Try this genius stuffing waffles recipe with your Thanksgiving leftovers! Crispy golden waffles beat soggy, microwaved stuffing every single time. Create the ultimate day-after Thanksgiving tradition.
You can microwave your leftovers, but this recipe repurposes your baked stuffing into a crispy bed below any toppings, holiday recipes, or side dishes you desire.
When I first saw stuffing waffles, we were at our friends' house watching this episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives after a big college football game. It looked so good.
The episode shows a very wet stuffing as the waffle batter. With Thanksgiving still a couple of months out, I practiced with a box of Stove Top and rotisserie chicken to collect notes and get an idea of how it works.
The family came over for lunch the day after Thanksgiving 2024 and patiently waited for their stuffing waffle to be cooked. They took longer to cook than a regular waffle, but each one emerged from the iron with perfectly crispy edges and a savory center.
We devoured them, topped with mashed potatoes, turkey, homemade gravy, and slow cooker green beans (see the picture at the end).
This is our new day after Thanksgiving tradition. Breakfast will be leftover dessert, while lunch will be these stuffing waffles.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Stuffing waffles are so easy and fun for the family!
- Crisp stuffing adds some texture to soft Thanksgiving leftovers.
- They are even better than original baked stuffing!
Ingredients
You only need a few ingredients to make this easy Stuffing Waffle Recipe!
- Stuffing: Make a double batch of this stuffing recipe with two breads or your favorite stuffing for Thanksgiving, so you have plenty of leftovers.
- Chicken Stock: Use chicken bouillon mixed with water (follow the directions on the jar), store-bought chicken stock, or water to moisten the stuffing. The stuffing batter needs to be very wet.
- Eggs: The eggs will help the stuffing stay together in the waffle iron.
See the recipe card below for ingredient measurements.
Variations
Here are some ideas for what to serve with these stuffing waffles.
- Thanksgiving Waffles: Top them with rich, warm gravy, sliced turkey breast for a classic combination. You can also add some mashed potato casserole and sweet potato puree to the waffles.
- Savory And Sweet Waffles: My daughter likes to top these with maple syrup.
- Brunch Waffles: Crown them with a perfectly fried egg or these soft poached eggs and sliced ham for an indulgent Eggs Benedict twist.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl.
- Waffle Maker: I use this Belgian waffle maker with deep pockets, but any waffle maker will work.
Top Tip
If it's your first time cooking stuffing waffles, do a test run with 2-3 tablespoons of batter to determine your waffle iron temperature setting and cook time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat the waffle maker to a medium-high setting.
Step 1: Mix the leftover stuffing, eggs, and chicken stock in a bowl.
Step 2: The stuffing needs to be wet and mushy. If needed, add more water or chicken stock, 2 tablespoons at a time, to get the right consistency.
Step 3: Spoon the stuffing mixture into the waffle maker and cook until brown and crisp, about 8-10 minutes. The time will vary depending on your equipment. You can open the lid and check the first waffle to get an idea of the time.
Step 4: Serve warm with reheated leftovers such as turkey, gravy, and mashed potatoes. One waffle will serve 2 people.
Make Ahead And Reheating Instructions
Make Ahead: Place the cooked waffles on a cooling rack set over a cookie sheet in a 225°F oven for up to 2 hours. Allow them to come down to room temperature before storing.
To Store: Waffles can be stored in a sealed container or bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. In addition, freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 month.
To Reheat: Reheat from the refrigerator or freezer in a toaster. Cut the waffles in half if they don't fit. Or, reheat on a cookie sheet in a 300°F oven until warm and crisp.
FAQ
This recipe works with my two bread stuffing recipe. Whether it's bread-based, cornbread, or even stuffing with sausage, herbs, or dried fruits. Just make sure any chunks of meat are small.
Most non-stick waffle irons handle stuffing without oiling them first. Do a test run with a couple of tablespoons of stuffing mixture. If it's sticking, lightly grease your waffle iron with cooking spray or butter before each batch to prevent sticking.
I haven't experienced a crumbly waffle, but I suspect the batter wasn't wet enough. Also, I use these wooden toaster tongs to prevent tearing when removing cooked waffles from the iron.
Use a bag of store-bought stuffing instead of leftovers. Make it according to the package directions. Don't bake it. Continue with this recipe, but scale it up to double since bagged stuffing, such as Pepperidge Farm, yields 7 cups. I have tried Stove Top stuffing, but I think it's too salty.
Did you try any of these tips? Leave a comment below to let us know how it turned out! Thanks for visiting!
📖 Recipe
Stuffing Waffles Recipe (Thanksgiving Leftovers)
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- waffle maker
Ingredients
- 4 cups leftover stuffing
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup chicken stock or water (or more, depending on the dryness of the stuffing)
Instructions
- Preheat the waffle maker.
- Mix the leftover stuffing, eggs, and chicken stock in a bowl.
- The stuffing needs to be wet and mushy. If needed, add more water or chicken stock, 2 tablespoons at a time, to get the right consistency.
- Spoon the stuffing mixture into the waffle maker and cook until crisp, about 8-10 minutes. The time will vary depending on your waffle iron. See note below.
- Serve warm with reheated leftovers such as gravy, mashed potatoes, and turkey. One waffle will serve 2 people.
Notes
Nutrition
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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