Crispy Cheddar Waffles with Lemony Broccoli Smash & Jammy Eggs
Category
Brunch
Prep
25 minutes
Cook
30 minutes
Style
American
Technique
Boiling
Diet Friendly
Vegetarian
Daily Recipe: May 02, 2026
This spring brunch leans American in spirit but feels fresh and unexpected: crispy-edged cheddar-scallion waffles topped with a silky lemony broccoli smash, jammy eggs, quick-pickled radishes, and a shower of herbs. Broccoli is the star, charred and vivid green, then folded with ricotta and lemon for richness without heaviness. The result is savory, seasonal, and beautifully photogenic with lots of texture and color contrast.
Ingredients (for 4)
- Broccoli - 2 large heads (about 1 1/2 lb total) - cut into florets with tender stems sliced
- Broccoli leaves - 1 cup loosely packed - torn
- Sharp cheddar cheese - 1 cup - shredded
- Whole-milk ricotta - 3/4 cup
- Large eggs - 8 - 4 for boiling and 4 for waffle batter
- All-purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
- Cornmeal - 1/2 cup
- Baking powder - 2 tsp
- Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
- Buttermilk - 1 1/2 cups
- Unsalted butter - 6 tbsp - melted
- Scallions - 4 - thinly sliced
- Radishes - 4 medium - very thinly sliced
- Fresh dill - 1/4 cup - chopped
- Fresh chives - 1/4 cup - finely chopped
- Lemon - 1 large - zested and juiced
- Honey - 2 tbsp
- Crushed red pepper flakes - 1/2 tsp
- Dijon mustard - 1 tsp
- Apple cider vinegar - 2 tbsp
- Garlic - 1 small clove - finely grated
- Black pepper - 1 tsp
- Kosher salt - 2 tsp
- Olive oil - 3 tbsp
Preparation
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Step 1 - 🌸🥣⏳Toss the sliced radishes with apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, a pinch of kosher salt, and a little black pepper. Let them sit for at least 15 minutes, tossing once or twice.
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Step 2 - 🥚💧🧊Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Gently add 4 large eggs and cook for 7 minutes. Transfer to ice water, let cool, then peel and halve before serving.
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Step 3 - 🥦🔥🍳Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Toss the broccoli florets, sliced tender stems, and broccoli leaves with 2 tablespoons olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning now and then, until crisp-tender and lightly charred. Save a few nice florets for garnish.
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Step 4 - 🥦🍋⚡Add most of the cooked broccoli to a food processor with ricotta, lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, half the dill, half the chives, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and black pepper. Pulse until thick and spreadable with some texture left. Taste and adjust with more salt or lemon if needed.
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Step 5 - 🥣🌽✨Preheat the waffle iron. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
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Step 6 - 🥚🧈🧀In another bowl, whisk the remaining 4 large eggs with the buttermilk and melted unsalted butter. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and sliced scallions.
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Step 7 - 🥄🌀👌Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and fold gently just until combined. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine.
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Step 8 - 🧇🔥⏱️Lightly butter or oil the waffle iron. Cook the batter in batches for 4 to 6 minutes per batch, or until the waffles are deeply golden and crisp. Keep warm on a rack if needed.
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Step 9 - 🍯🌶️🍋In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1 tablespoon honey, crushed red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
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Step 10 - 🧇🥚🌿Spread or spoon the broccoli smash over the waffles or onto plates. Top with the halved jammy eggs, reserved broccoli florets, pickled radishes, and the remaining dill and chives. Finish with extra lemon zest, a drizzle of chili honey, a little olive oil, and more black pepper to taste.
Additional
For an even more dramatic finish, top with microgreens or pea shoots. If you want to make it heartier, add crisp-edged breakfast potatoes or smoked trout on the side. Kids can help whisk the waffle batter, mix the chili honey, and arrange the radishes and herbs for a colorful brunch board.