Cheddar Jalapeño Waffle Bites Recipe
Cheddar Jalapeño Waffle Bites are a savory and spicy twist on classic waffles, combining sharp cheddar cheese and fresh jalapeños in a crispy, golden waffle bite. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or party treat, these bite-sized waffles deliver a satisfying cheesy flavor with a gentle kick.
- Author: Ella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings (about 20-24 waffle bites) 1x
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Waffle Maker Cooking
- 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
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1–2 fresh jalapeños, diced (seeds removed for less heat)
- Optional: chopped chives or green onions for garnish
- Preheat the Waffle Maker: Preheat your waffle maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure it is hot and ready for cooking. For mini waffle makers, make sure they are fully heated before starting.
- 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 all the ingredients are evenly combined.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs well, then add the buttermilk and vegetable oil. Whisk these wet ingredients together until fully combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients bowl. Gently stir the mixture until it is just combined. The batter should be slightly lumpy; avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
- Add Cheese & Jalapeños: Fold the shredded cheddar cheese and diced jalapeños into the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Cook the Waffles: Lightly grease the preheated waffle maker with non-stick spray or a thin brush of oil. Pour approximately 1/4 to 1/3 cup of batter onto the waffle maker, depending on its size. Close the lid and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the waffle bites are golden brown and crisp.
- Repeat: Continue cooking the remaining batter in batches. Keep the cooked waffle bites warm by placing them in a low-temperature oven until all are ready to serve.
- Serve: Serve the cheddar jalapeño waffle bites warm, garnished with chopped chives or green onions if desired. They pair beautifully with sour cream, guacamole, or your preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- For less heat, remove jalapeño seeds before dicing.
- Keep cooked waffle bites warm in a low oven if preparing in advance.
- These waffle bites freeze well; reheat in a toaster or oven for crispiness.
- Substitute cheddar for pepper jack cheese for an extra spicy kick.
- Use gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe gluten free if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 waffle bites (approx.)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Cheddar waffle bites, Jalapeño snacks, Savory waffles, Appetizer recipes, Party snacks, Cheese jalapeño waffles