Other Uses for Waffle Irons
- Roesti is the Swiss name for hash brown potatoes. To cook hash browns with a golden, crispy exterior and a fluffy interior, use chilled, shredded medium starch potatoes such as gold potatoes. Chilling the potatoes converts some of the starches to sugars, helping the roesti to brown easier in the waffle iron. To make a roesti, pour 1 tablespoon of melted butter into the bottom of a preheated waffle iron. Spread shredded potatoes and shredded onions in a single layer on the waffle iron, close the lid and cook the roesti for eight to 10 minutes. Remove the roesti when it becomes golden on the outside and allow to cool slightly before serving with eggs and bacon, or pancakes.
- Instead of heating your entire house by baking cookies in the oven, use your waffle iron. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or melted butter to the preheated waffle iron. Place tablespoonfuls of cookie dough batter into the iron and close the lid. Cook the cookies for 90 seconds to three minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Remove the cookies and place on a cooling rack where they will become crisper as they cool. Use your favorite cookie recipe or a refrigerated cookie dough for this simple and fast dessert.
- If you like the crunchy texture of the corner of brownies, try making brownies in a waffle iron. Every brownie has an exterior with a crispy, crunchy texture, similar to the corners of brownies that are baked in a pan. Prepare your favorite brownie recipe. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or melted butter to the preheated waffle iron. Pour 1/4 cup of the batter into the iron and close the lid. Cook the brownies at the lowest setting on the waffle iron for four minutes or until cooked through. Let the brownies cool for five minutes after cooking to allow them to become crispy.
- You do not need a fancy panini maker to get crunchy, toasted sandwiches. Prepare any sandwich, preferably one with meat and cheese. Pour 1 tablespoon of melted butter or vegetable oil onto the preheated waffle iron. Bake your sandwich in the waffle iron for five minutes or until the bread is lightly toasted and the cheese begins to melt. Remove the sandwich and serve. For sandwich options, try a grilled cheese, ham and cheese, cheesesteak, reuben or turkey and cheese sandwich.
