Description
Stove Top Stuffing Waffles offer a creative and delicious twist on classic holiday stuffing. These crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside waffles are made by combining hydrated stuffing mix with eggs, cheese, and savory add-ins, then cooking the batter in a waffle iron. Perfect as a festive side dish, breakfast option, or appetizer, these waffles bring all the comforting flavors of stuffing with an exciting new texture and presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 box (6 oz) Stove Top stuffing mix (any variety)
- 1½ cups hot water or chicken broth
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional but recommended)
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup cooked, crumbled sausage or bacon (optional)
- ¼ cup sautéed mushrooms or onions (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Substitutions and Dietary Options
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free stuffing mix
- Dairy-free: Replace butter with olive oil and omit cheese or use dairy-free cheese
- Vegetarian: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and skip meat additions
Instructions
- Prepare the Stuffing Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Stove Top stuffing mix with hot water or chicken broth. Make sure the liquid is steaming hot to properly hydrate the breadcrumbs. Stir thoroughly, then add the melted butter. Cover the bowl with a plate or kitchen towel and let sit for about 5 minutes to allow the bread cubes to absorb all moisture and seasonings, forming a cohesive stuffing mixture.
- Mix in the Binding Ingredients: Once the stuffing has absorbed the liquid and cooled slightly to avoid cooking the eggs, add the beaten eggs, shredded cheddar cheese, and fresh parsley. Fold everything together until fully combined. The mixture should be thick and slightly spreadable. At this point, fold in optional cooked sausage, bacon, or sautéed mushrooms/onions if using.
- Preheat and Prepare Your Waffle Iron: Set your waffle iron to medium-high heat and generously spray both plates with non-stick cooking spray. Optionally, brush with melted butter or oil for extra non-stick protection. Wait until the iron is fully preheated before cooking.
- Cook the Waffles to Golden Perfection: Scoop about ½ to ¾ cup of stuffing mixture onto the center of the preheated waffle iron. Use a spatula to spread it toward the edges without overfilling. Close the lid gently and cook for 5-7 minutes without opening. Look for deep golden brown color and crispy edges as indicators of doneness. If the waffle sticks, close the lid and cook for another minute.
- Keep Warm and Repeat: Transfer cooked waffles to a baking sheet in a 200°F oven to keep warm and crispy while you cook the remaining batter. Repeat greasing and cooking steps until all batter is used, yielding about 4-6 waffles depending on your waffle iron size.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the stuffing waffles hot with toppings like butter, gravy, sour cream, or a fried egg. The exterior should be crispy and crunchy, while the interior remains flavorful and tender.
Notes
- Ensure the stuffing mixture is well hydrated but not soggy to hold waffle shape.
- Generous greasing of the waffle iron prevents sticking, especially because of cheese and bread mixture.
- Keeping finished waffles in a warm oven preserves crispiness between batches.
- Adjust add-ins and broth choices for dietary preferences such as gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegetarian.
- Do not overfill the waffle iron as stuffing batter does not expand like traditional waffle batter.
