If you love rice and beans, you must try my new Cheesy Rice and Bean Waffles! They’re so easy to make and packed with flavor and protein. You only need three main ingredients and a waffle machine to make these delicious and fun waffles. Load on all your favorite toppings and enjoy them for lunch, dinner, or snacks.
I revisited my Cheesy Gnocchi Waffle recipe last week and was inspired to make more out-of-the-box waffle recipes to share. I could eat beans and rice for every meal and be a happy camper, so I thought it would be fun to do beans and rice in waffle form. I used pinto beans and white rice, but this recipe is really versatile, and you can use any kind of beans or grains that you like. Top these non-traditional waffles with salsa and avocado and enjoy!
Why You’ll Love These Easy Cheesy Waffles
- Easy to make – To make these delicious “waffles,” mix up some rice, beans, and seasonings and then layer them into a mini waffle maker with some shredded cheese. Each waffle only takes about 4-5 minutes to cook. They’re best when enjoyed warm because that makes them super cheesy.
- Great for snacks or meals – These rice and bean waffles are filling enough for lunch or dinner and easy to make for snack time. This recipe turns beans and rice into a hand-held meal that is perfect for little kids.
- Fun to enjoy with toppings – Waffles are meant to be topped with all kinds of delicious toppings, and these savory waffles are no different. I love enjoying these rice and bean waffles with salsa, avocado, veggies, and more.
Why Your Body Will Love These Savory Waffles
- Perfect Protein – Rice and beans combine to create the perfect protein, which means that together, they contain all the essential amino acids the body needs to function.
- Digestive Health – Beans are high in insoluble fiber, which helps bulk up the digestive system and prevent constipation. The fiber in beans also acts as a prebiotic that feeds the good bacteria in the large intestine and carries out toxins in the system.
- Vitamins, Minerals, and Carbohydrates – Rice contains several vitamins and minerals essential for our bodies to function properly. These include iron, B vitamins, potassium, and magnesium. Rice, which is rich in carbohydrates, is a great source of sustained energy.
Cheesy Rice and Bean Waffle Recipe Ingredients
- Rice – I’ve been buying microwave rice lately because it always has the perfect texture and is ready in three minutes. Any kind of rice will work, though. You can also substitute quinoa or another grain of choice.
- Beans – For this waffle recipe, you can use any kind of beans you like. I used canned pinto beans that I lightly mashed with a fork. Refried beans would probably also work, as long as they aren’t too liquidy.
- Cheese – I love buying blocks of cheese and grating my own for recipes, but I’ve found that pre-shredded cheese works best when using a waffle maker. Freshly grated cheese can get liquidy when melted and doesn’t hold its shape in the waffle maker. You certainly can use fresh cheese; it just may take a little longer for it to get crispy.
- Spices – I like to season the rice and bean mixture with cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. You can also use a teaspoon or two of packaged fajita, chili, or taco seasoning.
How To Make Seasoned Rice and Bean Waffles
- Add the beans to a medium-sized bowl and use a fork to mash about half of them (optional). Next, add the cooked rice, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. Mix everything together well.
- Turn on the waffle maker. Once it’s heated, spray the top and bottom with cooking spray. To the bottom of the waffle maker, add about 1 Tablespoon of shredded cheese (and make sure to spread it out evenly). Then top with 1/4 cup of the rice and bean mixture, spread in an even layer, and lastly, top with 1 more tablespoon of shredded cheese.
- Close the waffle maker and try to close it as tightly as you can. It may take about 30 seconds to close it completely. Cook the waffles until golden brown on both sides, 3-4 minutes. Remove the waffle from the waffle maker and let it cool on a wire cooling rack. Repeat until the rice and bean mixture is used up. Enjoy cheesy rice and bean waffles with your favorite southwestern-inspired toppings.
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
- This recipe is already gluten-free.
- Can this recipe be made vegan? I haven’t tried this recipe using vegan cheese yet, so I’m not sure if it will work the exact same way as regular cheese. You may have the best luck using a meltable shredded vegan cheese substitute.
- How many waffles does this recipe make? This recipe can easily be customized to make as many or as few waffles as you like. My exact recipe makes about 4 waffles.
- How should these waffles be enjoyed? You can enjoy them all by themselves or top them with your favorite southwestern-inspired toppings, like avocado, salsa, or hot sauce.
- How long do leftovers last? If stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container, leftover waffles should last about five days. Reheat them in the microwave, oven, or toaster.
- Are these waffles freezer-friendly? Yes, you can freeze them. I suggest allowing the waffles to cool completely and then storing them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost in the oven or in the toaster until heated through.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below and I will get back to you ASAP!
Looking For More Cheesy Vegetarian Recipes?
Cheesy Buffalo Butternut Pasta
Cheesy Green Chili Pinto Beans
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole Bites
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Cheesy Rice and Bean Waffles
Description
If you love rice and beans, you have to make my new Cheesy Rice and Bean Waffles! They’re so easy to make and packed with tons of flavor and protein. You only need 3 main ingredients and a waffle machine to make these delicious and fun waffles. Load on all your favorite toppings and enjoy for lunch, dinner or snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup cooked pinto beans
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese, I like to use a colby jack mix
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Add the beans to a medium sized bowl and use a fork to mash about half of them (optional). Next, add in the cooked rice, paprika, cumin, garlic powder and salt. Mix everything together well.
- Turn on the waffle maker. Once it is heated up, spray the top and the bottom with cooking spray. To the bottom of the waffle maker, add about 1 tablespoon shredded cheese. Then top 1/4 cup of the rice and bean mixture, spread in an even layer, and lastly top with 1 more tablespoon of shredded cheese.
- Close the waffle maker, and try to close it as tightly as you can, it may take about 30 seconds to be able to close it completely. Cook waffles until golden brown, on both sides, 3-4 minutes. Remove waffle from the waffle maker and let cool on a wire cooling rack. Repeat until rice and bean mixture is used up. Enjoy cheesy rice and bean waffles with your favorite southwestern inspired toppings.
Brilliant! Can’t wait to make these for my kids. Running to buy a waffle maker!!
Awesome!! I hope they enjoy! 🙂