Almost everyone has had the experience of making too many waffles.
Whether it’s because you made a larger-than-normal batch or somebody else in your household unexpectedly wants some, you’re likely to end up with leftover waffles at some point.
So what do you do with them?
I have a few ideas that can help you out.
Let’s take a look at them, shall we?
Freeze them for a quick breakfast later in the week
Freezing waffles is always an option, but be sure to store them in a way that leaves the edges exposed.
This will allow them to thaw quickly and evenly, whereas if they are completely enclosed by another food (like the inside of a freezer bag) you run the risk of sogginess.
If you like to make your waffles ahead of time, you could even try freezing them before cooking.
Turn them into waffle ice cream cones
To do this, simply place a cone in the center of each waffle cavity.
Once cooked, hold the cone firmly in place while the waffles cool to ensure that you don’t get any cone leakage.
While some people keep their ice cream cones on top of the glass for serving purposes, I actually recommend against this unless your bowl/mug is deep enough so that the cone’s tips do not stick out.
Otherwise, you run the risk of having bits and pieces of cones fall off and into your drink as you tip it back to take a sip.
Make waffle hot dogs
Cut each waffle in half.
Then, prepare some hot dogs on a griddle or frying pan (just enough so they are all lying flat).
Now place a half-waffle between two hot dogs, creating a “waffle dog”.
Make banana waffles
Chop up some bananas and put them in the batter before cooking your waffles (and remember to reduce the amount of water you use by an equivalent amount since bananas contain quite a lot of water compared to waffles).
This creates a slightly softer texture, which works well when eating the waffles with ice cream.
Make waffle cookies
Cut each cooked waffle into triangles before cooling them.
Then, frost each triangle in chocolate icing and sprinkle on some nuts (or sprinkles) if desired.
Once fully prepared, store in an airtight container until you’re ready to eat them.
Make waffle mini pizzas
Cut each cooked waffle into squares before storing.
When you’re ready to eat, top each square with your favorite pizza toppings and put them into a preheated oven for about five minutes or until crispy.
Serve warm.
Make a waffle sandwich with eggs, bacon, and cheese
Place two cooked waffles on a plate.
Add some cheese and then place another layer of waffles on top.
Cook some bacon or sausages, and once they’re done cut them up into smaller pieces.
Scramble an egg or fry it as you would a normal “sunny-side up” egg.
Now place everything together in a sandwich.
Create a savory waffle dish with ham, asparagus, and gruyere cheese
In a bowl, add two cups of ham, some chopped asparagus, and 1 cup of gruyere cheese.
In another bowl, place one cup of pancake batter and add some salt and pepper to taste.
Once fully mixed, pour it onto a waffle iron lined with a cheese slice or waffle mold (this will ensure your dish has nice waffle ridges).
Cook until golden brown.
Place the ham and asparagus mixture on top of the cooked waffle, and enjoy.
Bake waffles into crispy chips to top salads or desserts
To do this, simply top your cooked waffles with any sort of seasoning before baking them.
You can even use honey or chocolate syrup to create sweet “chips” that you could eat on their own or serve under ice cream.
Mix them with pancake batter for a new breakfast recipe
This one is as simple as it sounds.
Mix your waffle batter with pancake batter in a ratio of about 1:1.
Make sure the resulting mixture isn’t too thin or too thick by adjusting the amount of water you add accordingly.
Then, cook your pancakes as usual and dig in.
Use them as the crust for a sweet or savory pie
You can do this with either cooked or uncooked waffle batter.
Just add some sort of toppings, such as fruit jam, chocolate ganache, or even a savory filling.
Then bake until golden brown and enjoy.
Let the kids have fun with their own special recipes too
Remember, you can turn almost anything into a waffle.
If your kids want to try making their own recipes with waffles, don’t stop them.
Instead, teach them about cooking from scratch and let them have fun trying out new ideas that could potentially become delicious breakfast treats or desserts for everyone.
Use them as a simple alternative to traditional bread
Waffles are crispy, tasty, and can even be used as sandwich bread if you want to eliminate gluten from your diet.
They’re also much less messy than regular toast or sandwiches, making them great for kids’ lunches.
Can leftover waffles be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze leftover waffles in an airtight container for up to two months. (source)
How should I reheat them?
You can reheat frozen waffles in the oven or toaster oven at a temperature of around 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
What can I do with them if I don’t want to eat them as breakfast?
Leftover waffles can be used in a variety of different recipes, such as savory pies, sweet desserts, or even just as normal bread replacements.
Are they healthier than traditional bread?
Some people believe that waffles are a healthier option than traditional bread because they contain less gluten.
Whether this is true or not, however, depends on the brand of waffle you’re eating. (source)
How long can I keep leftover waffles in the fridge?
Leftover waffles should be stored in an airtight container and eaten within one week of being cooked.
You do not need to thaw them before reheating them.
Do I have to thaw them before reheating?
No, you do not have to thaw leftover waffles before reheating them in the oven or a toaster oven at a temperature of around 350 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes until they’re crispy again.
You should always avoid microwaving your waffles, however, as this will make the texture soggy. (source)
Are waffles just for breakfast?
No, waffles can be used for multiple meals throughout the day.
They’re perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or an afternoon snack.
You can also use them to help with school lunches or as bread replacements in sandwiches and other recipes.
How long do they stay crispy?
Waffles generally remain crispy for around five days after cooking, as long as you store them in an airtight container and eat them within that time frame.
Conclusion
The possibilities for waffles are virtually endless.
You can use them as a dessert, breakfast, side dish to your favorite meal – or you can even turn them into chips and sandwich bread.
If you’re looking for new recipes that will please the whole family, don’t hesitate to try out these 12 creative ways of cooking with waffles.