What do you get when you combine two of the world’s most beloved comfort foods? An incredibly fun and surprisingly delicious meal that cooks in minutes! These waffle-iron pizzas take the crispy, golden texture of a waffle and the cheesy, savory flavor of a pizza and bring them together in a single, no-fuss dish. It’s the ultimate solution for a fast lunch, a quick dinner, or a memorable snack.
This isn’t your average pizza night. Forget heating up the oven and waiting for 20 minutes. With this simple recipe, you can have a hot, gooey, and perfectly crispy personal pizza ready in about the same time it takes to toast a slice of bread. The waffle iron does all the work, pressing the dough into a unique shape with pockets perfect for holding your favorite toppings. It’s so easy, the kids can even help make their own!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crazy Fast: Ready in about 10 minutes from start to finish. You can’t beat that for a weeknight!
- No Oven Required: Keep your kitchen cool and save energy. All you need is a simple waffle iron.
- Fun & Interactive: Everyone can customize their own pizza with their favorite toppings, making it a great activity for families.
- Unique Texture: The waffle iron creates a crispy exterior and a soft, cheesy interior with those signature pockets that hold extra sauce and cheese.
- Minimal Cleanup: With a non-stick waffle iron, cleanup is as simple as wiping it down.
Ingredients
The Basics (for 4 pizzas)
- 1 can (13.8 oz or 390 g) refrigerated pizza dough, or pre-made fresh dough
- 1/2 cup (120 g) pizza or marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups (170 g) shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- Your favorite toppings (see ideas below)
Suggested Toppings (Use about 1–2 tbsp per pizza)
- Thinly sliced pepperoni
- Cooked and crumbled sausage
- Finely chopped bell peppers
- Thinly sliced mushrooms
- Diced onions
- Sliced black olives
- Canned or frozen corn
Equipment
- Waffle iron (standard or Belgian style)
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula for removing pizzas
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Plug in your waffle iron and preheat it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If it’s not a non-stick model, lightly grease the grids with cooking spray or butter.
- Prep the Dough: Open the can of refrigerated pizza dough. On a clean, lightly floured surface, unroll the dough and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Flatten each piece into a rough circle or rectangle that will fit your waffle iron’s size.
- Build Your Pizza: On the counter, take one piece of dough and spread about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce over it, leaving a small border. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, followed by your desired toppings. Use thin, pre-cooked toppings to ensure they heat through properly.
- Fold and Cook: Carefully place the second piece of dough over the first to create a “pizza sandwich.” Or, if you prefer, you can make an open-faced pizza by simply placing one piece of dough in the waffle iron and layering the toppings on top. Gently place the assembled pizza onto the center of the preheated waffle iron.
- Press and Wait: Close the lid and press down gently. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown, cooked through, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The exact time depends on your waffle iron and how crispy you like your pizza.
- Serve: Use a spatula to carefully remove the waffle pizza from the iron. Let it cool for just a minute or two before slicing into it. Repeat with the remaining dough and toppings. Serve immediately with extra sauce for dipping if you like!
Substitutions and Variations
- Dough: You can use other refrigerated doughs! Canned biscuit dough works great—just flatten two biscuits together for each pizza. Crescent roll dough can also be used for a flakier texture. For a healthier version, try whole wheat pizza dough.
- Gluten-Free: Look for a good quality gluten-free pizza dough in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.
- Sauce: Switch it up with a different base! Try pesto sauce, Alfredo sauce, or even a BBQ sauce for a BBQ chicken pizza.
- Cheese: While mozzarella is a classic for a good melt, you can use any cheese that melts well. Try provolone, Monterey Jack, or a sprinkle of Parmesan for extra flavor.
- Creative Toppings: Get creative! Try a Hawaiian pizza with ham and pineapple, a veggie pizza with roasted red peppers and spinach, or a buffalo chicken pizza with shredded chicken and a drizzle of buffalo sauce. Just be sure to use pre-cooked, smaller toppings to ensure they cook all the way through.
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t Overfill: This is the most common mistake. Using too much sauce, cheese, or too many toppings will cause the pizza to ooze out and create a messy cleanup. Keep the layers thin!
- Lightly Grease the Grids: Even on a non-stick waffle iron, a quick spritz of cooking spray can make a huge difference in preventing sticking, especially with gooey cheese.
- Pre-Cook Meats: If you are using meat like sausage or bacon, make sure it is fully cooked before adding it to the pizza. The cook time in the waffle iron isn’t long enough to cook raw meat.
- Clean As You Go: The easiest way to clean up is to simply wipe the waffle iron down with a damp paper towel while it’s still warm but unplugged.
Storage, Make-Ahead, and Reheating
- Make-Ahead: You can prep all your toppings and have them ready to go in small bowls in the refrigerator. This makes assembly even faster!
- Storage: Let any leftover waffle pizzas cool completely. Store them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Freezing: Cooked waffle pizzas freeze well! Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat them is back in the waffle iron! Simply place the cold waffle pizza back in the preheated iron and cook for 1-2 minutes until it’s hot and crispy again. You can also use a toaster oven. Microwaving will make them soft and soggy.
Serving Suggestions
Waffle-iron pizzas are a satisfying meal on their own. But to round out your dinner, serve them with a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette. A side of marinara sauce for dipping is also a must-have for extra flavor.
Approximate Nutrition
- Yields: 4 servings
- Serving Size: 1 waffle pizza
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Protein: 18 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
Note: These are approximations and can vary based on specific brands of dough and toppings used.
FAQs
Q: Can I use any kind of pizza dough?
A: Yes! This recipe works best with the pre-made refrigerated kind because it’s so convenient. You can also use homemade dough, just be sure it’s not too thick so it cooks all the way through.
Q: My pizza dough is sticking! What should I do?
A: Make sure you’ve properly preheated and greased the waffle iron. Also, be sure you haven’t added too much cheese or sauce near the edges, which can cause sticking. If you’re still having trouble, a thin layer of parchment paper placed on the bottom grid can help with cleanup.
Q: How do I know when they’re done?
A: The best way to tell is by checking the color. They should be a nice golden brown on the outside and firm to the touch. The cheese should be completely melted and bubbly. A light steam coming from the sides is a good sign that they’re almost ready.
Q: Can I make an open-faced version?
A: Yes, you can! Simply place one piece of dough in the middle of the waffle iron and pile your toppings on top. The top will be open-faced and gooey, while the bottom will be a crispy waffle crust.
Q: Is it okay to use a Belgian waffle iron?
A: Yes, a Belgian waffle iron with its deeper pockets works great. It creates a thicker “pizza,” so you may need to add a minute or two to the cooking time to make sure the dough is cooked all the way through.
Printable Recipe Card: Crispy Waffle-Iron Pizzas
Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 5 minutes | Total time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 1 can refrigerated pizza dough
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Your favorite thin-sliced toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, etc.)
Instructions:
- Preheat waffle iron. Divide pizza dough into 4 equal pieces.
- Spread 1 tbsp sauce on one piece of dough, leaving a small border.
- Sprinkle with cheese and toppings. Top with a second piece of dough.
- Place assembled pizza on the hot waffle iron. Close the lid and cook for 3-5 mins, until golden and cooked through.
- Remove and serve immediately. Repeat with remaining dough.
Crispy Waffle-Iron Pizzas
Equipment
- waffle iron
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 can (390 g) refrigerated pizza dough
- 1/2 cup pizza or marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- favorite toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, sausage, etc.)
Instructions
- Preheat waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly grease if needed.
- Divide pizza dough into 4 equal portions. Flatten each into a rough circle or rectangle.
- Spread 1 tbsp pizza sauce on one piece of dough. Add cheese and toppings, leaving a small border.
- Place another piece of dough on top to seal, or make an open-faced version. Transfer to the hot waffle iron.
- Close and cook for 3–5 minutes, until golden brown and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Remove carefully with a spatula, cool slightly, then slice and serve with extra sauce for dipping if desired.
