You know how much I adore taking a classic comfort food and just shaking it up a bit? I mean, who just settles for a regular sandwich when you can make it way more fun? Over the years, I’ve experimented with turning everything into a perfect little handheld treat—burgers, grilled cheese, you name it. But my latest obsession has to be the Savory Waffle BLT Sliders. Seriously, forget flimsy bread! We swap that out for crispy, cheesy, chive-flecked waffles that are just begging to hold bacon, crisp lettuce, and juicy tomato. These aren’t just lunches; they’re little flavor bombs that prove waffles are an all-day affair. Trust me, once you go waffle over white bread for your BLT, you’ll never look back.

Why You Will Love These Savory Waffle BLT Sliders

I know, I know—waffles for lunch? But hear me out! These little sliders are perfect because:

The waffle batter is savory, cheesy, and crisp—way better than sliced bread.
They are perfectly portioned for a quick afternoon feast or game-day appetizers.
The cheese melts right into the waffle pockets, locking in all that amazing flavor.

They’re fast, fun, and honestly, they look so cute stacked up on a platter. If you love handheld meals, you should definitely check out my recipe for BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders too while you’re making lunch plans!

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Savory Waffle BLT Sliders

When you’re making something this special—taking a classic BLT and giving it a cheddar-chive kick—you can’t mess around with the ingredients. Everything matters! I always keep my pantry stocked because I never know when a savory waffle craving is going to hit. You’ll need a good amount of flour, baking powder to give them a little lift, and the crucial seasonings: salt, pepper, and just a whisper of cayenne for that tiny bit of background heat.

For the Savory Waffle Batter

We need our dry bases ready first. That means four cups of all-purpose flour, paired with the leavening and spices we talked about. Then, for the wet side, you’re grabbing two eggs, milk, and a half cup of butter that you melt down first. The absolute must-haves that make these truly savory are one cup of sharp cheddar cheese—and please, use sharp! It cuts through the richness so nicely—and a half cup of fresh chives. Cutting those chives yourself lets you control the size, which is always better.

For Assembling the Savory Waffle BLT Sliders

For the filling, it’s classic BLT time, just miniaturized! You’ll need twelve slices of bacon that you’ve cooked until they’re perfectly crisp. Don’t skimp here; floppy bacon ruins the crunch factor! Then you need one small tomato, sliced very thin—we don’t want soggy sliders. Six small lettuce leaves will do the trick, and of course, your favorite mayonnaise for spreading. If you ever need a secret weapon for rich texture, sometimes I’ll toss in grated Parmesan—it boosts that salty flavor beautifully. Even when I make things like rich sauces, I always look for high-quality dairy; it makes a difference, just like when I make heavy cream substitutes at home.

Tips for Making the Best Savory Waffle BLT Sliders Batter

Okay, let’s talk batter strategy, because this is where we move from good waffles to legendary savory waffles. The most common mistake people make? Overmixing! You need to treat that batter gently once the wet items meet the dry. Seriously, mix it until you just barely see streaks of flour left. If you mix until it’s perfectly smooth, you develop the gluten too much, and instead of a tender, soft interior in your waffle, you end up with something tough and chewy. That’s a sandwich crime, I tell you!

I mentioned the sharp cheddar, but if you want to really ramp up the flavor profile—and I often do—throw in an extra 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese right alongside the cheddar. That salty, nutty punch plays so well with the bacon later. You can find my favorite method for making homemade waffles that stay crispy on the outside over here: Simple Recipe for Perfect Results. Just remember, gentle folding is key once you add that melted butter and those gorgeous cheese crumbles!

Step-by-Step Instructions to Prepare Savory Waffle BLT Sliders

Getting these sliders onto your plate is surprisingly quick, especially since they come together in the time it takes to cook the bacon! We’re moving fast, but remember what I said about not overmixing? Patience during the mixing phase pays off big time in the final texture. These instructions cover everything from mixing to that glorious moment you take the first bite.

Mixing the Savory Waffle Batter

First things first, let’s get our dry items married. In a big bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and that tiny pinch of cayenne. Don’t skip whisking; it helps distribute everything evenly, especially the leavening agents. In a separate bowl—and I use a different one so I don’t rush the dry mix—whisk up your eggs, milk, and the melted butter until they’re happy together.

Now, pour the wet stuff into the dry stuff. Mix it just until it comes together. Seriously, stop mixing when you still see a few little flour lines here and there. That’s the secret handshake for tender waffles! Finally, gently fold in that gorgeous shredded cheddar cheese and all those chopped chives. We want these bits suspended gently, not beaten into submission.

Waffling and Preparing the Savory Waffle BLT Sliders

Time to heat things up! You absolutely must preheat your waffle iron well; make sure you give it a nice light brush of oil or cooking spray, especially if it’s not non-stick. Work quickly now! Pour enough batter onto the iron to make four small, round waffles if you’re using small molds. Cook them according to your machine’s directions until they are gorgeously deep golden brown and genuinely crisp. We are looking for crunch!

Once they come out, let them cool for just a moment before you take a sharp knife and slice each waffle cleanly in half horizontally. Now you have eight perfect slider bases! Take four of those bottom halves and spread on a thin layer of mayo. Layer on your crisp bacon, a thin slice of tomato, and top it with a crisp lettuce leaf. Cap it off with the remaining four waffle tops. Assemble them fast—they are best eaten right away while the waffle is still warm. If you are looking for other quick meal ideas, figuring out how to make quick oat bread is another winner!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Savory Waffle BLT Sliders

I get asked all the time about making things ahead, especially when it comes to lunch assembly! For these sliders, the bacon is your best friend for advance prep. Go ahead and cook a few extra slices—you can cook bacon ahead of time to speed up assembly later, and keeping it in the fridge means these sliders go from zero to hero in about five minutes flat.

Now, about that cheese: I insist on sharp cheddar because its bold flavor stands up to the bacon. But if you want to experiment, Swiss melts like a dream and offers a nuttier profile. If you run out of standard lettuce, don’t panic! A bit of shredded radicchio or even baby kale works wonderfully. It adds a peppery bite that really complements the rich waffle base. For more fun savory bakes, you might enjoy checking out my recipe for Savory Cookies with Zucchini, Parmesan, and Red Onion; it uses similar flavor combinations!

Remember, the goal is flavor impact in a small package, so don’t try to substitute the butter in the waffle batter for oil—the butter gives it that necessary tenderness for a slider size. Keep it rich!

Serving Suggestions for Savory Waffle BLT Sliders

Since these sliders are already packed with bacon goodness, cheese, and carbs from the waffle goodness, we need to balance them out with something light and fresh! We definitely don’t want another heavy dish weighing us down after lunch.

My go-to pairing when I make these cheddar waffles is a chilled, bright side. Think about a simple little green salad with maybe a lemon vinaigrette—nothing too creamy. A little bowl of cool gazpacho in the summer hits the spot perfectly too! If you are packing these for a lunchbox, packing them alongside something like a refreshing Avocado Tuna Salad works great because it keeps things cool and tangy.

Keep the sides simple, folks; the waffle sliders are the real star here!

Storage and Reheating Tips for Leftover Savory Waffle BLT Sliders

Now, I’ll be honest, these sliders are definitely best eaten immediately while the waffle is perfectly warm and crisp. But hey, if you have leftovers, we can handle that! Don’t store them fully assembled, okay? The lettuce gets slimy and the tomatoes turn everything soggy in minutes. That’s just science.

Here’s my rule: keep the components separate. Store the leftover savory waffles in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep your bacon wrapped up, and store the tomato and lettuce chilled separately. When it’s time to eat them later, that waffle needs CPR!

The microwave is your enemy here; it turns waffles soft and sad. The absolute best way to reheat those cheesy waffles is briefly in a toaster oven or a regular oven set to about 350°F (175°C) until they are crisp again. It takes just a few minutes. Then, rebuild your slider with fresh toppings. For a fun side dish if you have extra time, try my recipe for Easy Tennessee Onions!

Frequently Asked Questions About Savory Waffle BLT Sliders

I’ve gathered up the questions I get most often when people first try using savory waffles for a meal instead of just pancakes. These sliders are so popular for a quick lunch, so here are some common troubleshooting tips!

Can I make the savory waffle batter ahead of time?

Honestly, I really don’t recommend holding the batter for too long. Because we put baking powder in there, it starts working right away. If you let it sit for hours, your waffles might end up a little flat and dense later on. The best bet is to whip it up right when you’re ready to cook your bacon. If you absolutely must prep early, mix the dry ingredients one day and the wet ingredients the next, but don’t combine them until about 10 minutes before you plan to waffle!

What is the best way to make the waffles crispy for these Savory Waffle BLT Sliders?

Crispiness is everything for a slider, right? The biggest trick is making sure your waffle iron is blazing hot before the batter even touches it. Don’t rush the preheat cycle; wait until the iron signals it’s ready, and then maybe wait another minute just to be safe! Also, I found that adding the cheese right into the mix helps because the cheese melts and crisps up at the edges, essentially sealing the waffle and making it hold its crunch longer. If you loved these, check out the tips I shared for BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders for another fun handheld experience!

Estimated Nutritional Breakdown for Savory Waffle BLT Sliders

I know some of you bakers are just as interested in the numbers as you are in the flour! It’s important to know what you’re eating, especially when you’re making something that tastes this decadent but only makes two sliders per serving. Remember, since we’re using sharp cheddar and bacon, these come out rich—but that’s what makes them taste so good, right?

The estimates below are based on a serving size of two sliders. I always tell people to take these numbers with a grain of salt, though. Every brand of cheese or bacon cooks down differently, so these figures are just educated guesses. If you start substituting ingredients, like swapping bacon for turkey bacon, things like sodium and protein are going to shift quite a bit!

Serving Size: 2 sliders
Calories: 450
Fat: 28g (including 14g saturated fat—hello, butter and cheese!)
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 18g
Sugar: 5g (Pretty low for a sandwich, which I love!)
Sodium: 750mg

See? Not terrible, especially when you consider how much joy these little cheddar delights bring to lunchtime. If you’re watching your sodium, remember that the bacon and the sharp cheddar are your biggest contributors here, so maybe dial back the salt in the actual waffle batter next time!

Savory Waffle BLT Sliders

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Small sandwiches made with savory waffles, bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped chives
12 slices cooked bacon
1 small tomato, thinly sliced
6 small lettuce leaves
Mayonnaise, for spreading

Instructions

Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and melted butter.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
Gently fold in the shredded cheese and chopped chives.
Preheat your waffle iron and lightly grease it.
Pour batter onto the iron to make four small, round waffles. Cook according to your waffle iron’s directions until golden brown and crisp. Repeat for remaining batter.
Slice each waffle in half horizontally to create eight slider-sized pieces.
Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the cut side of four waffle halves.
Top each with one slice of bacon, a slice of tomato, and a lettuce leaf.
Place the remaining four waffle halves on top to complete the sliders.

Notes

For extra flavor, add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese to the batter.
You can prepare the bacon ahead of time to speed up assembly.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Category: Lunch
Method: Waffling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 sliders
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5
Sodium: 750
Fat: 28
Saturated Fat: 14
Unsaturated Fat: 10
Trans Fat: 1
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 2
Protein: 18
Cholesterol: 120

Keywords: savory waffles, BLT, sliders, bacon, cheddar, quick lunch