Cheesy Waffle Iron Smashed Potatoes

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Whether you have some leftover potatoes from dinner last night or you boil some potatoes specifically for this recipe, you’re in for some delicious comfort food with these cheesy waffle iron smashed potatoes.

These savory, comforting “waffles” can be topped with anything you like and you can use as little or as much cheese as you want.

What Are Cheesy Waffle Iron Smashed Potatoes?

Most people have heard of smashed potatoes, but they take on a whole new life when you make them on a waffle iron with cheese. These delicious waffles are kind of like eating a big tater tot with cheese. So yeah, pretty darn yummy.

Why Make Cheesy Waffle Iron Smashed Potatoes?

Well… because they are yummy for starters. But also because they are a great way to use up potatoes and a unique and tasty way to serve potatoes with just about any main course you like with potatoes.

What Toppings Can I Use?

The toppings for these are pretty endless. Basically, if it tastes good with a potato, you can serve it on these delicious waffles.

• Sour cream
• Chives
• Bacon bits
• Jalapeños
• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Hot sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Crumbled blue cheese
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Diced tomatoes
• Green onions
• Ketchup
• Honey mustard
• Buffalo sauce
• BBQ sauce
• Pulled pork
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Gravy
• Fried eggs
• Crumbled feta
• Parmesan cheese
• Pico de gallo
• Black olives
• Tzatziki sauce
• Pickled red onions
• Avocado slices
• Chili
• Garlic aioli
• Caramelized onions
• Pesto sauce
• Crispy fried shallots
• Sour cream and dill
• Smoked salmon
• Microgreens
• Arugula
• Crumbled sausage
• Cream cheese
• Black bean and corn salsa
• Roasted garlic cloves
• Herb butter
• Greek yogurt with lemon
• Fresh basil
• Lemon-tahini sauce

How To Serve Cheesy Waffle Iron Smashed Potatoes

This recipe is totally customizable, so you can make these as big or as small as your waffle iron will allow. That means you can serve them small as finger food-style appetizers, or bigger as a side dish or even main course.

You can use them as buns for a burger if they are made that size, or serve them smaller with dip, almost like chips. You can even serve them as savory waffles with your favorite baked potato toppings. The possibilities are endless.

FAQs

Can I Make These Ahead Of Time And Reheat Them?

You can! These are super easy to make ahead. You can find the storage information below.

What Type Of Cheese Works Best In This Recipe?

I used a mix of cheeses, but you can use any type of single cheese as well. Cheddar works particularly well here, but you can pick your favorite cheese as long as you enjoy that cheese with potatoes.

What Type Of Potatoes Work Best For This Recipe

Small Russets, small Yukon Gold potatoes, fingerling potatoes, or baby potatoes are your best options for this recipe. However, you can choose the size of your potatoes based on the size of your waffle maker.

What’s The Recommended Waffle Iron Size Or Type For This Recipe?

I used a mini waffle maker, but you can use larger waffle makers too. Pretty much any type size will work, but you have to size your potatoes accordingly. The bigger the waffle maker, the bigger the potatoes you can use. Though you can certainly use smaller potatoes on a larger waffle maker.

How Do I Prevent The Cheese From Sticking To The Waffle Iron?

You will need to grease your waffle iron. The best option is to have a non-stick surface on the waffle maker, and then add oil to grease it on top of that. It could still stick a little, but it’s nothing a utensil can’t pry out easily.

Can I Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes To Make This Recipe?

I don’t recommend it. While you can make potato pancakes with leftover mashed potatoes, they tend to have too much liquid and fat in them to properly hold up on a waffle maker.

Do I Need To Peel The Potatoes Before Smashing Them?

Nope! You can if you want, but I find that the skins give the “waffles” a bit more structure. It’s up to you though.

About The Ingredients

Tiny potatoes – Or whatever size you can comfortably smash on your waffle maker.

Shredded cheese – I used a mix but you can use individual cheese as well. Good options are cheddar, mozzarella, or Jack.

Garlic powder – Or garlic granules.

Onion powder – Or onion granules.

Smoked paprika – You can use regular paprika if you don’t want the smokey flavor.

Dried thyme

Salt and pepper – To taste if needed.

Oil – For the waffle iron

How To Make Cheesy Waffle Iron Smashed Potatoes

Place the potatoes in a pot, cover with water, and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender. (About 10-15 minutes.) Drain and let cool for a few minutes.

Preheat your waffle maker and oil it.

Place a potato on your waffle maker and smash it.

Then raise the lid and sprinkle on the cheese and spices.

Close the waffle iron and cook for about 5-7 minutes or until the potatoes are crispy and golden brown, and the cheese is melted. Cooking times may vary depending on your waffle iron.

Carefully remove the cheesy waffle iron potatoes and let them cool for a minute. Serve with your favorite baked potato toppings.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days, four tops.

Freezing

While I don’t recommend freezing these, you probably could. But the texture may change slighting. If you choose to freeze these, wrap them really well, and don’t freeze for longer than 3 months.

Reheating

You can reheat these lightly in a toaster or microwave. You can even heat up your waffle maker again and warm them that way.

More Potato Recipes

• German Potato Dumpling Soup
• No Mayo Potato Salad
• Potato Wedges

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