Potato waffles are a delicious way to turn leftover mashed potatoes into a crispy, golden treat, perfect for breakfast or dinner. With cheesy cheddar and onion, these savory waffles pair perfectly with bacon and eggs for a fun twist on Thanksgiving leftovers.

If you love having potatoes for breakfast, try my Easy Delicious Potatoes O’Brien Recipe and Skillet Fried Potatoes with Smoked Sausage next!

plated potato waffle topped with a fried egg and strips of bacon

Repurpose your Thanksgiving leftovers and make these delicious potato waffles. I love creamy mashed potatoes but once I’ve had my fill, I use them to make this golden brown unconventional waffle.

I throw in cheese, onions, and plenty of seasoning for a savory side that works for breakfast or dinner. It’s more filling than toast and more fun than other potato side dishes. Get the waffle maker warmed up because we’re about to make something absolutely irresistable!

plated potato waffle with strips of bacon

Why you will love Potato Waffles:

So Delicious! I take creamy, loaded mashed potatoes and crisp them up to golden perfection in the waffle maker. Each bite is packed with flavor.

Quick & Easy! It’s as simple as mixing the ingredients and letting the waffle maker do the work. You’ll have a savory dish ready in no time!

Versatile! Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, snack, or side, these waffles are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Ingredients for Potato Waffles Recipe

You will need the following ingredients:

Mashed potatoes: Use previously cooked mashed potatoes (try one of my mashed potato recipes — Delicious Steakhouse Mashed Potatoes or Garlic and Herb Mashed Red Potatoes). You can always whip them up fresh, but that defeats the purpose of making this a quick, convenient meal.
Whole Egg: Lightly beaten to help bind everything together.
All Purpose Flour: Just a bit of flour to give the waffles structure and help them crisp up.
Seasoning: I use Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper for a kick of flavor, but feel free to adjust the spices to your taste.
Onion: Shredded yellow onion adds a bit of sweetness and texture.
Green onion: Diced green onions give a fresh pop of color and flavor.
Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheddar brings that cheesy goodness to the mix.

a hand holding a small bowl of seasonings over a mixing bowl full of mashed potatoes

How to Make Potato Waffles

Start by preheating your waffle iron to a medium-high setting. While it heats up, combine the mashed potatoes, lightly beaten egg, flour, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, shredded yellow onion, diced green onion, and shredded cheddar cheese in a large mixing bowl. Stir everything together until fully mixed.

a grater holding shredded onion over a mixing bowl of mashed potatoes

eggs, flour, and seasoning added to a bowl of mashed potatoes

Once the waffle iron is ready, spray it with non-stick spray and scoop about a cup of the potato mixture into the center, spreading it out slightly.

mashed potato mixture placed inside a waffle maker

Close the waffle iron and cook until the waffle is golden brown and crispy. When it releases easily from the waffle iron, it’s done.

Repeat with the remaining batter and serve your waffles with bacon and eggs for breakfast or as a side dish for lunch or dinner. Enjoy!

Tips and Variations for Potato Waffles

Use leftover mashed potatoes for convenience, but make sure they’re cold and firm for easier handling.
Lightly beat the egg before adding to ensure it mixes evenly throughout the batter.
Shred the onion finely to avoid large chunks, which could interfere with the waffle texture.
Add cheese for extra crispiness as it melts and creates a golden brown exterior.
Spray the waffle iron generously with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
Don’t overfill the waffle iron—about one cup of batter is enough to cook evenly without spilling.
Adjust seasoning to taste by adding more or less Cajun seasoning depending on your spice preference.
Serve immediately for the crispiest waffles because they may soften if left to sit too long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Potato waffles can be part of a balanced meal, especially when made with wholesome ingredients like real mashed potatoes, cheese, and fresh onions. However, since they contain cheese and flour, they are more of a savory treat than a low-calorie option. Still, they use less oil than fried alternatives.

It depends on the ingredients and how they’re prepared. Potato waffles nutrients because they contain cheese, onions, and eggs, but they may also be slightly higher in fat and calories due to the cheese.

Yes! Once the waffles are fully cooled, you can freeze them in an airtight container. To reheat, simply pop them in a toaster or oven until they’re warmed through and crispy again.

Yes, you can, but it’s best to use cold, leftover mashed potatoes for this recipe. Freshly made mashed potatoes may be too soft, making the batter harder to handle and the waffles less crispy.

Thanks for taking the time to try this Potato Waffles recipe. If you love it, let me know on Instagram or Facebook!

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