Loaded Ham and Cheese Waffles
This Ham and Cheese Waffle Recipe makes savory waffles that are crispy and salty and packed with ham and cheese. Top these cheesy waffles with syrup just like any other waffle, or use leftover ham to make a ham and cheese waffle sandwich stuffed with deli meats or apple slices.
Read on to learn the best cheese and all the tips and tricks for making this recipe. Or just grab your waffle iron, hit that Jump to Recipe button, and let’s make some waffles!
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Ingredients
For these cheesy waffles, you’ll want a hard cheese that melts well. Think cheddar, gruyere or Swiss, Fontina, or even Parmesan – if you’d use it in your favorite mac and cheese or mac and cheese waffles, you can use it here.
Ham waffles are a great way to use leftover ham from Thanksgiving or other holiday dinners. Or buy ham at the deli counter of your grocery store.
Please see the recipe card below for complete information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations and substitutions
- Add in some chopped herbs like thyme or chives.
- Make a blue cheese waffle and sub out the ham for bacon and chopped figs.
- Make them spicy with some chopped jalapeños or a bit of cayenne.
Recipe tips and tricks
Initial trials of these waffles weren’t hammy or cheesy enough. In subsequent versions, I nearly doubled the mix-ins to truly have waffles stuffed with ham and cheese. It’s entirely possible that these waffles have more cheese and ham than waffle!
Step by step
This recipe uses the standard method for making waffles and pancakes. Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Measure out your buttermilk into a large measuring cup, crack your egg into the cup and mix. Then add the buttermilk mixture and melted butter into the dry ingredients. Adding the melted butter separately prevents the buttermilk mixture from curdling.
Finally, stir in your add ins and make your waffles. This recipe makes four to five half-cup waffles, but you can scale up the recipe if you want more. The cheesy waffles are best right off the waffle iron, but you can also keep them warm in a 200 degree Fahrenheit oven.
How to serve cheese and ham waffles
Savory waffles like these caramelized onion and apple waffles, kale waffles, or the fawaffle are really versatile waffles for breakfast or waffles for dinner:
- Serve your cheesy waffles plain, as a great snack on the go.
- Top with maple syrup for breakfast.
- Divide one in half, top it with cheese or eggs, and make a ham and cheese waffle sandwich.
Recipe FAQs
Adding cornstarch to the all-purpose flour results in a lower protein flour mixture. That will make your waffles more tender and crispy.
Cooked cheese and ham waffles can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or the freezer for three to six months. Waffles freeze very well in a freezer bag and can be reheated in your toaster.
I have used this basic Cuisinart waffle iron and the All-Clad waffle iron. Both work reasonably well enough for me to recommend them.
Related waffle recipes
Check out other breakfast recipes and more waffle recipes like:
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-heart 💜💜💜💜💜 rating in the recipe card below. Let me know how much you loved it, or any problems you had, in the comments section further down.
Recipe
Loaded Ham and Cheese Waffles
Equipment
- Waffle iron
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup (94 grams or 3.3 ounces) all purpose flour
- ¼ cup (32 grams or 1.1 ounces) cornstarch
- 1 teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ⅞ cup (210 milliliters) buttermilk
- 3 ounces ham, chopped
- 3½ ounces (⅞ cup) grated gruyere, swiss, or cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the waffle iron.
- Melt the butter in a small pot.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- In a medium bowl, mix the dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt).¾ cup (94 grams or 3.3 ounces) all purpose flour, ¼ cup (32 grams or 1.1 ounces) cornstarch, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoons baking soda
- Mix the liquid ingredients. If you've measured your buttermilk in a 2 cup measuring cup, just add the egg and butter to the measuring cup and whisk.1 large egg, ⅞ cup (210 milliliters) buttermilk, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Add the liquid ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined.
- Add the cheese and ham and mix in.3 ounces ham, chopped, 3½ ounces (⅞ cup) grated gruyere, swiss, or cheddar cheese
- Follow your waffle iron's instructions for making the waffles.
Notes
Nutrition
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This was perfect for my kids for breakfast! I made a bunch and froze them for later. Toast them before serving and they were fantastic! Cheese did not even stick on the waffle iron miraculously! Thank you!
Yay, Nancy, thank you for letting me know. I’m so glad you loved these ham and cheese waffles as much as we do!
Discovered that they also work well as pancakes! So thank you again!
Now I’m going to have to try that too!