32 Recipes That Make the Most of Your Griddle (2024)

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32 Recipes That Make the Most of Your Griddle (1)Lisa KaminskiUpdated: Feb. 01, 2024

    Your griddle isn't just for breakfast, though it definitely shines when it comes to pancakes! Check out our favorite griddle recipes from flapjacks to grilled cheese to tasty twists on French toast.

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    The Best Ever Pancakes

    I’m not joking when I say I make pancakes every weekend. I love them in any form and variation. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

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    Need an electric griddle? Check out this top-rated one!

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    Tex-Mex Breakfast Haystacks

    I love haystacks and wanted to make a fun Tex-Mex recipe for my family. Adding panko crumbs and cheese to the hash browns before cooking gives them a wonderful golden brown color and crisp texture. —Donna-Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

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    Taste of Home

    Salsa Corn Cakes

    This recipe is super with fresh or canned corn. I whip up these patties to serve alongside nachos or tacos on hot summer evenings. The salsa is subtle but adds flavor. —Lisa Boettcher, Rosebush, Michigan

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    Taste of Home

    My grandpa made an awesome breakfast for us grandkids: French toast that started on the griddle as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. —Lindsey Folsom, Dorsey, Illinois

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    TMB Studio

    Waffle Monte Cristos

    We love the sweet, smoky flavor of these morning sandwiches. I use store-bought frozen waffles to save time, but have at it if you want to put your waffle maker to good use. —Kelly Reynolds, Urbana, Illinois

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    Banana Oatmeal Pancakes

    These pancakes have less sodium per serving than other pancakes made from mixes. Decrease sodium even further by stretching the mix with banana, oats and walnuts. In our house we just sprinkle these with a little confectioners' sugar, because the fruit is so sweet you don't need syrup. — Patricia Swart, Galloway , New Jersey

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    Taste of Home

    Grilled Cheese and Avocado Sandwich

    Who doesn’t love a grilled cheese sandwich? This version kicks it up a notch with avocado, tons of cheese and extra-crispy bread. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist

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    Taste of Home

    Cranberry Chip Pancakes

    These simple pancakes taste so great, you don't even need syrup! Liven them up by adding cranberries, orange juice and vanilla chips to classic pancake batter. —Aris Gonzalez, Deltona, Florida

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    Taste of Home

    Sausage Stuffed French Toast

    Kids like to help stuff the sausage and cheese into the bread, so this is a good holiday treat. I serve it year-round for breakfast when we have guests or on special family occasions.

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    Taste of Home

    Carrot Cake Pancakes

    Here's a way for fans of carrot cake to have their favorite dessert for breakfast. These delicate, decadent pancakes are drizzled with sweet and spicy maple syrup that complements the sour cream and nut topping. —Leane Goering, Salem, Indiana

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    Taste of Home

    This bacon sandwich with Dijon mustard and two kinds of cheese is the perfect combo of creamy-melty filling and crispy, buttery bread. —Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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    Polish Apple Pancakes

    My mom used to make these wonderful pancakes for me as an after-school snack. She'd simply put a sprinkle of confectioners' sugar on top. What a delicious treat! —Jane Zielinski, Rotterdam Junction, New York

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    Favorite Meat Loaf Gyros

    This is definitely a different gyro meat recipe, yet it is so good! I slice leftover meat in individual portions and freeze for any time I crave a gyro. —Sharon Rawlings, Tampa, Florida

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    Taste of Home

    Pierogi Quesadillas

    When I had hungry children in the kitchen and nothing but leftovers, I invented these quesadillas. Now it's how we always use up our potatoes, meats and sometimes veggies. —Andrea Dibble, Solon, Iowa

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    Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes

    These pumpkin pancakes are also delicious served with butter or whipped topping and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Freeze any extras in a single layer on a cookie sheet, then store in a freezer bag. They're great fresh out of the toaster! —Mindy Bauknecht, Two Rivers, Wisconsin

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    The Best Ever Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    Spreading a mixture of mayo and butter on the bread creates a delightfully crispy crust with the well-loved, wonderful flavor of butter one expects on a grilled cheese sandwich.—Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist

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    Marmalade French Toast Sandwiches

    I change up these warm, filling sandwiches to be sweet or savory but always a treat. All it takes is a different jelly or jam. Try hot pepper jelly when you want a little sizzle. —Danielle Loring, Lewiston, Maine

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    My kids love to help make these towers. They measure, mix, whisk and build stacks. It's a family custom and a perfect summer breakfast or dessert. —Josie Shapiro, San Francisco, California

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    Taste of Home

    Country Potato Pancakes

    These potato pancakes are really versatile. They can be a side dish for just about any meal or the main course for a light meal. Potato pancakes go particularly well with pork. We have them often at our house. —Lydia Robotewskyj, Franklin, Wisconsin

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    Taste of Home

    I turned peanut butter and jelly into French toast. Cut up and skewer these nifty sandwiches. You win the crown for creative parent of the year. Check out my blog, nibblesbynic.com, for more fun food ideas. —Nicole Meyer, Roslyn, New York

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    Taste of Home

    Athenian Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

    Mozzarella and feta cheese make one delicious duo in this upscale grilled cheese that also features tender Athenian chicken and fresh herb flavor. —Michael Cohen, Los Angeles, California

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    Buttermilk Buckwheat Pancakes

    This buckwheat pancake recipe uses buckwheat flour instead of the wheat-based variety. The light and tender buckwheat pancakes offer a nutty flavor and hearty texture. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    Taste of Home

    Garlic Bread Pizza Sandwiches

    I love inventing new ways to make grilled cheese sandwiches for my kids. This version tastes like pizza. Using frozen garlic bread is a timesaver. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

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    Corn Cakes with Poached Eggs

    These easy corn cakes are super tender thanks to the creamed corn in the batter. Top them with poached eggs and fresh salsa, and you get one of my favorite breakfasts. —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia

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    Grilled Cheese and Pepperoni Sandwich

    Who doesn't love a good grilled cheese sandwich recipe? This super decadent version comes fully loaded with pepperoni and five types of cheese!—Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist

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    Avocado Quesadillas

    Avocados give quesadillas some nutritional value and, fortunately, my son likes them. Thinly slice the avocado, and add chicken or beef for extra protein. —Debbie Limas, North Andover, Massachusetts

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    Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes

    More of a dessert than breakfast food, these luscious pancakes really know how to showcase the darlings of summertime—strawberries! The pancakes, sauce and cream cheese filling all feature fresh ripe berries. —Shirley Warren, Thiensville, Wisconsin

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    Crunchy French Toast

    This light version of classic French toast is perfect for quick meals or Sunday brunches. My kids love it, and so do I! —Barbara Arnold, Spokane, Washington.

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    Grilled Pesto, Ham and Provolone Sandwiches

    These Italian-style sandwiches are loaded with zesty flavors. To lighten them a little, use fat-free mayo. We serve them with minestrone or a crisp salad. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California

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    Taste of Home

    Golden Zucchini Pancakes

    If your garden is overflowing with zucchini this time of year, make these incredible pancakes to use it up. We squeeze the zucchini well before using to remove excess moisture. —Terry Ann Dominguez, Silver City, New Mexico

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    Taste of Home

    Pizza Quesadillas

    When my husband and I needed a quick meal, I fixed this recipe using leftover ingredients. Unlike traditional Mexican quesadillas, it calls for Italian meats, cheeses and seasoning. Serve it with a green salad for a simple dinner for two. —Barbara Rupert, Edgefield, South Carolina

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    Taste of Home

    Croissant French Toast

    More like a scrumptious dessert than a main dish, this rich French toast is topped with a tangy raspberry sauce and a vanilla sauce that includes ice cream. I cut the croissants into shapes with a cookie cutter for my 4-year-old grandson, Patrick. He even asks for the "ice cream sauce" on pancakes! —June Dickenson Philippi, West Virginia

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    Originally Published: July 10, 2019

    32 Recipes That Make the Most of Your Griddle (33)

    Lisa Kaminski

    Lisa is a formerTaste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.

    32 Recipes That Make the Most of Your Griddle (2024)

    FAQs

    What foods are best cooked on a griddle? ›

    Steak, chops, and chicken breast

    Whether beef, or tuna or swordfish, steak, with its even thickness is perfectly made for flat top cooking. The same is true for chops, like lamb or pork, and boneless chicken thighs or breast.

    What different things can you make on a griddle? ›

    Griddled recipes
    1. Griddled chicken with quinoa Greek salad. ...
    2. Griddled courgettes with pine nuts & feta. ...
    3. Roasted vegetable quinoa salad with griddled halloumi. ...
    4. Chicken skewers with tzatziki. ...
    5. Griddled vegetable & feta tart. ...
    6. Griddle scones with honey. ...
    7. Griddled courgette & seafood lasagne. ...
    8. Griddled salad jar.

    What's good to cook on a flat top? ›

    With the large surface area of the flat top, griddle meals can be done in minutes! Pancakes, French toast, eggs any which way, bacon, sausage, omelets, benedicts, corned beef hash, tofu scrambles, and other breakfast foods are so good on the grill.

    What makes a good griddle? ›

    Heat Distribution and Evenness

    For a griddle with excellent heat distribution, your best bet is probably going to be a carbon steel model. Carbon steel retains heat just as well as cast iron, but distributes it more evenly, so you can avoid overly hot or cold spots.

    Is bacon good on a griddle? ›

    Yes, we recommend cooking on one side for 5 or so minutes, then flipping and finishing on the other side for a short amount of time, usually 1 to 2 minutes. The time will vary depending on the thickness of the bacon as well as how crisp you like it.

    What not to use on a Blackstone griddle? ›

    You may need a few spritzes to cover a 36-inch griddle. Note that the Blackstone company warns against using soap, as it can strip away the seasoning layer on the cast iron.

    What can you cook on a grill but not a griddle? ›

    Griddles are great for flat food - bacon, eggs, pancakes, smashed burger patties - but that's about it. A grill can sear steaks and burgers, roast chicken, smoke fish, and much else. I've never used a better gas grill than this. It's simple, unfussy, and makes incredibly good food.

    What do you put on a griddle before cooking? ›

    Oil is essential for griddle cooking, and you'll need to apply plenty of oil to your pan before you start cooking on it. When the oil heats up, it stops your food from sticking to your griddle, making the cooking experience much easier, and making the finished product taste much better.

    What oil is best for seasoning a flat top? ›

    For oils with higher smoke points, you might consider peanut, canola, grapeseed, canola, corn, oil and more. Thicker oils such as these may also be better for folks living in natural, wetter/humid areas may consider using a thicker oil to serve as greater protection against rusting,etc.

    What are the disadvantages of a flat top grill? ›

    A downside of a flat top grill is that it can be difficult to cook certain foods evenly. For example, if you're cooking a steak, you may end up with a burnt crust and a raw center because of uneven heat distribution from both sides of the meat. Consistency is hard to achieve with a flat top grill.

    What to cook on a stovetop griddle? ›

    Griddles can be used for a variety of recipes from bacon, quesadillas, fajitas and other foods that require ample cooking space. Additionally, the non-stick surface of the griddle makes it easy to clean up after cooking, allowing you to get in and out of the kitchen with ease.

    What meat is best for griddle? ›

    Steak: Use a cut of meat like ribeyes or a New York strip. Ideally, you want a steak that is about 1 ½” thick with good marbling. Filet mignon may also be used. Salt and Pepper: Use 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of meat.

    Are pancakes better on a griddle? ›

    To get those picture-perfect pancakes of your dreams, you absolutely must have even heating. That's why a griddle is the superior cooking tool for pancakes—its thick metal plates do a better job of storing and retaining heat and then transferring that heat evenly to your pancakes.

    Can I put a pan on top of a griddle? ›

    A: You can use any kind of metal pan directly on the griddle top. Most things you can cook in a cast iron will work directly on the griddle top, no skillet needed. We recommend using pots or pans on the griddle when you need to cook things that need a confined space like syrup.

    Can you eat healthy on a griddle? ›

    Griddle cooking provides unlimited opportunities for creating healthy meals. The simplicity of adjusting the temperature at which you cook your food can be a real benefit to cooking healthily.

    Is cooking on a griddle healthier than a grill? ›

    From a health standpoint, Bonci says when it comes to meats the grill is healthier than the griddle. "It's a flat surface, nothing can drip through so if you are, are doing a fatty meat, where's the fat going to go, it's going to stay right there," Bonci says.

    Why does food taste better on a griddle? ›

    Because there's more surface area on a griddle, it allows for more contact between the cooking surface and your food. This makes a griddle ideal for foods like steaks or smash burgers, as it produces better Maillard browning and a crispier crust than you would get from a grill.

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