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.