Easy Keto Chaffle Recipe – Crispy Low-Carb Waffles
Keto Chaffles – the recipe that took social media by storm! To make this basic savory keto chaffle recipe, you need only two ingredients: freshly shredded cheese and an egg white. Crisp and delicious without tasting eggy, this base recipe is so versatile that you can make many kinds of chaffles, both sweet and savory.
It seems Chaffles popped into the keto world overnight. I literally remember the day they started showing up all over social media back in 2021. They didn’t sound good to me at all; I mean, who wants to eat cheese and eggs in waffle form? I’ll eat scrambled eggs all day, but a chaffle? It sounded weird.
After seeing so many posts and videos, I finally made them for myself and was hooked. While I did not create the original chaffle recipe, all I could think about was how I could create all kinds of different recipes with such an easy base.
I’ve included tons of details in this post, along with variations, substitutions, step-by-step pictures, and a video tutorial of how to enjoy them in four different ways. This traditional Chaffle recipe really is a fantastic low-carb alternative to bread.
Ingredients To Make Basic Chaffle Batter (Makes 2 Four-Inch Chaffles)
*Egg – The egg is the binder that holds the chaffle together.
Freshly Grated Cheese – In the basic chaffle, I use cheddar cheese, but you can use any variety or combination of cheeses.
*Note: The photos and video for this recipe use a whole egg; I have since discovered that I prefer an egg white.
Step-By-Step Instructions For Making Perfect Crispy Chaffles
1. Preheat your waffle iron. If you are using the Dash Waffle Maker, the light will turn off when it is preheated. Grease the plates with cooking spray or butter.
2. Crack 1 large egg into a small mixing bowl. For a lighter texture, I prefer to use just the egg white.
3. Add 1/2 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese (or other variety) and mix with a fork or whisk until the batter is combined.
Tip: Sprinkle a little shredded cheese on the waffle maker before pouring the batter, then a little more on top for added crispness.
4. Spoon half of the batter on the bottom grate and use the back of a spoon to spread it evenly before closing it.
5. 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
No one wants a soggy chaffle! Here are a few helpful tips that I have found that work!
Use Egg Whites
I’ve made this recipe with the whole egg and just the egg white, and there is a difference! I have found that egg white makes the chaffle crisper and tastes less eggy.
Let Them Cool
Let them cool for a minute or two to let the steam escape, which means less moisture. I know it’s tempting to eat right away but trust me, it’s worth waiting for.
Double Cook
If you’ve got patience, which I don’t, you can also double-cook the chaffle. Once it has cooled, pop it back in the mini maker for another minute or two to further dehydrate it. You can also pop it in the oven or air fryer.
Customize Your Chaffles
Oh, goodness, there are SO MANY OPTIONS!!! From savory to sweet, chaffles work as a keto bread substitute for many of your favorite traditional recipes. I’ve included some of my favorites!
General Variations:
- Experiment with different kinds of cheese, such as Monterrey Jack, Colby, and mozzarella cheese. You can combine various types of cheese 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. Everything but the bagel is one of my favorite seasonings!
- If you want a hearty chaffle, add a teaspoon of coconut flour (or a tablespoon of almond flour), 1/4 teaspoon of 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.
Open-Faced French Dip Chaffles: I add leftover roast and provolone cheese to the top of a chaffle and bake until the cheese is hot and bubbly! SO GOOD!
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 chaffle sandwiches. 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 – Who doesn’t love a good grilled cheese? My mom always made them for me growing up! Add cheese between two chaffles and throw them in the skillet with some butter to make a mean keto-friendly grilled cheese sandwich!
Sweet Chaffle Ideas
Chocolate Chaffles – My husband loves all things chocolate, so these rich, fudgy chaffles are his favorite!
Keto Chocolate Chip Chaffles – Crisp, vanilla chaffles filled with mouthwatering Lily’s sugar-free chocolate chips are yummy for breakfast or dessert!
Maple Pumpkin Keto Waffles – Fall-flavored chaffles bursting with pumpkin pie spice flavor, sweetened naturally with sugar-free maple syrup. I love these for dessert with keto vanilla ice cream and roasted pecans! You’ve got to try it if you like pumpkin spice! You’ll thank me, promise.
Blueberry Chaffles—My little girls love blueberry waffles! As I mentioned above, they are so good for breakfast with syrup or low-carb ice cream for dessert.
Sweet Waffle Chaffle – Add butter and sugar-free syrup for a delicious keto waffle.
Frequently Asked Chaffle Questions:
Do chaffles taste eggy?
They could, especially if you are sensitive to egg tastes. But, using egg whites, as I mentioned, instead of whole eggs yields chaffles with minimal egg flavor or dense texture from the egg yolk fat.
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?
I mostly use cheddar and mozzarella cheese, but virtually any cheese works, from Swiss to provolone to pepper jack.
Where can I buy the Dash mini waffle maker?
I found mine at TJMaxx a few years ago. Since then, I’ve seen it everywhere, including Target, Walmart, HomeGoods, and Amazon.
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 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.
I use this Dash Waffle maker. It’s the perfect size for most Chaffle recipes, which make two four-inch chaffles.
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.
Basic Keto Chaffle Recipe
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.
Video
Nutrition
Could this recipe be used or changed a bit for a pancake?
I think this is great, because my husband is on a low carb diet. I now have new ideas for breakfast.
I’m so glad. Chaffles are a game changer!!
Yes! There are so many different variations, and even Dash has a mini griddle, and a mini panini grill (that’s the one I got). I can make chaffle pancakes for breakfast, chbuns for a sandwich at lunch, and then grill myself a Burger for dinner – all using the Dash Mini Panini grill. <3
Great!
why can you not use bagel everything spice?/
If you reread the post, it says you can use Everything But the Bagel seasoning.
While Amazon and many stores have the Dash on back order, we found that Bed Bath & Beyond has them. Got a red one AND the seasonal orange one that makes a pumpkin shape on 1 side of the chaffel! Each were $9.99… less using coupon!
Awesome alternative to a waffle, bread or bagel. I did one plain and one with everything bagel seasoning.
Sounds great!
If I use a regular-sized round waffle iron, would this recipe make about enough for one chaffle?
The recipe is for two mini chaffles so, yes, it would work fine for a regular-size waffle iron.
Didn,t crisp as expected. FYI, My fitness pal says that this recipe is 5 net carbs.
MyFitnessPal is often wrong. There is no way a recipe with only cheese and eggs is 5 net carbs. You would need to check each ingredient.
Could this be done with a pancake maker?
I haven’t tried fixing this in a pancake maker so I’m not sure how it would turn out.
Could you give us the recipe for your ham and cheese chaffle please?
Would a regular waffle iron with two squares work? Could both squares be used at the same time ?
Sure
Thank you for explaining this. Just bought the Dash today and excited to give this a try. Question: are they only good if consumed right away or have you tried to make some and refrigerate ?
You’re welcome. You can refrigerate or freeze chaffles. You’ll want to rewarm in a way so that it crisps back up. You could use a toaster, air fryer or wrap loosely in foil in the oven to rewarm.
would you only suggest making & serving at the same time or does it hold up to making ahead? thinking about meal prep ideas & breakfast sandwiches are a fav in my house
You can make chaffles ahead and refrigerate or freeze them. You’ll want to rewarm in a way so that they crisp back up. You could use a toaster, air fryer or wrap loosely in foil in the oven to rewarm.
Do you use anything like PAM on the waffle maker after it warms up, before you add the batter – to prevent it from sticking?
Yes
Directions say NO spray, theysay it ruins non stick. I just brush with butter,
Great!!
Thanks, Pam. I’m glad you liked it!
SO EASY! And tasty 😉 thank you
You’re so welcome, Jess!
How do I print a recipe?
Click “Print Recipe” next to the picture of a printer at the top of the recipe card.
I don’t have a waffle iron, so I tried a pizzelle maker-wow they were great. Thin and crispy I would post a pic if you tell me how
Glad you enjoyed the chaffle. It would probably be easier for you to google how to insert a picture in the post. I’ll be looking forward to seeing it!
Love this, can basically use this for anything, I am having sausage gravy with mine
It’s so great to be able to have sausage gravy again! I’m happy you loved it!
Sausage gravy???? How do I do that without AP flour????
This may not be the sausage gravy we grew up enjoying but, if you are eating keto, it is wonderful to be able to have a substitute.
I just ordered my mini waffle maker from Amazon. Feeling excited! My worse down fall is bread. Hope it tastes good
Glad you got your mini waffle maker and hope you love chaffles!
How do you sweeten it up a bit for a traditional waffle for syrup
You may really like my pumpkin chaffle. You could put syrup on it. Check it out: https://kaseytrenum.com/pumpkin-keto-waffle-recipe-chaffle-recipe/