Cornbread Waffle Bites with Smoked Gouda Recipe
These Cornbread Waffle Bites with Smoked Gouda and Honey offer a delightful twist on traditional cornbread, combining the smoky richness of Gouda cheese with the sweet floral notes of honey. Perfect as a savory snack or a brunch treat, these golden, crisp waffle bites are easy to make with a waffle iron and bring a comforting yet sophisticated flavor to your table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 waffle bites
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Non-stick cooking spray or melted butter (for greasing waffle iron)
- Optional: chopped fresh chives for garnish
- Additional honey for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions and grease it lightly with cooking spray or melted butter to ensure the waffle bites do not stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined to create an even base for the batter.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter until the mixture is smooth and cohesive.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the batter light and tender.
- Add Cheese and Honey: Fold in the shredded smoked Gouda cheese and honey evenly throughout the batter, distributing the flavors for every bite.
- Cook Waffle Bites: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, spoon portions of batter onto the preheated waffle iron, ensuring to leave space between each portion. Cook each batch for 2 to 4 minutes until the waffle bites are golden brown and crisp along the edges.
- Cool and Maintain Crispness: Transfer the cooked waffle bites to a wire rack to cool slightly; this helps maintain their crisp texture.
- Repeat: Continue cooking remaining batter, greasing the waffle iron as needed to prevent sticking.
- Serve: Serve the waffle bites warm or at room temperature. Drizzle with additional honey and sprinkle with chopped fresh chives if desired for an extra burst of flavor and color.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough waffle bites; a few lumps are fine.
- Use freshly grated smoked Gouda for the best flavor and meltability.
- If you don’t have a waffle iron, you can cook the batter in a mini muffin tin for a similar bite-sized treat, baking at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes.
- Make sure to grease the waffle iron between batches to prevent sticking and ensure crisp edges.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeño to the batter.
