Five recipes to celebrate International Waffle Day

Five recipes to celebrate International Waffle Day

Use your waffle iron to create these savoury and sweet dishes

JESSICA ULBIKAS

One tasty way to spend March 25 is by eating waffles for International Waffle Day.

According to National Today, International Waffle Day is the result of a mispronunciation that brought two holidays together: the Swedish religious celebration of Vårfrudagen (Lady Day, or Feast of the Annunciation), which celebrated the Virgin Mary’s conception, and Våffeldagen, which translates to ‘Waffle Day.’

Swedes enjoy eating waffles on this day, but they’re not the only ones — a day dedicated to waffles has been embraced worldwide.

To celebrate the occasion, below are some unique waffle recipes, involving potatoes, pizza dough, apples, and gluten-free ingredients. You can customize the recipe and toppings of each one to suit your taste buds.

Have potatoes you aren’t using for anything? Try using Russet potatoes to make crispy Waffle Hash Browns.

WAFFLE HASH BROWNS

Recipe by The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen

Want to try a different spin on pizza? Use pizza dough to make Pizza Waffles!

PIZZA WAFFLES

Recipe by Tasty

• 14 oz pizza dough (395 g), 1 tube, or homemade pizza dough • 4 tablespoons marinara sauce • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (100 g) • 12 slices pepperoni

Directions:

1. Slice the dough into 8 equal pieces, then press each piece flat. 2. Place 4 pieces of dough into a preheated, greased waffle iron. 3. Spread 1 tablespoon of marinara, ¼ cup (25 grams) of mozzarella, and 3 slices of pepperoni on each piece of dough. 4. Top with the 4 remaining pieces of dough and seal. 5. Cook for 3-5 minutes, until golden brown, then serve.

• 2 large russet potatoes (about 1 1/2 lbs.), peeled and shredded • 2 tablespoons of snipped chives • 4 large poached eggs • Cooked breakfast sausage, for serving

Directions:

1. Preheat waffle maker. 2. Using 2 or 3 layers of paper towel, firmly squeeze all excess liquid from the potato.

Transfer to a medium bowl, along with chives, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. 3. Spray waffle maker with nonstick cooking spray and add 1/2 inch layer of potatoes per waffle. Close waffle maker, pressing down firmly.

Cook for 12 minutes or until deep golden brown and crisp.

Keep warm on a cookie sheet in a 225° F oven. Repeat with remaining potato mixture.

Serve with poached eggs and sausage.

Have extra apples in the fridge? Try making decadent Apple Fritter Waffle Doughnuts!

APPLE FRITTER WAFFLE DOUGHNUTS

Recipe by Completely Delicious

Doughnuts:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 grams) • ¾ cup granulated sugar (150 grams) • 2 teaspoons baking powder • ½ teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon salt • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon • ¾ cup buttermilk (175 ml) • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (55 grams) • 2 large eggs

Glaze: Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl whisk together the buttermilk, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Add liquids to the flour mixture and mix until just combined.

Add chopped apples and mix only until incorporated. 2. Preheat a waffle iron and cook waffles according to manufacturer’s instructions. Let cool and cut into segments. 3. Pour enough vegetable or canola oil into a heavy bottomed pot so that it’s 2 inches deep. Set over medium heat, insert a thermometer, and heat to 360° F. 4. Working with the waffles in small batches, fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side. Use a slotted spoon to remove doughnuts and transfer to a paper towel lined tray to drain. 5. To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Dip the hot doughnuts into the glaze and let sit on a wire rack for 20 minutes before serving.

Craving something sweet? Try making indulgent Dark Chocolate Zucchini Cake Waffles.

DARK CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI CAKE WAFFLES

Recipe by The Candid Appetite

• 2 cups cake flour • ½ cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder • ¼ cup light brown sugar • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon coarse salt • 3 large eggs, separated • 2 cups buttermilk • ½ cup coconut oil, liquid form (or melted butter or vegetable oil) • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 medium zucchini, shredded • 1 cup dark chocolate, chopped • Butter, for topping (optional) • Maple syrup, for topping (optional) • Vanilla ice cream, for topping (optional)

Looking for something a little different than your regular run-of-the-mill waffles? Celebrate International Waffle Day on March 25 by making these sweet dark chocolate zucchini cake waffles. CREDIT: UNSPLASH

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 250°F and place a wire rack over a baking sheet, set aside. 2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until evenly combined. Make a well in the center of the bowl and pour in the egg yolks, buttermilk, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined and lump-free. 3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Make sure the bowl and beaters are super clean so that the egg whites fluff up properly. Add the beaten egg whites to the batter, a little at a time, and fold them in gently until evenly combined.

Fold in the shredded zucchini and chopped dark chocolate. 4. Heat waffle iron and lightly grease with cooking spray.

Add about ¼ cup of batter to the center of the hot waffle iron. Close the lid and cook according to your waffle iron’s instructions. Transfer to the prepared wire rack baking sheet. Keep waffles warm in the preheated oven while you continue to cook the rest. Serve with butter and maple syrup or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if you desire.

Want a gluten-free waffle recipe? Try this one which uses almond or nut flour.

GLUTEN-FREE WAFFLES

Recipe by Erika Kerwein via Garden Therapy

• 1 cup blanched almond flour (or other nut flour) • ¼ teaspoon salt • ¼ teaspoon baking soda • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional) • 4 eggs • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 2 tablespoons honey

Directions:

1. Preheat your waffle iron on a medium setting. Grease as needed, or according to the manufacturer’s directions. 2. Place the almond flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon (if using) in a mixing bowl.

Blend together using a whisk. 3. Add the eggs, vanilla, and honey and whisk until well blended. 4. Pour about ¼ cup batter into the heated waffle maker (more or less, depending on your waffle iron) and close the lid. 5. When the waffle is ready, transfer it to a plate and add your favorite topping like seasonal fresh fruit and honey.

Want other unique waffle ideas? Cook cinnamon rolls on a waffle iron, use your waffle iron to prepare French Toast, or make a waffle cake and layer your favourite waffles with icing, glaze, cream and/or toppings.