Waffles with butter and maple syrup make an excellent breakfast. There’s a great sense of satisfaction when you bite into a waffle that’s properly crisp on the edges and soft on the insides – especially when you’re super hungry.
In addition to butter and maple syrup, you can add a variety of sweet toppings to your waffles. Some of these toppings include fresh berries, banana slices, peanut butter, ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and lots more.
Waffles can either be made from scratch or bought in a ready-made packaging that just requires a little more cooking. Frozen waffles are really helpful when you’re running late for work and need to fix a quick breakfast. Instead of spending so much time on making the waffles from scratch, you can simply cook the frozen waffles for a few minutes in the waffle toaster.
But what happens when you don’t have a waffle toaster at home? Does that mean you can’t have your favorite waffle breakfast? No, it does not. There are some other alternatives to toasting that can be used to cook your frozen waffles.
Can you microwave frozen waffles? Yes, you can microwave frozen waffles. With the temperature settings on high, frozen waffles can be quickly cooked in the microwave within 2-3 minutes. The waffles will need to be heated at 30-second intervals so that they don’t get overcooked and lose the desired texture. If done correctly, the waffles will have a satisfactory crispy exterior and fluffy middle.
Because there are some controversial opinions about cooking frozen waffles in the microwave, I’d love to clear any doubts you may have. This guide contains the relevant steps you need for correctly cooking frozen waffles in the microwave.
What to Know when Microwaving Frozen Waffles
Ideally, frozen waffles should be heated in a waffle toaster. However, you may not have a waffle toaster at the moment. Instead of skipping the waffle breakfast that you crave, simply turn to other alternatives like microwaving to cook the waffles.
Now, you must know that there’s a significant tendency for the waffles to become very soft and chewy when microwaved – but that is if it isn’t done correctly. To avoid getting dried up or soggy waffles, you must pay close attention to how long the waffles stay in the microwave. It is for this reason that you are advised to heat the waffles at 30-second intervals in the microwave.
Another thing to know when microwaving frozen waffles is that only one waffle can go in the microwave at a time. This wouldn’t be a problem if the waffles are to serve one person. However, if a large number of people are to be served, you may spend more time on the process than desired.
How to Cook Frozen Waffles in the Microwave
Before we go further, I want to re-emphasize how important it is to closely monitor your waffles while they cook in the microwave. The microwave works pretty fast and you’ll get unpleasant results if you get carried away. As you get ready to cook a batch of delicious waffles in the microwave, here are the steps to follow:
- Remove the frozen waffles from their packaging and put the first waffle on a microwave-safe plate. You should know that frozen waffles can’t be left at room temperature for over 2 hours once their pack has been opened. Make sure you use them before they go bad.
- Set the microwave’s temperature to high and place the microwave-safe dish with the waffle in it. For better results, you can substitute the usual microwave-safe dish with a microwave crisper tray. These trays are designed to channel heat from the microwave in an efficient manner that gets the waffles cooked perfectly.
- As I mentioned earlier, you need to pay close attention as the waffle begins to heat up. After a minute in the microwave, check on the waffle to see how much it has heated up. If you aren’t satisfied, turn the waffle around or flip it over and heat at 30-second intervals till it’s well cooked.
- Repeat these same steps for the next frozen waffles you also wish to cook.
Alternative Cooking Methods – Cooking Waffles in the Oven
Apart from the waffle toaster and microwave, frozen waffles can also be cooked in an oven. Unlike the microwave, an oven allows you to cook more waffles at the same time. There’s no need to wait for the frozen waffles to thaw before you cook in an oven.
Simply grab a baking sheet and place as many waffles as it can fit side by side. Preheat the oven to a temperature of 300⁰F before placing the waffles inside it. Once that is done, place the baking sheet with frozen waffles in the oven for about quarter of an hour.
The oven is great for cooking frozen waffles because it produces a great result. However, when compared to toasting and microwaving, the oven is much slower. It is only feasible when you have sufficient time on your hands.
Related Questions:
Some of the frequently asked questions relating to how frozen waffles can be microwaved are:
Do I Need to Thaw Frozen Waffles before Microwaving?
No, you don’t have to thaw frozen waffles before microwaving. Put them directly in the microwave and let them heat for the next 1 minute. Keep heating at 30-second intervals till the waffles are completely thawed and cooked.
However, if you wish to thaw the frozen waffles first, you must be ready to wait an extra 30 minutes.
How Long Can Frozen Waffles Sit Out?
According to USDA guidelines, frozen waffles can’t be exposed to room temperature for more than 2 hours. If exposed beyond that time, the waffles should be thrown away.
Frozen waffles will last longer if left in the original packaging without being opened, and kept in the fridge.
How Do You Make Waffles Crispy Again?
Take the soft waffles and place them in an oven that has been preheated to 250⁰F. Don’t put the waffles on a baking sheet. Instead, let them sit directly on the oven’s metal racks for about 5 minutes.