Waffle Maker
I love kale chips but don’t make them very often because it is a bit cumbersome to preheat the oven, get out a cookie sheet, bake them, etc. Instead, make them in <10 minutes with this waffle maker hack. I want to try this out and experiment with reducing the oil or using nonstick spray to make even more low cal. Let me know if you’ve tried it (via @will_it_waffle)
20. Waffle Iron Pretzels
This idea comes from Will It Waffle A must-read blog for endless, unconventional waffle maker recipes. (via Will It Waffle)
Waffled Decadent Desserts
21. Cake Batter Birthday Waffles
Whip up some cake batter birthday waffles for a perfect birthday morning treat. If you can’t have dessert for breakfast on your birthday, when can you? Everyone will remember this unique tradition. Watch the video below to see exactly how to make them in your waffle maker. (via Dear Crissy)
22. Apple Pie Waffles
Who doesn’t love apple pie? Well, you will love it even more now because you won’t believe how easy it is to make in your waffle maker. Plus, the smell when they are cooking – oh my goodness! The perfect Fall treat that will also make your home smell absolutely amazing. I love that she offers both super easy store bought or homemade options you can use depending on how much time you have. (via Must Have Mom)
23. Waffle Maker Brownies
Enjoy this decadent brownie waffle for dessert or for breakfast (we won’t tell). This baking swap will save so much time; it cooks in just minutes in your waffle maker! It is as simple as using a premade mix and pouring into your waffle iron instead of baking in the oven. (via Tastemade)
24. Chocolate Chip Waffle Cookies
Calling all pazookie lovers! This is an even easier waffle maker hack to make a giant cookie dessert at home. I was curious if you could use pre-made cookie dough to do the same thing. In researching, it looks like there were mixed results and the cookies turn out better if there is more of a batter consistency. Let us know if you’ve tried it. (via How to Simplify) Not quite right? Read this article where they experimented to find the right cookie waffle batter.
25. Doughnut Waffles
Two super easy options for you: 1) You can make them yourself using premade biscuit dough….(via Life in the Lofthouse)
…or stick a store bought doughnut (like a Krispy Kreme) in your waffle iron. Either way, the results are delicious. (via Oh Bite It)
26. S’mores Waffle
Ooey gooey deliciousness! Watch how the chocolate marshmallow inside just oozes out of this freshly cooked s’more waffle. This is such a fun makeover of the classic backyard summer treat. (via Food.com)
27. Ice Cream Waffle Tacos
This reminds me of the “Choco-Tacos” they used to sell at Taco Bell. I used to love them as a kid. I’m not sure, they may actually still sell them. Anyways, this is a similar dessert taco option. (via Smucker’s)
Your waffle maker is guaranteed to get a workout with all these new recipes to try! So, I figured it would also be helpful to include an easy waffle maker cleaning tip using just paper towels. (via Mama’s Spot)
It’s safe to say that your waffle maker is not just for breakfast anymore. I bet you didn’t realize just how versatile of a kitchen gadget it can be. I know I didn’t.
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