Cornbread Waffles With Chili Topping

This is a terrible, terrible picture. I'm sorry about that. I would have taken a new picture this morning and made it look all amazing in natural light, a sprinkling of bright green cilantro in all the right places- but there was nothing left to take pictures of after dinner last night.

When my husband called me after work to tell me he was on his way home last night and ask the burning question, "What's for dinner?", I told him we were having cornbread waffles with chili on top. A looooong silence came next and then "Um, ok. Well that sounds different.". I knew I was dealing with a skeptic and I was determined to bring him over to the cornbread waffle lovin' side of life. The kids and I had already eaten, so I knew exactly how good these were....and I knew Hubby would like them too!

These waffles are very simple to make and basically they just change the way you eat cornbread and chili. It's the same flavors but served in a slightly different, fun way. My kids eat anything with beans with relish, but chili and cornbread has never been their favorite. Last night I was making waffles as fast as they could eat them! As they say- this was kid tested and mom approved :)

I'll give you the recipe for the cornbread that I made, but really you can use any cornbread recipe that you like. This recipe makes a LOT of waffles, so it was great for our family, but if you need only a few you could even use a couple of boxes of cornbread mix. Top these off with your favorite chili, cheese, sour cream, onions, cilantro, jalapenos- anything that you like to eat on a bowl of chili. Very versatile and super easy to make to fit your families tastes and likes.

I don't want anyone to accuse me of stealing their recipe, so I want to mention that this is my take on a Paula Deen recipe I found on the Food Network website. I just used my favorite cornbread and chili in place of the ones she used :)

Cornbread Waffle

2 cups cornmeal

2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons baking powder

2 teaspoons salt

2 cups milk

2/3 cup oil

2 eggs, slightly beaten

6 Tablespoons butter, melted

Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Combine milk, oil, and eggs. Mix well.

Add to flour mixture and mix until just combined. Stir in melted butter and bake on a hot waffle iron until golden brown. You will need to spray the waffle iron with non stick spray or brush with butter if you don't want to end up with a stuck on mess. Learn from my mistakes, don't make them for yourself. 

Top with warm chili and any toppings that you like. 

Looking for other cornbread recipes? Find all of my favorites right here!!