A chaffle is a cheese waffle. All you need to make it is an egg, mozzarella, and about five minutes. What you get is crispy enough to use as sandwich bread, and sturdy enough to stand up to a burger. It also makes a surprisingly delicious sweet waffle. This is the recipe I make on repeat. You can make it with or without almond flour.
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When I first heard of a waffle made of cheese, it sounded like a dare. Not sandwich bread.
And then I gave it a try. I went out and bought a dash mini waffle maker. And for a long while, I made one every day.
Here's the thing about chaffles. They're fast and use stuff you already have in the fridge. And they fix the one problem that trips people up on keto, which is bread.
Because sometimes you need a sandwich, or avocado toast. And a chaffle lets you enjoy those things without messing up your macros.
I'll walk you through the base recipe that you can turn either savory or sweet. And will talk about what adding little bit of almond flour does.
Ingredient Notes
An egg. Shredded mozzarella. And a tablespoon of almond flour, which is optional.
A quick note on the cheese. I use regular low-moisture mozzarella, the kind you'd shred for pizza. Pre-shredded works in a pinch. It has a little anti-caking starch on it, so your chaffle browns a but slower, but honestly nobody at my table has ever noticed.
About the Almond Flour
The base chaffle is just egg and cheese. No flour. None. It's crispy, it works, and it's naturally flourless if that's what you're after.
So why the almond flour?
One tablespoon firms things up. It gives the chaffle a little more body and makes it less eggy. When I'm building a sandwich or stacking a burger, I add it. It holds up to fillings better and doesn't go soggy or fold under something juicy.
When I want the crispiest possible chaffle, or I just don't feel like dragging out the almond flour, I leave it out.
Both are good. It comes down to the job you're giving it. Sandwich or bun, add the flour. Crispy snack or sweet waffle, skip it.
The Best Waffle Maker for Chaffles
If you are going to make chaffles regularly, I recommend buying a Dash Mini Waffle Maker.
It makes thin round waffles that are the perfect size for a sandwich. And don't worry. They are super-afforable.
You can also use a regular Belgian waffle maker, if you have one. Though that isn't my preference.
When I tested the two side by side, chaffles from the Dash Mini came out crispier. The mini makes thinner waffles, so it makes sense that they are crispier.
The Belgian iron makes a thicker, softer chaffle, and it takes longer to cook. I do like that you can fill the whole waffle iron at once though.
My advice? If you have a regular waffle iron, try chaffles and see if they are for you. Then order the Dash Mini once you know you like them.
Getting Creative - Different Types of Chaffles
- Red Velvet
- Ice Cream Sandwich
- Banana
- Pumpkin
- Egg McChaffle Breakfast Sandwich
- Pimento Cheese Sandwich
- Avocado Toast
- White Bread Chaffle
- Peanut Butter Chaffles
The Best Waffle Iron for Chaffles
Most people agree that the best waffle maker for chaffles is the Dash Mini.
Before you balk at the idea of a new waffle iron - it is super-inexpensive.
It is a great option because it makes small thin waffles that get crispy. One recipe makes two, and the size is ideally suited for use as bread or a bun.
Can You Use a Belgian Waffle Maker?
Some people say no, but I have one and I've had great success with it. I prefer them out of the dash mini, because of the crispy factor, but I have no complaints with the ones I've made with my big waffle iron. It does take longer to cook, but the time evens out since you can make a whole batch at once.
Easy Clean Up
You probably already know that keeping a waffle iron clean can be a challenge - especially when you are making non-traditional waffles!
Here are two tips to make clean-up a breeze.
- Place parchment paper, newspaper or a Spil Mat underneath your waffle iron. If anything leaks out, you can throw away the parchment paper or newspaper, or easily wash the Spil Mat.
- Spray the waffle iron with oil if you find you are having a problem with sticking. I have found that some waffle irons have a more significant issue than others with this.
Keto Chaffles
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon almond flour optional
Instructions
- Preheat the waffle maker.
- Crack the egg in a medium bowl, and beat with a fork.
- Stir the almond flour and the grated cheese into the egg.
- Season the "batter", and add in any extras.
- Flatten the mixture in your bowl, and divide it in half.
- Add half of the chaffle to the waffle maker. Close the lid, and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, until golden brown.
- Repeat with the remaining half of the chaffle batter.