Cheddar Jalapeño Waffle Bites Recipe
Cheddar Jalapeño Waffle Bites are a savory and spicy snack that combines sharp cheddar cheese and fresh jalapeños in a crispy waffle form. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a tasty appetizer, these waffle bites are easy to make and packed with flavor.
- Author: Ella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Waffle Maker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Add-ins
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1–2 fresh jalapeños, diced (seeds removed for less heat)
Optional Garnish
- Chopped chives or green onions
- Preheat the Waffle Maker: Preheat your waffle maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions, ensuring it is ready for use, especially if using a mini waffle maker.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, and vegetable oil together until fully blended.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined, leaving the batter slightly lumpy to maintain lightness.
- Add Cheese & Jalapeños: Fold the shredded cheddar cheese and diced jalapeños evenly into the batter to distribute flavor and spice.
- Cook the Waffles: Lightly grease the waffle maker with non-stick spray or oil. Pour about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of batter onto the preheated waffle maker, close the lid, and cook for 3-5 minutes or until the waffle bites are golden brown and crispy.
- Repeat: Continue cooking the remaining batter in batches. Keep the finished waffle bites warm in a low oven if desired.
- Serve: Serve the waffle bites warm with optional garnishes such as chopped chives or green onions. They pair well with sour cream, guacamole, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Remove jalapeño seeds if you prefer less heat.
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Keep cooked waffle bites warm in a preheated oven at 200°F (95°C) while finishing the rest.
- Use a mini waffle maker for bite-sized portions, but standard waffle makers work too with adjusted batter amounts.
- Optional garnishes like fresh herbs add freshness and color to the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-6 waffle bites (about 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Cheddar Jalapeño Waffle Bites, spicy waffles, cheddar cheese waffles, savory waffle bites, jalapeño snacks, appetizer waffle recipe