Love and Olive Oil

Savory Cornbread Waffles

Savory Cornmeal Waffles from @loveandoliveoil

Waffles aren’t just for breakfast, you know, nor do they always have to be sweet. They have a secret savory side that’s downright delicious.

We’ve already turned biscuits into waffles, so why not cornbread too?

Turns out cornbread waffles are pretty darn fantastic, if I do say so myself. While maybe not quite as crispy as a traditional buttermilk waffle, they have a tender crumb and nutty flavor that makes for a fabulous savory foundation. I mean, really, anything you’d serve with cornbread you could serve atop these waffles. Our favorite? The chili cheese waffles. With a dollop of sour cream and some fresh cilantro, they are a hearty and satisfying dinner, no question about it.

But these waffles are also great topped with a fried egg and hollandaise sauce or a salad of fresh and spicy greens. You can also mix in various herbs or cheeses into the batter itself for even more flavor.

Visit the KitchenAid® Kitchenthusiast™ blog for the recipe »

Savory Cornmeal Waffles from @loveandoliveoil

Now, let’s take a moment to talk about this waffle maker.

Excuse me. Waffle BAKER.

I’ve used my fair share of waffle makers. I think I’ve owned 3 different models over the years. And this one is leaps and bounds above the rest. The waffles are wonderfully thick and perfectly golden brown. And it makes two waffles at once. I don’t think I need to present any arguments as to why two is better than one.

Just don’t overfill it.

Savory Cornmeal Waffles

Savory waffles are slightly crunchy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside, with a savory cornbread flavor. Top it any number of ways: anything that would go well with a slice of fresh cornbread would go equally as well with these savory cornbread waffles.

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Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 cup stone ground yellow cornmeal
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 large eggs, separated
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled to lukewarm
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking soda, baking powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
  2. Mix in buttermilk, egg yolks, melted butter, and honey until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk egg whites until they hold semi-stiff peaks. Fold whites into batter.
  4. Ladle a scant cup of batter into waffle maker, flip and repeat for other side. Cook for about 4 minutes or until waffles are deep golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a baking sheet in a 225ºF oven to keep warm and repeat with remaining batter.

Variations:

Chili Cheese Waffles: Mix 1 cup of shredded cheese into batter prior to cooking. We like a mix of 1/2 cup white cheddar, 1/4 cup manchego, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan. Top with your favorite hearty chili, sour cream, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro.

Sunnyside-Up Herb Waffles: Mix 2/3 cup of chopped fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, and chives into waffle batter. Top with a fried or poached egg and drizzle with creamy hollandaise sauce.

Waffles & Greens: Toss fresh arugula, watercress, or other spicy green with a squeeze of lemon juice, a splash of olive oil, and a dash of salt and pepper. Top each waffle with a handful of greens, crumbled goat cheese, and roasted pistachios.

Chicken & Waffles: A southern favorite! Top waffles with a piece of your favorite crispy fried chicken and a drizzle of raw local honey.

All images and text © / Love & Olive Oil

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1,877 Comments

  1. classic Belgian. hot maple syrup, real butter. YUM! 

  2. And I follow both of your boards on Pinterest @mandycandy7118

  3. I love sweet waffles with ice cream, bananas, and Nutella!

  4. Already an email subscriber

  5. I follow you both on Twitter and tweeted the message:
    https://twitter.com/mandycandy7118/status/436587402031661056

  6. Yum ..WAFFLES!!! My favorite way to eat ’em is a little bit of butter and some fancy schmancy maple syrup. I collect maple syrup bottles from my travels and use them all the time.

  7. Banana nut!

  8. Following you both on Facebook! 

  9. Following you both on Pinterest!

  10. My favorite waffles are Danielle Walker ‘ s gf cashew butter waffles.   I sometimes crumble bacon in or sprinkle with chocolate chunks before putting the lid down…

  11. Following both on Pinterest

    pop21

  12. Subscribed via email

  13. I love a good Belgium Waffle with the addition of —— lemon zest. Or Lemon Oil, if you have it. It makes a fruit topping just singgggggggggg.

  14. Fav waffle is the simple sweet waffle with berry overloads!

  15. I follow Kitchen Aid on pinterest. 

  16. I follow Kitchen Aid on twitter.

  17. I love a vanilla waffle with real maple syrup with a side of bacon or sausage

  18. I follow you on twitter.

  19. I follow you on pinterest. 

  20. I loveeee waffles with peanut butter and bacon! Although I am trying this recipe tonight as we were going to make waffles anyways! These sound so tasty!

  21. I love waffles for breakfast, but my favorite was accidental – we had a maker with reversible plates and didn’t reverse them before heating. So waffle grilled cheese – yum!

  22. I am already subscribed to Love and Olive Oil through email and BlogLovin’!

  23. My favorite waffles are chocolate chip with strawberries and whip cream!

  24. I follow you both on Pinterest @mypinkmixerblog

  25. I follow you on Pinterest (Anne Pikula).

  26. I follow you both on Twitter and tweeted the giveaway.https://twitter.com/mypinkmixerblog/status/436581724219125760

  27. I have a great grain free recipe using cashews  and honey!

  28. Nutella & bananas with coconut syrup on my waffles – YUM!

  29. I’m an email subscriber.

  30. I subscribe via email.

  31. I love waffles topped with banana slices, almond butter and a drizzle of pure maple syrup – yum!

  32. I subscribe to the blog and to both you and Kitchen Aid via twitter ([email protected] for both), and I follow both on Pinterest (Charlotte Fleming).

  33. Buttermilk waffle with homemade raspberry jam

  34. I follow both on pinterest and the username is ashleycelena.

  35. I am already subscribed for emails and I already follow on pinterest (and my profile name is Ashley Wheeler)!

  36. Ever since I first saw it I’ve wanted to try making hash browns in a waffle iron.  I imagine it would be awesome topped with bacon, avocado, an egg over easy, and hollandaise sauce.

  37. I love dessert waffles with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream!

  38. I already subscribe to l&oo updates :)

  39. My favorite waffles are good old fashioned buttermilk waffles! Though I’ll admit to not a lot of experimentation on the standard. 

  40. I subscribe to your newsletter

  41. Straight up buttermilk waffles with strawberries and cream.  Yum.

  42. Pina Colada pancakes are my favorite!

  43. Just subscribed to Love & Olive Oil newsletter and posts. 

  44. I love, love, love the waffles with bacon in them…slathered with real maple syrup. Yum!

  45. That waffle maker looks amazing! I really like whole wheat pecan waffles. My mom also tried these chocolate fudge waffles last week and they looked divine so I’ll have to get tge recipe. 

  46. Fried Chicken and Waffles – drizzled with maple syrup and a few dashes of hot sauce – perfect combo!

  47. I love my waffles with strawberries and whipped cream!  

  48. muffin mix in a waffle maker…so good!

  49. My favorite waffle recipe is made with banana and cinnamon and topped with some homemade chocolate hazelnut spread and homemade almond butter. Yum!

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