Lille Allen/Eater
Blueberry, cheese, and Liège waffles galore
If you want to see how far we’ve progressed as a society, look no further than the rows of frozen waffles in the freezer aisle. Eggo once dominated this space to such a degree that its name was synonymous with it, but smaller and newer brands are staking their own claims with cheesy waffles that question why savory waffles hadn’t existed in the first place, gluten-free waffles with impressively bouncy texture, and even a waffle filled with a serving of veggies (that actually tastes good). Whether we’ve reached peak frozen waffle remains to be seen, but the following are my indisputable favorites for stocking my freezer.
Vans Gluten-Free Blueberry Waffles
There is a tired notion that gluten-free baked goods are unsatisfying, but these blueberry waffles from Vans are winners regardless of whether or not you eat gluten. The brown rice flour base makes them moist and chewy, with a bouncy texture reminiscent of mochi. The dehydrated blueberries studded throughout add a touch of sweetness. I like eating theses on their own, or amplifying them with a drizzle of blueberry syrup.
Brazi Bites Cheesy Waffles
I am in full support of savory waffles entering the frozen food category. Brazi Bites’ waffles, inspired by Brazilian pao de quiejo, have an elastic texture and plenty of tangy, cheesy flavor thanks to the addition of Parmesan cheese and cheddar. Made with tapioca starch so they’re naturally gluten-free, these cheesy waffles are great with a smear of pepper jelly and also work well as the bread for a dreamy breakfast sandwich complete with a runny egg, bacon strips, and a slice of American cheese.
Mason Dixie Apple Cinnamon Liège Waffles
A native of Belgium, brioche-based Liège waffles have become a lot more popular in the States, and I’m not complaining. Mason Dixie’s are studded with pearl sugar and flavored with apple and cinnamon, a classic pairing that’s all but made for waffles. I love that you can microwave these waffles or simply leave them out to defrost, and either way they’ll still remain wonderfully chewy and buttery, as all good brioche bread is.
Pillsbury Cinnamon Toast Crunch Waffles
This is the cereal-themed frozen waffle of my childhood dreams. I loved Cinnamon Toast Crunch growing up and I still can’t resist a bowl of the stuff. This waffle version is also worthy of praise: it has a fluffy interior that tastes like the filling of a cinnamon roll, with lots of brown sugar notes and warm cinnamon coming through. It’s not cloyingly sweet, but you can definitely enjoy it as is. It’d also be excellent dipped into an eggy custard base and turned into a frozen waffle version of french toast.
Kodiak Chocolate Chip Power Waffles
I tend to avoid protein waffles as it’s difficult to look past the mealy texture that so often plagues them, but Kodiak’s chocolate chip waffles don’t have this problem. They may not be quite as fluffy as some of the other waffles on this list, but their generous amount of semisweet chocolate chips make up for any textural issues. (And if you really do care about protein, there are 12 grams of protein for every two waffles.)
Private Selection Belgian Waffles
Private Selection is Kroger’s attempt at a fancier store brand, and I have to admit that its frozen Belgian waffles really work. They can almost pass for something you’d get at a diner: thick and fluffy, they have tons of vanilla and buttermilk flavor, and large indents for holding copious amounts of maple syrup. If you like your frozen waffle with more heft, this is the one to get.
Evergreen Zucchini Carrot Cake Mini Waffles
I would never expect (or even want?) a serving of fruits and vegetables in my frozen waffles, but these zucchini carrot cake waffles have that and surprisingly, flavor-wise, it works. The waffles’ most prominent aroma is cinnamon, which is followed by sweet carrot. The texture is where the waffle strays the most from regular freezer waffles: although the exterior does get crispy, the inside is gooey and custardy, almost like the inside of a soaked bread pudding. If mushiness turns you off, this might not be the waffle for you, but I think it works. Glazing one with a cream cheese frosting instead of standard maple syrup would make it work even better.
Eggo Homestyle Original Waffles
I have to give flowers to the original frozen waffle, the beloved homestyle Eggo. There are so many good variations of Eggo now, from blueberry to chocolate chip brownie to Liège, but there is something so nostalgic and comforting about the plain, buttery flavor of a homestyle Eggo waffle that’s hard to beat.
