Savory Waffles with Spinach, Ham and Cheese
These savory waffles filled with spinach, ham, and cheddar cheese make a quick breakfast for a busy morning. The addition of whole wheat flour makes these crispy waffles more wholesome and hearty. You only need 5 minutes to put it all together, so get your waffle iron ready quick!
My family loves waffles – who wouldn’t?
Of course, we love sweet Belgian waffles. It’s hard to beat a breakfast of fluffy, crispy waffles piled high with whipped cream and berries, and then drizzled with warm maple syrup. They make one of our family’s favorite weekend brunches.
But these savory waffles are another my favorite quick breakfast. They are so easy to put together with everyday ingredients in your kitchen.
I think every family has some baby spinach, deli ham slices, and cheddar cheese in their fridge. If you do, pull them out and make this savory waffles recipe. You only need 5 minutes to stir up the batter and you are all set.
Oh, don’t forget to heat up your waffle iron before you start. I plugged in my family’s favorite kitchen appliance – the Belgian waffle maker. I love this thing!
Let me tell you, these spinach waffles are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with savory goodness in every bite. I just love the crispy texture from the cheddar cheese in a hot waffle machine.
As you can tell, they are healthier alternative to a sweet breakfast. Or for a change, try these waffles for dinner. Topped with egg and sour cream, they sure do make a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- baby spinach. It’s the green power that makes these waffles scream “healthy!”
- deli ham slices. Or use any kind of sliced deli meats you have on hand (ham, turkey, chicken, or beef).
- grated cheese. Cheddar is my favorite. Use any cheese of your choice.
- all-purpose flour. These are waffles, after all. Waffles need flour!
- whole wheat flour. Makes your savory waffles more hearty and wholesome.
- baking powder. Leavening power so that your waffles will be fluffy and soft.
- garlic powder. Adds another layer of savory flavor.
- salt. Needed to season the waffles. Without it, your waffles will be somewhat bland.
- milk. Moistens everything and binds it together.
- butter. No butter, no taste.
How to make savory waffles with spinach, ham, and cheese
Step 1: Preheat the waffle iron to medium to medium-dark setting.
Step 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine spinach, deli ham slices, and cheddar cheese. Add the flours, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt. Toss together roughly with kitchen tongs.
Step 3. Pour in milk and melted butter and toss everything with kitchen tongs to moisten. The batter will be on the thick side. Add more milk if you prefer a looser batter—but this is not a batter that you pour.
Step 4. Oil spray the hot waffle iron if needed. Put a fourth of the waffle batter on the hot waffle iron and close the lid. (Flip it upside down if your waffle iron has the feature)
Cook until golden and crisp. (Waffle irons vary in cooking time, so adjust the time accordingly.) Gently take the waffle out of the iron and place on a wired rack.
To keep these waffles warm, keep them in a warm 175˚F oven while you cook the next one. Make sure to place the waffles on a wire rack to prevent them from getting soggy.
What to serve with savory waffles
I usually serve my spinach waffles plainly with sour cream and a few drops of hot sauce, but these waffles can go with lots of other things. Try the following toppings to make your waffle meal more satisfying.
- fried egg
- crisp bacon pieces
- smoked salmon
- avocado
- sour cream
- hot sauce
- green salad with vinaigrette dressing
- cherry tomatoes
Tried this recipe? Please take a moment to leave a star rating & comment below. I love hearing from you and it helps other readers, too.
Savory Waffles with Spinach, Ham, and Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 cup loosely packed baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 4 slices deli ham, roughly sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 pinches salt
- 1 to 1 1/4 cup milk
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- oil spray
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat the waffle iron to medium to medium-dark setting.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine spinach, deli ham slices, and cheddar cheese. Add the flours, baking powder, garlic powder, and salt. Toss together roughly with kitchen tongs.
- Pour in milk and melted butter and toss everything with kitchen tongs to moisten. The batter will be on the thick side. Add more milk if you prefer a looser batter—but this is not a batter that you pour.
- Oil spray the hot waffle iron if needed. Put a fourth of the waffle batter on the hot waffle iron and close the lid (Flip it upside down if your waffle iron has the feature). Cook until golden and crisp. (Waffle irons vary in cooking time, so adjust the time accordingly.)
- Gently take the waffle out of the iron and place on a wired rack. Serve the waffles with sour cream and hot sauce or other favorite topping.
- To keep these waffles warm, keep them in a warm 175˚F oven while you cook the next one. Make sure to place the waffles on a wire rack to prevent them from getting soggy.
These waffles sound great. Can’t wait to try them for a savory supper with eggs. I have to lower the sodium count for 2 family members with health issues, so I want to replace the ham. Would it work to add chopped mushtrooms? I haven’t tried using fresh mushrooms in a waffle iron.
Thanks for a great-sounding recipe.
Hi Lynn
Mushroom is a great substitution to replace the ham. I hope you enjoy it. It’s delicious!
Easy to make and deliciously savory! This is the first time I used a waffle iron and so I didn’t really know the outcome….the irons were definately HOT and browned a bit more than yours, but they turned out amazing! I think this is a great recipe to subsitute left over deli meats and cheeses (plus supergreens)….roast beef (w/horseradish) & cheddar, turkey (with dry ranch dressing) & swiss, pepperoni & provolone, and sausage & jack. So many choices! PS – I didn’t have spray, so I basted the irons with avocado oil.
Excellent tasting savory waffle! Could easily switch out cheeses too, so, ham & swiss, provolone & salami, fontina & pepperoni, roast beef (w/horseradish) & cheddar, turkey ranch & swiss, sausage & jack cheese, perfect way to use up left overs! Easy to make!