Savory Cheddar Bacon and Herb Waffles

As a self-proclaimed brunch connoisseur, I feel confident in saying that these Savory Cheddar Bacon and Herb Waffles are a must try. This recipe combines your love for crunchy (turkey) bacon, crispy waffles, sharp cheddar, and flavorful herbs into one delicious breakfast item that is perfect for any meal of the day.

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What makes these cheddar bacon and herb waffles so wonderful is…

• Lower in fat – we cut back on the oil and swap out fattier cuts of bacon with low-fat turkey bacon
• Crispy – no one likes a soggy waffle. These babies stay crisp if you follow our 5 easy tips (below)
• Savory – everyone loves a good sweet waffle, but no one ever bothers to make a savory waffle. They’re a game changer for people who aren’t into sweet breakfast recipes. And they make an excellent lunch or snack item (trust us, we’ve eaten them at just about any time of day and any meal)
• Simple – there’s only one extra step (cook the bacon) than a normal waffle recipe, but it’s definitely worth the upgrade.
• Versatile – these waffles can be enjoyed right off the iron, or slather with butter, hummus, or avocado. Slide a fried egg between two waffle quarters and make yourself an inside out breakfast sandwich. Enjoy warm or cold. It’s all delicious!

Tips for Making the Best Savory Cheddar Bacon and Herb Waffles

Here are a few quick tips to help you make the very BEST cheddar bacon and herb waffles

1. Let the batter rest about 10 minutes. This will help the gluten relax and result in deliciously tender waffles. I rest the batter while the iron heats up and goes through one light on/off cycle.
2. Grease the waffle iron before putting batter EVERY time. I’ve found that spraying the iron with a light mist of cooking spray before every waffle helps prevent sticking and adds to the crispy texture of the waffles. Also, non-stick waffle irons are notoriously not non-stick.
3. Don’t peek! Most waffle irons have either a timer or a light on/of system that will help you know when the waffles are ready. Try not to peek until the light comes back on/timer beeps to keep cooking even on the top and bottom of the waffle. Once the timer goes through its cycle, you can determine if you need more time.
4. Put cooked waffles on a cooling rack in a warm oven. This is hands down one of the best tips for keeping cooked waffles crisp. Put them on a cooling rack on a baking sheet to let air warm air circulate on all sides of the waffle while it’s in the oven. This prevents soggy bottoms (gross!). Preheat the oven to 200F when you’re warming up the waffle iron. It’s the perfect temperature to keep the waffles warm, without drying them out.
5. IF your batter is still soggy after trying the first 4 tips, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Cornstarch is really good for crisping up waffle batter.

How to Make Savory Cheddar Bacon and Herb Waffles

Make the Bacon

Start by making the bacon. Heat a large skillet to medium heat. Spread the six bacon slices out evenly in the pan. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, or until crispy, turning halfway through. Transfer the bacon to a plate to cool. Crumble into small pieces and set aside.

Make the Waffle Batter

Combine whole wheat flour, yeast, baking powder, baking soda, salt and black pepper in a large mixing bowl.

Whisk together eggs, almond milk, water, honey, and canola oil in a medium mixing bowl.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir well to incorporate. Fold in the cheddar, bacon crumbles, and fresh herbs.

Let the batter rest while the waffle iron heats up and goes through one light on/off rotation.

Cook the Waffles

Heat the waffle iron to medium-high heat. While the iron warms up, preheat the oven to 200F and place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet. Set aside.

Spray the top and bottom of the waffle iron with cooking spray.

Pour roughly ½-¾ cup of batter onto the waffle iron. Cook based on your waffle iron cycle type (light on/off, timer, etc). It should take roughly 2 to 3 minutes per waffle.

Transfer the cooked waffle to the cooling rack on the baking sheet. Keep the baking sheet in the oven until you’re ready to eat the waffles. This will prevent the waffles from getting soggy.

Enjoy topped with butter, hummus, smashed avocado, a fried egg, or topping of your choosing!

Let us know what you think about this recipe for Savory Cheddar Bacon and Herb Waffles by leaving a rating and/or comment below!

Also, be sure to check out our other breakfast/brunch ideas:

• Pesto Potato Crustless Quiche
• Cranberry Dark Chocolate Scones
• Chai Spiced Scones
• Cinnamon Zucchini Bread
• Apple Cinnamon Oat Muffins