When I was growing up, my dad would always cook a big family breakfast on the weekend. He’d make giant batches of eggs, pancakes, french toast, or waffles. My favorite has always been waffles and I loved digging into a big stack of them.
The trouble is, what do you do when you’ve made too many waffles and have a ton of leftovers?
Thankfully, waffles freeze really well and you can save them for next weekend. Or eat them up on those busy weekday mornings when you have little time for breakfast.
Simply pull them out of the freezer, reheat, and pour on your favorite toppings.
But, what’s the best way to reheat waffles? You can reheat your waffles in the microwave, the oven, or the toaster. The toaster is a quick and easy way to get crispy waffles in record time. If you’re feeding a big crowd, the oven works wonders.
Keep reading for the best ways to reheat your waffles. Learn the pros and cons of each method, plus the best way to freeze your leftover waffles.
How To Reheat Waffles in the Toaster
Reheating your waffles in the toaster is the quickest way to reheat them. It also ensures nice, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside waffles. Plus, you can pop them in straight from the freezer.
As long as your waffles aren’t too thick for your toaster’s slots, this is the best way to reheat waffles. Simply pop them in for about a minute. Then check if they have heated all the way through.
If they need a little extra time, keep heating in 30 second intervals until it’s toasted to your liking!
The pros –
- You’ll get super crispy (not soggy or chewy) waffles.
- It’s a quick and low maintenance choice, perfect for busy mornings.
- Some toasters have a defrost function, making it even easier to reheat frozen waffles.
The cons –
- Basically, the only con is how fast the toaster works. If you’re not careful, you can end up with burnt waffles and have to start over!
- You can only have a couple waffles at a time in the toaster, so this option isn’t ideal for big groups.
Pro tip – Set your toaster on medium heat to reduce the risk of a burnt waffle.
How to Reheat Waffles in the Microwave
Using the microwave is another fast way to reheat your waffles. Like with a toaster, you can pop frozen or refrigerated waffles into the microwave no problem.
Reheating your waffles this way won’t really crisp them up, but if you don’t mind that, and simply want a batch of warm waffles in just a few minutes, this is the option for you.
Heat one waffle at a time for about a minute, adding on 30 second increments if needed. Obviously, frozen waffles will need some more time. Keep heating and checking your waffle until it’s warm all the way through.
If you put your waffles in the microwave for too long, they might get soft and soggy, or alternately, dry and chewy. So be sure to pay attention to get the timing just right!
The pros –
- This is a fast way to get a bigger batch of waffles warmed up.
- You can go from frozen waffles to steaming and ready for toppings in just a few minutes.
The cons –
- Microwaves tend to suck the moisture out of things, especially bread.
- Doing one waffle at a time might make the process a little slower for impatient, hungry groups.
Pro tip – Get yourself a microwave crisper tray! This is a special plate that heats up in the microwave like a frying pan.
It helps you get crispy rather than soggy or dry waffles (and it’s great for other bread-based goods like pizza, too!).
How to Reheat Waffles in the Oven
The oven is the perfect tool for reheating more waffles all at once. Instead of one or two at a time, you can heat as many as will fit on your baking sheet. If you have a little extra time and a few extra mouths to feed, this is the best method for you.
Again, you can go straight from the freezer to the oven no problem, you’ll just need a few more minutes of heat.
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and lay out your waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet. Heat for ten minutes, until warm, 15 minutes if frozen.
The pros –
- This method is great for big stacks of waffles. No one will have to watch others enjoy waffles while waiting for their own!
- Reheating in the oven will get your waffles close to their original texture and taste, almost like they’re freshly made.
The cons –
- The only con is how long this method takes. You have to wait for the oven to heat up, and the 10-15 minutes of bake time.
Pro tip – Have a small appetizer while everyone waits for their waffles! Freshly squeezed juice, fruit, or yogurt will tide people over so no one gets hangry.
How to Freeze Leftover Waffles
Now that you know how easy it is to reheat waffles, you might want to make extra next time for a future, no-fuss breakfast.
Here’s the best way to freeze your waffles:
- Cool the waffles on a wire rack until they reach room temperature.
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper and lay out your waffles in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Cover the waffles with another piece of wax paper and place the baking sheet in the freezer.
- Freeze until solid.
- Transfer your waffles to an air-tight bag, using pieces of the wax paper in between each waffle.
Flash freezing, plus using wax paper between individual waffles makes it easy for you to defrost only the ones you need. Waffles stored this way are good for up to 2 months in the freezer.
After about two months, the quality of the waffles will begin to deteriorate. They will still be edible, but the taste and texture will start to change. For the best possible waffles, reheat within 2 months.
Alternatively, you can also freeze waffle batter. If you run out of time to cook all your waffles, the batter will be fine to freeze and defrost for later, no waste necessary!
Freeze the batter in a plastic bag, or a jar or other air-tight container. Frozen batter will also last up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Waffles (3 Simple Ways)
10
minutes10
minutesIngredients
Leftover waffles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Reheat for 10 minutes. Serve with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
