Savory and Sweet: Charcuterie Waffle Skewers You’ll Love

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Last updated on April 2nd, 2024 at 04:01 pm

My wife could never get too much breakfast food in her lifetime. It’s comfort food for her and she loves it. I believe that breakfast foods should be eaten strictly during breakfast or brunchtime. She thinks it is all-day food. So I’ve come up with these fun new charcuterie waffle skewers as a way of tricking myself into having breakfast food for lunch or dinner.

Combining unexpected ingredients like salty meats, sweet fruits, and waffles, this dish is sure to please a variety of palates. You’ve got a plate of assorted meats, fruits, and waffles cut into cubes, all placed on a skewer. These ingredients are then drizzled with maple syrup that brings the entire dish together. The salty and sweet flavors combine to create a sensational experience that will tantalize the taste buds and leave you wanting more.

These charcuterie waffle skewers are a delightful twist on the classic charcuterie board. Whether you’re planning a brunch gathering, or a party, or simply want to elevate your snacking game, these skewers are guaranteed to impress your guests and satisfy your cravings.

So, let’s dive into the world of culinary creativity and discover the magic of savory and sweet delights with our charcuterie waffle skewers recipe.

Make Waffles Like a Pro

Whipping up a batch of delicious waffles isn’t too difficult. Assuming you have a waffle iron. Otherwise, I guess you’re making pancakes.

Now, I may be a little biased, but I think that my buttermilk waffle recipe is the best.

The key to making the perfect waffle is to get the batter just right. The ideal consistency is a thick, creamy batter. To achieve this, my recipe uses whipped egg whites to give volume and fluffiness to the waffles. And be certain that you do not overmix the batter.

Once the batter is mixed, it’s time to start cooking. Many waffle makers will have different settings for doneness, so adjust the setting according to your preferences. I suggest a medium to medium-long cook time for the perfect crispy outside and fluffy inside.

When the waffle maker is preheated, pour the batter into the center of the iron and close it. Cook according to your waffle iron instructions. Allow the waffles to cook until golden brown and crisp (about 4 to 5 minutes in my experience).

When the waffles are finished, cut them into roughly even-sized squares. I mostly used the divots created by the waffle iron as an easy guide for splitting up the waffle. Aim for waffle squares about 2 inches per side.

The Charcuterie Renaissance: Exploring a Delicious Trend

Charcuterie boards have been on trend lately in the cooking world. I think it is mostly because the photos of them look so appetizing with all of the options beautifully laid out. So I wanted to pay my own homage to the trend while still making things my own.

Ditch the board and stuff everything onto a skewer for an easy, yet elegant twist. Introducing charcuterie waffle skewers! These offer the perfect combination of savory and sweet flavors, packed with a mix of delicious ingredients threaded onto a stick. By swapping the traditional charcuterie board for these whimsical skewers, you’ll add a fun and interactive element to your gatherings.

What Is Charcuterie?

Charcuterie is a French term that refers to a method of cooking focused on prepared meats. It comes from French words meaning cooked flesh. It was initially a way to cure, flavor, and preserve meats before refrigeration was available.

A traditional charcuterie board is a platter typically consisting of cured meats, cheeses, and crackers or bread. They’re also usually arranged and presented in a decorative fashion. They have evolved in modern cuisine to include a whole variety of ingredients. Nuts, fruits, spreads, dips, vegetables, and really anything that you think will pair well together on a platter.

And the term charcuterie itself has been taken over in the cooking world to essentially refer to a platter appetizer.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to charcuterie. The variety of meats, cheeses, and accompaniments available today makes it easy to create a unique and delicious combination of flavors and textures. Chefs, cooks, and hosts alike can feel free to get creative with their selections.

Why Waffle Skewers?

So with such endless possibilities, I wanted a unique charcuterie experience.

Waffles. I decided to incorporate the classic breakfast favorite into a charcuterie spread.

I wanted to add a fun twist on waffles. And waffle charcuterie skewers seemed to fit the bill. What’s more, the texture and flavor of waffles add a new dimension to the classic charcuterie board.

Waffle skewers are easy to assemble – just cut the waffles into cubes and skewer them with the other ingredients. You can top your waffle skewers with anything you like, from savory ingredients like cured meats and cheese to sweet toppings like fruit and chocolate. Get creative with it and have fun – the waffle skewers will be sure to be a hit!

Choosing the Right Ingredients for Your Charcuterie Waffle Skewers

To create the perfect charcuterie waffle skewer, it is essential to carefully select the right combination of ingredients. From sweet treats to savory delights, there is something for every palate.

The perfect waffle skewer needs a balance of sweet and savory, and choosing the right ingredients is key. The trick is to try and choose ingredients that complement and contrast well with each other. Also, try to choose ingredients that will skewer well and won’t just crack and break on you. This will make the whole skewer aspect pointless as it will all just fall off.

We know we will have waffles (otherwise they wouldn’t be waffle skewers…). Here are some other ideas and options to consider for both sweet and savory choices. In the recipe card itself, I give instructions to replicate the same skewers I made. But feel free to mix and match the sweet and savory ingredients based on my comments below.

The Sweet Ingredients

When it comes to these charcuterie waffle skewers, the true star of the show is undoubtedly the waffle itself. That’s why we need to carefully consider how each ingredient will harmonize with these scrumptious squares of pure breakfast bliss.

To balance out the flavors and add a touch of natural sweetness, include a selection of fruits such as strawberries, ripe bananas, and crisp apples. These fruits not only provide a delightful burst of freshness but also complement the waffle’s flavor profile beautifully. Feel free to get creative and experiment with other fruits like blueberries, mangoes, and apricots to add more variety and vibrant flavors to your skewers.

For those looking to indulge their sweet tooth, consider adding a touch of decadence with different confections like fluffy marshmallows, soft caramels, rich fudge, or even chocolate. While I haven’t personally tried skewering chocolate, it might be best to reserve it for a drizzling component (as mentioned in a later section of this post) to avoid any potential challenges with skewering.

The Savory Ingredients

Typical charcuterie boards include cured meats like salami, prosciutto, or bresaola. But this is a waffle-inspired dish. So more breakfast-oriented meats are on the menu.

Say hello to the mouthwatering combination of sausage and bacon gracing these skewers, offering a hearty and savory touch. But the options don’t stop there! You can also consider country ham, Canadian bacon, smoked salmon, or even fried chicken to add a touch of chicken and waffles vibes. Or try adding some homemade candied bacon to the mix. These meats infuse the skewers with smoky, savory, and spicy flavors that beautifully complement the sweet elements in this creation.

Finally, no charcuterie-inspired creation is truly complete without the addition of cheese. When it comes to assembling these charcuterie waffle skewers, opt for cheeses that have a slightly higher moisture content to ensure they hold up well on the skewer without crumbling.

Take your taste buds on a journey with a variety of cheese options, such as cubed cheddar cheese, fresh mozzarella, gouda cheese, or creamy brie. These cheeses bring a delightful combination of flavors and textures to the skewers. From the sharp and salty notes of cheddar to the smooth and creamy indulgence of brie, each cheese selection adds a distinct element that perfectly complements the sweet and smoky flavors of the cured meats. Prepare to experience a harmonious marriage of flavors that will leave you craving another bite.

Building Flavorful Layers: Assembling Waffle Skewers with Care

Now it’s time to assemble the glorious charcuterie waffle skewers. Building flavorful layers of waffles, fruits, cheeses, and savory meats requires a little patience and finesse. With that in mind, let’s explore the art of creating the perfect skewers.

Creating the waffle skewers starts with the skewers themselves. You can use disposable wood skewers or these reusable metal skewers I love that are from Amazon. 12-inch skewers seem to me to be the right size. Big enough to fit a fair amount of food, without being too unwieldy. Smaller skewers might also work better with a large spread of foods.

With the skewers in hand, it is time to start threading on the ingredients.

Simply start layering the different ingredients onto the skewers. I typically like to do this with an assembly station of sorts. Have a large platter or baking sheet set out for the finished skewers. Then have the skewers available with bowls of all the ingredients. Then start picking and choosing different ingredients to add.

I don’t typically follow the exact same pattern and like to mix it up with different ingredients next to each other each time. But maybe you’re someone who likes a little more order. Whatever works for you.

Some things may be tricky to skewer or tend to crumble apart as you attempt to stick them. Be gentle and try experimenting to find the best way to put it on. For example – I found that it worked best to skewer the bacon through some of the cooked fat rather than the meat.

Delectable Accompaniments for Charcuterie Waffle Skewers

With charcuterie waffle skewers being the star of the show, it is important to consider what delightful accompaniments can make the dish shine. Here are some ideas to get your mouth watering.

Toppings: Add toppings on the side or on top of the skewers for even more flavor. Have whipped cream, nuts, peanut butter or Nutella spread, and jams or preserves available for your guests.

Drizzles: Try drizzling a sweet syrup on top of the skewers for added flavor. Consider using maple syrup, yogurt, honey, chocolate syrup, or berry syrup. You may want to leave these on the side for dipping or allow individuals to drizzle their preferred topping. Don’t drizzle too early, because the waffles will soak it up and get soggy. Drizzle responsibly.

Sprinklings: Everything is just a bit more fun when you lightly sprinkle something on top. Use toasted shredded coconut, sprinkles, cinnamon, or powdered sugar to create a unique look for your charcuterie waffle skewers.

When it comes to charcuterie waffle skewers, the possibilities are endless. With the right accompaniments, you can create an unforgettable dish that will have your guests raving.

Other Breakfast and Brunch Options

Charcuterie waffle skewers are delicious, but you may want an even bigger spread and more options for a large gathering. Have some drink options available, especially smoothies, milk, and juices:

• Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
• Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie
• Decadent Hot Chocolate
• Green Kiwi Mango Smoothie

These skewers will pair well with almost any other breakfast food option. Here are a few recipes that you may want to try for a big group:

• Fry Bread Scones
• Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
• Fully Loaded Breakfast Burritos
• German Pancakes
• Simple Breakfast Crepes
• Apple Crisp
• Quiche Lorraine

How did yours turn out?

I’d love to hear when you try out this fun twist on waffles! Take a pic of your food and share your success with me by adding it to your Instagram stories or feed, and tagging me @doyouroux, or by using #doyouroux.

Plus, leave a rating to let me know how you liked the recipe. It helps me out a lot to know how things worked out… or didn’t.

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