My claim not to be a gadget girl maybe in jeopardy. Its not my fault. I blame my friend Audrey, Okay, maybe it isn’t Audrey’s fault but she started it. A few weeks ago we were able to get together for the first time since the pandemic started and she gave me a Dash mini waffle maker. Audrey wants me to try making Chaffles. If you don’t know what they are don’t feel bad. I didn’t either, beyond they were something people following the keto diet ate. I am going to try them but the first time I went to make them I was out of cheese and you can’t make chaffles without cheese. So I decided to make the banana bread waffles from the booklet that came with the waffle maker instead.
The reason I try and stay away from kitchen gadgets is they are often expensive, don’t work as promised, can only do one thing, and gadgets tend to be big and take a lot of space to store. Most gadgets are just not worth it. The question is is the Dash Mini Waffle Maker worth it or is it just another gadget taking up space in the kitchen?
What I like:
- Surprisingly, the waffle maker works and works well. The wells are deep enough to make thick, fluffy waffles. The waffles don’t stick to the plates. The waffle maker preheats and cooks the waffles quickly.
- The mini waffle maker is 9.99 on the Dash website and Amazon. I also saw them when I was at Walmart and Target for about the same price. In my opinion, this isn’t a bad price for what you get. I have seen less well made gadgets sell for a lot more.
- Can you make other things than breakfast waffles on the waffle Iron? A quick internet search gave me a lot of ideas for dinner and dessert waffles. I also checked out a blog called the Will It Waffle, where I got tons of non waffle food ideas to make on the waffle iron. The only limit, I can see to what you can waffle is the size of your waffle maker. In some cases, having a mini waffle iron can be a drawback.
- Its small size makes it easy to find a place for it in my cupboards. It takes up less space than my electric tea kettle so I can leave it on the counter without looseing too much counter space.
Suprisingly, the waffles are really delicious. I have to admit, I have been using this a lot more than thought I would and still have ideas of things I want to do with it. It isn”t practical if you are making waffles for a crowd but if you are making waffles for youself or two it is handy. The waffles freeze well and reheat nicely in a 350 degree oven for 5 – 10 minutes.
Mini Banana Waffles
Adapted from The Dash Mini Waffle Maker Instruction Manual
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 cup mashed banana
6 TBS milk or buttermilk
2 TBS brown sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 TBS canola oil
Preheat your mini waffle Iron while you make your waffle batter.
In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt. Stir to combine. In another small bowl, combine the mashed banana, buttermilk, brown sugar, egg and oil. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and well combined.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just moistened. Spray preheated waffle iron with a little non-stick cooking spray. Place 4 tablespoons of waffle batter in the middle of the lower plate. Close the lid and let cook until the indicator light goes off. Of the waffles aren’t done to your liking feel free to cook it a little more. Serve with maple syrup and butter, if desired.
A Cuppa And Conversation 