Waffles do not have to mean syrup. This Open Face Ham and Egg Waffle Sandwich turns a warm waffle into the base for browned diced ham, soft scrambled eggs and melted cheese, finished with a swizzle of barbecue sauce.
It’s built for the mornings when there’s leftover ham in the fridge and nobody wants a sweet breakfast. Brown the ham hard first for crisp, salty edges, scramble the eggs soft in the same pan, then let the cheese melt over the top, under the broiler if you want it bubbling. Serve it straight off the stove while the waffle is still crisp.
🔪 Ingredients for Ham and Egg Waffle Sandwiches
- Waffles: fresh and warm. Any basic waffle recipe works, and so does a good frozen waffle.
- Diced ham: fully cooked, so it only needs to brown and heat through.
- Eggs: whisked with a splash of water for lighter, softer curds.
- Butter
- Salt and pepper
- Sliced cheese: cheddar or Swiss melt well over the eggs.
- Barbecue sauce: for the swizzle on top.
Equipment
- Skillet: one pan for the ham and then the eggs.
- Oven-safe pan: only if you finish the cheese under the broiler.
📝 How to Make Ham and Egg Waffle Sandwiches
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the diced ham and cook until it browns on all sides, the edges crisp and the ham is hot. Move it to a plate and cover.
- Melt the butter in the same skillet and wait for the foam to subside. Whisk the eggs with the water, raise the heat to medium and add the eggs. Season with salt and pepper and scramble until just set and still glossy.
- Divide the eggs over the warm waffles, top with the ham and lay the cheese over the top.
- For bubbling cheese, set the sandwiches on an oven-safe pan and broil 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese melts and bubbles.
- Swizzle barbecue sauce over the top and serve right away.
Got a ham steak instead of a bag of diced ham? Our Grilled Ham Steaks with Brown Sugar-Mustard Glaze leave plenty to dice for tomorrow’s waffles. For a brunch that goes bigger, stack the New England Maple Brunch Burger, and find more ways to start the day in our breakfast recipes.
🔄 Substitutions
- Leftover holiday ham or Canadian bacon: dice it and brown it the same way.
- Pepper jack: for heat in place of a mild cheese.
- Hot honey or maple syrup: instead of barbecue sauce, for a sweet and salty finish.
- Crumbled cooked sausage: swaps in for the ham. Brown it until hot and crisp at the edges.
💡 Meat Nerd Tips
- Dry the ham. Pat the diced ham dry before it hits the pan so it browns instead of steams.
- Pull the eggs early. Take them off the heat just before they look done. Carryover heat finishes them on the plate.
- Keep the waffles crisp. Hold them in a low oven on a rack, not stacked on a plate, so they don’t go soft.
🍽️ What to Serve with Ham and Egg Waffle Sandwiches
- Fresh fruit: something bright next to the salty ham and cheese.
- Hash browns: for a full diner-style plate.
- Sliced tomatoes: cool and juicy against the warm eggs.
- Strong coffee
🧊 Leftovers and Storage
- Best fresh: build these right before you eat them.
- Fridge: store the ham and eggs separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: re-crisp the waffles in a toaster or oven, warm the eggs gently and build fresh.
Open Face Ham and Egg Waffle Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 recipe Basic Waffles
- 1-2 cups diced ham
- 6 eggs more for family size
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 pat butter
- salt and pepper
- 3 slices cheese
- barbecue sauce for topping
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium low heat. Add the diced ham and cook until browning on all sides and hot. Remove to a plate, cover, and set aside.
- Melt a pat of butter in the same skillet over medium low heat. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl with the water. When the butter has melted and the foaming has subsided, swirl to coat pan. Increase heat to medium and add the eggs. Season with salt and pepper and scramble.
- Over fresh warm waffles, divide the scrambled eggs into portions and top with the diced ham. Layer cheese over top quickly so that it melts, or pop your piles under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely, to give the cheese a boost (on a baking pan or oven safe pan of course).
- Serve with a swizzle of barbecue sauce on top.
Notes
Save this Recipe
Would You Like to Send This Recipe to Yourself?
Bookmark this recipe now!
Quick Summary
Warm waffles topped with scrambled eggs, browned ham and melted cheese, finished with barbecue sauce. Brown the ham first and scramble in the ham pan. Melt the cheese under the broiler for the best finish.
❓ FAQs
Yes. Toast them until crisp before you build the sandwiches so they hold up under the eggs and ham.
Brown the ham and make the waffles ahead. Scramble the eggs fresh right before you build them, since reheated eggs turn rubbery.
Cheddar, Swiss, American or pepper jack. All four melt smoothly over warm eggs, and pepper jack adds heat.
Hungry for more? Subscribe to our newsletter and become part of the world’s best meat community! From grilling tips to smoky secrets, we send you the best recipes, guides, and expert advice to master every cut.
