There’s no doubt that waffles are one of the all-time best breakfast foods, but how often are you really using your waffle iron? Give that iron new meaning with new breakfast, snack, lunch and dessert recipes you never would have thought could be cooked on that old waffle iron sitting in the corner of your cupboard. The best part of these recipes is the cooking time: almost none.
1. Cinnamon Rolls
We’ve all woken up craving cinnamon rolls, and then waited half an hour for them to cook. Now, simply throw four cinnamon rolls straight from the can and onto your waffle iron. Cook them for a minute or so, until they’re lightly browned. Drizzle on icing and enjoy cinnamon rolls in much less time.
2. Eggs
They taste just like your everyday eggs, except they’re shaped like a waffle. Most waffle irons fit about two eggs scrambled perfectly. Add your own twist with cheese, ham, spinach or whatever else you like. The eggs take seconds to cook on the hot iron.
3. Hashbrowns
Next time you’re grocery shopping, grab a bag of fresh grated potatoes or a potato to shred yourself. Salt the potato to taste, then sprinkle the shreds on the waffle iron. Leave it on until browned to your liking, then enjoy!
4. Apple Chips
For a healthy, quick snack, this recipe is the perfect fix. Slice an apple thinly and put it on the waffle iron. In a few seconds the apple will be crispy and delicious. For an extra twist, add some cinnamon sugar on top.
5. Quesadilla
Trying to do fewer dishes? Another benefit of cooking on the iron is fewer pans to wash. Next time you’re craving a quesadilla, throw it on the waffle iron. It will come out with a few square dents, but the iron also makes perfect quarters of your tortilla.
6. Brownies
Another food we’d all prefer not to wait for: brownies. The waffle iron will cook up that chocolate craving quickly, and you can even eat it for breakfast if you want. The fun waffle texture makes it easy to eat with chocolate syrup, ice cream or whipped cream on top.
7. Cornbread
While not something that’s a staple of my weekly diet, I can’t stop cooking cornbread now that I can put it in my waffle iron. Cornbread is a great side for dinner, and it’s easy to make it spicy or sweet by adding jalapeños or a dash of sugar.
8. Bacon
For a super quick and delicious breakfast side, cook bacon on your waffle iron. It cooks twice as fast because heat comes from both sides, and its crispy, crunchy and greasy, just like bacon should be.
9. Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside — the perfect combo. When you bite into a piece of waffle-cooked mac ‘n’ cheese, you’ll never go back to regular mac. It makes a great lunch, or even a cute appetizer for a party.
10. Grilled Cheese
Finally, the ultimate quick lunch: the waffle grilled cheese. While it may come in a funny waffle shape, this sandwich will leave you wanting more, and you won’t have to wash a pan ever again.
Now you can make the perfect breakfast all in one place, great snacks for when you’re on the go and yummy treats for that sweet tooth you’re always trying to satisfy. For those lazy Sundays, cook up hashbrowns, eggs and cinnamon rolls, and for your next dinner, cook up cornbread and mac ‘n’ cheese for a classic southern meal. Once you try these meals, you’ll never put your waffle iron away.
Photo credits: nbcnews.com