Waffle Irons: They're Not Just for Waffles Anymore

By Tara C.

Here at Food Lush, we appreciate a good waffle. Evidence can be found here, here, and here. But did you know you can cook your grilled cheese sandwich with your waffle iron, too? I didn't until I saw this post on Dinner a Love Story. Brilliant! The waffle maker acts as a panini maker and creates lovely, crispy waffled sandwiches. For a while there, I was putting all of our sandwiches in the waffle iron. My husband loves his peanut butter and jelly sandwich waffled--he claims it "carmelizes" the jelly. Personally, I prefer giving my grilled cheese the waffle treatment. All you need are two slices of bread and some cheese. Any bread will work as long as it's not too thick. You may need to hold the waffle iron down if it won't close.

There is a chance that the cheese could ooze out of the waffle maker, but don't worry. It's worth it.

See that crispy cheese on the outside? That's the best part.

It turns out that sandwiches are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things you can waffle. In a previous post, a commenter mentioned that canned cinnamon rolls can be cooked with a waffle maker. It's true, you can do that!

And then I found The Waffleizer, the website that provides 30 answers to the question "Will it waffle?" You have got to see these gorgeous creations.

Behold the waffled chocolate chip cookies:

The waffleburger:

Holy moley, it's a waffled egg! It's the croque madame:

All this waffling of non-waffles seems a tad rebellious to me. What are my other appliances hiding? What hidden potential is lurking in my kitchen? What about you? What off-label uses have you found for your waffle iron? Or any other kitchen appliances for that matter?

(photos from: me, The Waffleizer)

Comments

[Mattray]

I want to try the waffled chocolate chip cookies. My favorite thing about the Waffleizer site is from the FAQ:

Why only 30 answers?

Movies end.

[Tim Noyce]

My grilled cheese sandwiches were made in the plug in waffle iron growing up at home. I, too love the little tidbits of crispy cheese that are created during the process.

Nothing like it in my experience. I've tried the frying pan method, but I don't get the same type of cheese 'artifacts'.

I'm glad that someone else enjoys this tradition. We never got more creative though. It was used for waffles, and grilled cheese. The old waffle iron had the two-sided plates, but honestly I preferred the little square indentations to the smoother option.

[Tara C.]

Thanks for you comment, Tim. I like the little square indentations best, too.