Description

These Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Waffles paired with a hearty Turkey Chile Con Queso Dip offer a spicy and savory twist on traditional cornbread. The waffles are crispy on the outside with a tender crumb inside, infused with sharp cheddar cheese and fresh jalapeño heat. The accompanying turkey chile con queso dip is a rich, creamy blend of ground turkey, spices, tomatoes, and melted cheese, making it a perfect comfort food combination for brunch, appetizers, or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Waffles

¾ cup cornmeal
¼ cup sweet rice flour
¼ cup gluten-free oat flour
¼ cup millet flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
¾ cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 large jalapeño, seeds removed and minced

Turkey Chile Con Queso Dip

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup yellow onion, minced
2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 3 large cloves)
½ lb ground turkey
½ teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder
¼ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons sweet rice flour
1¾ cups milk
1½ cups shredded sharp cheese
Optional: lime wedges, for serving

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Instructions

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, sweet rice flour, oat flour, millet flour, sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt until fully combined and uniform.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until the mixture is smooth and blended. Add the melted and cooled unsalted butter and whisk again to combine thoroughly.
Combine Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients while whisking to create a smooth batter. Gently fold in the grated sharp cheddar cheese and minced jalapeño, distributing evenly through the batter without overmixing.
Cook Waffles (Electric Waffle Iron): Preheat the waffle iron and lightly spray with oil if necessary. Pour the batter onto the waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions and cook until the waffles are golden brown and cooked through, typically about 3-5 minutes depending on your appliance.
Cook Waffles (Stovetop Waffle Iron): Heat the waffle iron over medium heat on both sides for 3 minutes. Lightly spray with oil. Pour a scant ¼ cup of batter into each waffle square. Cook for 90 seconds, then flip and cook for an additional 90-120 seconds or until golden brown. Transfer cooked waffles to a wire rack to crisp up and repeat with remaining batter.
Serve Waffles: Serve the waffles immediately or reheat gently in a toaster before serving.
Cook Turkey Mixture: In a skillet, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced onion and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add ground turkey along with cumin, chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring and breaking up the meat, until turkey is fully browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in drained diced tomatoes and remove from heat.
Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Whisk in the sweet rice flour to create a roux and cook for about 1-2 minutes without browning. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the shredded sharp cheese until it melts completely into a smooth sauce.
Combine Dip: Fold the cooked turkey mixture gently into the cheese sauce until fully incorporated and heated through.
Serve: Spoon the warm Turkey Chile Con Queso Dip into bowls. Serve alongside the freshly prepared cheddar jalapeño waffles. Garnish with optional lime wedges to add a bright contrast when serving.

Notes

Waffle cooking times may vary depending on waffle iron brand and model; watch for a golden brown exterior to determine doneness.
For spicier waffles, leave some jalapeño seeds in or add additional minced jalapeños to the batter.
The dip can be kept warm in a slow cooker or warming tray for parties or gatherings.
Gluten-free flours are used to keep this recipe gluten-friendly, but ensure your cornbread and oat flours are certified gluten-free if needed.
Leftover waffles can be refrigerated and reheated in the toaster or oven for best texture.
Use full-fat sharp cheddar cheese for the richest flavor and best melting in both waffles and dip.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American