25 Delicious Waffle Topping Ideas (Sweet and Savory)

Waffles are an excellent blank canvas for a wide variety of tasty toppings, both savory and sweet! When you are looking for some ideas to take your waffles to the next level, consider the following topping ideas. You'll never eat the same waffle twice!

For Starters: A Great Waffle Recipe

While the toppings are indeed important, it all starts with a great base which means finding a fabulous waffle recipe. Maybe you've already found a tried and true recipe you come back to again and again or a ready-made mix you can rely on in a pinch. If not, give my Norwegian Waffles a try! Buttery and tender, these waffles are made with wholesome ingredients such as sour cream, cardamom and vanilla. They are waffle perfection! Feel free to leave the cardamom out if you are not a fan or would like your waffles to be more of a blank canvas.

Sweet Topping Ideas

Let's start with some really easy waffle topping ideas that require little to no extra prepration:

• Butter and maple syrup. The American go-to topping for a reason! You can't go wrong with this classic breakfast combo.
• Fresh fruit and whipped cream, sour cream, Greek yogurt or Icelandic skyr. Softer fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, sliced bananas, ripe pears, mangos and peaches are all great choices. Check out this Whipped Vanilla Skyr Cream for a whipped cream recipe with a little Nordic flair!
• A drizzle of honey. Also consider adding some chopped pecans, almonds or walnuts for a little crunch!
• Jam or fruit preserves. An easy way too add a burst of fruit flavor AND sweetness too your morning waffle.
• Almond butter or peanut butter. Nut butters make wonderful waffle toppings, especially with that drizzle of honey, a dollop of your favorite jam and/or a sprinkle of mini-chocolate chips.
• Chocolate sauce. Chocolate sauce is delicious over waffles, especially if you serve them for dessert! Don't forget the whipped cream and berries or maybe a scoop of ice cream to go with.
• Chocolate hazelnut spread. Nutella is great on crepes so why not waffles? Add some sliced bananas and maybe a few mini-chocolate chips to this one as well for the full experience.
• Gjetost Norwegian cheese. Cheese you say? Absolutely! In Norway you will find waffles topped with thin slices of this sweet caramel-y goat cheese.

Have a little more time to make a waffle topping from scratch? Give these recipes a try:

Savory Topping Ideas

Waffle toppings don't always have to be sweet. Consider the following savory topping options when you want something deliciously out of the ordinary:

• Smoked salmon with creme fraiche or cream cheese, capers and fresh dill. Waffles make a great base for smoked salmon! Consider making bite-sized versions and serving them as an unexpected but delightful appetizer.
• Poached or fried eggs. The perfect savory companion to your breakfast waffle. A sprinkle of grated cheese and some chopped fresh chives or green onions are also welcome additions here.
• Mashed or sliced avocado. Waffle avocado toast? Why not! Add a squeeze of lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of coarse salt and crushed red pepper flakes to really take it to the next level. A poached or fried egg to top things off is optional but delicious!
• Ham, bacon or sausage. These super-savory meats are a perfect match for the slightly sweet waffles. Include a fried or poached egg and maybe a sprinkle of cheese to really elevate this variation!
• Use instead of a hot dog bun. This is something you will sometimes see in Scandinavia and for good reason. Waffles make GREAT wraps for hot dogs! Include all of your favorite ingredients or build a traditional Danish or Swedish hot dog for something really different and delicious.

I hope these ideas have you thinking outside the box with your waffle game and that you are inspired to make a batch and start experimenting! Which variation will you try first? Let me know in the comments below! Happy waffle making!