Stuffing Waffles

I know I’m not alone in thinking the stuffing is the best part of Thanksgiving dinner. Sure, the sweet potatoes are great, as are the cranberries, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. But it’s unfathomable for me to think about Thanksgiving without the stuffing. Almost as good as a heaping scoop of stuffing on Thanksgiving day, is a scoop of reheated leftover stuffing. Still good, but it lacks the crispy edges that the salty, herbal bread cubes have when fresh out of the oven. Enter: the waffle iron.

Waffles are a delicious, sweet and warm breakfast staple. But the crispy outer layer and the soft, moist, cakey inside make them irresistible. Kind of like stuffing… It seems inevitable that these two crowd favorites would come together and combine into the delicious, aromatic, savory and toasty stuffing waffles. They’re perfect right out of the waffle iron, dipped in leftover turkey gravy or covered in tangy homemade cranberry sauce.

Ingredients for Stuffing Waffles

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• Stuffing: Four cups of leftover, cooked stuffing is the main ingredient in this recipe. Choose your go-to or experiment with a regional favorite.
• Eggs: Two large eggs are beaten and added to the leftover stuffing to provide the necessary binding agent to hold the ingredients together. The eggs also help create the crispy outer layer of the stuffing waffles.
• Broth: A couple of tablespoons of chicken or turkey broth adds enough moisture to reconstitute the leftover stuffing. Be careful not to make it too soggy, or it won’t crisp up in the waffle iron. You can use salted water in a pinch.
• Toppings: Optional toppings include gravy, sliced green onions or cranberry sauce.

Directions

Step 1: Make the batter

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Preheat and grease a waffle iron. In a large bowl, add the stuffing, beaten eggs and broth. Mix the ingredients until well combined.

Step 2: Make the waffles

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Scoop out 1-1/3 cup of stuffing mixture and place it into the waffle maker. Close the lid and cook until the stuffing has turned golden brown and the surface is crispy. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for cooking times. Repeat the process with the reaming stuffing mixture. Serve the waffles warm with optional toppings.

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Stuffing Waffle Variations

• Make them international: Bring some Mexican flavor to the waffles by adding cornbread, crumbled chorizo and roasted chiles to the stuffing. Or make Indian-inspired stuffing by adding garam masala, cumin, cashews and yellow raisins to the leftovers.
• Make Thanksgiving Benedict: Add leftover reheated turkey to the top of the waffles and top with a poached egg and gravy or hollandaise sauce.
• Fried chicken and stuffing waffles: Cut a waffle in two and place a fried chicken breast between the halves. Add some hot sauce and pickles for the ultimate spicy and tangy sandwich.

How to Store Stuffing Waffles

When the waffles have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, cook the waffles in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes until crisp and heated through.

Can you freeze stuffing waffles?

You can! For best results, place the waffles on a baking pan or tray and place them into the freezer for one to two hours until frozen solid. Remove the waffles from the freezer and place them into a freezer-safe zipper bag or container. Place wax paper or parchment between layers to keep the waffles from sticking together.

Stuffing Waffle Tips

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How do I remove stuffing waffles from the waffle iron?

To avoid sticking, make sure to grease the waffle iron before adding the stuffing mixture. If the cooked waffles stick to the iron, they need more time. Let them cook a little longer before removing them. For stubborn waffles, use a fork to loosen and free the edges around the iron before trying to remove it altogether.

Can stuffing waffles be made gluten-free?

Yes, you can absolutely make gluten-free stuffing waffles. The first step is to make a batch of gluten-free stuffing so even those with wheat sensitivity don’t miss out on the best part of Thanksgiving dinner. To make the stuffing waffles, follow the recipe directions using the gluten-free leftovers.

Can I make these waffles with fresh stuffing?

You can definitely make this recipe using freshly made stuffing. Whether it’s made in a pan or in the oven, allow the stuffing to cool completely before adding the eggs. Follow the recipe as directed to make delicious stuffing waffles from a fresh batch of stuffing.