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Make Keto Chaffles Instead of Bread (Recipe)

Published on January 17, 2021Last updated October 23, 2021 â™› By Melissa J. Will

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This keto chaffles (cheese waffles) recipe is an easy low carb substitute for bread. Combining egg and cheese in a waffle maker, they are ready in minutes and can be adapted to be as sweet or savory as you like.

This is a favorite bread and bun alternative that fits nicely with sugar-free eating.

Keto chaffle with berries on top.

Low Carb Chaffles Are Easy to Make

Cheese and egg keto waffle "chaffle".

If you follow a keto or low carb diet, chaffles (cheese and egg waffles) are a lifesaver.

I started making them when I quit eating sugar five years ago—before they got the popular nickname, chaffles. In our house they were w’omelettes (omelettes made in the waffle maker).
But now they are chaffles! Once the word spread on Facebook and Reddit, this simple food became a keto superstar.

What are Chaffles?

Chaffle ingredients: 2 eggs and grated cheese.

Chaffles are low carb waffles made from egg and shredded cheese. And that’s all!

The basic formula is 1 egg + ½ cup shredded cheese for one four-inch chaffle (see recipe below).

Chaffles can be used like bread or buns to create low carb versions of favorite savory foods.

You can also create keto desserts like strawberry shortcake, blueberry waffles, oreo cookie waffles, and more. Although these dessert recipes often require additional ingredients like almond flour, coconut flour, and artificial sweeteners. I quit eating sugar to get away from craving sweets, so I am careful with them, but if you just want lower carbs, go for it.

Chaffles Instead of Bread

Soft boiled egg, berries, and chaffle slices.

One big change when you eat low carb is getting used to life without bread. There are a lot of keto recipes for low carb breads but none of them are simple. And they are often not that low in carbs.

What I love about chaffles is how quick and easy they are: heat up the waffle iron, combine the egg and shredded cheese, and you have a delicious crispy waffle ready in 5 minutes.

From there, you can use the chaffle on its own, like a piece of toast, or treat it as the foundation for a whole meal.

Chaffles work great as toast for dippy eggs, bread for sandwiches, buns for burgers, pizza crust, tacos, and more.

See what I mean?

It’s a 2 carb bread substitute that lets us eat low carb versions of our old carb-heavy favorites.

Related: How to Make Keto Soft-Serve Ice Cream
and a Low-Carb Dessert Waffle

Do Chaffles Taste Eggy?

Yes, they can taste eggy when eaten on their own. If that is not your thing, but you’re fine with eating eggs in general, there are some good workarounds.

You can use egg whites instead of whole eggs. That definitely cuts down the egg flavor. Just add an extra egg white to make up for lost volume with the yolk gone.

Also, experiment with the shredded cheese. I’ve found mozzarella can neutralize the egg taste and cheddar makes them taste extra cheesy, not eggy.

When used as a bread or bun, the other flavors take over.

Can I Make Chaffles Without a Waffle Iron?

Yes, but they will not have the same slightly-crispy texture a waffle iron provides. If I did not have a waffle iron, I would cook them in a non-stick frying pan just like a pancake. A panini press could also work. Either way the recipe and instructions are the same.

Freshly made chaffles (keto waffles) on plate.

Waffle Makers

Even if your waffle iron is no-stick, you will likely still need to very lightly grease the surface to prevent sticking.

Choosing the best waffle iron depends on how many chaffles you would like to make at a time.

1Small Waffle Maker

The Dash Mini Waffle Maker waffle iron is very popular because it’s just $15 on Amazon. It also seems to sell out.

  • Makes small (4-inch) waffles that take approximately 4 minutes to cook.

2Medium Waffle Maker

Oster Belgian Waffle Maker | This is the one I have.

  • Makes medium (7-inch) waffles that take approximately 5 minutes to cook.
  • Has indicator lights showing when unit is heating and fully heated.

3Large Waffle Maker

Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker

  • Makes four 4-inch waffles
  • A large waffle maker is a huge time saver if you want to make and freeze big batches of chaffles.

How to Make Chaffles

Ingredients for making chaffles: cheese and eggs and a waffle maker.

Basic Recipe

Two 4-inch chaffles:

  • 2 large eggs (beaten)
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)

Steps / Instructions

Lightly grease waffle maker and preheat to medium-high setting.

Whisk together egg and cheese.

Pour batter into waffle maker and cook until ready (approximately 5 minutes).

If you want extra crispy: add some cheese to hot waffle maker and wait 10 seconds before adding beaten egg.

No peaking—batter may stick to waffle maker until it’s cooked.

Signs your chaffle is cooked:

  • Steam stops
  • Indicator light may go on/off

Place on cooling rack.

Will get slightly crispier as it cools.

Keto waffles (chaffles) with berries on top.

See the recipe notes (below) for creative chaffle variations.

Chaffle Video Instructions

Kick It Up a Notch

  • Pizza Chaffles | Delish.com
  • Strawberry Shortcake Chaffles | Butter Together Kitchen

If you eat low carb like I do, you will definitely want these on the menu.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt â™›

Freshly made chaffles (keto waffles) on plate.
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5 from 1 vote

Keto Chaffles (Low Carb Waffles)

Keto chaffles are an easy low carb substitute for bread. Made from egg and cheese, they are ready in minutes and can be adapted to be as sweet or savory as you like.
Prep Time: 2 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Servings: 2 4-inch chaffles
Author: Melissa J. Will

Equipment

  • Dash Mini Waffle Maker
  • Oster Belgian Waffle Maker
  • Silicone Basting Brush
  • Cooling rack
  • Measuring cups
  • Whisk
  • Mixing bowls
  • Tongs

Ingredients

  • 2 large Eggs beaten
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Lightly grease (or use non-stick cooking spray) no-stick waffle maker and preheat to medium-high setting.

  • Whisk together eggs and cheese.

    2 large Eggs, 1 cup Mozzarella cheese
  • Pour batter into waffle maker (do not overfill) and cook until ready (approximately 5 minutes).
    No peaking: chaffles will stick to iron until cooked.
    Leave longer for extra crispy chaffles.

  • Place on cooling rack. Will become crispier after a few minutes.

  • Serve as a bread, toast, or bun substitute.
  • Store in airtight container in fridge up to 7 days. Reheat in toaster or frying pan.
    Freeze up to 3 months.

Notes

The basic formula is one egg makes one chaffle but this can vary depending on the size of your waffle maker.

Savory Variations

Cheeses: Try different combinations of shredded cheese, Parmesan, and chunks of cheese.
Crispy: Add cheese to heated waffle maker first, wait 10 seconds, then add beaten egg. Can also add more shredded cheese on top near end of cook time.
Less Egg Taste: Use egg whites instead of whole eggs.  Make up for the lost yolk volume by adding equivalent in egg whites.
Spices: Add favorite seasonings such as garlic, garlic powder, Italian, Mexican, Indian seasonings. 
Cheesy Jalapeno: Add 1 oz cream cheese per serving (softened enough to stir) and diced jalapeno.
Omelette Chaffle: Add precooked diced onion, pepper, mushroom. 
Veggie Chaffle: Add finely chopped zucchini or broccoli with water removed. 

Sweet Variations

There are many recipes online for keto desserts made with chaffles including  strawberry shortcake, berry, oreo, pumpkin spice, cinnamon churro, and more. 
Chaffles can also be topped with butter, sugar-free maple syrup and jam.
If you follow a low carb diet to regulate blood sugar or insulin issues, be sure to research the sweeteners and carb totals first.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 249kcal | Total Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 18g
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Comments

  1. Sharon says

    August 1, 2022 at 4:00 pm

    First time making chaffles. Easy to follow recipe. Delish. Made two with Mexican Blend and two with Cheddar. Will freeze 3 to see how they turn out when toasted. I ate one with ham and sauteed poblano peppe … So tasty.

    Reply
    • Melissa J. Will says

      August 1, 2022 at 7:04 pm

      Sounds delicious! Glad you enjoyed them. It’s such an easy keto recipe yet can be used so many different ways. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Donna says

    January 4, 2020 at 9:49 pm

    Very interested to know what you use as a substitute for syrup on your chaffells?

    Reply
    • Melissa J. Will says

      January 4, 2020 at 10:00 pm

      Hi Donna, There are all sorts of sugar-free syrups available–with natural and artificial sweeteners. Here is one on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QmQ3y7 I have not tried them.
      Personally I don’t eat chaffles as a sweet food. I just use them as a bread substitute or pizza crust for savory meals.

      Reply

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