Our mini cornbread waffles are the ultimate sweet-and-savory comfort food. Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and stacked with smoky sausage and honey barbecue sauce, this easy recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even dinner. If you’re looking for a fun twist on traditional cornbread, these cornbread waffles deliver big flavor with very little effort.
Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy weekend morning or looking for a hearty game day meal, these waffles are guaranteed to become a new favorite.
For more savory, double-duty eats, try our mini Buffalo chicken croissants, Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, and pulled pork loaded fries.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients
- Sweet and savory flavor combination everyone loves
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner
- Crispy golden exterior with a tender center
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Family-friendly
- Freezer-friendly and great for meal prep
Key Ingredients
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
- Jiffy Cornbread Mix: Gives the waffles that slightly sweet, buttery cornbread flavor that pairs perfectly with smoky sausage and barbecue sauce.
- Instant Pancake Mix: Helps make the waffles lighter and fluffier while giving them a crisp, golden exterior.
- Jalapeno & Cheese Smoked Sausage: The savory star of the sandwich. It brings smoky, cheesy, and slightly spicy flavors that balance the waffles’ sweetness.
- Honey BBQ Sauce: Ties the whole dish together with a sweet and tangy barbecue flavor that complements both the cornbread and sausage.
Variations
- Extra Spicy: Mix diced jalapeños into the batter for even more spicy flavor.
- Swap the Sausage: Use smoked sausage, kielbasa, andouille, or breakfast sausage, depending on your preference.
- Breakfast-Style: Top your cornbread waffles with a fried egg for a hearty breakfast sandwich.
- Cheesy: Fold shredded cheddar cheese into the batter before cooking.
How to Make Mini Cornbread Waffles with Spicy Sausage
1: Whisk the waffle batter ingredients until just combined.
2: Cook the waffles in a mini waffle maker according to its directions until all waffles are made.
3: Cook the sliced sausage until browned on both sides while the waffles are cooking.
4: Drizzle honey BBQ sauce over half the waffles. Then, top them with the sausage. Add more sauce, top with the remaining waffles, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Mix only until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can result in dense waffles instead of light and fluffy ones.
- To ensure soft waffles, let the batter rest for about 10 minutes before cooking.
- A properly heated waffle iron ensures crispy edges and even cooking.
- Be sure the sausage is golden and caramelized on the outside. It gives an extra flavor boost that pairs perfectly with the BBQ sauce.
Mini Cornbread Waffles FAQs
Cornbread waffles are made by cooking a mix of cornbread and waffle batter in a waffle iron instead of baking it in a pan. They have crispy golden edges, a soft and fluffy center, and plenty of pockets to hold delicious toppings like sausage and barbecue sauce.
Yes. While Jiffy Cornbread Mix is used in this recipe, you can substitute your favorite boxed mix or homemade cornbread mix.
Make sure your waffle iron is fully preheated before cooking and serve the waffles immediately after they’re made for the crispiest texture.
Dense waffles are usually due to overmixing. Mix the batter just until combined to limit gluten development, which causes dense waffles.
Refrigerate the waffles and sausage separately for up to 3 days in airtight containers.
Yes. Once cooled, place the waffles in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Delicious Pairings for Your Waffle Sandwiches
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Mini Cornbread Waffles with Jalapeno Cheese Sausage
Ingredients
Cornbread Waffles
- 8.5 ounce Jiffy cornbread mix
- 1 cup instant pancake mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Jalapeno Cheese Sausage
- 12 ounce jalapeno & cheese smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 cup honey barbecue sauce
Instructions
Cornbread Waffles
- Add all of the cornbread waffle ingredients to a medium sized bowl.
- Whisk until combined.
- Preheat waffle maker and prepare waffles according to manufacturer directions.
Jalapeno Cheese Sausage
- While waffles are cooking, heat a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the sliced smoked sausages and brown on each side.
- About 5 mins per side.
Assemble the Waffles
- Add a drizzle of honey barbecue sauce over each waffle.
- Add a slice of cooked sausage.
- Top with additional barbecue sauce and remaining waffle top.
Notes
- Mix only until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can result in dense waffles instead of light and fluffy ones.
- To ensure soft waffles, let the batter rest for about 10 minutes before cooking.
- A properly heated waffle iron ensures crispy edges and even cooking.
- Be sure the sausage is golden and caramelized on the outside. It gives an extra flavor boost that pairs perfectly with the BBQ sauce.
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