These cheddar waffles are perfectly crisp, meltingly tender, and just the right balance of sweet and savory. They are great for any time of day.
Crispy Cheddar Waffles
What is the mysterious element of flavor that makes food taste savory? It's umami. Umami is the Japanese word for the fifth taste (after sweet, salty, sour, and bitter). Foods with umami pack a deep and satisfying taste sensation.
How can you add umami flavor to your cooking? Use umami-rich ingredients like aged cheese, soy sauce, tomatoes, mushrooms, and caramelized onions to make food taste better than ever. New cookbook Umami Bomb: 75 Vegetarian Recipes That Explode with Flavor shows you how to do it with a collection of 75 recipes filled with secret savory power.
Try these sweet and savory cheddar cheese waffles for a sample of the magic of umami. They're both crispy and tender, thanks to a couple of secret ingredients. If you enjoy these waffles, pick up Umami Bomb by Raquel Pelzel at your favorite bookseller to enjoy more umami-themed recipes.
Crispy Cheddar Waffles
Equipment
- Waffle maker
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sweet rice flour see Note
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs separated
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter melted, plus cold butter for serving (optional)
- 3 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese grated on the medium-hole side of a box grater (about 1 cup)
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Warm maple syrup for serving
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, rice flour, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Preheat a waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Set a sheet pan in the oven and preheat it to 250°F.
- Whisk the buttermilk, egg yolks, and vanilla together in a medium bowl. In a separate medium bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment), beat the egg whites with the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar until the whites hold stiff peaks.
- Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture, pour in the melted butter, add the cheese, and stir to combine. Use a whisk or rubber spatula to fold in the egg whites.
- Spray the waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray and then add enough batter to fill the waffle mold about two-thirds of the way to the edge. Close the waffle maker and cook until the waffle is browned and crisp. Transfer the waffle to the sheet pan, cover with a kitchen towel, and keep warm in the oven while you make the rest of the waffles. Serve immediately with more butter (if you likand warm maple syrup.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe and photos excerpted from Umami Bomb: 75 Vegetarian Recipes That Explode With Flavor by Raquel Pelzel (Workman Publishing). Copyright © 2019. Photographs by Kate Sears.
Love waffles? Try these, too!
test
Your cheddar waffles look so good and crispy! I'm such a waffle and cheese lover and I'm looking forward to making these waffles. Yum!
Oh yum!! You added cheese to waffles. Life is good. I would add some bacon to put that yummy recipe over the top.
I tend to love anything with cheese, so I'll have to try these for sure. I bet my family will love these. I make waffles a lot for dinner.
I've actually never heard of cheddar waffles before. I'm sure I've been missing out on a yummy treat.
Oh my goodness these sound like they would be delicious. I have to 100% admit I love anything with cheese, so I need to whip me something up.
Cheesy waffles? Yes please! What a great idea. My kids would love these
I never thought of making savoury waffles. Not this inspired me to try something new!
Wow these look soooo delicious. I love that they're savory since I don't have a big sweet tooth at breakfast. Gotta try this!
These waffles look so good. I have never tried them like this before though. It's going to be interesting trying them out. I'm sure they're good though.
My grandkids would love these! I have never seen anything like it. Very creative. Pinning.
These sound so yummy. But I need to go on a diet just reading the recipe. I would have no self control and would eat all that I make!
That crispy Cheddar waffles looks yum. I need to try this I love sharp cheddar.
I love waffles and it's been a long time since I made myself one. I guess I will be making this over the weekend again.Why not give a try for cheddar waffles!
Oh my goodness! These crispy cheddar waffles look amazing! I love savory breakfasts so this is right up my alley. It would be perfect for a brunch! Going to have to try it!
These look yummy! Is there a way to adapt it and use waffle mix instead of completely from scratch?
Possibly. You could make the waffle batter, and then start somewhere in step 3, depending on whether you'd already added butter or not, and then go from there.