CommunityApproved

Waffle Iron Fried Cheese (Queso Frito)

Name: Waffle Iron Fried Cheese (Queso Frito)
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon paprika, or a pinch of cayenne pepper; 1/2 pound low-moisture mozzarella, sliced about 1/2 inch thick (see note); 2 large eggs, beaten; 1/2 cup bread crumbs; Nonstick cooking spray; Salsa, for serving (optional)

Crunchy melted cheese made in a waffle iron, with serving ideas from the Serious Eats source.

Dish: Queso Frito

Variant: Waffle-Iron Queso Frito

Source: Waffle Iron Fried Cheese (Queso Frito)

Total time: 15 min
Active time: 10 min
Yield: Serves 4
Difficulty: Medium
Equipment: 1 required

Approved Reviewed1 Sources2 Controls0 Tests0 SafetyAI assisted, reviewed

A closeup of waffle iron "fried" cheese.Credit: Serious Eats / Daniel Shumski · Waffle Iron Fried Cheese (Queso Frito)Dev reference

Ingredients and Constraints

Ingredients

Preparation: Sliced About 1/2 Inch Thick
Optional

Ingredient watchpoints2 watchpoints

Short requirements and tradeoffs to check while gathering ingredients; detailed source notes stay expandable.

Substitution boundaryRecommendedFlexible

Paprika

1/2 teaspoon paprika, or a pinch of cayenne pepper

The source ingredient row lists alternatives.

Details and source

Acceptable alternatives: a pinch of cayenne pepper

Source: Waffle Iron Fried Cheese (Queso Frito)

Form or preparationRecommendedConstrained

Low-moisture Mozzarella

1/2 pound low-moisture mozzarella, sliced about 1/2 inch thick (see note)

The source row includes a form, size, temperature, or preparation detail.

Details and source

Source: Waffle Iron Fried Cheese (Queso Frito)

Additional ingredient notes

Required setup

Equipment

Method Timeline

Prep

Active

Prep

10 min

Source Recipe JSON-LD prepTime.

Cook

Active

Cook

5 min

Source Recipe JSON-LD cookTime.

Finish

Active

Finish

Not listed

Final serving step and finishing actions from the source directions.

1
Step 1
Preheat waffle iron. (Set it to medium if it has temperature controls.)
PreheatWaffle Iron
Inputs and tools2
Equipment
Techniques
2
Step 2
On a plate, mix flour with paprika or cayenne. Place eggs in a second plate or bowl and bread crumbs in a third. Working one slice at a time, coat cheese in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs.
Coat
Inputs and tools6
Uses
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon paprika, or a pinch of cayenne pepper
1/2 pound low-moisture mozzarella, sliced about 1/2 inch thick (see note)
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup bread crumbs
Techniques
3
Step 3
Spray both sides of waffle iron with nonstick spray, place as many cheese slices as will fit in waffle iron, and close lid. Cook until bread crumbs turn golden brown, about 1 minute. Repeat with any remaining cheese.
1 minCookWaffle Iron
Visual cue
until bread crumbs turn golden brown, about 1 minute
Checks2
Visual cueInfoVisual
until bread crumbs turn golden brown, about 1 minute
Expected state: until bread crumbs turn golden brown, about 1 minute
TimingInfoTiming
about 1 minute
Target: 1 minute
Expected state: Cook until bread crumbs turn golden brown, about 1 minute.
Inputs and tools4
Uses
1/2 pound low-moisture mozzarella, sliced about 1/2 inch thick (see note)
Nonstick cooking spray
Equipment
Techniques
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
Source: Waffle Iron Fried Cheese (Queso Frito)
4
Step 4
Serve hot on its own or with salsa for dipping.
Serve
Checks1
ServiceMain recipe
Source service instruction
Serve hot on its own or with salsa for dipping.
Inputs and tools2
Uses
Salsa, for serving (optional)
Techniques
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
Source: Waffle Iron Fried Cheese (Queso Frito)

Learn More

Extra cooking notes, tests, and source details kept out of the step-by-step method.

Testing notes

Useful tests and side-by-side notes after the method is clear.

ComparisonWaffle Iron Fried Cheese (Queso Frito)

Testing photos

Photos that support the article's cooking notes.

Image detailsCloseup of waffle iron fried cheese, stacked on a cutting board. Dipping sauces are visible in the blurred background.Serious Eats / Daniel Shumski · Waffle Iron Fried Cheese (Queso Frito)Dev reference

Source: Waffle Iron Fried Cheese (Queso Frito)

Recipe structure

Components and intermediate outputs created by the method.

Main recipe

Recipe card ingredients and steps.

Serves 4

Extra useful notes

Short source-backed recommendations and facts that do not need a step.

Recommendation

Any good melting cheese such as young provolone, fontina, Jack, cheddar, or a queso chihuahua can be used in place of the mozzarella.

Any good melting cheese such as young provolone, fontina, Jack, cheddar, or a queso chihuahua can be used in place of the mozzarella. Avoid fresh mozzarella or dry cheese meant for grating. Some recipes call for the breaded cheese to be refrigerated (or frozen) before cooking. I did not find this to be necessary with the waffle iron version, but you can certainly bread the cheese several hours ahead and refrigerate it until you're ready to waffle.

Recipe Utilities

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Source and Origin

Origin declaration

Adapted from source

Imported from the Serious Eats page for dev review.

Copy risk: Unchecked

Waffle Iron Fried Cheese (Queso Frito)
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