Maple Bacon Waffle Burger (Printable)

Golden waffle buns sandwich maple-glazed bacon, juicy beef patties, sharp cheddar, and creamy maple aioli for the ultimate sweet-salty comfort food.

# 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)
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

→ 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 mixture and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure tender waffles.
02 - Preheat waffle iron and lightly grease with cooking spray or oil. Pour batter onto iron and cook according to manufacturer instructions until golden brown and crisp. Prepare 8 waffles total (4 burgers require 2 waffles each). Keep cooked waffles warm in a low oven.
03 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange bacon slices on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until partially cooked, then remove and brush both sides with maple syrup. Return to oven for 3-4 minutes until caramelized and crispy. Let cool briefly, then cut each slice in half.
04 - Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions and shape into patties slightly larger than the waffles (they will shrink during cooking). Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
05 - Heat skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook patties for 3-4 minutes per side for medium doneness. Place cheddar cheese slice on each patty during the final minute of cooking and cover to melt.
06 - Whisk together mayonnaise, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
07 - Butter one side of each waffle. Place buttered side down in a skillet over medium heat and toast until golden brown and crispy, about 1-2 minutes.
08 - Spread maple aioli on the untoasted side of a waffle. Layer with arugula, cheese-topped burger patty, maple bacon halves, and red onion slices. Top with second waffle, untoasted side facing inward. Repeat for remaining burgers.
09 - Serve immediately while waffles remain crisp and burgers are hot. Cut in half if desired for easier eating.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The maple bacon creates this incredible candy-like crunch that you'll want to put on everything forever
  • Waffles as buns mean every bite has that perfect texture contrast between crisp exterior and soft interior
  • It's the kind of show stopping meal that makes regular weekends feel like special occasions
02 -
  • Let the cooked waffles cool completely on a wire rack before freezing leftovers, otherwise they'll get soggy and lose their crunch
  • The maple bacon can be prepared up to a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator, then reheated just before serving
  • Don't skip toasting the waffles before assembly because that extra crispiness is what prevents them from collapsing under the weight of the toppings
03 -
  • Let your burger patties come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before cooking, and they'll cook more evenly and stay juicier
  • Warm your maple syrup slightly before brushing on the bacon, it will spread more evenly and coat each slice better

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