These savory waffles are completely whole wheat, stuffed with zucchini and super cheese-filled! Great for brunch or a breakfast-for-dinner night!
Hello Friday! Friday is always welcome, but especially in the week after a holiday weekend. It's been a short one with the Monday holiday, but sure hasn't felt like it! Was it just me?
Moving on to the food... earlier this year, I shared how I came to finally own a waffle maker (as part of my whole wheat blueberry waffles with orange maple syrup recipe) and I promised you some savory waffles.
Today, I am making good on that promise.
These whole wheat zucchini cheddar waffles were one of the first savory varieties I tried and they have been a serious hit!
Well, when served correctly.
Originally, I thought this might be a yummy school lunch option to send with the kids to preschool. Not so much… they aren’t very good cold as it turns out.
However, we have made them a favorite dinner and a delicious snack! I make them ahead (cause who has time to mess with waffle batter with hungry kids nipping at their heels) and then pop them in the toaster when it’s dinner time.
(And if that's appealing to you, you gotta try sweet potato toast - you can add sweet or savory toppings!)
In fact, the first time I served these for dinner, M (then about 4 ½) ate the entire waffle, along with her chicken, and was super duper proud of herself for finishing her entire dinner. Cause that doesn’t happen often…
“Mommy, are you so proud of me? I ate ALL my dinner!”
“Yes, honey, that’s wonderful! You’re going to get so big and strong!”
“I can’t wait to tell my teachers tomorrow that I ate ALL my dinner.”
She talked about it all night long and first thing the next morning too. It's all about the food. Totally my kid 😉
This makes a big batch of waffles and I freeze the extras to have on hand. If you don’t pull them out in advance to defrost, just pop them in the microwave for a minute and then toast them to get it nice and crunchy and warm and gooey.
And top with bacon if you so desire. Cause that's always a good plan!
I even took these with us on vacation to the beach earlier this summer to have something quick and easy on hand after a long day of playing in the sun.
And now that school is about to start back up, I know I’ll want some healthy foods stashed away to make dinner a breeze.
Speaking of, I’ve got a great post coming up for you next week on last-minute meal ideas for kids. For those nights when you realize it’s time to eat and you haven’t prepped a thing.
Cause that’s me, many nights, for the kids’ dinner.
And they’ve never eaten take-out or fast food so I have developed all kinds of tricks and tips for pulling healthy meals together!
So sign up for my free weekly e-newsletter and never miss a recipe. (You’ll also get my free e-cookbook, Easy Weeknight Dinners, when you sign up.) I’d also love to connect on social media – follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter for more recipe goodness!
But in the meantime, enjoy your weekend and enjoy these savory waffles!
Zucchini cheddar whole wheat waffles
Savory whole wheat waffles stuffed with zucchini and cheddar cheese!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups white whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups milk (I use skim but 2%, whole, ski or even almond would be fine)
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (I use non-fat)
- 2 small zucchini, grated (to yield 1 large cup after squeezing water out)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle iron.
- Grate the zucchini and shred the cheddar cheese.
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the egg, milk and Greek yogurt. Stir the wet ingredients together in the middle and then mix them into the dry ingredients until combined. You may have a few lumps, which is fine. Be careful not to over mix.
- Fold in the grated zucchini and ¾ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until combined, but again, don’t overmix. The batter will be very thick.
- Pour the batter into your waffle iron and sprinkle each waffle with 2 tablespoons of cheddar cheese before closing lid.
- Cook according to the directions in your waffle maker. (Mine uses ½ cup of batter for each waffle and cooks it automatically on the “Classic” setting.)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 289Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 576mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 16g
P.S. This is the Breville waffle maker I own. Highly recommend. If it’s a bit too steep in price for you, this one is similar and gets good reviews and is more economical. And this one is the #1 best seller and also more affordable.
Disclaimer: Those are affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, your cost will be the same but I receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Kids that get excited about real food....you know you have little gems on your hands 😉 #beproud
Kathryn
Aw, thanks so much Rebecca! It's all they know 🙂
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food
Oh my goodness, M sounds so adorable! I love that she is all about the food...me too 😀 !! These waffles look great, Kathryn. Love how you can make them ahead and reheat later and I especially love the serving suggestion of topping with bacon. Chicken n waffles is one of my favourite weekend meals. I'd love to try this version of waffles next time we do that! Hope you have a lovely weekend!
Kathryn
Thanks Dawn!! She definitely gets it from me 😉 And yes, didn't think about that connection... chicken and waffles is definitely a Southern classic - this would be a much more low-key and healthier twist 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Kelli
I've been craving a good savory waffle! Would be great with a poached egg on top for brunch I bet. Happy Friday 🙂
Kathryn
Glad you're in the savory waffle fan club! And yes, this would be fabulous with a poached or fried egg on top!!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
This is such a fabulous idea! I just love how golden they are with a bit of savory (and salty, thankyouverymuchbacon)! Mmm!
Kathryn
Haha, thank you bacon indeed! These are definitely a fun twist on a regular waffle. Thanks Patricia!
Nancy | Plus Ate Six
I was a goner when I saw these on instagram last week - what a winning combo. And how fabulous that you can freeze them and then toast them when you get a snack attack. Such a great idea 🙂
Kathryn
Thanks so much Nancy! I like having our freezer stocked with go-to snacks and easy meals 🙂
Ashlyn // Dollop Of Yum
I love waffles and definitely need to try making savory ones! These look amazing and I love how they can be made ahead for an easy dinner!
Kathryn
Savory waffles are such a great way to switch things up! I think you'll love them Ashlyn 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
So the weekend has come and gone and I'm totally ready for the next one!! 🙂 Summers seem to do that to me... and everyone else who is sane. 😉 Maybe I need to eat some of these savory waffles on repeat to help me forget it's only Monday and I have 5 more week days till the next weekend? Sounds like a plan to me! LOVE these, girlfriend!! Gimme zucchini ALL THE WAYS, especially if involves cheese and waffles! SO YUM! Totally doing these this week for dinner! Pinned! Cheers!! <3
P.S I don't have any problems with my child's dinner... only requires I open a can of food and mix it with a bit of dry kibble from a bag. lol. But I have a feeling you always kill it during dinner time. I mean, I DO follow your blog and I've SEEN all your amazing eats!!
Kathryn
I know, how it is only Monday?! Ahh! Thanks Cheyanne! XO
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
These look delicious - love the flavor combo! I don't have a waffle maker, but do you think the batter would work well as muffins or a loaf of bread?
Kathryn
Thanks Jessica! This recipe wouldn't work for muffins or bread - it's too liquidy and not the right proportions. I would say you could try it as pancakes but then there's this: http://altonbrown.com/the-difference-between-waffles-and-pancakes/. I like idea of a zucchini-cheddar loaf though - gonna have to get on that! (P.S. I highly recommend a waffle iron - got one last year and wondered why I waited so long!)
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
Good to know! I was thinking of it as a loaf more than a bread. If you do it and it works, i'd love to know! And I'll have to convince my husband we should get a waffle iron. Too many gadgets in the kitchen!
Adina
I wanted to make a chicken soup today, but now I am reconsidering! These zucchini waffles sound and look amazing and I bet both my kids would eat ALL their dinner as well, if I make these.
Kathryn
Haha, hope you give them a try Adina! Waffles for dinner are always a win 😉
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All you have to tell me is "I've got cheddar bacon waffles" and I'll be over lickety-split! Hahahaha! Wow, they look so delicious Kathryn and I have a feeling they will be the star of this weekend's brunch. I get organic zucchini each week in my CSA so it's perfect timing too 🙂
Kathryn
I'll absolutely make you a batch Karrie 🙂 We've always got tons of zucchini on hand in the summer!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner
Oh my those look delicious!
Kathryn
Thanks Deborah!
Chellie
I don't think I've ever had a savory waffle! I know, shocking. These look fantastic! Thanks for the great idea.
Kathryn
You'll love them Chellie! A fun change of pace!
lovebaby
That is an AWESOME recipe. Brunch is my favorite meal of the day!