Oh man are you gonna love me for this bit of news! And I’ll jump right to it: If you carry an inventor’s spirit, your waffle maker isn’t just for waffles. No, your waffle maker can create almost anything.

As long as you’re alright with the end product coming out with grid imprints, let your imagination run wild. In fact, the waffle maker might be the most underrated tool of the kitchen.

For instance, you can actually bake chocolate chip cookies (or any cookie dough, really), and even brownie batter in the waffle maker. The waffle maker gives you more ease of control, allowing your product to be as soft and chewy as you desire. You just have to watch it closely—be willing to experiment.

On a savory side, you can even use the waffle maker to bake macaroni and cheese. You’ll end up with crispy mac and cheese bites, the likes of which you will probably devour regularly.

Make you favorite mac n’ cheese recipe and then spray your waffle maker well with cooking spray (both sides). Then spoon this on, close the maker, and bake away. Making it this way is a little more labor-intensive than baking the whole dish in the oven, but the result is so delicious, and don’t you love the idea of not heating up the kitchen in the summer? Let’s keep the oven off!

Or how about a quesadilla made in a waffle maker? No kidding. All you need is string cheese, eggs, a little flour, and some Panko bread crumbs. And of course, your favorite salsa for serving. It takes a little longer than a microwave, but it’s worth the extra few minutes. And they taste like you made them on the stove-top. Treasure the ease and devour the cheese.

CHEESY WAFFLE QUESADILLAS

4 string cheeses (per waffle)

Eggs (beaten), as needed

Flour, as needed

Panko bread crumbs, as needed

Salsa for serving

1. Coat the string cheese with flour. Dip in beaten eggs before coating with panko bread crumbs.


2. Place the string cheese onto a greased waffle iron.


3. Close the waffle iron and cook for about 15 minutes (watch closely to avoid burning).


4. Enjoy these with your favorite salsa!

And then there’s the grilled cheese sandwich made on the waffle maker. This meal may become your dinner for the next month. This recipe is so easy, I shouldn’t have to explain it to you. But I will because I care about your satisfaction of life and want you to be happy.

Butter up the outsides of the bread, pack cheese in the middle, place it all in the waffle maker and wait for that heavenly smell. Open waffle maker. Eat and enjoy.

We also use our maker to create patties from our leftover mashed potatoes. Just season them and plop some onto your well-sprayed waffle maker, close, and let everything cook until the patties reach desired crispiness. If your spuds are a little dry, you might mix in a smidge of milk before placing them on the maker.

I wasn’t exaggerating, was I? Your waffle maker can create just about anything! All you need is a spirit of adventure and the courage to risk. I’ll close by asking if you’ve ever cooked anything unusual on your maker? Share your clever news with us! Meanwhile, here’s to deliciousness without relying on that hot hot oven.




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