Spicy Hash Brown Waffles with Fried Eggs

Who ever said waffles could only be served with syrup, fresh fruit and whipped cream? This savory waffle recipe will totally upend the breakfast paradigm, and you might just find yourself craving savory waffles for lunch and dinner, too. Unique, flavorful, and welcome at any time of day, these spicy waffles, made with potatoes, rather than flour, are sure to be a hit in your household.

That’s all the more true because you can come up with endless different savory waffle recipes by playing around with the toppings and the pairings. Sure, fried eggs are delicious with these waffles, but so are chicken, pork or steak. And you can top them with anything from salsa to avocado to sour cream and beyond.

Savory Waffle Ingredients

• Eggs: This recipe calls for five eggs, divided in how they will be used. Technically, you only need one egg for the actual savory potato waffles, though, if you are serving with other foods paired.
• Ground cumin: Cumin is a potent spice, so measure carefully and don’t overdo it — add too much cumin, and it’s all you’ll taste
• Pepper: We don’t always call out pepper, but here it is very much part of the seasoning profile, not a spice added lightly to taste, so measure and include it with care.
• Chili powder: Chili powder brings the heat and adds more savory goodness to these savory waffles.
• Hash brown potatoes: You’ll need nearly two cups of shredded potatoes, and keep them refrigerated before you start the cooking process. This will help ensure the proper consistency of the waffles.
• Onion: Make sure this small onion is finely chopped so that it can mix well into the waffles. Larger onion chunks will make it harder for the waffles to hold their shape.
• Chopped green chiles: Use canned green chiles for these waffles; they will have the proper consistency for the dish.
• Salsa: Here’s where you can take the most control over the flavor profile of these potato waffles. Will you go with a mild salsa? A medium? Or a blazing hot?
• Cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese: Like with the additional eggs, the cheese is optional here, depending on what you’re serving with your savory waffles.
• Optional toppings: Salsa, guacamole, sour cream and minced fresh cilantro are all optional but well-advised toppings.

Directions

Step 1: Prep and cook the savory waffles

In a large bowl, whisk together one egg, the salt, cumin, pepper and chili powder. Then stir in the potatoes, onion, green chiles and salsa. Transfer this mixture to a preheated waffle iron coated with cooking spray and cook it until the waffles are golden brown and the potatoes are tender, which will take eight to 12 minutes.

Step 2: Cook the eggs in a large skillet

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Break the remaining eggs, one at a time, into pan, then reduce the heat to low. Cook the eggs to your desired doneness, turning them over after the whites are set if desired. Remove the eggs from the heat but leave them in the pan and sprinkle on the cheese. Then, cover the pan and let it stand for three minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Step 3: Top the waffles as desired and enjoy

Serve the eggs and potato waffles with the toppings of your choice.

Savory Waffles Variations

• Make chicken and potato waffles: These savory potato waffles go as well with chicken as they do with eggs. Use chicken tenders for the best texture pairing.
• Skip the heat: Leave out the chile powder if you don’t like things spicy; consider swapping in paprika so the dish still has plenty of flavor.
• Mix up the toppings: Anything that would be delicious in a taco or on a baked potato will top these waffles well, from bacon bits to chives to butter and more.

How to Store Savory Waffles

These waffles will keep well in the fridge for up to three days and are best reheated in a hot oven or an air fryer. You can use a pan as well, but that can lead to sogginess.

Can you freeze potato waffles?

Yes, these savory waffles can freeze for up to six months. Cover them in airtight wrap or in freezer-safer bags and save them for another day.

Savory Waffle Tips

How do I stop my potato waffles from falling apart?

If your waffles are breaking apart as you remove them from the waffle iron, then next time try using more spray or oil on the iron, and make sure to let the waffles cook until they have truly started to brown. Also make sure the egg mixes all the way through the potato shreds.

Can you use fresh shredded potatoes?

Yes you can, just be sure to take the time to press the potatoes with paper towels to remove as much excess water content as you can.

What other spices would work in this recipe?

If you’re not a cumin fan, or you just don’t have cumin on hand, some garlic powder is a good way to create a different but quite welcome flavor profile.