The Savory Ingredient That Gives An Umami Twist To Basic Frozen Waffles

It's all too easy to underestimate frozen waffles. They are done the moment they leave the toaster, occasionally dressed in a few drizzles of syrup and a pat of butter. Often eaten half-awake or when we're too busy to actually make breakfast from scratch, there's not much chance for them to reach their full potential. It's time to stop wasting your mornings on this boring routine and add some toppings to elevate your frozen waffles. No more monotonous waffles — especially not when you've got sautéed mushrooms cooking on the stove.

No matter how good your favorite frozen waffle brands are, there's only so much you can eat before the same few flavors get tedious. The bright side, of course, is that eggy mildness makes a perfect canvas for the umami flavor of sautéed mushrooms to shine. Tender, sauce-drenched mushrooms cascade over the firm, crispy-edged waffles — seeping all the way into the airy center as you slice the knife into it. Contrary to initial thoughts, their deeply savory taste won't clash with the light sweetness. Similar to chicken and waffles, it's actually that very flavor contrast that makes the experience unusually exciting. 

This twist on basic frozen waffles only gets better and better the more you dig into it, unraveling umami depth and creamy vibrancy between layered bites. It's pure heaven on a plate, and for something you whip up at 7 a.m., that's almost too good to be true.

Sautéed mushrooms work with all kinds of flavorings and condiments. Soy sauce, maple syrup, and a bit of seasonings never disappoint, especially when you want to simply highlight the umami taste — and don't forget a pinch of garlic for the flavor-boosting aroma. Another foolproof companion is gravy or mushroom gravy, should you want a rich, savory depth instead. If you're in the mood to get a little more sophisticated, you could also make white wine sautéed mushrooms – you might just end up with a restaurant-worthy brunch.

Speaking of brunch, you're also just a few extra ingredients away from turning your frozen waffles into an Instagram moment. Sometimes, all that takes is a beautifully-cooked egg. It could be a fried or a poached egg to get that jammy yolk, and while you're at it, throw in a hollandaise sauce for a Benedict-style twist. Undoubtedly, leafy greens and herbs are just as welcome — after all, there's no going wrong with spinach, chives, and parsley in a mushroom dish. Since you're going full umami, you may as well lean into some spice with an addition of chili crisp, hot honey, or sriracha. 

Having said that, waffles aren't reserved for breakfast or even brunch. When you look through the fridge and see leftover chicken rotisserie, consider making yourself an easy yet flavorful dinner with these ingredients. The same goes for bacon which, let's be honest, is good at any time of the day. You can also switch up the mushroom varieties every now and then. Cremini mushrooms might be one of the most common choices out there, but oyster mushrooms will blow you away with their meaty earthiness — and they make a fabulous fried chicken substitute, if you're up to the task.