To say my kids enjoy waffles is an understatement. My teenage son can easily down four in one sitting, and my younger son in middle school loves them, too.
I've always made Eggo frozen waffles, but when I came across this super cute (and popular) Dash Mini Maker, I was all in!
Not only is it a great addition to any busy home kitchen, but it also makes the perfect affordable gift for all your loved ones, whether they're an avid home chef, a breakfast lover or a hungry college student.
Dash Mini Waffle Maker
It's easy to use and comes with easy-to-follow recipes
Among its many functions, this tool is designed to make individual waffles. It's been a fun addition to our daily routine since we started using it! I can either make the waffles ahead of time and pop them in the toaster when we're ready to eat them or make them hot and fresh for a quick on-the-go breakfast. Plus, the brand even offers a few specialty makers that create waffles in unique shapes, such as stars and hearts.
To cook a waffle, you don't need to have waffle mix (though you can opt for that if you like). The Dash Mini Maker comes with a book of recipes that includes one for making your own batter with basic ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk and butter.
The waffles turned out great with a slightly brown crisp on the outside (we like ours crispy!), and they only took about four to six minutes each to cook. Just be sure to unplug the device when finished so it can cool down.
The option to make my own waffles means I can not only save money (I spend way too much on frozen waffles every week!), but I can also mix things up a bit with my recipes. I can add protein powder when my boys are going to be active, or even make a sweet dessert by adding cinnamon and drizzling it all with a bit of icing. The included book offers a few recipes for special treats like these.
It's easy to set up and stow away
There's nothing to put together when it arrives. Simply take off the plastic, wash the nonstick surface with some dish soap and then plug it in when you're ready to use it.
The device immediately starts to heat up when plugged in, and an indicator light will shut off when it's reached the full cooking temperature.
The brand recommends spraying the waffle maker with cooking spray and using a nonmetal utensil to remove food from the appliance so that it doesn't damage the nonstick surface.
The Dash Mini Maker is small enough that it easily fits on the counter and can be moved to a cabinet or drawer when not in use without taking up much room.
It makes more than just waffles
What I love most about this product is how many different foods it can prepare — so much more than I could have ever imagined.
For example, you can add three tablespoons of mashed potatoes to make a "mashed potato bite." Or, if you're craving something sweet, add some cookie dough to make a cookie waffle.
You can also create an "apple pie waffle" by using two circles of pie crust and adding applesauce, cinnamon and nutmeg in the middle. Or you can try my favorite: Use biscuit dough with squares of milk chocolate and marshmallows in the middle for a "s'mores biscuit."
This mini waffle maker is basically the versatile kitchen gadget you didn't know you needed.
For more kitchen gadgets we're loving, check out:
- This immersion blender has TikTok buzzing — so I had to try it for myself
- We tried the TikTok-famous watermelon slicer — and we'll never buy pre-cut again
- I tried the 'Crazy Susan' turntable — and my fridge has never looked so organized
- I said goodbye to cabinet clutter with this bestselling $17 pan organizer
Subscribe to our Stuff We Love and One Great Find newsletters, and download our TODAY app to discover deals, shopping tips, budget-friendly product recommendations and more!
This article was first published on July 26, 2019.