Aaaaahh Breakfast!  I love weekends or summer mornings when we have time to enjoy a truly good hot breakfast.  Summer is a little slower, family comes to visit, and there is time to enjoy these yummy Ham and Cheese Waffles topped with butter and warm maple syrup . . . yum!

You know, Father’s Day is next weekend – I bet the man in your life would love these hot waffles loaded with ham and melty cheese!

And although the man in my life doesn’t eat them, I highly recommend a soft cooked egg on top for a complete hot, delicious, and hearty breakfast – or dinner.

Ham and Cheese Waffles

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3 large egg whites
3 large egg yolks
1 cup (2 sticks) melted butter
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup soda water
non-stick vegetable oil spray
1 cup thinly-cut strips of ham
3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
maple syrup for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 300°.  Heat waffle iron until very hot.

Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites in a medium bowl until medium-soft peaks form. Whisk egg yolks, melted butter, buttermilk, and soda water in a medium bowl; gradually whisk into dry ingredients. Fold in egg whites.

Coat waffle iron with non-stick vegetable oil spray.  Pour batter onto iron, spreading it into corners (amount of batter needed will vary according to machine).  Scatter 1 rounded tablespoon ham and 1 tablespoon cheddar over each waffle. Cook until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a baking sheet; keep waffles warm in oven between batches.  Serve with butter and warm maple syrup.

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit