Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Waffles Recipe
These Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Waffles offer a spicy, savory twist on traditional cornbread with the perfect crispy texture from the waffle iron. Combining sharp cheddar cheese and tangy pickled jalapeños folded into a moist cornmeal batter, these waffles are ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a flavorful snack. Ready in just 30 minutes, they pair wonderfully with eggs, bacon, or salsa for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 waffles
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional for a touch of sweetness)
Mix-ins
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped (adjust for spice preference)
For Cooking
- Cooking spray or additional melted butter for the waffle iron
Instructions
- Prepare the Waffle Iron: Preheat your waffle iron following the manufacturer's instructions. Lightly grease the waffle iron with cooking spray or melted butter to prevent the batter from sticking, ensuring easy waffle removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until fully combined and smooth to create an even base for the batter.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and honey (if using) until the mixture is smooth, ensuring the liquid ingredients are well integrated.
- Combine: Gently pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring with care until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are ideal for maintaining a tender texture. Fold in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and chopped pickled jalapeños evenly throughout the batter.
- Cook the Waffles: Pour about 1/2 to 2/3 cup of the batter onto the preheated and greased waffle iron. Close the lid and cook as per your waffle iron’s guidelines, generally around 4 to 5 minutes, until the waffles turn golden brown and are cooked through.
- Serve: Carefully remove the waffles from the iron and serve immediately while hot. They are delicious on their own or topped with butter, extra cheese, sour cream, or a honey drizzle for enhanced flavor.
- Enjoy: For a complete meal, pair your Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Waffles with fried eggs, crispy bacon, or a spicy salsa to complement the savory and spicy notes.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of pickled jalapeños based on your preferred spice level.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense waffles; a few lumps are perfect.
- Use fresh or leftover cheddar cheese for best flavor and meltiness.
- If you do not have buttermilk, you can substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Waffles are best served immediately but can be kept warm in a low oven (about 200°F) for a short time.
- Leftover waffles can be reheated in a toaster or oven for crispiness.