Your Waffle Iron Is The Ultimate Tool For Stress-Free Omelets

From gooey and folded to fluffy and filled, omelets are among the most versatile dishes. They're perfect for using up odds and ends in your fridge, from the last couple of mushrooms to a solitary slice of bacon, making them ideal for a quick and easy meal, whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

But if you're accustomed to making omelets the traditional way — in a pan — you might want to consider another gadget in the kitchen that makes the process even easier: a waffle iron. The humble waffle iron is useful for much more than its name suggests, and is ideal for preparing savory egg dishes like omelets. It allows for customization to your liking, whether you desire a simple cheese omelet or a more elaborate, filled version. Even better, the entire process takes just a few minutes from start to finish.

Simply pour all of your omelet ingredients into a waffle iron to produce a dish that is quick, tasty, and perfectly fluffy, eliminating the hassle of standing over the stove. Plus, with this hack, you don't have to worry about flipping or folding the finished result; the waffle maker does all the hard work for you, cooking the omelet evenly on both sides.

To make an omelet in a waffle iron, simply preheat a non-stick waffle iron, and grease the top and bottom with cooking spray or melted butter. Then, in a bowl or jug, whisk together your chosen ingredients. For a Mediterranean-inspired dish, consider a spinach and oven-roasted tomato omelet. If you're craving the earthy combination of mushrooms, za'atar, and parsley, this Rif Mountain omelet with wild mushrooms is a must-try. Then pour the mixture into the waffle maker, being careful not to overfill it, and cook according to your waffle maker's instructions until the eggs are set to your preference, which usually takes just a few minutes.

In addition to the speed and convenience, another benefit of using a waffle maker for omelets is the minimal mess. An added advantage is the ability to cook a batch of them; they don't need to be eaten right away. The fluffy waffle-iron omelets can be frozen once cooked and cooled. They can then be simply warmed in a toaster, as you would with regular waffles, offering the ultimate make-ahead breakfast.

Omelets might change how you view your waffle iron, but this versatile kitchen appliance can prepare a plethora of other dishes, both savory and sweet. Staying within the realm of breakfast, try cooking scrambled eggs in a waffle maker for a delightfully different texture; you can even crisp up bacon in it. For another breakfast favorite, Ina Garten uses her waffle iron to make hash browns, which come out crisp, golden, and cooked quickly and evenly on both sides.

For a novel approach to sweet treats like cinnamon rolls, cookies, or brownies, cook the dough or batter in the waffle iron for a quick and delicious outcome. Pro tip: Use all the crevices in the waffle dessert as convenient pockets for icings, syrups, or extra chocolate chips. Regardless of your choice, the waffle iron proves to be endlessly versatile, suitable for a wide range of recipes.