Croissants + waffle iron = croffles! Here are 3 new ways to enjoy this flaky pastry

Here are some out-of-the-box ways to mix up basic croissants.

We’re not reinventing the wheel, just the croissant. We’ve caught the buzz of a croissant craze circulating the internet, and we had to get a taste. Croissants are having a moment right now!

Studio 5 Food Editor Maddy Tolman caught us up on the croissant craze. “It’s a buttery slope, and it just keeps getting slipperier,” Maddy said. Bakeries all around the world are coming up with new ways to eat our favorite flakey pastry.

It’s likely you’ve seen a few croissant spin-offs circulating your social media. We tasted them out to see if they’re worth a bite.

The Crookie

The Verdict: Absolutely delicious. Eat it warm!

A crookie combines the flakiness of a croissant with the gooey goodness of a cookie.

INGREDIENTS

• Cookie Dough: You can use store-bought cookie dough or make your own if you prefer.
• Croissants: Mini or regular-sized croissants (already baked). You can find these in the bakery section of most grocery stores.

METHOD

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Cut a slit lengthwise in the croissant. Not all the way in half, leaving the croissant connected on one side. Similar to a chicken salad sandwich.
• Stuff the inside of the croissant with cookie dough.
• Flatten additional cookie dough on top of the croissant.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes at 350°F until golden brown.

The Smash Croissant

The Verdict: So flakey. So buttery. So good. Lots of different ways to take this one out.

It feels so wrong to smash a croissant, but it tastes so right. Smashing your croissant flat gives it a totally different texture and allows it to be created into something completely new. Grab a croissant, smash it flat with a rolling pin, and top it with whatever your heart desires.

Topping Ideas

For Sweet:

• Pipe on some frosting and top with fruit and powdered sugar
• Drizzle on some chocolate and sprinkle with nuts
• Dip half of the croissant in chocolate
• A swirl of whipped cream, fruit, and chocolate syrup
• A scoop of ice cream

For Savory:

• Mashed avocado
• Cheese and Prosciutto, or meat of choice
• Sandwich two smashed croissants together between sandwich fixings for a flakey sandwich

The Croffle

The Verdict: A fun new breakfast fusion. Makes your waffles extra buttery.

Croffles are a heavenly fusion of croissants and waffles. The best part? They’re ready to scarf down in 10 minutes or less.

INGREDIENTS

• Croissants: You could use homemade or store-bought croissants, already baked or just the dough. Whatever you have on hand!

METHOD

1. Preheat Your Waffle Iron:
   • Set your waffle iron to medium-high heat.
   • Generously grease the waffle iron with cooking spray or butter.
2. Prepare the Croissants.
   • If using store-bought croissant dough, thaw it if frozen.
3. Coat with Sugar.
   • Brush each croissant in melted butter. This will create a caramelized and crispy crust when cooked.
4. Cook the Croffles:
   • Place the croissants onto the preheated waffle iron.
   • Close the iron and gently press down to help the croissants spread and flatten.
   • Cook until golden brown and crispy. The exact time will depend on your waffle iron, but it usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
5. Serve and Enjoy!
   • Remove the croffles from the waffle iron.
   • Top them with your favorite toppings: more powdered sugar, maple syrup, jam, Nutella, or anything you like.