Stir up your breakfast routine with these savory Green Chili Cheddar Waffles! Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and packed with melty cheddar and a kick of heat, they're guaranteed to bring bold new flavors to any meal. Pair them with eggs, fried chicken, or just a drizzle of honey.
The beauty of these waffles is their versatility. For those of you who have a sweet tooth, they still pair amazingly well with maple syrup (that sweet/salty combo is to die for). You can also use them as a base for breakfast sandwiches or pair them with a fried egg for the ultimate savory bite.
Savory waffles are not all that different sweet waffles. They just have a lot more mix-ins and spices than sugar. These cheddar waffles are made with canned diced green chiles because they are easy to find and I always have them in my pantry (I'm looking at you turkey chili).
To keep them fluffy yet crispy, I use buttermilk, cornstarch, and whipped egg whites (a trifecta of crispiness if you will). You'll also see I use a mixture of cornmeal and flour for a unique texture. So grab that waffle iron, and let's get cooking!
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What you will need
The ingredients are simple and easy to find. There is only one catch- you will need a waffle maker. I use a Belgian waffle maker, but any style of waffle iron will work.
- Flour and cornmeal- The combo of cornmeal and flour adds a unique texture and a little sweet flavor.
- Cornstarch- Helps keep the waffles crispy.
- Buttermilk- A go-to for rich, fluffy waffles with added flavor.
- Eggs- For that rise.
- Baking powder and baking soda- Leaving agents for the batter.
- Diced green chiles- Pre-chopped chili peppers that have been cooked and canned, making them super convenient for adding a mild to moderate kick of heat to recipes. The most common variety found in stores is typically made from mild Anaheim or Hatch peppers, which offer a slightly smoky, tangy flavor without overwhelming spice. You can find them in different heat levels—mild, medium, or hot—depending on your preference. Look for them in the Spanish section of your grocery store, usually near the salsas.
- Cheddar cheese- Opt for a sharp cheddar for better flavor. The pre-packaged stuff is just fine.
- Herbs-Chives or scallions for an oniony flavor.
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
Step-by-step instructions
Check out this easy step-by-step guide for making savory waffles.
Step 1. Mix the dry ingredients. Step 2. Whisk the butter, egg yolks, and buttermilk. Step 3. Whip the egg whites. Step 4. Add the buttermilk mixture to the dry ingredients.
Step 5. Stir in the cheese, green chilis, and scallions or chives. Step 6. Fold in the egg whites. Step 7. Drop onto a heated waffle iron. Step 8. Cook until golden brown and crispy.
👩🍳Expert tip
For all my tips and trips for making the fluffiest pancakes and waffles, visit my Ultimate Pancake Guide.
Make it your own
Don't have an ingredient? The possibilities are endless.
- We love these waffles with green chiles for convenience but feel free to use canned jalapenos or fresh. Poblano peppers are another great choice.
- Try a different cheese such as Colby Jack or smoked gouda.
- Add corn to the batter for more texture and a little sweetness.
- Swap out the buttermilk for Greek yogurt or whole milk.
Storage and prep
To preserve their crisp exterior, these green chili cheddar waffles are best eaten right away. However, they freeze well!
To freeze waffles, allow them to cool first. Store flat in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag (or stack them separated by wax or parchment paper). Freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, simply place them in a toaster or toaster oven until heated through.
Serving suggestions
Need a few toppings for your savory waffles? We got you covered!
- Hot honey
- Maple syrup
- Bacon
- Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Fried chicken
- Poached, fried, or jammy eggs
- Chili
- Roasted tomatoes
- Savory butter
- Chipotle hollandaise sauce
- Sliced avocado
- Pickled red onions
- Arugula or lettuce
Frequently asked questions
Whipping the egg whites will help keep the waffles extra fluffy, but you can skip this step if you are short on time.
Related recipes with a kick
Check out these other recipes with BOLD flavor!
Did you make this recipe? I would love to hear about it! Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating with a comment right below the recipe card. If you snap a photo of your creation, don't forget to tag me on Instagram @brunchandbatter.
📖Recipe
Green Chili Cheddar Waffles
Equipment
- large baking sheet optional for keeping the waffles warm
- hand-held electric mixer or whisk for whipping the egg whites
- waffle iron/maker
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup fine cornmeal
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt or fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 large eggs, room temperature (yolks and whites seperated)
- 1½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 8 tbsp (1 stick or 4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 4 ounce can diced green chilies
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoon chopped scallions or chives
Instructions
- Preheat and grease a waffle maker according to the manufacturer's directions. Optional: To keep the waffles warm while preparing a large batch, pre-heat the oven to 200℉, and have ready a large baking sheet.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup fine cornmeal, 2 tablespoon cornstarch, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon Kosher salt or fine sea salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg yolks, and melted butter.2 large eggs, room temperature (yolks and whites seperated), 1½ cup buttermilk, room temperature, 8 tablespoon (1 stick or 4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- Prepare the egg whites: Place the egg whites in a clean bowl. Using an electric mixer (or whisk), beat the egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form (peaks will curl over and melt back into the mixture when lifted from the whisk). Set aside.
- Add the buttermilk mixture to the bowl with the dry ingredients. Sir in the chilis, cheese, and scallions (or chives). Gently fold in the egg whites until combined and no flour streaks remain. The batter will be somewhat thick and lumpy. Let the batter sit for 5-10 minutes.4 ounce can diced green chilies, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoon chopped scallions or chives
- Spoon the batter onto the prepared waffle maker and cook until golden brown and crispy. Repeat until all the batter is gone. Serve immediately. If you want to keep the waffles warm while preparing the rest of the batter, add the cooked waffles to a baking sheet and place them in the preheated oven until ready to serve.
Notes
- All waffle makers are different. Follow the directions on your waffle maker for best results. If using a Belgian-style waffle maker, this recipe will yield about 8 waffles. If using a traditional waffle iron you will get about 10-12.
- Serve waffles with hot honey, sour cream, maple syrup, bacon, or fried chicken. See the blog post for more suggestions.
- To freeze waffles, allow them to cool first. Store flat in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag (or stack them separated by wax or parchment paper). Freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, simply place them in a toaster or toaster oven until heated through.
Nutrition*
*Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Nutrition information can vary depending on many factors, such as products used, measurements and substitutions, therefore it is recommended that you obtain nutritional calculations based on your own finished recipe.
Stacy Sportella says
Oh my! I never had a savory waffle before but this one caught my eye because I love a little kick. Made them with eggs and served "breakfast for dinner" and it was a hit. Really lovely idea. Thank you!