Easy Keto Chaffle Recipe – Crispy Low-Carb Waffles
Keto Chaffles is the recipe that took social media by storm! All you need are 2 ingredients: freshly shredded cheese & an egg white to make this basic savory keto chaffle recipe. Crisp and delicious without tasting eggy, this base recipe is so versatile you can make many kinds of chaffles, both sweet and savory.
Easy Keto Chaffles
It seems that recipes for Keto Chaffles popped into the keto world overnight. With an incredibly easy base recipe, you can make many kinds of chaffles. While I did not originally create this recipe, I’ve been testing many different variations to make the best keto chaffle recipe with the perfect crisp texture and delicious taste.
All the details are in this post, along with variations, substitutions, step-by-step pictures, and a video tutorial. This traditional Chaffle recipe is a fantastic alternative to bread and makes perfectly delicious low-carb sandwiches.
Can you use a regular waffle maker to make Chaffles?
Yes, you can use a Belgium or a regular waffle maker. The surface area of both is larger than the Dash mini maker, so you won’t fill it with batter. The grates are larger and farther apart, which makes a less crisp chaffle.
Where can I buy the Dash mini waffle maker?
I am a fan of Amazon Prime because I can order from the comfort of my home and have it delivered to my front door in two days. Most stores that carry small kitchen appliances carry the regular-sized Dash Mini chaffle maker.
Ingredients To Make Basic Chaffle Batter
(Makes 2 Four-Inch Chaffles)
*Egg – The egg is the binder that holds the chaffle together.
Freshly Grated Cheddar Cheese – I enjoy the bold taste of sharp cheddar cheese, but you could use any variety or combination of cheeses.
*Note: The photos and video for this basic keto chaffle recipe use a whole egg; I have found that I prefer an egg white.
Step-By-Step Instructions For Making Perfect Crispy Chaffles
Prep the Waffle Iron:
Before starting your chaffle batter, properly preheat your mini waffle maker:
- Plug in and allow the appliance to preheat for 3-4 minutes until the power light turns on.
- Brush both top and bottom plates with melted butter or oil using a basting brush. This prevents sticking.
- For extra crispness, sprinkle a thin layer of shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese onto each hot plate. It will melt immediately.
- Use caution – the surfaces will be extremely hot. Do not touch the plates directly.
- Once prepped and cheese-sprinkled, the waffle iron is ready for the chaffle batter!
Mix the Chaffle Batter
- Crack 1 large egg into a small mixing bowl. For a lighter texture, I prefer to use just the egg white.
- Add 1/2 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese. Mozzarella or Monterey Jack also work well.
- Using a fork or whisk, thoroughly combine the egg and cheese until a thick, uniform batter forms. The cheese may not be incorporated fully.
- For added flavor, stir in mix-ins like hot sauce, garlic powder, or chives.
- Let the batter sit 1-2 minutes before cooking.
Tip: Sprinkle a little shredded cheese on the waffle maker before pouring the batter, then a little more on top for added crispness.
Cook the Crispy Chaffles
- Scoop half the chilled batter and pour onto the hot waffle iron plates.
- Use a spoon to spread evenly, then close the top plate.
- Cook the chaffles for 3-4 minutes until deeply golden. Carefully remove the hot chaffles using a fork and let them cool for 1-2 minutes before serving.
- Repeat the process with the remaining batter for the second chaffle.
Tips for Making Crispy Chaffles
Achieving a deliciously crispy texture is easy with a few simple tricks:
Use Egg Whites
Cracking the egg and separating the white from the yolk is an extra step that pays off in the end. Egg whites provide structure without added fats that make chaffles dense or chewy. The absence of the fatty yolk allows chaffles to cook up lighter and crispier. Beat one large egg white until foamy and use it in place of the whole egg in the chaffle batter.
Let Them Cool
It’s tempting to devour hot chaffles straight from the waffle maker, but it is key to allow them to cool and set first. As soon as they release cleanly from the hot plates, transfer the chaffles to a cooling rack. Resist cutting or biting chaffles for the first 1-2 minutes. As steam escapes, it leaves behind a crispy, delightfully crackly exterior while the interior continues cooking to tender perfection. Letting them rest truly takes chaffles from soft to crispy.
Double Cook
For ultra-crisp chaffles with a shatteringly brittle crust, double cooking is the trick. Once cooled, return chaffles to the mini waffle maker on medium heat for 1-2 minutes per side to dehydrate and re-crisp the exterior. The second go-round ensures moisture evaporation for the crispiest texture. Alternately, cut in wedges and bake in a hot oven or toaster oven until crisp.
Store Properly
Maintaining crispness means storing chaffles the right way. Let chaffles fully cool before storage. Place cooled chaffles in an airtight container to preserve texture. Avoid stacking or wrapping hot chaffles in plastic too quickly. Doing so traps condensation, leading to sogginess.
Customize Your Chaffles
Customizing chaffles allows you to experiment with sweet and savory flavors using whatever ingredients you have on hand! Get creative with add-ins.
General Variations:
- Experiment with different kinds of cheese, such as Monterrey Jack, Colby, mozzarella cheese, etc. You could even combine two different types of cheeses for added flavor.
- Add spices such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, Everything But the Bagel seasoning, or red pepper flakes to turn it up a notch.
- Add a tsp of coconut flour (or a tablespoon of almond flour) along with 1/4 tsp baking powder and a pinch of salt.
Savory Chaffle Ideas
Bacon Chaffle – Add crispy crumbled bacon and cheddar for a hearty breakfast chaffle.
Pizza Chaffle – Top with pizza sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella, then bake for a handheld pizza.
Jalapeño Popper Chaffle – Mix diced jalapeños into batter, then stuff with cream cheese for a spicy appetizer.
Taco Chaffles – Crispy taco shell chaffles stuffed with seasoned taco meat, cheese, and veggie toppings.
French Dip Chaffles – Thin roast beef and melty provolone cheese sandwiched between pillowy chaffles, served with hot au jus.
Cheesy Garlic Bread Chaffles – Crisp, buttery wedges baked with garlicky herb butter and gooey, melty mozzarella cheese.
Reuben Sandwich Chaffle – Layer corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and thousand island dressing between two chaffles.
Club Chaffle Sandwich – The traditional low-carb chaffle recipe makes delicious sandwich bread. Add your favorite lunchmeats, lettuce, cheese, tomato, and condiments for a fantastic keto club sandwich. Pepperoni would be a yummy addition as well.
Grilled Cheese Chaffle – Golden, crisp chaffles filled with gooey melted cheese make the perfect quick comfort food.
Sweet Chaffle Ideas
Chocolate Chaffles – Rich, fudgy chaffles served with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
Keto Chocolate Chip Chaffles – Crisp, vanilla chaffles studded with mouthwatering Lily’s sugar-free chocolate chips.
Maple Pumpkin Keto Waffles – Fall-flavored chaffles bursting with pumpkin pie spice flavor, sweetened naturally with maple syrup.
Blueberry Chaffles – Gently fold fresh blueberries into a sweet chaffle batter for a delicious breakfast or serve with low-carb ice cream for a mouthwatering dessert.
Sweet Waffle Chaffle – Simply top chaffles with butter and sugar-free syrup for a delicious keto chaffle waffle.
Frequently Asked Chaffle Questions:
Do chaffles taste eggy?
Using egg whites instead of whole eggs yields chaffles with minimal egg flavor or dense texture from the egg yolk fat. They cook up light and crispy, showcasing the flavor of the cheese.
How long do chaffles last?
Properly stored, chaffles will last 4-5 days in the refrigerator. To freeze, place cooled chaffles in a freezer bag or airtight container with parchment paper between each one. Frozen chaffles will keep for 3-4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating in a toaster oven or air fryer.
What is the best cheese for making chaffles?
Cheddar and mozzarella chaffles yield beautiful golden waffles with delicious texture and taste. However, virtually any cheese works, from Swiss to provolone to pepper jack, so get creative with your favorite cheesy flavors! Aged cheeses offer boldness.
What can I use if I don’t have a mini waffle maker?
While a mini waffle maker like the Dash gives the best results, you can make chaffles in a regular-sized Belgian waffle iron. Use the same batter, but you likely won’t fill the whole surface area of a bigger waffle maker. Chaffles baked in larger makers may spread thinner and not be as uniformly crispy.
The Dash Waffle maker is a perfect size! The traditional Chaffle recipe makes two four-inch chaffles using this waffle maker.
If you have a big family or want to make several at once, the Dash multi mini waffle maker is a huge time saver, making four 4-inch chaffles simultaneously.
Keto Chaffle Sandwich Ideas
Ingredients
Basic Chaffle Ingredients
- 1 egg or just an egg white for a crispier chaffle
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
Basic Chaffle Instructions
- Preheat the dash mini waffle maker for 3-4 minutes until hot - brush plates with melted butter or oil. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on each plate.
- In a small bowl, whisk 1 egg white until foamy, then mix in 1⁄2 cup shredded cheddar. Let batter sit for 1-2 minutes.
- When the waffle maker is ready, ladle half of the batter onto the bottom plate and spread evenly with the back of a spoon. Close the top plate gently.
- Cook 3-4 minutes until deep golden brown. Carefully remove crisp chaffle with fork.
- Repeat the process with the remaining batter to make a second chaffle. Allow to cool 1-2 minutes before serving.
- See notes on how to build different chaffle sandwiches.
Video
Notes
- Grilled Cheese: Butter the exterior of each chaffle and fill it with cheeses of choice. Add ham or turkey for more protein. Brown in skillet for 2-3 minutes per side until melted perfection.
- Chaffle Club: Layer mayo, lettuce, tomato, deli meat, bacon, and cheese on an open-faced chaffle. Top with the second chaffle and press gently. Toast for 5 minutes in the oven at 375°F for a crispy, melty stack.
- Keto PB&J: Mix nut butter and sugar-free jelly, spread between chaffles
- Savory Sloppy Joe: Pile flavorful sloppy joe filling on two chaffle "buns" for a hearty, saucy handheld.
- There are additional sandwich ideas in the post above.
- Use Egg Whites - Cracking the egg and separating the white from the yolk is an extra step that pays off. Egg whites provide structure without added fats that make chaffles dense or chewy. The absence of the fatty yolk allows chaffles to cook up lighter and crispier. Beat one large egg white until foamy and use it instead of the whole egg in the chaffle batter.
- Let Them Cool - It's tempting to devour hot chaffles straight from the waffle maker, but allowing them to cool and set first is key. As soon as they release cleanly from the hot plates, transfer the chaffles to a cooling rack.
- Double Cook - For ultra-crisp chaffles, double cooking is the trick. Once cooled, return the chaffles to the mini waffle maker on medium heat for 1-2 minutes per side to dehydrate and re-crisp the exterior. The second go-round ensures moisture evaporation for the crispiest texture. Alternately, cut in wedges and bake in a hot oven or toaster oven until crisp.
- Store Properly - Maintaining crispness means storing chaffles the right way. Let fully cool before placing in an airtight container. To preserve texture, avoid stacking or wrapping hot chaffles in plastic too quickly, as trapped condensation leads to sogginess. If they lose their crunch, crisping back up is just a quick heat touch away!
Nutrition
I have made chaffles with cheddar and mozzarella. Today I made your recipe with cheddar, egg white and cheese sprinkled on the waffle maker. Holy cow!!! Game changer!! Such a simple change makes such a big difference. Thank you for these tidbits of information!
Awesome! I am so glad you enjoyed it and the recipe made such a difference.
This was the best chaffle I ever made!!! It was so nice and crispy and my kids love it as well! Thank you.
So glad you loved it!
Any suggestions on an egg replacement for this recipe?
Hey Heather, this is one where there really is no replacement. Sorry!
I just found your site, and made these last night. I used mozzarella cheese and jalapenos, and a pick of pink salt and black pepper. Awesome YUM! So easy to make!
Fantastic. So glad you loved it.
Saw your chaffle post on Instagram and ran in the kitchen to make it. Most delicious, it is the same combo I use for my pizza crust (no waffle) but I use 2 cups cheese and 2 eggs and 2 whites spill onto pizza pan and bake, let cool then top like a pizza you like and just a sprinkle of cheese and broil until melted, awesome! Anyway this chaffle got crispy (used whites) but was very greasy and thin. I’ll be experimenting though😁
Hey Peter, glad you gave it a try. Pizza crust sounds wonderful. Let me know how your experiments turn out!
I’ll have to try that pizza crust!
Is a serving just one or 2 ??
One serving is 2 chaffles.
Are the nutrition facts per serving as 1 chaffle is = to 1 serving or is it 2 chaffles = to 1 serving…..
Hi! 2 chaffles per serving
Low carb but high calorie if used as sandwich.
Yes, often keto foods are higher in calories because fat has higher calories, but you get and stay full faster. That means you eat less in the long run.
I usually use egg whites for my chaffles so that would reduce the calories somewhat. Very high in protein and Chaffles will keep you full longer too.
I have made with cheddar, mozzarella, pepperjack, added various herbs, seasoning used for breakfast, lunch and as a pizza. It is our new favorite. Thank you
Chaffles are fantastic! Love to hear how you’ve changed up the recipe.
Can you use egg whites from a carton? When would you use Coconut flour?
I haven’t used egg white from a carton so I can;t speak to the texture or flavor since the recipe would be different. That said, I don’t see why you couldn’t try it. This recipe does not sue flour.
Do you know how many points for weight watchers?
Hey Sharon, I am not familiar with how the point system with Weight Watchers works. Sorry I can’t help on this one.
Thanks for the great recipe. In the nutrition portion, I didn’t see any amount for fiber.
Do you possibly have that number? Thanks again!
Hey, Donna, traditional chaffles do not have any fiber. They typically just have eggs and cheese. However, some have almond or coconut flour along with additional ingredients which can change the nutritional info. THanks!
This keto chaffle recipe looks delicious and easy to make! I can’t wait to try it out for myself. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Kasey!
Hope you love it! Let me know how it turns out.
Frothing up the egg whites is a game changer! Thanks for the tip!
Glad to help! Thank you so much.