Cinnamon Waffle Nuggets

Cinnamon Waffle Nuggets

I haven't even checked to see if anyone else has done this with waffles, but I'm figuring that someone out there has.* I happened upon this by accident. It started with me dropping my sugar tub on my tray of left over gluten free waffles that I was going to put in the freezer. Some sugar got on a waffle and that got me thinking. I thought about it throughout today, until this afternoon, when I decided to do something about it. (I have to also note that today I also saw some cinnamon sugar waffles on Pinterest--stacked like pancakes, not chunked like these.) 
At first I was going to call these cinnamon waffle croutons, but they're not crunchy at all, and my kids and I ate them so quickly, that I only had a few left to crisp up in the oven. Although these tasted perfectly awesome without toasting them in the oven, I think I liked them better after crisping them up a little bit.
Basically I took two of my leftover gluten free waffles and cut them into bite-size chunks. Then I melted some butter in a pan, tossed in the waffle pieces, and then tossed the buttered pieces in cinnamon sugar. What we got was soft, buttery, bready, sweet goodness. Crisped up they sort of taste like churros, which I have so far been unable to successfully make at home. Even my super picky gluten limited kid scarfed down a bunch of them--and came back for more. I guess it's the sugar. 
I think I may need to try these with garlic salt and Parmesan cheese instead of the cinnamon sugar. For now, though, I'd say this little experiment was a success. A sweet, buttery success.

Update: Since I originally posted this recipe, these waffle nuggets have become a staple weekend breakfast for my gluten-limited son. Still so tasty.

Cinnamon Waffle Nuggets

Ingredients:

• 4-5 cups waffles cut into bite-size pieces
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:
Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a large bowl. Set aside.
Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. When butter is melted, place all of the waffle pieces in and stir/toss with a spatula until all of the butter is absorbed and waffle pieces are warm. 
Pour waffle pieces into the cinnamon sugar bowl and toss with a large spoon until all pieces are evenly coated with the cinnamon sugar.
If you want to crisp these up, place coated nuggets onto a baking sheet and bake for about 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and serve warm. Either way, these are fabulous.

Makes 4-5 cups of waffle nuggets

*I did find someone who's done this with Eggo waffles: B-Inspired MAMA-and she made hers into a neat snack mix. Good stuff.