Waffle Iron Recipes: 19 Surprising Things to Make in Your Waffle Maker Besides Waffles

Waffle iron recipes are having a moment, and it is easy to see why. That waffle maker in the back of the cabinet can do far more than Sunday breakfast. A short video of stuffed waffles from a small channel has been watched almost 44 million times, and an older list of waffle iron hacks has passed 13 million views. Once you see what a hot waffle iron does to leftover stuffing, hash browns or a plain grilled cheese, you will want to keep it on the counter. Every idea below gets crispy edges in minutes, with very little cleanup. Many are perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers, busy school mornings and easy snacks for the kids..

Waffle Iron Recipes That Go Way Beyond Breakfast

Here is the secret: anything that can be pressed, toasted or crisped in a skillet can usually go in a waffle iron. The deep grid gives you more crunchy edges, and the lid cooks both sides at once, so there is no flipping. Before you start, heat the iron fully and grease it well. Then try the easy starter below and work your way through the list. Which one are you making first..

You will need: A standard or Belgian waffle iron, nonstick cooking spray or melted butter, a silicone spatula, a pastry brush, a wire rack.

How to make it: 1. Preheat the waffle iron fully, until the ready light comes on. 2. Brush or spray both plates with oil, even if they are nonstick. 3. Do not overfill: leave a little space at the edges. 4. Close the lid gently and do not open it for the first 2 minutes. 5. Lift food out with a silicone spatula and cool on a rack so it stays crisp.

Ham and Cheese Stuffed Waffles, the Waffle Iron Recipes That Went Viral

This is the one that racked up almost 44 million views. You pour a little batter, add a layer of ham and cheese, then cover it with more batter and close the lid. The cheese melts inside and the outside turns golden. Use pancake mix to keep it easy. Would you go sweet with syrup, or dunk it in mustard?

You will need: 2 cups pancake or waffle mix plus the liquid it calls for, 6 slices deli ham, 1 cup shredded cheddar or Swiss, cooking spray, maple syrup or honey mustard to serve.

How to make it: 1. Make the batter and preheat the iron. 2. Spray the plates. 3. Spread a thin layer of batter on the bottom plate. 4. Add a slice of ham and a handful of cheese, leaving the edges clear. 5. Cover with more batter and close. 6. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, until golden, and serve hot.

Stuffing Waffles With Turkey and Gravy, the Best Thanksgiving Waffle Iron Recipes

Leftover stuffing turns into crispy squares people call stuffles. An egg holds it together, and the waffle iron gives you crunchy edges with a soft middle. Top with sliced turkey, hot gravy and cranberry sauce, and the day after Thanksgiving suddenly feels like a brand new meal. Gravy on top or on the side?

You will need: 3 cups leftover stuffing, 1 egg, 1 to 2 tbsp broth (if dry), cooking spray, sliced leftover turkey, hot gravy, cranberry sauce.

How to make it: 1. Preheat and spray the waffle iron. 2. Mix the stuffing with the egg, adding broth if it seems dry. 3. Press about 1 cup into the iron. 4. Close and cook 5 to 6 minutes, until crisp and heated through to 165 F. 5. Lift out carefully with a spatula. 6. Top with turkey, gravy and cranberry sauce.

Hash Brown Waffles With a Fried Egg

Shredded potatoes in a waffle iron get crispier than in any skillet, because every little strand touches hot metal. The key is squeezing out the water. Top each one with a runny egg and you have a diner style breakfast with almost no stovetop mess. Ketchup or hot sauce on your hash browns?

You will need: 3 cups shredded potatoes (fresh or thawed frozen), 2 tbsp melted butter, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, cooking spray, 4 eggs, chives.

How to make it: 1. Squeeze the potatoes very dry in a clean towel. 2. Toss with butter, salt, pepper and garlic powder. 3. Preheat and spray the iron well. 4. Pack in a thin layer and close firmly. 5. Cook 10 to 12 minutes, until deep golden. 6. Top with a fried egg and chives.

Waffled Grilled Cheese

No flipping, no burned spots, and you get those pretty grid marks. Butter the outside of the bread, add plenty of cheese and close the lid gently so you do not squeeze it all out. It takes about 3 minutes. Serve it with tomato soup for dipping. Cheddar, American, or a mix?

You will need: 4 slices sandwich bread, 2 tbsp soft butter, 4 slices cheddar or American cheese, tomato soup to serve.

How to make it: 1. Preheat the waffle iron. 2. Butter one side of each slice of bread. 3. Build sandwiches with the butter on the outside and the cheese in the middle. 4. Place one sandwich in the iron and close the lid gently. 5. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and melty. 6. Cut in half and serve with soup.

Waffle Pizza, One of the Easiest Waffle Iron Recipes for Kids

Kids love building their own. Cook a plain savory waffle, then add sauce, cheese and toppings and close the lid for a minute to melt it, or pop it under the broiler. You can also use refrigerated pizza dough pressed thin. Let everyone pick their toppings. What goes on yours?

You will need: 1 cup waffle or pancake mix, 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, the liquid the mix calls for, 1/2 cup pizza sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, mini pepperoni, basil.

How to make it: 1. Stir Italian seasoning into the batter. 2. Cook plain waffles about 4 minutes. 3. Spread with pizza sauce and sprinkle with cheese and toppings. 4. Return to the iron and close the lid without pressing for 1 minute, or broil 2 minutes. 5. Top with basil. 6. Cut into wedges.

Crispy Mac and Cheese Waffles

Cold leftover mac and cheese is perfect for this, because it holds its shape. An egg and a little extra cheese bind it, and the waffle iron turns the edges into crunchy cheesy bits. It is a great after school snack or a side for burgers. Do you like the crispy edges best?

You will need: 3 cups cold leftover mac and cheese, 1 egg, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, cooking spray, ketchup to serve.

How to make it: 1. Preheat and spray the waffle iron well. 2. Stir the egg, extra cheese and breadcrumbs into the mac and cheese. 3. Scoop about 1 cup onto the iron. 4. Close and cook 5 to 6 minutes, until golden. 5. Let it rest 1 minute before lifting out. 6. Serve with ketchup.

Egg and Cheese Waffle Sandwiches

Two small waffles make a great bun for a breakfast sandwich. Cook the waffles ahead, freeze them, and toast them on busy mornings. Add a soft scrambled egg, a slice of cheese and some greens or bacon. It is one of those waffle iron recipes that makes school mornings a little calmer.

You will need: 8 small waffles (homemade or frozen), 4 eggs, 2 tbsp milk, 1 tbsp butter, 4 slices cheese, salt, pepper, greens or cooked bacon (optional).

How to make it: 1. Toast the waffles. 2. Whisk eggs with milk, salt and pepper. 3. Scramble softly in butter over medium low heat. 4. Lay a slice of cheese on 4 waffles. 5. Add eggs, greens or bacon. 6. Top with the other waffles and serve.

Cinnamon Roll Waffles With Icing

Pop open a can of cinnamon rolls, press one roll into each section of the waffle iron, and 3 minutes later you have a warm, crispy cinnamon roll waffle. Drizzle the icing on while it is hot so it melts into every square. This is a fun holiday morning treat. Would your family go for it?

You will need: 1 can refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing, cooking spray.

How to make it: 1. Preheat the iron to medium. 2. Spray the plates. 3. Place 1 cinnamon roll in each section, or 2 rolls in a round iron. 4. Close and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and cooked through. 5. Lift out carefully. 6. Drizzle with warm icing and serve.

Brownie Waffles With Ice Cream

Brownie batter in a waffle iron bakes in about 4 minutes and comes out with crisp edges and a fudgy middle. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. A boxed mix works great here. Edge piece or middle piece: which kind of brownie person are you?

You will need: 1 box brownie mix plus the eggs, oil and water it calls for, 2 tbsp flour, cooking spray, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce.

How to make it: 1. Stir the brownie batter together and add 2 tbsp flour so it holds its shape. 2. Preheat the iron to medium and spray well. 3. Pour in about 1/2 cup batter. 4. Close and cook 3 to 4 minutes. 5. Let it cool 1 minute before lifting. 6. Serve warm with ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Waffle Iron Chocolate Chip Cookies

No oven needed. A spoonful of cookie dough in each square becomes a crisp, chewy cookie in about 2 minutes. Store bought dough works, or use your favorite recipe. These are fun to make with kids, and they are ready faster than the oven could even preheat. How many will you eat warm?

You will need: 1 batch chocolate chip cookie dough or 1 tube refrigerated dough, cooking spray, cold milk to serve.

How to make it: 1. Preheat the waffle iron to medium. 2. Spray the plates lightly. 3. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of dough in the center of each section. 4. Close and cook 2 to 3 minutes. 5. Lift out with a spatula and cool on a rack. 6. Serve with a glass of milk.

Waffled Quesadillas

Quesadillas in a waffle iron get crispy all over and do not fall apart when you flip them, because you do not flip them at all. Fold a tortilla over cheese and leftover chicken and press. It is a fast lunch and one of the most useful waffle iron recipes for using up leftovers. Salsa or sour cream?

You will need: 4 flour tortillas, 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken, 1/2 tsp cumin, salsa and sour cream to serve.

How to make it: 1. Preheat the iron. 2. Toss the chicken with cumin. 3. Sprinkle cheese and chicken over half of each tortilla and fold it over. 4. Place in the iron and close gently. 5. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, until crisp and the cheese melts. 6. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa and sour cream.

Zucchini Fritter Waffles

Zucchini fritters usually need a pan of oil and a lot of flipping. In the waffle iron they cook all at once with just a little spray. Squeeze the zucchini dry, mix it with egg, cheese and flour, and you get crispy green flecked waffles that even veggie skeptics like. Would your kids try them?

You will need: 2 cups grated zucchini, 1 egg, 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1 green onion, 1/2 tsp salt, cooking spray, sour cream.

How to make it: 1. Squeeze the zucchini very dry in a towel. 2. Mix with egg, flour, cheeses, green onion and salt. 3. Preheat and spray the iron well. 4. Spread about 1/2 cup of the mix on the iron. 5. Close and cook 5 to 6 minutes, until golden. 6. Serve with sour cream.

Cornbread Waffles, Cozy Waffle Iron Recipes for Chili Night

Cornbread batter makes a sweet, crispy waffle that is perfect under a ladle of chili. Use a boxed mix or your own recipe. The grid catches the chili and cheese in every square. It is a cozy upgrade and a good way to stretch a pot of chili for a crowd.

You will need: 1 box corn muffin mix, 1 egg, 1/3 cup milk, 2 tbsp melted butter, cooking spray, 4 cups hot chili, shredded cheddar, sliced green onions.

How to make it: 1. Stir the corn muffin mix with egg, milk and butter. 2. Preheat and spray the iron. 3. Pour in about 1/2 cup batter. 4. Close and cook 4 to 5 minutes, until golden. 5. Place on plates. 6. Top with hot chili, cheddar and green onions.

Waffled French Toast

Soak thick bread in a cinnamon egg mixture, press it in the waffle iron, and every square gets crispy while the inside stays custardy. It is faster than the skillet when you are feeding a crowd, and the grid holds the syrup. Top with berries and powdered sugar. Maple syrup or honey?

You will need: 6 thick slices brioche or Texas toast, 3 eggs, 3/4 cup milk, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tbsp sugar, cooking spray, berries, powdered sugar, maple syrup.

How to make it: 1. Whisk eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and sugar in a shallow dish. 2. Preheat and spray the iron. 3. Dip each slice for a few seconds per side. 4. Place in the iron and close. 5. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, until golden. 6. Top with berries, powdered sugar and syrup.

Mashed Potato Waffles, the Waffle Iron Recipes Your Leftovers Need

Leftover mashed potatoes become crispy, golden potato cakes with a soft center. Add an egg, a little flour, cheese and chives, then press. They are great with a dollop of sour cream or alongside leftover turkey. Thanksgiving is on November 26 this year, so save this one for the day after.

You will need: 2 cups cold leftover mashed potatoes, 1 egg, 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, 2 tbsp chopped chives, cooking spray, sour cream.

How to make it: 1. Preheat and spray the waffle iron well. 2. Mix potatoes, egg, flour, cheese and chives. 3. Scoop about 1/2 cup onto the iron. 4. Close and cook 6 to 8 minutes, without opening early. 5. Lift out carefully. 6. Top with sour cream.

Egg and Cheese Chaffles

Chaffles are just egg and shredded cheese cooked in a mini waffle iron. They are low in carbs and come out like a crispy, lacy bread. Use two as a bun for a BLT or a burger. Quick poll: A) BLT chaffle, B) burger chaffle, C) pizza chaffle, D) plain with butter. Which would you try?

You will need: 2 eggs, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 2 tbsp grated Parmesan, cooking spray, bacon, lettuce and tomato to fill.

How to make it: 1. Preheat a mini waffle iron. 2. Whisk eggs and stir in the cheeses. 3. Spray the iron and spoon in about 1/4 cup. 4. Close and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until golden and crisp. 5. Cool on a rack so they firm up. 6. Fill with bacon, lettuce and tomato.

Waffle Iron S’mores

Make a graham cracker style waffle, then top it with marshmallows and chocolate and close the lid for a moment so they melt. You get indoor s’mores with no campfire. It is a fun ending to a family movie night. Quick poll: A) extra marshmallow, B) extra chocolate, C) peanut butter swirl, D) classic. Which one wins?

You will need: 1 cup pancake mix, 1/2 cup finely crushed graham crackers, 1 tbsp brown sugar, the liquid the mix calls for, cooking spray, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 2 chocolate bars broken into squares.

How to make it: 1. Stir the pancake mix, graham crumbs and brown sugar with the liquid. 2. Cook waffles 3 to 4 minutes. 3. Top with marshmallows and chocolate. 4. Close the lid without pressing for 30 to 60 seconds. 5. Lift out carefully. 6. Cut into wedges and eat warm.

No-Stick and Cleanup Tips for Waffle Iron Recipes

A few habits make every recipe on this list easier. Grease the plates every time, even if they are nonstick, and let the iron heat fully before you add food. Do not pry with a metal fork. For more ideas, watch the Howdini video with 7 more ideas or try our French toast and waffle recipes. Which one will you make first?

You will need: Cooking spray or a pastry brush and oil, a silicone spatula, paper towels, a soft brush or old toothbrush, a damp cloth.

How to make it: 1. Unplug the iron and let it cool until just warm. 2. Wipe the plates with a paper towel. 3. Use a soft brush for crumbs in the grid. 4. For stuck cheese, lay a damp cloth on the closed iron for a few minutes to soften it. 5. Wipe again and dry. 6. Never put an electric waffle iron in water.