Fitness / March 31, 2024

Air Fryer Frozen Waffles

Move over, toaster! And say hello to your air fryer as it revolutionizes your cooking yet again—this time prepping crispy, fluffy Frozen Waffles with ease.

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My air fryer has come to my rescue on more than one occasion. There have been meals where my ambition has exceeded time and the possibilities of my humble oven and I’ve been left holding the bag (of frozen food). Then I get an air fryer, which is able to transform inedible blocks of ice into fancy feasts in what feels like seconds. In some instances, it has saved my bacon (literally); in others, it has made meal-making so much more convenient and fuss-free.

That’s what’s going on with this recipe. It is able to take those frozen waffles we all buy and love to devour (like Elle on Stranger Things!) and turn them into something otherworldly. It’s the measure of an appliance that it can even make a toaster seem outdated and ineffective. As the meme goes, It had ONE job!

With all these new contraptions vying for space on our kitchen counters, it’s nice that one can do the job of several. In unrelated news, anyone need a toaster? I’m selling one cheap!

Are Air Fryer Frozen Waffles Healthy?

I can’t really comment on how healthy the actual waffle is. There are too many brands, types, and flavors in grocery store freezers to account for. I CAN comment on the air fryer’s involvement, though, and tell you that air frying in general is one of the healthiest ways to cook food, as it requires minimal oil and doesn’t leave the food to cook in its own grease. Admittedly, none of this is applicable to this recipe but I just thought you’d like to know. As for specific diets, again, it’s hard to tell given I’m not privy to the ingredients of the frozen waffles you bought. These days, though, you can buy waffles that cater to any number of diets. If that applies to you, keep looking, and consider visiting a high-end grocery store that specializes in this kind of stuff.

Why Use the Air Fryer Over My Toaster?

There are a few benefits. First and foremost, the air fryer strikes that perfect balance of crisping up the outside of your waffle while leaving the inside nice and fluffy. That’s because it ‘cooks’ the waffle with circulated hot air. The toaster, being a rather primitive device made with wire sheets that get really hot, doesn’t have that sophistication. The air fryer can also do several waffles at once, whereas the toaster is limited by the amount of slots. The air fryer also has a timer and exact temperature settings, so you can get them the way you like them every time; the toaster, meanwhile, has a simple dial (well, mine does) and a chart of different shades of brown. For me, though, the main reason I do my waffles in the air fryer is because I have TOO MANY appliances, and they’re all competing for cupboard and counter space. If one appliance can do the jobs of several, it has a leg up on the competition. The air fryer’s ability to cook, roast, steam, and toast makes it a one-stop shop for me as a cook.

INGREDIENTS

4 frozen waffles
butter, maple syrup, fresh fruit (optional toppings)

INSTRUCTIONS

Arrange

Place the frozen waffles in the air fryer basket, ready for cooking.

Cook

Air fry the waffles at 360°F, flip after 3 minutes, and cook to a golden crisp.

Serve

Offer the waffles warm with delicious toppings of your choice.

Enjoy

Indulge in your perfectly air-fried waffles!

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How do you store these waffles?

Frozen waffles should go immediately from your car to the freezer. If you let them sit in the backseat or languish in the front hall of your house, the frozen moisture will melt and, well… see the next question. As for waffles that you’ve already put through the air fryer, let them cool first. Then wrap them in plastic or aluminum foil. You can also put them in an airtight container or plastic bag, though you may want to separate them with a piece of parchment paper. They should keep for up to three days in the fridge. You can also re-freeze them and keep them for up to two months. And yes, you can use the air fryer to warm them back up.

Why are my waffles soggy?

Two words: time and temperature. Did you leave the frozen waffles out on the counter longer than you should have? Waffles are flash frozen at their peak goodness then packaged and sent your way. If you let them thaw instead of heating them up immediately after they are removed from the freezer, they can get soggy from the moisture frozen inside. Also, be sure you have the temperature set correctly. If you have it set too low, the heat won’t evaporate the moisture then toast the remaining waffle; it will simply melt the ice. The resulting water will turn your waffle into a soggy breakfast.

Do I need to apply oil or nonstick spray?

No, neither is necessary. The waffles shouldn’t stick to your air fryer. As for applying oil or some coating to your actual waffle, no, that isn’t necessary either. You can still add oil if you feel better doing so, however, and what’s more, it could help achieve a crispier texture. It’s worth a go.

Serving Suggestions

You can cover, smother, and drizzle over these waffles with whatever tickles your fancy. You can go savory and use crispy bacon, fried or poached eggs, smoked salmon, avocado slices, or sautéed vegetables, OR you can have a sweet breakfast and top it with powdered sugar, whipped cream, fresh fruit (bananas, berries, kiwi, peaches, etc.), honey, maple syrup, Greek yogurt, chocolate syrup, and/or crushed nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts). Waffles are so versatile I sometimes use them as an excuse to clear out the fridge and top them with whatever has lingered in there longer than it should.

Air Fryer Frozen Waffles

Move over, toaster! And say hello to your air fryer as it revolutionizes your cooking yet again—this time prepping crispy, fluffy Frozen Waffles with ease.

Course Air Fryer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 10

Servings

Calories 195kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

4 frozen waffles
Butter, maple syrup, fresh fruit (optional toppings)

Instructions

Place the frozen waffles in the air fryer basket, allowing for slight overlap if necessary.
Set the air fryer to 360°F and cook the waffles for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, flip the waffles and continue to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until they reach your desired level of crispiness.
Remove the waffles from the air fryer and serve them hot with your choice of toppings such as butter, maple syrup, or fresh fruit.
DEVOUR!