Waffles are a classic breakfast staple, but next time try making this Savory Waffle Recipe. The combination of salty ham, melted cheese, and green onions in a crispy waffle is a match made in heaven. It takes a little extra work to make these ham and cheese waffles, but it is so worth it for the unique flavor! The best part is they can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen for easier meal prep!
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Just like Overnight Ham & Egg Casserole, this also a great recipe to use up leftover ham, especially after the Easter Holiday.
Ingredients
This Savory Waffle recipe uses pretty simple ingredients. It is made with traditional homemade waffle ingredients except we are not adding sugar and instead are adding some savory ingredients like Dijon, green onions, ham, cheese, salt and pepper.
Pictured are the ingredients you need, plus some tips on a few ingredients:
Ham: You need a heaping cup of ham to make this savory waffle recipe. It is a great way to use up leftover ham. Or, like pictured above, you can buy a ham steak and dice it up. There is also a product at the grocery store that is finely diced ham in a package.
Cheese: Whatever cheese you choose to use, Gruyere, Swiss or Cheddar, it is best to use fresh shredded cheese. It will melt smoother and creamier in your waffles.
Green Onions: When using green onions in your waffles make sure you cut them small, and use the white and light green parts. Then you can use the dark green parts for garnish.
Equipment: Waffle Iron
This recipe will work in any waffle maker that you have! I use a 4 inch Dash Waffle Iron. It is a single waffle iron so it does take a little longer to make all 20 waffles.
A quad waffle iron would make much faster work of these ham and cheese waffles!
Variation Options
This Savory Waffle Recipe is filled with cheese, ham and green onions, but you can choose any combo of salty and savory ingredients for your waffles. Here are some ideas:
- Pancetta, shredded mozzarella, chopped basil & spinach
- Breakfast sausage (browned & crumbled), cheddar, green onion
- Crispy prosciutto (crumbled), parmesan, shallots
- Crispy Crumbled Bacon, Monterey Jack cheese, green onions
Step by Step
To make these ham and cheese waffles you will start by separating 3 eggs, you need one bowl of yolks and one bowl of whites.
Then pop the whites into a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. Whisk until stiff peaks form, about 7-10 minutes. Then set aside.
Meanwhile, in one bowl mix the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, kosher salt and black pepper. Set aside
In another bowl or large liquid measuring cup combine: egg yolks, oil, milk and Dijon mustard.
Now stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir in the green onions, diced ham and cheese.
Finally, fold the stiff egg whites into the mixture.
Time to make the waffles! Preheat your waffle maker and lightly spray with non-stick spray.
In my 4 inch Dash Waffle Iron I use a scant ⅓ cup of batter per waffle, and they cook in about 2 minutes.
Repeat until all the batter is used.
My 4 inch waffle iron makes about 20 waffles. I serve 2 per person with some fruit and yogurt.
Make Ahead
Since it takes a while to prep and make all the waffles you can absolutely make them ahead for easier meal prep.
Keep them in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
You can reheat them in a skillet, toaster or toaster oven or if you are doing more than one you can pop them in a 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes until they are warmed through and crispy.
Freezing
These waffles freeze really well! I like to place them on a baking sheet that will fit in the freezer. Leave them in the freezer for about 1 hour. Then transfer to a freezer safe baggie.
They will be good in the freezer for about 6 months.
You can reheat them in a skillet, toaster or toaster oven or if you are doing more than one you can pop them in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes until they are warmed through and crispy.
Savory Waffle Topping Ideas
Of course there is the traditional topping of butter and maple syrup for your savory waffles. But we like to branch out with things like avocado and over easy eggs. Here are some other ideas:
- Diced Avocado or mashed avocado
- Extra Dijon mustard
- Sour cream or plain Greek Yogurt
- over easy egg
- Mango pepper jelly or other spicy fruit jellies
- Hollandaise sauce
- Crispy Bacon
- Fresh tomatoes and burrata
- Crispy Chicken Tenders and syrup (Chicken & Waffles!)
- Bacon Jam
Side Dishes for Serving
Since this is a savory breakfast recipe I recommend adding some sweetness on the side. Fresh fruit and a sweet fruit yogurt would be perfect!
Menu for a Brunch Buffet
If you are having a brunch buffet and want to include these Savory Waffles, here are some other dishes to add:
- Savory Waffles
- Toppings: syrup, sour cream, mashed avocado, and fruit & pepper jelly
- Scrambled eggs
- Fresh fruit bowl
- Crispy Chicken Tenders
- Cheesy Potatoes
- Store Bought Kale Salad
- Fresh Lemonade
More Savory Breakfast Recipes
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Did you make this recipe?
I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me
Savory Waffle Recipe
Equipment
- waffle iron
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs - yolks and whites divided!
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp. baking powder
- ¾ tsp. kosher salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 1 ¾ cups milk - preferably whole milk
- ½ cup canola oil
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 cup ham (heaping cup) - finely diced
- 1 cup Gruyere, Swiss OR Cheddar cheese
- 1 Tbsp. chopped chives - optional
Instructions
- Start by separating the 3 eggs: yolks in one bowl, whites in another bowl.
- Beat the 3 egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. This will take a while, 7-10 minutes. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Give it a light whisk or stir to combine.2 cups all purpose flour, 1 Tbsp. baking powder, ¾ tsp. kosher salt, ¼ tsp. black pepper
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the 3 egg yolks, milk, oil and Dijon mustard.1 ¾ cups milk, ½ cup canola oil, 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- Gradually stir the liquid ingredients into the flour mixture.
- Add in the diced ham, cheese and chives and blend together lightly; mixture should be slightly lumpy.1 cup ham (heaping cup), 1 cup Gruyere, Swiss OR Cheddar cheese, 1 Tbsp. chopped chives
- Carefully fold the egg whites into the above mixture. Do not over mix.
- Preheat the waffle iron. Spray the waffle iron with non-stick spray.
- Pour the batter onto the center of the waffle iron. Cook the waffles until golden brown.In my 4 inch waffle iron it takes about 2 minutes per waffle.
- Serve topped with butter and maple syrup. Also delicious with a poached egg and diced avocado on top and additional Dijon mustard for dipping.See notes for other toppings.
Recipe Tips and Notes:
- Diced Avocado or mashed avocado
- Dijon Mustard for dipping
- Bacon Jam!
- Sour cream or plain Greek Yogurt
- over easy egg
- Mango pepper jelly or other spicy fruit jellies
- Hollandaise sauce
- Crispy Bacon
- Fresh tomatoes and burrata
- Crispy Chicken Tenders and syrup (Chicken & Waffles!)
Hope
These turned out great! Made according to recipe only I did not have green onions. Ate with butter and maple syrup but will try leftovers with an egg on top. Made these in my vintage Belgian waffle maker from 1992😊
Susie Weinrich
Vintage = 1992, LOL! So glad you loved this recipe!!
Renee
SO delicious! Whipping the egg whites gives a really nice texture to the waffles and is worth the extra step. I followed the recipe exactly and they turned out delicious. I served them with fried eggs (runny yolks) and avocado on top.