Maple Bacon Waffle Burger (Printable)
Golden waffles sandwich juicy beef patties, crispy maple-glazed bacon, sharp cheddar, and zesty maple aioli for the ultimate sweet-savory brunch experience.
# What You'll Need:
→ Waffles
01 - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt
06 - 1 ¼ cups whole milk
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
09 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Maple Bacon
10 - 8 slices thick-cut bacon
11 - 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
→ Burger Patties
12 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
13 - 1 teaspoon salt
14 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
→ Toppings
15 - 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
16 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
17 - 1 cup baby arugula or lettuce
18 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for toasting waffles)
→ Maple Aioli
19 - ¼ cup mayonnaise
20 - 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
21 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
22 - Pinch of salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix until just combined—avoid overmixing for tender waffles.
02 - Preheat waffle iron and lightly grease. Cook waffles according to manufacturer's instructions until golden brown and crisp. Prepare 8 waffles total to serve as buns for 4 burgers. Keep warm until assembly.
03 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange bacon slices on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes, then brush both sides generously with maple syrup. Return to oven for 3–4 minutes until bacon is caramelized and crispy. Cool slightly and halve each slice.
04 - Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions and shape into patties slightly larger than your waffles. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
05 - Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook patties for 3–4 minutes per side for medium doneness. Place a cheddar slice on each patty during the final minute of cooking to melt.
06 - Whisk together mayonnaise, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth and fully incorporated.
07 - Butter one side of each waffle. Place in a skillet over medium heat and toast until golden brown and lightly crisped.
08 - Spread maple aioli on a toasted waffle. Layer with arugula, cheese-topped burger patty, maple bacon halves, and red onion slices. Top with a second waffle. Repeat for remaining servings and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The waffle pockets catch every drop of maple aioli and burger juice
- Its the hangover cure that nobody asked for but everyone secretly wants
- That first bite hits every flavor note your Sunday morning is missing
02 -
- Let cooked waffles cool on a wire rack instead of stacking them or they'll steam themselves soggy
- Room temperature burgers sear better than cold ones straight from the fridge
- That maple bacon needs those last few minutes under heat to actually candy—rushing it means sticky mess
03 -
- Reserve a tablespoon of bacon grease and mix it into your burger patties for extra depth
- If waffles start getting soggy, pop the assembled burger under the broiler for 30 seconds