34 Sweet and Savory Waffle Toppings

For as long as I can remember, whenever I was asked, “Pancakes or waffles?” the answer was definitively waffles. There are endless waffle toppings, whether you’re looking for a savory brunch entree or sweet treat.

Sweet Waffle Toppings

These are my favorite sweet waffle toppings. 

• Jelly, jam, or compote
• Whipped cream
• Fresh fruit
• Nut butter
• Honey
• Caramelized bananas
• Cinnamon apples
• Maple syrup
• Yogurt
• Nutella
• Powdered sugar

1. Jelly, Jam, or Compote

Instead of syrup, add texture with jam, jelly, or compote. You can easily make your own by heating fruit with a couple tablespoons of water. Mush it with a spoon and add sugar to taste. I like to do this with blueberries and strawberries and top with whipped cream.

2. Whipped Cream

Speaking of whipped cream, you can whip up your own at home. Use one cup of heavy whipping cream, two tablespoons of powdered sugar, and a dash of vanilla. Whip until peaks form. Mix in cocoa powder, peanut butter, cream cheese, fruit, espresso powder, etc.

3. Fresh Fruit

Fruit is an obvious waffle topping. Some of my go-tos are:

• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Bananas
• Kiwis
• Peaches
• Cherries

4. Nut Butter

Pair jelly or honey with almond butter or peanut butter. Or try less common nut butters like walnut or pecan. Pro-tip: you can make your own nut butter at home with a food processor. Just add nuts, process until the desired texture is reached, and add salt to taste. 

5. Honey

Drizzle honey on top of your waffle for a finishing touch. Have a stubborn jar of honey that’s crystallized? Decrystallize it fast with a warm water bath.

6. Caramelized Bananas

Bananas are naturally sweet, but they’re even better when they’re caramelized. Slice the bananas and then coat them in sugar. Warm a can over medium heat and saute the bananas until slightly mushy. Then top your waffles with them!

7. Cinnamon Apples

Similar to caramelized bananas, saute your apples and add cinnamon. You can add them to the batter before you cook your waffles or use them as a waffle topping.

8. Maple Syrup

Simple, but classic, maple syrup adds the perfect touch of sweetness. I keep a small bottle of Trader Joe’s 100% maple syrup to top my waffles.

9. Yogurt

Sweet, fruity yogurt pairs well with crunchy waffle toppings like granola or nuts. Use Greek yogurt for added protein and mix it with something sweet like honey or fruit compote.

10. Nutella

Top a regular waffle or a chocolate waffle with Nutella, berries, and whipped cream. If you don’t want to spread it all over, you can drizzle it on top like syrup.

11. Powdered Sugar

A dusting of powdered sugar always levels up the presentation. You can even use a stencil to add a festive shape.

Savory Waffle Toppings

Try these savory waffle toppings:

• Avocado
• Eggs
• Bacon
• Fried chicken
• Chorizo
• Ham or turkey
• Prosciutto or salami
• Cajun shrimp
• Chili
• Lox and cream cheese
• Mozzarella cheese and pepperoni 
• Goat cheese
• Aioli
• Balsamic glaze
• Tomato

12. Avocado

Who needs avocado toast when you have avocado waffles? Sprinkle with everything seasoning and add an egg for a filling breakfast.

13. Eggs

I like to add sunny side up eggs to waffle sandwiches, but you can cook them any way from poached to scrambled. You can even cook eggs in a waffle iron! If you’re using a small, circular waffle iron, cook egg whites in it for about two minutes. You’ll have a waffle sandwich that stacks perfectly.

14. Bacon

Add whole slices of bacon to a waffle sandwich, crumble bacon bits inside the batter, or top an open-face waffle with bacon crumbles. If you want to get fancy, whip up some bacon jam to pair with cheese, avocado, and tomato.

15. Fried Chicken

You can’t go wrong with classic chicken and waffles. Try making chicken tenders in an air fryer for a dish that’s perfectly crunchy, but doesn’t use so much oil.

16. Chorizo

If you’re craving a savory breakfast sandwich, try chorizo! You can use regular waffle batter, but cornmeal waffles are even better. Add a fried egg, cheese, and sauteed chorizo for a filling breakfast or brunch. 

17. Ham or Turkey

Create a hearty waffle sandwich with deli meat, cheese, and vegetables. If you’d like to make a melt (like turkey and swiss), place the deli meat and cheese between two pieces of waffle. Put them in a convection or regular oven until the cheese is melted. 

18. Prosciutto or Salami

Prosciutto goes with both sweet and savory options. Try it with burrata and cantaloupe or pair it with an egg and arugula.

19. Cajun Shrimp

Make a cornmeal waffle. Saute shrimp and veggies with cajun seasoning and pile the mixture on your waffle. Top it with cheese to your liking.

20. Chili

What’s better than cornbread with chili? A cornbread waffle with chili! This savory waffle dish is a protein-packed lunch or dinner option. Try adding cheese to your waffle batter.

21. Lox and Cream Cheese

Substitute a bagel for a waffle. Spread on a thin layer of cream cheese, add lox and the fixings of your choosing. I like onions, tomatoes, capers, chives, and avocado.

22. Mozzarella Cheese and Pepperoni 

That’s right! A pizza waffle. Top a cooked waffle with cheese and pepperoni. Marinara sauce is optional and if you use it add a thin layer to avoid the waffle becoming too soggy. Place in the oven for 7-10 minutes at 400℉. You’ll know it’s done when the cheese is fully melted.

23. Goat Cheese

Really, any type of cheese is a great waffle topping or mix in. Try goat cheese and jam, goat cheese and syrup, or goat cheese and chives.

24. Aoili

Aoili is the perfect sauce for a savory waffle. The base consists of garlic, olive oil, and egg, but you can dress it up with ingredients like chipotle, cilantro, or lemon dill. It’s also one of my go-tos for burger toppings.

25. Balsamic Glaze

Balsamic glaze is another versatile condiment that can be paired with sweet or savory toppings. Use it as a syrup alternative with strawberries and whipped cream or ice cream. Or go savory by pairing it with vegetables and goat cheese.

26. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are an underrated waffle topping. They go with all the savory toppings listed above. You could also try loading your waffle with veggies like cucumbers and arugula for a nutrient-dense snack.

Dessert Waffle Toppings

Top off your dessert with these waffle toppings:

• Ice cream
• Cereal
• Cinnamon and sugar
• Marshmallow fluff and chocolate chips
• Glaze
• Sprinkles
• Caramel

27. Ice Cream

Ice cream sandwich. Ice cream sundae. The possibilities are endless. To make ice cream sammies, let your waffles cool to room temp and then flash freeze them for half an hour. Let your ice cream soften so that it’s malleable. Place a scoop of ice cream between two waffles and freeze the whole sandwich for another 30 minutes. 

28. Cereal

If you’re craving a sweet treat, top your waffle with one of your favorite childhood cereals. Try Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Fruit Loops, Cocoa Krispies, or Captain Crunch.

29. Chocolate Syrup

Top your waffle with chocolate syrup and whipped cream for dessert. Bonus points if you make chocolate waffle batter for double the chocolatey goodness.

30. Cinnamon and Sugar

If you love churros, you’ll love this waffle topping. Brush melted butter on top of your waffle and dip it in a cinnamon and sugar mixture for a sweet treat.

31. Marshmallow Fluff and Chocolate

Top your waffles with s’mores fixings! Add marshmallows or marshmallow spread and chocolate chips, then place your waffle in the broiler for a couple minutes until the marshmallows are brown.

32. Glaze

If you’re tired of syrup, try glaze! You can easily make your own with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. 

33. Sprinkles

Add a splash of sprinkles for visual appeal. You can put them in the batter for funfetti-inspired waffles or decorate chocolate dipped waffles with a rainbow assortment.

34. Caramel

Whip up a dulce de leche waffle with caramel sauce, whipped cream, and caramelized bananas.

Waffle Batter Ideas

The waffle batter can be as simple or creative as you choose and impact the waffle’s texture – dense or fluffy. Here are a few different types of batter to try:

• Oatmeal waffles: Slightly dense and nutty, oatmeal waffles are a versatile base for sweet or savory waffles.
• Protein waffles: Similar to oatmeal waffles, but made with cottage cheese, this waffle batter is filled with 22 grams of protein per serving.
• Protein powder waffles: Add extra protein to any waffle batter with some protein powder. Flavors like chocolate are great for dessert waffles.
• Biscuit waffles: Instead of batter, cook biscuit dough in your waffle maker.
• Bacon cheddar: Add bacon bits, cheese, and chives for a savory base.
• Cornmeal waffles: Add cornmeal and a pinch of sugar for a gritty, savory waffle.
• Cake batter: For the ultimate dessert waffle, use chocolate or funfetti cake batter.

If you choose to use a plain batter, you can add flavor with spices like cinnamon, pumpkin puree, citrus zest, and more. You can even try a micro-packed zucchini waffle recipe.

What to Serve With Waffles

Waffles can be the main dish or a side depending on the waffle toppings that you choose.

Set up a waffle bar, complete with fruit, multiple types of syrup, whipped cream, turkey bacon, sausage, and yogurt (complete with toppings). Or serve waffles alongside egg dishes like sweet potato crust quiche.

Remember that waffles freeze well and heat up in the toaster, so they’re great for meal prep! If you get creative with your waffle toppings, they’ll never get old, whether you eat them as a quick breakfast or savory snack.