Waffled Pizza - The Viral Pizza Innovation from Will It Waffle?

Exploring the Pizza Edition of Will It Waffle

Pizza is one of the most beloved foods around the world. The classic combination of dough, sauce, and cheese appeals to people of all ages. Lately, people have been getting creative with reinventing the traditional pizza. From unusual toppings to new shapes and cooking methods, there are endless possibilities when it comes to pizza innovation. One particularly unique pizza experiment that has been gaining popularity is waffled pizza. Let's take a closer look at this tasty pizza edition of the viral web series "Will It Waffle?"

Introducing Will It Waffle?

"Will It Waffle?" is a fun online video series hosted by Daniel Holzman. The premise of the show is simple - Daniel tries to waffle various foods that aren't typically associated with waffle irons. He has waffled everything from ramen noodles to Thanksgiving dinner foods. The results are usually quite amusing. Daniel's offbeat sense of humor combined with his curiosity about cooking make this series a big hit.

The Pizza Edition of Will It Waffle?

One especially buzz-worthy episode of "Will It Waffle?" was the pizza edition. As a quintessential Italian-American food, pizza seems like an unlikely candidate for the waffle iron treatment. However, Daniel was up for the challenge. Before waffling a variety of pizzas, Daniel provided some background information on traditional Neapolitan pizza and its characteristics. He emphasized the use of simple fresh ingredients like tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil. Daniel also noted the thin, chewy crust and signature charring that result from cooking Neapolitan pizza in extremely hot ovens.

Round One: Cheese Pizza

For his first waffled pizza experiment, Daniel chose to start with a plain cheese pizza. He assembled a quick pizza dough using flour, yeast, olive oil, salt, and water. After letting the dough proof, Daniel stretched it out and placed it in the hot waffle maker coated with cooking spray. The cheese helped the dough adhere to the grooves of the waffle iron. Once crispy and browned, he removed the waffled cheese pizza. The verdict? While tasty, the texture was a bit too crunchy compared to traditional pizzas. However, the waffling process did create those signature char lines associated with brick oven pizzas. So while not a total replicate of Neapolitan pizza, the waffled cheese pizza was an interesting twist on a classic.

Round Two: Supreme Pizza

Next up was a supreme pizza loaded up with toppings like sausage, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and of course, pepperoni. Daniel packed on the toppings before placing the pizza in the waffle maker. He noted that the waffle iron was able to handle the weight of all the toppings without getting overcrowded. This second waffled pizza emerged with crispy edges and had a better texture than the plain cheese version. The array of toppings like meat and vegetables helped add moisture. While the waffled supreme pizza smelled great, it did end up being quite greasy. Daniel observed how the rendered fat from the sausage and pepperoni accumulated in the waffle iron grooves. The verdict after tasting the piping hot waffled supreme pizza? Pretty tasty according to Daniel despite the grease factor.

Round Three: Breakfast Pizza

Never one to shy away from culinary experimentation, Daniel's next waffled pizza was a breakfast version. He swapped out the traditional red sauce for cream gravy along with other breakfast toppings like bacon, sausage, ham, eggs, and cheese. This hearty pizza packed a ton of protein. Daniel did note that the gravy made the waffling process a bit messy as it oozed out from the waffle iron grooves. However, once plated, the waffled breakfast pizza looked amazing. The edges were ultra crispy, the meats were nicely browned, and the eggs were perfectly cooked. According to Daniel, the taste lived up to the visually appealing look. The consensus? Waffled breakfast pizza was shockingly delicious!

Round Four: Dessert Pizza

What would a pizza edition be without trying a dessert pizza? Daniel put a sweet spin on his waffled pizza experiments with a dessert version. He made a quick dough topped with Nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and powdered sugar. The marshmallows and chocolate immediately started melting in the hot waffle iron. While messy, the end result was a decadent, crispy, and gooey waffled dessert pizza. Daniel said it reminded him of a flattened waffle sundae. The taste was a chocoholic's dream. This unique dessert pizza really showcased how the waffle iron could transform traditional pizza into something new and unexpected.

The Verdict on Waffled Pizza

After thoroughly taste testing four styles of waffled pizza, Daniel provided his final verdict. He said that while waffled pizza is an unorthodox concept, he was pleasantly surprised by the results. When made in a high-quality waffle maker, pizza achieves a fun, crispy texture. However, Daniel noted that traditional Neapolitan wood-fired pizza still can't be replicated exactly. The flavor and texture is noticeably different. Nonetheless, waffled pizza can be an enjoyable alternative to classic pizza, especially for the novelty factor.

Daniel did observe a few downsides of cooking pizza in a waffle iron. Managing the dough can be trickier compared to stretching it by hand or rolling it out. Waffled pizzas are often greasier, especially if loaded up with meats and cheeses. There is also more mess involved in a waffle iron with ingredients oozing out. However, none of these drawbacks outweighed the enjoyment Daniel got from creatively waffling pizzas. He said he looked forward to continuing more savory and sweet pizza waffling experiments.

Tips for Making Waffled Pizza at Home

After watching Daniel pioneer waffled pizza on "Will It Waffle?", you may be feeling inspired to try it yourself at home. Here are a few tips to help your waffled pizza successes:

• Use a quality waffle maker - Pick one that gets evenly hot with deep grooves to help shape and crisp the pizza.
• Brush waffle iron with oil - This prevents sticking and helps pizzas release easier.
• Stretch dough thin - Thick crusts won't cook evenly. Stretch dough thinner for the best texture.
• Watch heat and time - Keep an eye on waffled pizzas to prevent burning. Cook times will be faster than oven baking.
• Experiment with toppings - Get creative with proteins, veggies, cheeses, and sauces.
• Try sweet and savory - Dessert pizzas work great too. Add Nutella, fruit, ice cream, etc.
• Have fun! - Embrace the experience of waffling pizza with an open mind.

The Viral Appeal of Waffled Pizza

It's easy to see why waffled pizza has taken off in popularity online recently. The idea of remixing a food as ubiquitous as pizza grabs attention. Early pioneers and trendsetters on social media inspired many to try this outside-the-box pizza preparation at home. Visually, waffled pizza looks impressive with its grid-like shape and golden crispiness. The amusement factor gives this pizza innovation viral appeal.

The allure of novelty has certainly fueled the waffled pizza craze. But there also seems to be a genuine appreciation for how waffle irons can transform pizza. With its addictive crunch and ability to hold hefty toppings, waffled pizza offers something familiar yet new. The intersection of the much-loved flavors of pizza with the theatrics of a waffle iron delivers food entertainment. As Daniel demonstrated on "Will It Waffle?", half the fun is in the experimentation process. Waffled pizza inspires creativity both in and out of the kitchen.

Waffled Pizza - Delicious Innovation

At first glance, taking pizza to the waffle iron may seem eyebrow-raising. Upon closer inspection, this unorthodox cooking method yields some tantalizing results. The waffling process infuses pizza with a crisp texture and eye-catching appearance. Both savory and sweet waffled pizzas can satisfy cravings with fun presentation. While not an exact match for traditional pizza, this inventive twist has won over many fans. For thrill-seeking foodies, waffled pizza offers the perfect opportunity to playfully remix an iconic food.

FAQs

What is waffled pizza?

Waffled pizza is pizza dough and toppings that are cooked in a waffle maker instead of a traditional pizza oven. The waffle iron gives the pizza a unique, crisp texture and browned grid-like pattern.

Where did waffled pizza originate?

Waffled pizza gained popularity online in recent years after being featured in viral YouTube videos and social media posts. The web series "Will It Waffle?" helped popularize creative waffled pizza recipes.

What kind of waffle maker works best for pizza?

Look for a quality waffle iron with deep grids that will crisp up the pizza dough evenly. Ceramic and cast iron waffle makers tend to work very well.

Can you waffle any type of pizza?

Both traditional and unique pizza toppings can be waffled. Cheese, pepperoni, supreme, breakfast, and dessert pizzas have all been successfully waffled before.

Is waffled pizza better than regular pizza?

Waffled pizza has a unique appeal and taste that sets it apart from oven-baked pizza. Fans enjoy the crispy texture and fun presentation. However, traditional Neapolitan wood-fired pizza is still the gold standard for many pizza purists.