Eggplant Parmesan + 7 Other Things You Can Cook In Your Waffle Maker

Put this kitchen appliance to better use by making everything from dinner to dessert.

by REBECCA STRAUS APRIL 22, 2016

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF MACHEESMO

1. HASH BROWNS

Nick at Macheesmo discovered that waffle irons make hash browns perfectly crispy. Both sides brown up at the same time, meaning they only take about 10 minutes to make—half as long as it would if you were using a cast-iron pan.

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Eggplant Parmesan + 7 Other Things You Can Cook In Your Waffle Maker

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CUPCAKE PROJECT

2. BAKED APPLE SLICES

Apple slices warm up nicely in any kind of waffle iron, and Stef atCupcake Project coats them in a thin layer of sugar for a caramelized outer shell. You could add some homemade whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon and call it a day, or make them without sugar and toppings for a healthier snack.

Related: Pressure Cooker Applesauce In Minutes

Eggplant Parmesan + 7 Other Things You Can Cook In Your Waffle Maker

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PHOTOGRAPH BY TIKKIDO

3. EGGPLANT PARMESAN

Nikki at Tikkido crisps up a healthy eggplant parm in her waffle iron without using any oil. It’s also way faster than the traditional method of frying the eggplant, which means it’s doable on weeknights.

Eggplant Parmesan + 7 Other Things You Can Cook In Your Waffle Maker

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SHERI SILVER

4. LEFTOVER PIZZA

Sheri at Donuts, Dresses, and Dirt folds slices in half and toasts them panini-style in a waffle maker. You get a crispy crust and caramelized cheesy goodness for an irresistible lunch treat.

Related: 10 Things You Can Cook In A Coffee Maker

Eggplant Parmesan + 7 Other Things You Can Cook In Your Waffle Maker

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF WILL IT WAFFLE?

5. CHEESEBURGER

Yes, you can even cook a grass-fed burger—including a from-scratch bun. Daniel Shumski is the author of the Will It Waffle? cookbook, and he’s devised dozens of affordable, healthy recipes like this one that can be easily be cooked on the trusty appliance.

Related: Great Organic Burger Recipes

Eggplant Parmesan + 7 Other Things You Can Cook In Your Waffle Maker

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SCATTERED THOUGHTS OF A CRAFTY MOM

6. MAC + CHEESE

Is your favorite part of baked macaroni and cheese the crispy part on the top? Then this recipe is for you. After whipping up a batch of your favorite mac and cheese, simply press it into squares on the waffle iron the way Jamie does at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom. This would also be an ideal way to heat up leftovers.

Eggplant Parmesan + 7 Other Things You Can Cook In Your Waffle Maker

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF CRUNCHY, CREAMY, SWEET

7. CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

Anna at Crunchy, Creamy, Sweet simply fires up the waffle iron to make crunchy cookies in next to no time. Her dough recipe will seem runny like a batter, but don’t let that fool you—these are cookies through and through.

Related: Super Quick Superfood Cookie Recipes

Eggplant Parmesan + 7 Other Things You Can Cook In Your Waffle Maker

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FOOD + WHINE

8. FALAFEL

At Food + Whine, Megan crisps up falafel balls on her waffle iron for a healthier, no-oil take on this Middle Eastern cuisine. The waffled shape makes them easier to slip inside a pita, too.