Ok, don’t freak out about the cheese part…I’ll explain in a minute. But first let me say this is my all-time favorite, tried-and-true recipe for waffles. I will not make another recipe as long as I have buttermilk in the refrigerator. They are light and fluffy and absolutely delicious. I make them at least twice a month for dinner (and countless times for breakfast) because we love them so much.
And here is how we eat them: with cheese. I know, it sounds really strange and gross, and some of you may be thinking we only do this because we get cheese for next to nothing due to my husband working for a cheese company. Well, believe it or not, my husband has been eating waffles this way LONG before he started working for a cheese company. He introduced me to cheese waffles when we were dating, and I was a huge skeptic at first. Can you blame me? But I quickly converted. You have to dismiss the idea that the cheese on the waffle is reminiscent to cheese on pizza. It’s nothing like the gooey, mounds of cheese you may be thinking of. Instead, it is a light, crunchy, salty texture that pairs so well with the sweet syrup and buttermilk waffle that I can’t think of eating it any other way. Right after pouring the batter into the waffle iron, I sprinkle a couple tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese on top and promptly close the waffle iron to let the magic happen. It is worth trying, and hey, if you don’t like it, then no worries because these waffles are delicious without.
Classic Buttermilk Waffles
Printable Version
Printable Version with Picture
INGREDIENTS:
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups (14 ounces buttermilk)
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups (7 1/4 ounces) all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
DIRECTIONS:
In a medium-sized bowl, beat together the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla. In another bowl whisk together the dry ingredients; combine the wet and dry ingredients just until smooth.
For an 8-inch round waffle iron, use about 1/3 cup batter (adjust according to waffle iron size). Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the iron stops steaming. If making cheese waffles, pour 1/3 cup batter on waffle iron and sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese over batter before closing iron.
Recipe Source: from King Arthur Flour’s Baking Companion
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Cindy – wow! That combination of coconut syrup, berries and whipped cream sounds decadent…and divine! I’m so glad you liked the waffle recipe!
Oh, I am so going to try this. I bet it is awesome. My mom is from Canada and always gets funny looks for putting cheddar cheese with her apple pie. It gets me thinking about a version of this, maybe with some baked apples and bacon. Hmmm… now you’ve really got me thinking! Nice work!
I just made these waffles–served with coconut syrup, fresh berries and a dot of whipped cream. I would call it a breakfast dessert! Yummy!
I’m gonna have to try it just because I am curious now!! I have never heard of anyone putting cheese on waffles!
I love this! I always say that I could eat cheese on anything…I will have to try it. I am sure it is great!
I LOVE buttermilk waffles too!! The cheese sounds good–we are BIG cheese fans here-so I will have to try it! Yum!
How many waffles does one batch make? I have a family of 6, and my oldest LOVES his waffles and pancakes…just need to know if I should double the recipe. It sounds delicious!!
Can’t wait to try this! I grew up doing a similar thing with french toast. You just basically make a french toast grilled cheese, but then serve it with syrup. My husband has yet to convert, but I love it!
Hi Katie – this batch of waffles makes about 6 waffles on my circle belgian waffle maker, so it sounds like you might want to double, if not triple, the batch. You can always freeze the cooked waffles and reheat them if you have leftovers. Let me know how they turn out!
I will try it only because so far, you havent failed me with any of your recipes…..however, a skeptic I will always be! Cheese on waffles?
try cheese with french toast! melted between two pieces, yummy! Awesome with maple or buttermilk syrup which is our favorite
Okay, we didn’t try the cheese, but I just made these and they were so delicious! I was curious about Scott trying the buttermilk and he passed. I went out of the room for a minute and heard him making a funny noise…I thought he was having throat troubles but it turned out to be him grunting about how good they were. He said, “Mom! These are the best waffles I’ve ever eaten!”
Thanks again Mel!
Nicole – that is a hilarious story about Scott and his grunting his approval about these waffles. I’m so glad he’s able to eat processed milk now!
You sold me I will be trying this, I am certainly not one to judge since I eat my waffles with sour cream and strawberries. Can't wait.
Tried this with and without cheese. We liked it! Nice to mix things up a bit. And a useful way to get rid of the last bit of cheese in the fridge before it goes bad.
RC – thanks for letting me know you liked this waffle recipe. I know the cheese is a little weird – but my husband will be so proud that you tried it!
I’m trying these tonight but I have a question: When you make them with cheese do you pour maple syrup on top?
I love your site! I’ve been planning my weekly menus with your site. Thanks!
Erica – this is probably too late, but yes, we serve these with maple syrup (even with the cheese on top). It makes for a salty, sweet combination.
Just munching on one of these right now. Love the cheese addition. Yummmy!
TaLaisa – brave girl! Most people tell us we are crazy for the cheese…glad you liked them!
We had these tonight, quite possibly the best waffles we have tried. I have been putting cheese in my waffles my whole life. Sometimes, we also put bacon in them. Even better with maple syrup.
Rusby – my husband will be glad to know there are others loving cheese on their waffles. I’m very glad these waffles were such a homerun!
Wow, I thought my husband was weird. He will only eat pancakes if I cut up cheese chunks to cook them with. He loves them with coconut syrup! I’m glad to know he’s not the only crazy one, (I guess I am too because I learned to love them)!
These were so yummy!! I didn’t try them with cheese because I was too lazy to grate it, but I really want to some day! I used 1 c. whole wheat flour, and 3/4 c. white- and we loved them. Thanks Mel!
Stacie – that’s usually the proportion of whole wheat to white flour I use also. So glad you liked these!
My uncle’s family always has waffles for dinner every Sunday night, and they come up with all sorts of combinations. So I’m used to cheese waffles with syrup (yum!). Cheese and sausage waffles are also tasty, topped with syrup or salsa.
How many eggs? Yikes, everything is mixed but I don’t see how many eggs to add??
ok, dumb me- two eggs
We had these for dinner last night, and I was a little hesitant to try the cheese. After a little nudge from the husband we did and it was delicious. This recipe is great. I did substitute one cup whole wheat flour and loved it that way! We will make these often. Even my two year-old liked them so much he was thrilled to see the left overs at breakfast. And I was thrilled to not make breakfast! Thanks as always for helping me figure out what to put on the table.
Kira – kudos to your husband for encouraging the cheese addition. I also usually add a cup of whole wheat flour. Glad you liked them!
This is a great recipe! I make waffles at least 3x a week. I think the 3 tsp of leavener makes them airy inside instead of rubbery. I used a smooth, buttery evoo in place of the butter, and subbed 3/4 cup of the flour as whole wheat, and they were great!!!! I think you need oil in the recipe to make them come out crispy and stay crispy. Try it, and cut your cholesterol, saturated fat, and boost your fiber!! I don’t think you’ll miss the butter.
Thanks, Nikki! Love your changes…
How do these do with Whole Wheat Flour instead of the All Purpose Flour?
Sorry, ….prrrroooobably should have read the reviews below first. Can substitute with Whole Wheat Flour and they are still mmm mmm delicious
Thanks Mel, and everyone else for your brilliant questions and suggestions… ignore my stupid question and carry on! 
Oh my! I did not own a waffle iron, but I bought one last week just so I could try your waffles! We had them for supper tonight…some with cheese & some without. They were all WONDERFUL! Seriously, WONDERFUL!!!
Another hit at our house! We had a shortage of cheese (needed it to top the eggs) so we couldn’t try it in the waffles, but we will next time. This will be my go to recipe for waffles from now on!
Melanie, do you have a specific waffle maker that you would recommend? I’ve been debating over which brand to buy for a while, but don’t know anyone that has used a waffle maker before. I think I would prefer one where I could make four waffles at once, but so many at the stores seem cheap. Sorry if someone already asked this…I didn’t go through all the posts! Thanks!
Hi Jessi – I use a really old Black and Decker model that my husband used before we got married. It looks similar to this model. I bought a few four-waffle makers a few years back and had awful luck with them – the waffles stuck and I wasn’t happy with them so I’ve stayed with my tried-and-true round waffle maker. However, I have heard this griddle/waffle maker is pretty decent and it makes four square waffles. Good luck on your search!
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