Pancakes and waffles are not just breakfast and brunch staples – you can eat them at any meal or snack or dessert if you want. They’re simple, they’re delicious and they’re as versatile as they can ever be. There are tons of sweet and savory ways to eat these delightful carbs, and here’s what goes best with them:
1. Maple syrup
Of course, this list won’t be complete without the pancake staple – the maple syrup. It’s classic, simple, sweet and fresh. Once you use maple syrup, there’s no turning back to those other kinds of syrup for your pancakes and waffles.
2. Chocolate and bananas
Sliced bananas and chocolate syrup (and Nutella, as well), create the perfect combination of just the right sweetness. Simply drizzle the chocolate and top some sliced bananas and you’re good to go. It’s a classic topping or filling for waffles and pancakes simply because it’s yum!
3. Berries
Feeling fruity? The best fruits to pair with pancakes and waffles are berries – strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Simply go with fresh berries and top them in your stack, along with its juices or with maple syrup. In jam form, berries also blend perfectly well to these soft and fluffy delicacies.
4. Peanut butter and jam
Who says peanut butter and jam only suits bread and toast? Your childhood lunch favorite goes well inside a warm and toasty waffle, or between stacks of pancakes.
5. Apples and cinnamon
The combined aroma of apples and cinnamon, plus the buttermilk goodness of your pancakes or waffles, can complete any day of the week. It’s a classic, perfectly sweet breakfast that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. Simply glaze your pancake or waffle top with a combination of apple, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and syrup that is cooked in low heat.
6. Ice cream
If you like having pancakes or waffles for dessert, then ice cream is a great companion. Nothing goes wrong when you top these a scoop (or two) of ice cream, and drizzled with chocolate syrup. Top it with fruits or sprinkles, if you like. This ensemble is great for kids, and a perfectly sweet indulgence for you as well.
7. Eggs
Eggs are a breakfast staple. Put it together with waffles or pancakes, and you’re in for a tasty and nutritious breakfast. Soft fried eggs and scrambled eggs are great for these fluffy treats when combined with bacon and cheese. If you want a healthier alternative, pair eggs with sautéed spinach and grilled mushrooms. Tasty!
8. Bacon
Nothing satisfies a hungry morning tummy faster than the taste of crispy streaky bacon. Pair it with waffles or pancakes and drizzle some maple syrup, then it’s a meal that is sure to satisfy. The saltiness of the bacon blends really well with the sweetness of the waffle or pancake and the maple syrup.
9. Fried chicken
Chicken and waffles is a popular soul food combination that works charmingly, however unusual it is to some cultures. Fried chicken with crunchy chicken breading serves as a protein side to the stack of carbs that is the waffle (or pancake). It’s great when served with mashed potatoes on the side. But fried chicken is not only served on the side of these fluffy treats. There are a lot of recipes featuring chicken IN waffles, making the chicken and waffles combo easier to eat. Chopped fried chicken are mixed into delightfully waffle batter for an evenly-distributed chicken flavor for every bite. What a legendary twist to your brunch feast!
10. Sausages
Sausages and waffles are an unbeatable combination. Pair it with scrambled eggs, beans, potatoes or grated cheddar cheese, then you’ve got a complete savory breakfast. Sausages can also be chopped to small pieces to mix with the batter, so you can enjoy the meaty taste of the sausage with every bite of your waffle.
11. Ham and cheese
Ah, the savory, pick-me-up, comfort food combo: ham and cheese. When mixed with the subtly sweet and soft pancake or waffle, they’re just perfect. Mix fine chops of ham and grated cheddar cheese to your pancake batter, or use slices of ham and cheese as a filling to your waffle. It works for breakfast, brunch or supper or any other meal you can think of. It’s also a smart and delicious way to use up your leftover Christmas ham and transform it into a hearty meal that will surely please everyone – of course, since you paired it with pancakes or waffles.