Description

These Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Waffles combine the savory flavors of sharp cheddar cheese and spicy pickled jalapeños with the grainy texture of cornmeal in a crisp, golden waffle. Perfect for a flavorful breakfast or brunch, they offer a delightful twist on traditional cornbread by turning it into easy-to-make waffles with a bit of heat and cheesy richness.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

130 g cornmeal
130 g all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

240 ml buttermilk
60 g unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon honey (optional)

Add-ins

120 g sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
45 g pickled jalapeños, chopped

For Cooking

Cooking spray or additional melted butter for greasing

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Instructions

Preheat and grease waffle iron: Preheat your waffle iron following the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly grease the surface with cooking spray or melted butter to prevent the waffles from sticking during cooking.
Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until the mixture is uniform and lumps are broken down.
Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and honey (if using) until fully combined and smooth to ensure even distribution of wet elements.
Combine wet and dry mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredient bowl. Stir gently with a spatula or whisk just until combined, being careful not to overmix which can lead to dense waffles. Then, fold in shredded cheddar cheese and chopped pickled jalapeños evenly throughout the batter.
Cook the waffles: Spoon about 125–160 ml of batter onto the preheated waffle iron, adjusting according to your appliance size. Close the lid and cook for approximately 4–5 minutes or until waffles are golden brown and fully set.
Serve warm: Carefully remove the waffles from the iron and serve immediately to enjoy their crispy texture. Top with butter, extra cheese, sour cream, or a drizzle of honey if desired for added flavor.
Optional accompaniments: Enhance your meal by serving the waffles alongside fried eggs, crispy bacon, or a spoonful of spicy salsa to make it more substantial and satisfying.

Notes

To avoid overmixing the batter, stir until just combined to keep waffles light and fluffy.
Adjust the amount of chopped jalapeños to suit your heat preference; remove seeds for milder waffles.
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 240 ml of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
For extra crispy waffles, allow the waffle iron to fully preheat and avoid opening it frequently during cooking.
Waffles can be kept warm in a low oven (around 95°C/200°F) while you finish cooking batches.
These waffles freeze well; reheat in a toaster or oven for best texture.