13 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With Frozen Waffles
So, you've decided it's time to break out the box of frozen waffles, grab a couple of them, pop them in the toaster, and smear them with butter and syrup ... because that's all they're suitable for, right? Not so fast. While frozen waffles are perfect for when you're in a rush or have a morning sweet tooth, there is so much more you can do with them. The reality is that on their own, they're a relatively bland bread with just a tiny bit of sweetness poking through. This is the main reason you likely rely on syrups and jellies to bring out their flavor. But the breakfast bread's blandness is actually an untapped strength — it means frozen waffles are the ultimate blank slate you can use to cultivate your culinary creativity.
The really good news? You can even use them as a base to enjoy savory foods. If you've never thought outside of the box with frozen waffles, it's time to see how they impressively replace bread products in all sorts of dishes. Namely, they fit in recipes ranging from snacks to main courses to desserts. Fortunately, you don't need to come up with your own creative renditions — we've got the scoop on the most innovative ways to use them. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your box of waffles and get started on a few of the creations you don't want to miss out on.
Assemble a sandwich
Next time you're short on sandwich bread, take a look at your freezer. Waffles are the perfect substitute — simply take two waffles and fill them with your favorite fixings. You can use this trick to make a wide range of sandwiches — they don't have to be limited to breakfast sandwiches. For example, make classic sandwiches like grilled cheese or PB&J. The waffle has a sweet undertone, but not so much that it clashes with more savory stuffings. The sugary and salty elements actually play off each other quite well.
If you want to create something more elegant, try a raspberry chipotle waffle Monte Cristo. Pile ham, bacon, cheese, and raspberry jam between two toasted waffles, then use chipotle seasoning to complement the jam's sweetness.
You don't have to stop there; waffle burgers are a thing, too. Although you typically see Belgian waffles used in this food trend, frozen waffles are just as suitable. Just be sure to toast the waffles thoroughly so they're stable enough to hold the meat and other condiments that could lead to soggy sandwich bread (this isn't the time to opt for microwaving your frozen waffles ... they'd likely fall apart quickly).
Make desserts
Let's discuss how a pre-made waffle is the best foundation for many desserts. First, they're an excellent replacement for sweet treats that contain cookies, cake, or bread components. For example, use waffles in your s'mores to create an insanely good grilled dessert. Start by cooking the waffles and marshmallows on the grill to give them the perfect level of smokiness. Then, substitute the graham crackers with the waffles to build your s'mores. Use chocolate hazelnut spread or stick to the classic chocolate bar — the choice is yours.
Another incredible way to utilize store-bought waffles is to construct ice cream sandwiches. Use your favorite ice cream and sandwich it between two cooked waffles. This method produces a jumbo ice cream sandwich that's larger than if you were to use cookies. Once assembled, roll the sides of the ice cream sandwich in sprinkles or Oreo crumbs to make a crowd-pleasing masterpiece.
You could even make a black forest-themed waffle treat if you're a fan of cherries or raspberries. A brilliant Redditor suggested this in a forum, and it is the bee's knees. Grab a few waffles and layer them up with raspberry or cherry jam, chocolate shavings, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce. Once you finish, it looks like a mini layered cake, especially if you add ingredients on the top and sides of the waffles.
Crumble them to make breadcrumbs
Did you know you can make breadcrumbs from waffles? This trick is likely one of the things you didn't know you could make with a food processor. The best thing is that the process doesn't take much time. First, toast the waffles to give them some color. Then, simply break them up into pieces with your hands so that they fit in the food processor. Next, use the pulse setting on the food processor to blitz the waffle pieces until they become crumbs. Now, use the breadcrumbs in whatever dish you prefer. Of course, an obvious choice would be to use it as a coating for fried chicken (a new take on chicken and waffles, so to speak).
Another tasty option is to make crusted fish with waffle crumbs. Specifically, pecan and cranberry-crusted salmon works flawlessly because the waffle pieces and the cranberry sauce offer a heavenly blend of flavors.
If you're still looking for ideas, don't forget that mac and cheese dishes are particularly tasty when you add breadcrumbs on top. Make the pasta dish on the stovetop, then transfer it to a casserole. Sprinkle the waffle crumbs atop the macaroni and bake until the top is a gorgeous golden brown. Now that you know it's possible to make breadcrumbs this way, it's time to stop throwing out broken waffles from the freezer.
Use them as a base for eggs Benedict
If your favorite time of day to enjoy waffles is breakfast, that's understandable. A classic buttery waffle is undoubtedly delicious, but sometimes you need something heartier to satisfy your hunger for longer. This is where egg Benedict waffles come into play. If you've never had classic eggs Benedict, the dish consists of an English muffin split in half and topped with Canadian bacon and poached eggs. The whole breakfast is then layered with rich hollandaise sauce.
The waffles version is essentially the same, but instead of using English muffins as the foundation, swap them for pre-made waffles. With the soft eggs, the crunchy waffles, and the silky sauce, this meal couldn't get any more perfect. Try variations of this dish and experiment with different breakfast meats in place of Canadian bacon. You can even add veggies like asparagus or spinach to give it a nice pop of green. Prepare all the components separately, then assemble them just before you serve the meal so it's as fresh as possible.
Bake them in a casserole
Use waffles in casseroles that require bread pieces, such as strata or bread pudding. Although people typically use brioche or stale bread for these dishes, you can use virtually any bread. So, if you have extra waffles or just want to make an exceptionally delicious sweet casserole, now is your chance. Bake a traditional recipe like bourbon bread pudding or create your own layered dish with mix-ins, such as berries, fruit, chocolate chips, or nuts. Use baking spices to flavor the bread pudding or add caramel, butterscotch, maple, or honey. There are endless ways to make a show-stopping sweet custard.
Another fantastic idea is to create a cinnamon roll-inspired waffle bread pudding. Make the custard base as usual and use waffles as the bread. Add cinnamon to the custard base, and once it all comes out of the oven, glaze it with vanilla icing.
If you want to make a savory casserole, strata is the right choice. Its base is very similar to bread pudding; however, strata recipes have a higher egg ratio and the dish isn't sugary. For example, try a spinach artichoke strata you can serve for lunch or dinner. Include meat crumbles if you prefer a heavier, rather than a lighter, meal.
Make stuffing with them
Odds are that you probably haven't thought to use waffle crumbs in your stuffing, but it's undoubtedly something you need to try. Although many folks view stuffing as a holiday-only food, it's tasty and deserves appreciation at other times of the year. So go ahead and use this as your excuse to make some. Instead of using regular breadcrumbs or pieces, replace the bread with the waffles — entirely, or just a portion.
You can try a classic herb stuffing with butter, celery, onions, and plenty of seasonings. Chop the waffles into small cubes, then cook the veggies on the stovetop before you add them to a bowl with the waffle bits. Finish it off by baking the mixture in the oven.
Alternatively, use a traditional Thanksgiving stuffing recipe that requires you to toast the waffle pieces in the oven first. Then, combine the cooked vegetables and other components to complete it. Either way, the subtly-sweet waffles add a nice twist to a savory stuffing, whether you serve it with glazed ham or add it to a turkey sandwich.
Transform them into french toast
What could be better than french toast made out of waffles? This trick is terrific because you no longer need to choose between the two, as you get the best of both worlds. First, slightly toast the waffles. This simple step prevents the waffles from becoming mushy when you dip them in the custard. If you desire french toast with a rich taste, only use egg yolks for your french toast custard. Follow the other ingredient amounts as usual, but omit the egg whites from the formula. Dunk the waffles in the custard a couple of times — just enough to saturate the outer layer — then fry them up on the skillet.
Another pro tip if you want the best-tasting french toast: Don't skip out on the butter. Of course, you can cook the breakfast treat in oil, or even just cooking spray, but when you use butter, it adds extra flavor. Work in batches if you plan to make several servings. For an optimal outcome, transfer the soaked bread to the pan and cook it immediately after dredging it. French toast waffles are sure to become a new breakfast staple.
Build mini pizzas
You've heard of pizza bagels, so how about you give pizza waffles a spin, too? Believe it or not, it's a scrumptious twist to a classic dish, especially for the kiddos. First, toast the waffles a bit to prevent them from getting soggy when you add the sauce. Then, assemble the mini pizzas as you would any other pizza. Slather the waffle with marinara sauce and the shredded cheese of your choice, then load it up with toppings such as sausage crumbles, pepperoni, and veggies.
There are numerous ways to cook these bad boys, which makes them convenient. Use the toaster, air fryer, or conventional oven to bake the pizzas until the cheese melts and the edges turn crispy. Now, you have tiny pizzas to serve at birthday parties, game day events, or just to enjoy as a midnight snack. Not to mention, this food is one of the best waffle creations to upgrade your mornings, because who doesn't love to indulge in pizza for breakfast every now and then?
Put them on fruit kabobs
Give fruit kabobs a crunchy element by adding store-bought waffle pieces to the skewers. Use assorted fruit for the best-tasting results. For example, use strawberries, bananas, melons, grapes, and blueberries. You can also use other types of fruit; just remember that some fruit is too soft to stay on the skewer. For example, raspberries turn soft rather quickly, but they work fine if you have a firm batch. Kiwi, blackberries, and mandarin oranges are also terrific options.
To build the kabobs, chop the fruit into bite-sized pieces before you slide them onto wooden skewers. In between the fruit pieces, pierce the waffle pieces onto the stick. Create a colorful pattern or add the components in a more sporadic order. For best results, build the kabobs immediately before you serve them. If not, the cooked waffles could end up soggy or stale, making the experience less enjoyable.
Create breakfast nachos
Use your creativity to make breakfast nachos with waffle pieces, like the frozen waffle brand Kodiak Cakes demonstrates on Facebook. To do so, grab the frozen waffles and toast them. Then, cut them into quarters and layer them across a large serving dish, so they're easier to pick up and eat once you garnish them. Drizzle or dollop vanilla or flavored yogurt, such as strawberry, peach, or blueberry, across the top. For the toppings, sprinkle chopped-up strawberries, bananas, and pineapple over the top, and maybe even a little bit of honey. You can add bite-sized berries, too, like blueberries and raspberries.
This lovely breakfast doesn't have to be limited to just these ingredients; get innovative with other toppings. Things such as shredded coconut, granola, or toasted nuts are all superb choices. If yogurt isn't your thing, try melted peanut butter, açaí puree, or Nutella. Any garnish you'd use on a sweet crepe works here as well.
Use them as taco shells
Eggo, one of the most renowned frozen waffles brands, shared a Facebook post discussing a genius idea for serving waffles. Folded into a taco shape and stuffed with meat, veggies, and cilantro, it's a unique way to utilize pre-made waffles. The benefit of building your own is that you get to customize it to fit your preferences. First, defrost the waffles, so they're soft enough to bend. Then, press the waffles so they become flatter; this is how you can fold them like a soft taco. If you have tongs on hand, you can use the tongs to fry the folded waffles into a crispier taco.
If you don't have tongs, form the waffles into the shape of a shell and use kitchen twine or toothpicks to hold their shape. Cook them in the conventional oven until they're lightly brown and firmer. Pro tip: they'll snap in half if you toast them without bending them first, so make sure you shape the tacos before cooking them up. Once your taco shells are ready, load them with chicken, pork, or beef. Add ingredients such as lettuce, diced tomato, onions, cheese, or guacamole to finish them off.
Sauté them
It's not uncommon for folks to cook pre-made waffles in the toaster, oven, or even microwave if they're in a time crunch. But have you ever thought to sauté them? If you haven't, you've been cooking your frozen waffles all wrong. If you want to try this method, you'll be happy to learn that the musician Tyler, the Creator has the perfect process. In Odd Future's YouTube video, Tyler shows the step-by-step breakdown of how he makes his famous seared waffles.
To make them yourself, you'll need butter, cinnamon, syrup, and frozen waffles. Heat a skillet on the stovetop, and in the meantime, smear butter on both sides of the waffles. Cook the buttered waffles for roughly 45 seconds on each side. For the tastiest results possible, sprinkle a dash of cinnamon on each side as it cooks. And there you have it, in less than five minutes, you've got perfectly sautéed cinnamon waffles. Douse them in maple syrup and place a butter chip on top to complete them.
Include them in a cheese fondue station
It's no secret that a cheese fondue station isn't complete without bread cubes. After all, cheese and bread are both comforting, so when you pair them, the result is gratifying. Next time, instead of using a standard bread choice, opt for waffle pieces. Cut the waffles into smaller portions with a bread knife, so it's easier to dip them. When you make your cheese fondue, use Swiss and Gouda to make it extra creamy, which perfectly contrasts with the crunchy waffles.
Don't forget to include other ingredients like salt, pepper, mustard, and garlic, so the fondue doesn't taste plain. Set up the fondue station with other components ideal for dipping, such as celery, carrots, chicken, shrimp, and chips. Lucky for you, since the waffle flavor is relatively mild and not overly sweet, it fits in perfectly with the other elements of the fondue bar. So whether you want to throw the ultimate '70s fondue party or you just want a tasty snack, waffle pieces are the perfect addition.