A mini griddle is a versatile appliance that allows you to cook a variety of foods quickly and easily. With a compact cooking surface, mini griddles are ideal for small kitchens or for cooking for one or two people. From breakfast staples like pancakes and eggs to lunch and dinner fare like quesadillas and panini, read on to discover all the delicious recipes you can whip up on your mini griddle.
Breakfast Recipes
One of the most popular uses for a mini griddle is making breakfast foods. The flat cooking surface allows you to cook items like pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and more with ease. Here are some of the best breakfast recipes to try on your mini griddle:
Pancakes
Fluffy pancakes are a breeze to make on a mini griddle. Simply pour the batter onto the preheated cooking surface and flip when the tops bubble. You can make silver dollar pancakes for one or larger pancakes to share. Top them off with maple syrup, fresh fruit, whipped cream, or other favorite pancake toppings.
Eggs
A mini griddle is perfect for frying, scrambling, or making omelets with eggs. Use a nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. For fried eggs, crack the eggs directly onto the griddle. For scrambled eggs or omelets, beat the eggs in a bowl first before pouring onto the griddle to cook. You can make a simple egg for breakfast sandwiches or load up an omelet with your choice of fillings like cheese, veggies, ham, etc.
French Toast
For a deliciously indulgent breakfast, whip up french toast on your mini griddle. Soak sliced bread in an egg mixture, then fry on the preheated griddle until golden brown on both sides. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or maple syrup and serve. Slices of challah, brioche, or cinnamon raisin bread work great for making french toast.
Bacon and Sausage
Cook up crispy bacon and sausage links or patties on the mini griddle alongside your other breakfast items. The flat cooking surface allows the fat to render out evenly for crisp results. Drain on paper towels and enjoy with your eggs, pancakes, or breakfast sandwiches.
Breakfast Potatoes
Make crispy roasted breakfast potatoes on the stovetop with your mini griddle. Simply dice potatoes, toss with oil and seasonings, then cook on the preheated griddle until browned and tender. Flip occasionally for even cooking. Potatoes are a tasty accompaniment to any egg dish.
Breakfast Quesadillas
For a quick and easy hot breakfast, whip up breakfast quesadillas on your mini griddle. Fill a flour tortilla with scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon, peppers, onions, etc. Fold in half and cook on each side until the cheese is melted. Slice into wedges and enjoy with salsa, guacamole or sour cream.
Breakfast Sandwiches
Assemble personalized breakfast sandwiches using your mini griddle. Cook eggs, meat, or potatoes on the griddle, then pile onto an English muffin, biscuit, or bagel along with cheese and other toppings. The mini griddle lets you conveniently cook all the components of your sandwich in one spot.
Lunch and Dinner Recipes
In addition to breakfast, a mini griddle can be used to prepare quick lunches, dinners, and snacks. Here are some savory mini griddle recipe ideas for later in the day:
Quesadillas
Whip up delicious quesadillas packed with cheese and your choice of fillings. Cook flour or corn tortillas lightly on each side until the cheese is melted. Try fillings like chicken, ground beef, black beans, sautéed veggies, etc. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or other dipping sauces.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Nothing beats a perfectly crisp and melty grilled cheese sandwich. Use your mini griddle to cook up this classic comfort food. Choose breads like sourdough, rye, or ciabatta and fill with cheese varieties such as cheddar, Swiss, gouda, etc. Add ham or tomato for extra flavor.
Panini
Create Italian-style pressed sandwiches using the mini griddle. Layer meats, cheeses, and veggies between slices of ciabatta or focaccia bread. Brush the outsides with oil or butter and cook on the preheated griddle until the bread is toasty and fillings are warm.
Burgers
Cook juicy burgers with ease on the convenient flat surface of your mini griddle. Form ground beef into patties and enhance with seasonings. Place on the hot griddle and cook to your desired doneness, flipping once. Serve on buns with all your favorite burger toppings.
Steaks and Chicken
The mini griddle can also be used for cooking small cuts of steak, pork chops, chicken breasts, or other meats. Lightly oil the cooking surface, then cook your protein over medium-high heat until done. The flat surface ensures even browning.
Stir Frys
Fire up a quick veggie stir fry using the mini griddle. Sauté sliced veggies like broccoli, carrots, peppers, snap peas, etc. in oil with minced garlic and soy sauce or stir fry sauce. Serve over rice for a fast meal.
Fajitas
Make sizzling fajitas with ease. Cook strips of chicken or steak with sliced onions and peppers on the griddle. Warm tortillas on the flat surface as well. Then assemble into wraps along with desired toppings.
Seafood
The mini griddle can cook a variety of seafood including shrimp, scallops, tilapia fillets, salmon, and more. Brush with oil and cook through over medium-high heat until done to your liking. Pair with rice or a salad.
Pizza
Make personal-sized pizzas on your mini griddle. Flatten refrigerated or homemade pizza dough onto the lightly oiled cooking surface. Top with sauce, cheese, and favorite pizza toppings. Cook until the crust is crisp and cheese is bubbly.
Quesadillas
Whip up delicious quesadillas packed with cheese and your choice of fillings. Cook flour or corn tortillas lightly on each side until the cheese is melted. Try fillings like chicken, ground beef, black beans, sautéed veggies, etc. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or other dipping sauces.
Grilled Veggies
Get your veggie fix by grilling seasonal produce on the mini griddle. Try thick slices of zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, portobello mushrooms, corn on the cob, and more. Toss or brush with oil and cook until tender with nice grill marks.
Desserts
Your mini griddle isn’t just for savory cooking – it can also turn out quick single-serving desserts. Here are some sweet treats to consider making:
Pancakes
While great for breakfast, pancakes also make an easy dessert. Make them a little smaller and top with chocolate chips, sliced fruit, whipped cream, or ice cream for a sweet treat.
Crepes
Fill paper-thin crepes made on the mini griddle with sweet ingredients like fresh fruit, chocolate-hazelnut spread, lemon curd, dulce de leche, or whipped cream for customized desserts.
Cookies
Use your mini griddle to bake fresh, warm cookies in minutes. Make pancake-sized cookies or flatten balls of dough to create regular sized cookies. Cook until the edges are set.
S’mores
Replicate the campfire treat of ooey-gooey s’mores indoors on your mini griddle. Construct sandwiches with chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers then cook until melty.
Fruit Desserts
Whip up single-serving fruit crisps, cobblers or crumbles using the mini griddle. Top sliced peaches, berries, apples, etc. with a crunchy oat topping and bake until hot and bubbly.
Quesadillas
Make dessert quesadillas by filling flour tortillas with chocolate chips, sliced fruit or dulce de leche and cooking on the lightly oiled griddle until warm.
Helpful Tips for Using a Mini Griddle
To get the most out of cooking with your mini griddle, keep these tips in mind:
- Preheat the griddle before cooking to ensure even heating. Most take only 5 minutes or less to fully preheat.
- Use a cooking spray or brush with a thin layer of oil to prevent sticking, especially when cooking eggs, pancakes or quesadillas.
- Adjust heat as needed. Use medium heat for items like pancakes and sandwiches. Use higher heat for meats. Lower heat works best for delicate foods.
- Resist the urge to move foods too much while they cook. Let them sear and brown before flipping.
- Wipe the surface clean after each use to prevent residue buildup.
- Use nylon or plastic cooking utensils to avoid scratching the cooking surface.
- Unplug and fully cool the griddle before cleaning. Hand wash only.
Conclusion
With its versatile, flat cooking surface, a mini griddle opens up a world of quick and easy meals. From fluffy pancakes to juicy burgers to crispy stir frys, the options are endless. Use the griddle for everything from weekday breakfasts to weekend dinners. Just remember to keep the cooking surface lightly oiled and thoroughly clean the griddle after each use. With a little creativity, you’ll enjoy this handy appliance for years to come. Now get cooking!