Buying guide for best chaffle makers
Waffles are delicious, and just the thought of them covered in melted butter and warm syrup is enough to make your mouth water. But because traditional waffles are made of batter that requires wheat flour, they aren't the best option if you are trying to lower your carb intake. That's where chaffles come in — a low-carb, high-protein variation of the popular breakfast food.
The name chaffle is a wordplay on classic waffles, as they are made using cheese and eggs instead of wheat flour. Other low-carb ingredients like nut flour, cream cheese, fruit, and spices can be added to adjust the texture and flavor, so the recipe is as versatile as it is tasty.
Although it's the ingredients that make chaffles differ from traditional waffles, the tool you need to make them is the same: a waffle maker. The nonstick plates and reliable heat source of this small appliance will turn cheese and egg batter into chaffles that are fluffy and slightly crispy.
The right waffle maker easily doubles as a chaffle maker, so we've selected our top five favorites for you to consider. In addition, our buying guide includes tips, tricks, and recipes to help you become an expert in chaffle making.
Key considerations
Why should I try chaffles?
Cutting back on carbs can help you lose weight and benefit your overall health. With no wheat flour in the mix and ample protein, chaffles can be part of a low-carb or keto diet. In fact, chaffle recipes are readily available on websites, blogs, and forums for people who follow a low-carb, high-protein diet. What’s more, chaffles taste great, and they can be prepared in many ways, from sweet to savory.
Ways to enjoy chaffles
You probably think of maple syrup and butter when you think of waffles, and chaffles are certainly delicious when enjoyed this way. But there are many other ways to eat these protein-rich treats. Check out these fun and tasty ideas.
- Chaffle sandwich: When made in small sizes or cut in half, chaffles can be used like bread or buns and stuffed with your favorite sandwich fillings. You can even serve them with hotdogs and burgers.
- Fruit-topped chaffle: Top off your chaffle with bananas, berries, peaches, apples, or whatever fruit strikes your fancy.
- Chaffle pizza: Add extra cheese, pepperoni, tomatoes, and all of your favorite toppings for a chaffle pizza.
- Dessert chaffle: Ice cream, frosting, or yogurt can add a new dimension to your favorite chaffles that will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Chaffles are made in traditional waffle makers, but we test to see which models work best as chaffle makers thanks to features like size, nonstick surface, and temperature control.
When testing chaffle makers, we consider all the ways users like to eat chaffles, such as in sandwiches, topped with fruit, stuffed, or as pizza crust.
During testing, we consider the performance of the chaffle maker's nonstick surface. Nonstick plates help chaffles turn out uniform and crispy.
The size of the chaffle maker is a key consideration in our testing. Standard waffle makers create chaffles that are 7 to 9 inches in size, while mini waffle makers create 4- to 5-inch chaffles that are great for chaffle sandwiches.
We consider the shape of the resulting chaffle when testing chaffle makers. While waffle makers primarily come in round and square shapes, some models can create chaffle sticks or bowls for making stuffed chaffles.
In testing chaffle makers, we consider how the waffle maker tells you when it's done cooking. Many models have indicator lights, while some have sounds.
During testing, we test the temperature controls of the chaffle maker to evaluate how quickly it cooks and how well it lets you get your chaffles exactly the way you like them.
We consider how much the user is willing to spend when testing chaffle makers. Mini waffle makers can be found for around $15, while specialty waffle makers, like those that create bowl-shaped chaffles, can cost $40 to $50.
We note the cooking speed when testing chaffle makers. Typically, chaffles take two to four minutes to cook, but it can vary depending on the ingredients used and the size of the waffle maker.
How easy a chaffle maker is to clean is a key consideration in our testing. Chaffles are more likely to stick during cooking, so if your waffle maker didn't get hot enough or you didn't use enough cooking spray, it's helpful to have a waffle maker that's not a hassle to clean.
Features
Now that you are ready to give chaffles a try, you need a reliable waffle maker. This will become your go-to chaffle maker whenever you crave a hot and delicious batch.
Nonstick cooking surface
If you’ve ever used a waffle maker, you know how important nonstick waffle plates are for achieving perfect results. Without nonstick plates, your chaffles are likely to come out of the machine in broken, unappealing pieces. Fortunately, most modern waffle makers have cooking surfaces with nonstick coating, making chaffle removal and cleanup a breeze.
Shape
Although chaffles taste delicious regardless of their shape, you will have your choice of a few shapes (primarily round and square) when selecting a chaffle maker. Some round models feature a bowl-shaped design, which will make chaffles that can easily be stuffed with fruit, veggies, meat, and other ingredients.
Size
A “standard” waffle maker renders chaffles that are approximately 7 to 9 inches in size. Most models have divided cooking plates that make it easy to cut large chaffles into smaller sections. These appliances can make more than one serving at a time.
Mini waffle makers are also available. They make chaffles that are 4 to 5 inches in size. These smaller appliances are perfect for smaller servings and homes with limited space. If you intend to make chaffle sandwiches, look for a model in this smaller size.
Indicator light
An indicator light is helpful for determining when to pour your chaffle batter in the appliance and when it’s done cooking. Many waffle makers have this feature; often, the light will turn from red to green when the cooking plates are hot and the food is ready.
Temperature control
Do you like your chaffles light and fluffy or slightly crispy and brown on the outside? It doesn’t matter how you prefer them when you choose a waffle maker with temperature control. This feature allows you to select a specific setting so your chaffles turn out exactly the way you like them.
Accessories
Whisk: OXO Good Grips Better Silicone Balloon Whisk
The OXO Good Grips balloon whisk features a contoured handle that feels great in the hand and a silicone-coated top that won’t scratch your mixing bowls while you whip up your batter.
Hand mixer: Hamilton Beach Power Deluxe 6-speed Electric Hand Mixer
An electric hand mixer is an alternative to a whisk that will mix your chaffle batter to a smooth consistency. The affordable Power Deluxe by Hamilton Beach offers six speed settings for precise results, no matter what type of ingredients you add to your recipe.
"Although the exact origin of the chaffle is uncertain, it’s thought that bloggers who write about keto-friendly foods helped start the craze by posting and sharing a variety of chaffle recipes. "
STAFF
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Chaffle maker prices
Inexpensive: Chaffles makers in the range of $9 to $15 are typically smaller in size and can make one chaffle at a time. If you like “mini” waffles and smaller chaffles (especially those used in chaffle sandwich recipes), this may be all you need.
Mid-range: Between $16 and $25 is the sweet spot for waffle makers that double as chaffle makers. You’ll find round and square models with divided cooking plates here. You’ll also find appliances with temperature controls, indicator lights, and other helpful features.
Expensive: Waffle/chaffle makers can cost $100 or more, but spending more doesn’t mean better chaffles. However, if you are looking for a specialty maker for turning your chaffles into bowl-shaped treats, you’ll find models that can make two or more at a time for $40 or $50.
Recipes
Now that you have some good ideas about what to consider when buying a chaffle maker, you’ll need some chaffle recipes to begin indulging in this low-carb cuisine. Here are two of our favorite recipes to get you started.
Classic savory chaffle
This recipe is super easy, as it only takes 1 large egg and 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Add some crumbled bacon for a flavor and protein boost. Beat the ingredients with a wire whisk until thoroughly mixed. Pour half of the ingredients into a hot mini chaffle maker or the entire mixture into a standard-size chaffle maker. Cook until golden brown.
Chocolate chip chaffle
Just like savory chaffle, this delicacy calls for 1 large egg and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Add 2 teaspoons of coconut flour and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Add a dash of your favorite sweetener, if you choose, and a sprinkling of unsweetened chocolate chips. Whisk the ingredients together. Pour about half of the batter into a hot mini chaffle maker (more for a full-size model). Cook until golden brown
For best results:
- Make sure your chaffle maker is hot before you pour in the batter.
- Use shredded cheese instead of cheese slices or chunks, as it cooks more evenly.
- Although mozzarella is the most popular cheese for chaffles due to its mild flavor, you can experiment with any variety you like.
- Be careful not to overfill the waffle plates, as the batter may spew out of the sides when you close the lid.
- Add a variety of your favorite ingredients for delicious variations, including fruit, nuts, granola, bacon, sausage, vegetables, and even ice cream.
Chaffle cookbook
Chaffles can be made in countless ways, but it can be challenging to come up with new recipes if you are new to this low-carb cuisine. The good news is that there are cookbooks full of recipes, from basic to fancy chaffles.
The Keto Chaffles Cookbook
The Keto Chaffles Cookbook has classic chaffle recipes as well as numerous unique options, including Asian-style chaffles, pizza chaffles, herb-infused chaffles, and more. The recipes feature easy-to-follow instructions for excellent results.
FAQ
Q. Do chaffles cook differently from regular waffles?
A. Yes and no. While you’ll use the same process to make chaffles as you do waffles, you’ll probably find that chaffles are more likely to stick to cooking surfaces and turn out softer due to the lack of flour in the recipe. To help prevent them from sticking, make sure your chaffle maker is hot. Add a bit of cooking spray, too. If you prefer crispier chaffles, cook them for a minute or two longer to achieve these results.
Q. Putting syrup on egg and cheese doesn’t sound good to me. Do chaffles really taste good with the toppings you’d put on a waffle?
A. If you are new to chaffles, it may seem strange to think about adding sweet syrup to food that isn’t typically topped off this way. However, chaffles made with mozzarella cheese actually taste a lot like classic waffles and are delicious with butter and syrup.
Q. A lot of recipes call for chaffles made in a mini waffle maker. Why?
A. When chaffles started showing up on keto websites, many enthusiasts liked to use them for sandwiches. Smaller chaffles (about 4 inches in size) were best for this purpose. However, chaffles are just as delicious when made in a larger unit, and a chaffle maker with a divided cooking plate can help you create the size you need to make chaffle sandwiches.
