Waffles are delicious pastries that are usually eaten for breakfast. You can buy them frozen and heat them in the toaster, but the homemade ones are incredibly tastier. Whether you decide to start from scratch or to use a canned preparation, it is essential to have the waffle iron with which to cook them. It might seem like a difficult tool to use, but just follow the steps in the article to be sure you are not wrong. When you have learned to use the waffle iron plate you can indulge yourself and use it for many other preparations.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using the Waffle Maker
Step 1. Prepare the batter for the waffles
You can start from scratch by following your favorite recipe or you can use a canned preparation to reduce time and effort. In any case, do not mix the batter for too long: lumps must remain otherwise the waffles will have a rubbery consistency.
- Add some oil or melted butter to the recipe to make the batter less sticky.
- You can give the waffles more flavor by adding a few drops of an extract of your choice to the dough; the most used are those of cinnamon, almonds or vanilla. You can also use a pinch of hot pepper to start the day with the right energy.
Step 2. Preheat the plate
Place it on a flat, heat-resistant surface. Connect it to the electricity supply and adjust the thermostat according to the desired degree of browning.
Some models have an indicator light that indicates that the soleplate is on and is heating up. Once ready for use, the light is likely to go out or change color
Step 3. Grease the molds if necessary
You can use either butter or oil (spray oil is very practical). You will get a double benefit: the batter will not stick and you can eventually clean the plate in no time. If the griddle is non-stick there is no need to use any grease (using oil or butter could have the opposite effect and make the griddle sticky).
Step 4. Pour the batter in a spiral
Measure out about 180 ml of batter and pour it into the mold in a spiral, starting from the outside. If the soleplate has a light indicator, wait for it to go out or change color (depending on the model) before pouring the batter.
Don't worry if some batter comes out of the mold; just use less next time
Step 5. Close the plate and let the batter cook
As they cook the waffles will release a lot of moisture. Wait for the steam to stop before opening the soleplate to check if the waffles are cooked. The time required depends on the model and the setting of the thermostat; on average it takes about 5 minutes. Do not lift the lid while the waffles are cooking or you will risk breaking them in half.
- If the soleplate has a light indicator, wait for it to change color or go out (depending on the model).
- In the absence of a special indicator light, observe the waffles through the side openings of the soleplate. Once cooked, the batter that pokes out will become similar to cake dough.
Step 6. Remove the waffles from the molds with the help of a kitchen utensil made of plastic, rubber or silicone
This can be a knife, fork or spatula, as long as it is made from one of these three materials. Do not use a metal utensil to avoid scratching the surfaces of the plate.
Step 7. Close the plate and place the waffles on the plates
Add the butter and syrup and enjoy your breakfast. If you have some batter left, you can make more waffles or you can store it in the fridge for the next morning.
Step 8. Wait for the soleplate to cool completely before cleaning it
At that point, just use a damp cloth or paper. If there are any crumbs, remove them with a kitchen brush and if some pieces of batter stick to the mold, gently peel them off using a rubber spatula. If there are any burnt residues left at this point, soak them in the seed oil, wait 5 minutes, and then wipe them off with a soft cloth.
- Do not use the dish sponge or other material that could scratch the molds.
- Do not use detergent - unless otherwise indicated in the instruction manual.
- If the molds can come off, you can soak them in water. Do not use soap unless otherwise indicated.
Step 9. Let the plate dry before placing it back in the kitchen cabinet
If there are residues of batter sticking to the outside, wipe them off promptly with a damp cloth.
Method 2 of 3: Bake Doughs and Batters with the Waffle Maker
Step 1. Try a different type of batter, for example brownies
Make the batter you want, then pour it into greased or buttered molds. Close the plate and let the dough cook until it stops releasing steam. At that point, if you want the brownies to have a delicious external crust, let them cook for a few more seconds.
- The batter may leak out of the griddle. Place it on a baking sheet if you want to avoid soiling the surface underneath.
- With this simple method you can prepare different types of desserts. In addition to brownies, try baking banana bread, carrot cake, donuts or muffin dough on the plate.
- To make the donuts look more like the original, you can coat them with icing or a chocolate ganache after they have cooled.
Step 2. Use a cookie mix when in a hurry
Purchase a cookie mix and knead it according to the instructions on the package. Once ready, put it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, then pour a spoonful into each mold. Close the plate and cook the cookies for 4-5 minutes.
You can use the same method to make cinnamon rolls. They will need to cook for 2-4 minutes
Step 3. Swap the batter with the eggs to make an omelette or one omelette.
Beat two eggs with two tablespoons (30ml) of milk. Pour the mixture into the griddle, close it, and then cook it until the eggs have set.
For a tastier omelette, you can add some minced delicacies, such as onions, peppers or mushrooms
Step 4. Use the griddle to cook the potato hash browns
Grate or chop the potatoes using the food processor, then pour them into molds after greasing them with melted butter. Close the plate and let the potatoes cook for 15 minutes.
- You can also use a different tuber, such as sweet potatoes.
- Also try using zucchini. Grate them and cook them for 3 minutes to make delicious pancakes.
Step 5. Cook the falafel with the plate instead of in the pan.
Prepare the dough as usual, grease the molds with seed oil (you can use that spray for convenience), then add the dough. Close the plate and cook the falafel for 6-10 minutes or until golden on the outside and cooked on the inside.
If you are going to eat them in a pita, a soft round-shaped bread, it is better that the mold is also round
Method 3 of 3: Cook Solid Ingredients with the Waffle Maker
Step 1. Make a cheese sandwich.
Grease the mold with oil (for convenience it is better to use that spray). Assemble the sandwich directly into the plate using two slices of bread and your favorite cheese. Close the plate and heat the sandwich until the cheese melts.
Make the sandwich even more crunchy and tasty by coating the outer side of the bread slices with a thin layer of mayonnaise
Step 2. Use the griddle to make quesadillas
Grease the plate, place the tortilla and sprinkle it with your favorite cheese. Cut the cheese into small pieces or thin slices so that it melts quickly. If you wish, you can add some other ingredients to taste. Place another tortilla on top of the topping and close the plate. Your quesadilla will be ready in 2-3 minutes.
Step 3. Use the plate to grill the fruit
Cut larger fruits into thick slices, such as pineapple or apples. The fruits with the stone, such as peaches or apricots, should be cut in half and pitted. Other types of fruit that can be grilled include pears, figs, and plantains.
Most fruits will cook in about 4 minutes
Step 4. Grill the vegetables with the griddle
Cut them into slices about 1 centimeter thick, season them with extra virgin olive oil and salt and cook them with the plate closed for 3-5 minutes.
- Among the most suitable vegetables to be grilled are courgettes, squash and aubergines.
- Grilled mushrooms are also great - you can use portobello or champignons to make a veggie burger.
Step 5. You can also use the waffle iron to cook pizza
Prepare the dough and spread it on the plate. Close the lid and cook the pizza base for 2-3 minutes, then turn it over and let it cook for the same time on the other side as well. Add the tomato sauce, mozzarella and your favorite ingredients and finish cooking the pizza with the plate open to melt the cheese.
Advice
- If you have a lot of diners, you can keep ready-made waffles warm. Put them in the oven on the lowest possible temperature.
- Freeze the leftover waffles. Do not throw away the batter but make more waffles, place them between two sheets of parchment paper, put them in a food bag and store them in the freezer.
- Be careful not to overfill the molds. Use less batter than you think is necessary.
- Do not open the plate to check the doneness when using it to prepare a baked product, such as brownies or biscuits.
Warnings
- Do not use metal or abrasive objects to avoid scratching the plate.
- Do not immerse the plate in water. If possible, remove the individual molds and soak them.
- Do not touch the metal spiral on the outside of the plate.
- Do not touch the cooking surface of the plate.
