What am I going to do with all of these leftover mashed potatoes (said no one ever!)?
Make waffles!
How is there a solution to a problem that isn’t really a problem at all? I’d eat mashed potatoes straight out of the fridge with a serving spoon. Maybe I’d put mustard and pickles on the cold mashed potatoes. That either makes me super gross or kinda genius. Most likely somewhere in between.
I’ve been daydreaming this waffle situation for a few weeks now. It’s mostly about the transformation of carbs. There’s a formula: transform carb, add cheese, melt, sprinkle chives. This works for any baked potato, nacho, and pizza happening. Look how smart we are.
Ps. I figured out what you’re doing this weekend. Waffles.
It should go without saying that Mashed Potato Waffles start with mashed potatoes.
Since I don’t often have mashed potatoes lingering in my refrigerator, I made some from scratch just for this waffle occasion.
We’re mixing out mashed potatoes with browned butter, garlic powder, egg, and buttermilk. Flour, too. Just a bit.
These mashed potatoes have some skins mixed in. It’s cool to keep things rustic.
These mashed potatoes are also seasoned to taste with salt, pepper, a bit of butter, and milk. I like to make things taste good before I mix them with other things that taste good. Ya know?
A few chives and a little mix.
The batter has a few potato chunks. Perfect. I like to cook the waffles so they bake up as slightly uneven rounds. Cheese comes in after the waffles are baked in the iron. Yessss….
My parents gave me this waffle iron for my birthday last year, and I quite like it a lot.
It’s time to crank the broiler!
I topped the waffles with cheese. I’m going to melt it because that’s just what feels right.
Let’s talk about these waffles… as if we haven’t talked about them enough.
They bake soft and solid. There’s also a surprising lightness to the waffles. I like to cool the waffles on a wire rack, because that keeps them from being soggy as they sit and cool. A little time in the oven also helps to crisp the waffles, melt the cheese, and make things that much more enticing. Serve with fried eggs and/or salsa? Good idea.
Mashed Potato meets Waffle! Let’s lifestyle it.
Mashed Potato, Cheddar and Chive Waffles
serves 4
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 cups mashed potatoes
3 tablespoons chopped chives
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. As the butter melts it will begin to crackle and pop. That’s the water evaporating out of the butter. Continue to cook the butter until the crackling subsides and the butter begins to brown a bit. The butter will smell nutty. Immediately transfer the browned butter into a medium bowl. Whisk in buttermilk and eggs until thoroughly combined. Add the mashed potatoes and 2 tablespoons chives and gently stir to combine.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Use a spoon to mix until all of the flour is thoroughly combined. Try not to overmix the batter. Just stir it until the flour is combined.
Heat a waffle iron and grease if necessary.
Dollop batter (about 1/4 cup per waffle) into the waffle iron. Cook until golden on each side. The amount of time depends on your waffle iron. Remove waffles from the iron and place on a cooling rack to rest. The cooling rack will keep the waffles from getting soggy on the bottom as they cool.
Just before serving the waffles, turn oven to the broiler setting. Place waffles on a baking sheet and top with cheddar cheese. Place waffles under the broiler until cheese is melted, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with remaining chives and serve warm (with salsa is delicious!).
Julia Mullaney
Hey! I am a freelancer writer for TasteOfHome.com, and we’d love to use this recipe/photo in a slideshow we’re making. We’d give credit as well. Please let me know!
Cynthia
Joy –
I made these waffles because I had some leftover mashed potatoes; made them as a side to go with ham on New Years Day dinner .. so fabulous; everyone raved! will definitely do again! Thanks for a great and easy to follow recipe (I’m not a baker and am notorious for not making good pancakes and waffles).
judith bell
These look absolutely mouthwatering.. I love to make buttermilk waffles loaded with pre-cooked scallions. This takes it up to another whole level! Genius :)
Kelly Carballo
Making these now and I do not have a regular waffle maker… it’s a Charlie Brown one ;) ;) They smell delicious and we cannot wait to eat them!
Annalise Parady
How well do you think these would reheat, Joy? And are there any breakfast-waffle-sandwich ideas (mashups, ha!) that you think would be good?
joythebaker
You could freeze them and reheat them, they would be great.
Gioconda D'Abruzzo
One of my favorite appetizers in Mandarin and Cantonese restaurants is scallion pancakes. Freaking amazing. I improvised recipes and began to make in my home kitchen scallion/chive/leek waffles/pancakes. Your recipe is wonderful. Chinese restaurants don’t use cheese so I prefer them w.o cheese but it’s all good :) I love that you added potatoes. Have you ever used a ricer? I’m going to try add riced potatoes to your recipe…Oh yeah. This is absolutely wonderful! Thanks!
Erica
Oh JOY! Ok. On the weekend my sister brought her family to our house for a visit. So company, hmmm, delicious potato recipe? Yes. And let me tell you-they were a hit! SO GOOD. I double the recipe to feed us all and not one was left over because everyone was having seconds and thirds. I will definitely be making these again. Thank you! :)
Michelle
Saw this and immediately began throwing it together. This is absolutely the finest way to finish leftover mashed potatoes, and a magnificent justification for ] just MAKING some mashed potatoes (so you can do this with them). They look and taste amazing.
Carol
We love potato pancakes when there’s no gravy with the meal but flipping them is sometimes an issue. What a great idea to do them in the waffle iron!
John the Potato Guy
Wow! I thought I’d heard of all the mashed potato recipes around. This is definitely creative and super yummy! Love the recipe (as did the wife). Thank you for such a great potato recipe.
Amanda West
I made these tonight and they were so good! I subbed gluten free all-purpose flour for the regular flour in this recipe and they turned out great. Thanks for such a creative way to eat tators! :-)
hannahjoyangelreadings
I am very keen to make these! They look divine and I love your photography!
Tori
oh my gosh, these were SO AMAZING. for some of them we put a spicy honey syrup and… whoa. thank you for these JTB!
Theresa
I made these last night for a dinner party and boy whata hit. There are absolutely delicious!!!! Will making these again real soon. Thanks!!!!! :)
Farah
Lovely recipe! ??
pamela
AH. MAZE. ING! You are a mashed potato genius!
lattesandbenedict
THANK YOU for two delicious days of breakfast. great recipe :)
Jewels
Was wondering if you can freeze after you make in waffle iron for a later date
Nusrat
I just made this…FRICKIN AMAZING!! Only thing is that it needs a LOT more salt! Although I did not use “premade mashed potatoes” that were already salted. I used plain boiled potatoes. I also used a lot more garlic powder.
Other than adding more salt and garlic, I followed the recipe exactly and it was PERFECT! My husband and I scarfed these down..mmmmmmmmmm!
Lauren
Hi! Planning to make these for Christmas Eve appetizer. Do you think it would be ok to make ahead (like tonight) and keep it refrigerated until I need to waffle-iron it?
joythebaker
i think if you made this batter one night ahead, you’d be safe to waffle it the following day!
Erin
Do these freeze well? Was thinking of making a big batch and saving some for breakfast later this week.
Kim Brown
These look so scrumptious that I’m going to go out and buy a waffle maker!!!
bricruiter
I just combined your two recipes by using sweet potato instead and it is AH-MAZ-ING!!! Try it with a dollop of sour cream on top too. Yummy!!!
Megan
Holy shit. This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.
kellie@foodtoglow
Two words: in love
Teri
Who has leftover mashed potatoes… not with college kids in the house:)
Emma
Hi there, I just recently posted a blog post about different ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers and this recipe was one of them! I was sure to link your post to it, but if you would like me to un-link please let me know! You can find the post here: http://seekingthesouthblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/18-ways-to-use-your-thanksgiving.html
Have a great day!!
Ally @ Om Nom Ally
Woohoo, savoury waffles! I would totally top these with cheese as well, these are pure waffled perfection :)
83vette
I’m thinking these for Chicken and Waffles would be heavenly.
Odette
Could I substitute the buttermilk for normal milk…?
joythebaker
You definitely can! Try using whole milk instead.
Aqiyl Aniys | Natural Life Energy
Whoa! These look awesomely dangerous!
tera
Genius. Absolutely genius.
cmgifford
Joy, afaiac, you are the primo joy of baking(!) Thank You, for this awesometabulous respe, and I can read through it, loving every measure, evry ingred nd evry nvie from your reedrs, and I think to myself, this one does not need changes. This IS as good as it gets.
You, out there, take it, make it, and then twk it to your lil heart’s desire. This one [leftoer mashtaters] is s-o-l-i-d.
Thanks for the inspiration to pull those mashed potatoes out-of-the-frig before they went bad! <3
Miss Diane
What a nice idea on a nice blog! Nice pictures too!
teaandscones
GENIUS!!! I always hate discarding left over mashed potatoes
Mari aka Mevrouw Cupcake
We made these for dins tonight in rainy, rainy Amsterdam. They were MARVELOUS! I went with fresh grated garlic, which I added to the browned butter before incorporating it into the liquid mixture. I also added bacon, cause pretty much everything does taste better with bacon. We ate them with really nice pork sausages and ketchup. Next time I’ll add a fried egg and baked beans for a true Anglo-American mash-up. Good vittles, Miss Joy, very good indeed!
Kelly
I made these and they turned out so good! My husband loved them and I plan to make these for people when they are visiting. I made an extra huge batch …. Not sure if it was tripled or quadupaled in the end haha. Either way they were awesome!
Claire
How is it possible that you haven’t yet died of happiness from your food? Just looking at this recipe makes me happy! Love it :) ALSO THIS FONT.
Cláudia
Hi Joy
First of all I’ d to say that I LOVE your “blog” and recipes. Congratulations
My daughter doesn’ t like mashed potatoes at all :-)
This recipe is great and maybe I can trick her :-)
Thank you
Kiss
Cláudia
(sorry my inglish)
Gillian
Genius. Mashed potatoes and waffles are 2 of my sons faves. I have to get him cooking this with me. Thanks. I’ll drink the riesling while he does the hard work! lol.
Julie
would like to try this paleo/primal style! :) what a great idea!!
Trende
I loved these. Mashed potatoes were the first REAL food I ever ate as a baby (so I’m told), so I have this affinity that I don’t feel bad about when it comes to any sort of potato.
I served these pups with a Roast. Seems only fitting. Meat and potatoes anyone? Next time, I’m throwing in some red cabbage as a side dish!
Michelle Sexton
I made this! I liked them. Different, but so fun!!! Never would have thought to make potato waffles!!
Cecile Hamel-Roy
Love this ides – just “pinned” it!!
I like to make Potato Patties when I have left-over mashed potatoes – I just add some (purchased) seasoned dry bread crumbs, an egg & a bit of minced onion. For each patty, I drop about 1/3 cup of the mashed potato mixture into a buttered skillet set on medium heat. Then I press down the patty a bit with a wooden spoon to form the patty shape. Cook until the patties are browned on that side – then flip them over to cook the other side. They’re great served with eggs and bacon etc. And they’re also delish served as a side for dinner – and – from now on I’m gonna add some shredded cheese and melt it under the broiler – like you did with these awesome waffles !!
Ania
Wow! I love cheddar cheese and waffles look delicious! your pictures make me hungry ;)
daria
Made in a sandwich maker. Succeded.
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence
Really I couldn’t think of anything better to eat after a night of drinking. Yuuuuum!
Jade
what a fabulous idea! i love me some mashed potatoes but this sounds crazy delicious!
anie inspired
i NEED to make this ASAP!
Jessica
These are delicious!!!! Definitely my new favorite way to use leftover mashed potatos. You are a genius!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
why are you so smart?! the food your brain comes up with amazes me, and makes me very very happy. thanks for being you. :)
Megan
Brilliant. That is all.
ps. Totally pinned this.
SeattleDee
I tried… I failed… I couldn’t past the hot mashed potato stage. Delayed gratification is not an easy thing.
chef_whit
Just made these, added a LOT of bacon to the batter… Lord have mercy…
joythebaker
You are the smartest person.
Sarah
uuummmm, what?! BRILLIANT. Joy, your blog and recipes bring me so much happiness. Good day to you!
Meg Jones | The Spatularettes
Sometimes (read: always) I think you are a genius.
Lynne Favreau
I’m obsessed with savory waffles-cheddar herb served with black bean tomato mix which I poached the eggs in topped with an avocado cream is the latest favorite. Adding mashed potatoes is a spectacular idea. Can’t wait to try it.
ATasteOfMadness
Just when I thought mashed potatoes couldn’t get any better…Seriously? Waffles? These look great! I would never have thought of this!
Emily
I thought the most delicious thing I could ever see filling up a waffle indent was maple syrup. Turns out its cheese.
Teresa Bergan
Joy!
Iluvuman!
Made these waffles this morning….EPIC!
What is not to love?
Mashed potatoes!
Chives!
These are the lightest waffles and tastiest I have ever made, EVER!
Husband and my boys were well fed this morning!
This is a keeper!
Thanks again for making my Sunday morning…..wonderful!
Teresa Bergan, somewhere in Spokayne, WA
Deb
We are making this to go along with your pot roast for dinner tonight. Can’t wait! Thanks Joy!
joythebaker
love this plan!! sounds incredible!
Josh Trenser
Now that looks pretty sweet!!!
stacy
just made these w/gluten-free flour (trader joe’s brand) and added bacon to the wet ingredients and then a little on top w/the cheese…EXCELLENT!….my carb-loving partner is very happy!
Effie
I rarely have mashed potatoes as leftovers, but do you think this would work as a pancake version? (no waffle-maker here) They look *DELISH* and I can almost smell them!
Becca from Cookie Jar Treats
These look so interesting. I am not a mashed potato kind of gal (I like ’em baked) But I would totally be willing to try these…. especially with ketchup (I love ketchup-it goes with everything!)
Mama Maria
A million times YUM!!!
Angela
excuse me while I mop up this drool…
Mash potato for the win!
krystal
Oh. My. God.
You are my hero! Also, I bought your cookbook and hot-diggity-dang kettle corn!!
Terry
Oh my gosh – I’m thinking add some crumbled
Bacon, with or without syrup or some uncle dans ranch dressing. These are the snack for football game!! Amazing – thank you!!
linbakes
Love this recipe. Want to try it soon, likely at family brunch. Here is a hint about brown butter: if you like the brown crackly stuff do it your way, if you are after the flavor, use a good quality ghee from an Indian grocery store. It has a delightfully nutty flavor with the crackly bits (which I do not especially like) strained out.
Renee @ Awesome on $20
Everyone who’s ever said you are a genius is 100% correct!
Meagan
I love this! What a great idea. I’d make mashed potatoes just for these pancakes… except they’d be sweet potatoe and I’d use almond flour instead!
mama gray squirrel
Made these with sweet potato and regular potato mash. So good!
Normad | Allspice and Nutmeg
Oh my my. Love this recipe!
Sara {Home is Where the Cookies Are}
Yum, yum, yum, and YUM! These look so good. I wish my husband would eat something like this! Every time I have done something of the sort he hasn’t liked them, but that could very well be my recipe ;).
I’ll be trying again – your way!!
Abbie @ Needs Salt
these look phenomenal. <3 pinned!
Ellen
I’m going to channel Stacy London for a moment: SHUT THE FRONT DOOR. Thank you.
Synne
I can’t believe how much I want these.
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile
OMG these look amazing! I can’t wait to try them! I have friends coming over for lunch tomorrow so I think they will be perfect. Thanks :-)
katie mazur
You always know how to win over my heart joy! fantastic idea! Mashed potato waffles??? It’s like heaven on earth!
Ellen
Love me some waffle action!
jane
thank you for sharing your waffle maker brand. I love how your waffles look.
jane
you amaze me with your food creativity. you rock!!!
Angela
Made them this evening and they were great! I added a little salsa, avocado and sour cream …. Um, yes it was delicious and I guess I will be forced to make them again…. Oh no! : )
Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen
This looks like arguably the best way to eat carbs. THE BEST.
Mindy Clayson
Saw these in the morning and made these for dinner. They are good!
Tieghan
Yeah, these are the best thing ever. I love rustic skin on mashed potatoes on I love waffles. KILLER recipe!
Lyn
You. Are. A. Genius.
Amy
This is really tempting me to get a waffle maker..
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
I want these for every meal!! YUMMO!
Javi Trulove
This is PERFECT for a breakfast! it’s like anothe way to prepare a Hashbrow.. my mouth is watering already!
anne
Genius! This just put me over the edge in my waffling about whether or not to buy a waffle iron!
Allie | Baking a Moment
Love this idea! It’s like a gnocchi/waffle love child. With cheese! Genius!
Lin
Oh can’t wait to try these! They sound and lookd so yummy. One suggestion…it would be great to have the photo print out with the recipe. Thanks for this great dish!
Nancy@SeasonsOfJoy
OH MY! That first photo reaaaaalllllyyy got me! It reached right out of the computer and grabbed my shirt and said, “Click and get this recipe, NOW!” Me thinks it did it’s job. Well done! Yum, yum, and yum, I can’t wait to try these!
Gracie
How unique! Love your pictures and I am DEFINITELY trying this! So fun!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
Beth @ bethcakes
I love it when people make things in waffle irons besides actual waffles. So fun and creative! I always forget that I have a waffle maker, but I really want to make these with it now. :)
Erica Lea | Buttered Side Up
Well, now I know what I should make for supper. :D These look amazing, Joy!
Jessica (bakecetera)
I could eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They look divine. I recently made sweet potato waffles, and these are one notch up to waffle greatness!!!
Meredith in sock monkey slippers
Amazing!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
Oh myyyy oh lorrdddyyy, yes ys yes yes yes!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Mmmmm!! I love savory waffles and this is no exception. WOW!
Mallory @ Because I Like Chocolate
I must say I do ask that question whenever Thanksgiving rolls around. Because no one in my family eats leftover mashed potatoes, ever. You can have them if you want! haha
Jenn@slim-shoppin
I’ve made hashbrown waffles, but shredded the potatoes….
http://www.slim-shoppin.com/waffle-iron-hash-browns/
My daughter LOVES mashed potatoes, so I’m totally making these. I never would have thought to use mashed potatoes to make waffles! Love it.
Canal Cook
I will add mustard to just about everything. I usually make leftover mash into cakes and fry it, but these look great. You can’t go wrong with potato and cheese.
Rocky Mountain Woman
I’m in! Weekend Waffles at my house!
Rachel
OMG!
Not only will this bring “chicken n waffles” to a whole new level (!!!!) …. PICTURE THIS: the waffle is the BREAD!! Just think of turkey and cranberry sauce between those bad boys, or meatloaf, or roast beef … !!!!!!
Yanica
Am I the only one thinking that these need bacon?? I’m going to try these, because, yes, I sometimes do end up throwing leftover mashed potatoes away!
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs
Man, these look delicious! I love my waffle maker too — think I’ll have to give these a go!
Have a great weekend!
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig
I have to have this soon…brilliant!!
Kelly Jo
I need a waffle maker!
Lee
Can’t wait to make these! Can anyone help me out with how you get them round and uneven like this? I start out with a blob of batter at the centre of the iron but they always end up regular and rectangular; these look so much better!
Nicole @ youngbrokeandhungry
This just proves that mashed potatoes should go in everything.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I have a waffle iron that I NEED to dust off after seeing these. Savory waffles, loaded with cheese, mmmm, they’re beautiful, Joy!
Becca
Holy. Moly. It is taking everything in me to not drool all over my keyboard. These look and sound ridiculously good!
-Becca
Ladyface Blog
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker
I can’t even believe this! Genius!
MB
You. Are. Amazing. These look so good I can’t stand it!!
dixya| food, pleasure, and health
potato chives and cheese – this is one happy situation
Sophie @ The Spotty Teapot
Sometimes I wish I had a waffle iron, and this is definitely one of those times. I didn’t know I needed these waffles in my life until I clicked on your post. Looking scrumptious as always :)
shelly@ohshellsbells
so torn. dont have space for another kitchen appliance. want mashed potato waffles. life’s hard sometimes.
allie@sweetpotatobites
mashed potato waffles. genius.
sue fletcher
swooning…
i have never met a potato i didn’t want to gobble up and these are right up there! left over mashed potatoes? what are those? i would also have to make some just for this occasion – but it would be 100% worth it.
yum!
TheMacaronAddict
Mash potato waffles WITH cheese?!! That is right up my street!
themacaronaddict.blogspot.co.uk
Sarah J
I’ve never been so tempted to buy a waffle iron. Seriously. Wow!
Yolène @ Crème de Citron
If I show this to my boyfriend, I am sure he can be convinced that a waffle iron would change our life enormously and it will be worth storing it somewhere in our small apartment between the raclette dish and the many many food photography props.
I had to leave my lovely waffle iron back in France 9 years ago. The only joy I get out of it is that my family gets to it delicious gaufres a lot. I must tell them to make mashed potatoe waffles!
Grubarazzi
Let’s talk about how these are kind of perfect for a party. Also, let’s talk about creating a mashed potato bar with a waffle maker as a centerpiece. YES.
Alexa Rae @ KEEN Digital Summit
I like the way you think!
Sini
Yes! I’m hosting a waffle party next week. I think everybody would looove to have these cheese potato waffles. Great timing, Joy.
Amanda
Oh, heck yes! We have a waffle restaurant very close to my place in Toronto and my FAVOURITE of all time are loaded baked potato waffles. Having a recipe to make them at home could be very, very dangerous!
Laura
Whoa. These sound brilliant!
Heather
Ha, your going to slowly kill me with these wonderfully delicious high carb recipes!! I can just taste them right now. I want them right now!
Vicki B
Pure genius! These waffled ones and adding pickles and mustard to cold ones! Hey, do you ever make potato pancakes using leftover Thanksgiving potatoes, because that is the only time there’s any in my house? I’ve tried and tried to make them like my grandmother winged it but they always fall apart in the pan.
bhive
My grandma too! Flour and egg mixed into the mashed potato base. Don’t make them “too loose” she would always say. Heat butter or oil or a combo in a NON STICK pan…only works when frying polenta too.
gayle
I grew up eating fried mashed potatoes. There are three secrets to success: first, a generous amount of butter in the pan. Next, don’t be in a hurry to turn them over and when you do, do it with confidence (as julia child would say) and last, when you do flip them, have a super thin spatula (think silicone) to do it with.
Amanda
Oh Joy-you are a genius! I mean waffles with maple syrup are divine, but this? Hmmm.
Off to buy a waffle iron…
Hannah Teej
Oh my goodness, these look fantastic. Our local pub serves ‘Irish Nachos’ (nachos on potatoes?), which are great but, alas, processed. These would be a fantastic alternative, cheaper and, actually, yummier by the looks of it.
You are a great fortune teller, you predicted my weekend perfectly!
Hannah
http://www.thelemonhive.com
jessica @ how sweet
are you kidding me!!!!
i’m dead.
Bev @ Bev Cooks
Oh….oh I can’t even…yeah….hold me.
leaf (the indolent cook)
Potatoes are quite possibly one of the tastiest carbs ever. There is no question that these are my kind of waffles!
Andj
your writing always leaves me trying to stifle laughs at my desk. turning mashed potatoes into cheesy waffles (with brown butter!) is just the evil genius that makes me take an early lunch because my stomach is growling.
Ashley
WHOA. These look incredible. Just love that first photo! I had to do a double-take because I posted savory cornbread pancakes with chives today. These waffles are calling my name and should probably be eaten together with the pancakes. :)
Belinda @themoonblushbaker
I am thinking you can elevate these to fancy dinner for one by turning it to waffle welsh rarebit. My mind is always on cheese and these are perfect!
kitchen afternoon
waffles like that need a nice Riesling!