Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? <—-name that song.
In answer to that rhetorical question, YES, this is real life! And I feel no shame in the game of admitting that I absolutely freaking love a Baked Bean Jaffle. Baked Beans from a can. Bread, white, from the supermarket. Cheese, whatever is in my fridge. Eaten on the couch. Amen.
I can totally see that if this is not something you grew up on, it might seem very strange, and even a little gross. But even before you think that the question you’re probably asking is – what the hell is a jaffle?!
A jaffle you ask? Well that, my friends, is a beautiful and rarefied thing. Notice the distinctive shape of the sandwich in these pictures? The edges are sealed, and the middle is cut, and everything is browned to perfection. The bread forms a protective pocket around the filling, allowing for the crispiest edges and the gooey-est middles.
Sadly, you do need a special piece of equipment to make jaffles. Yup, you’ll need a jaffle maker – which, to me, is an electronic gadget, similar to a waffle maker (pictured below). The joy of jaffles is so great that I feel this would be a wise addition to any batterie de cuisine.
But you can also get a long-handled cast iron version which is meant for use over a camp fire. And I’d hazard a guess that fireside is where the jaffle was born. Oh, and I should add that it’s pronounced with a hard A, like baffle, not a soft one like waffle. JAFF-le.
I love these babies because of straight up nostalgia – we had a massive 4x sandwich jaffle maker when I was a kid – but they have truly never let me down. It’s a rare occasion when you can revisit a childhood favourite and have it be as awesome as it was when you were five.
Seriously, I have mad-love for jaffles. I’m on a crusade to bring a jaffle maker into your house. I’m literally gonna just turn up one day and peer-pressure you into buying one. I will bring samples.
Before I sign off, let me offer some suggestions for other things that are awesome inside a jaffle, if the whole Baked Beans and cheese thing isn’t your speed. Leftover spaghetti bolognese, classic ham, cheese and mustard, mac and cheese, roasted vegetables, nutella, wilted greens, any slow-cooked meats, and basically any leftovers at all.
Jaffles 4 eva!
xx Sarah.
- 4 slices bread
- softened butter
- 1 small can of baked beans
- cheese, to taste
- black pepper
- Butter the bread on one side. This will be the outside of the sandwich.
- On two of the slices, pile over half the beans, and as much cheese as you like.
- Top with the remaining slices, and then place into a pre-heated jaffle maker, with the buttered slices facing out.
- Cook until golden brown, and the filling is oozing and hot.
- Be careful not to burn your tongue!
Oh these make me nostalgic for childhood…i used to love baked beans and cheese jaffles!
jaffles are indeed the best. I’m a big fan of the baked bean and cheese combo but also love egg and cheese, which I had growing up, for the drama of the yolk reveal (runny? Hard?) when slicing open.
The SUSPENSE of the egg and cheese jaffle! So intense.
I have never had a jaffle but now I will not be satisfied with my life until I try one. Please show up on my doorstep with samples, peer pressuring not required as I am already convinced.
ha! My mam has one of these but we haven’t used it since we were kids. Never knew the toasties had a particular name! Long live jaffles!
Deirdre @ thekitschcook.blogspot.com
oh god baked beans and cheese forever!
I never had a jaffle maker as a kid… or a Nintendo… I was a poor, poor deprived child *sniff*
I love my jaffle iron! (as old it may be, from the late 1980s). As a child my sister and I did the classic cheese, however I like it most with a a can of cream corn too :)
I love this type of toaster, i had no idea it was called jaffle. The crispy sides are the best!
We simply call these toasted sandwiches or ‘toasties’ in the uk… but we’ve clearly got it all wrong, the ‘jAffle’ is a far superior name!
Gahhhh I NEED THIS! (sorry for yelling)
We always called that contraption a grilled cheese maker… but i like the sound of jaffle! And i like the look of that combo!!!
I have never even heard of a jaffle before and I’m so glad you brought this into my life. Ain’t nothin wrong with ANY OF THAT. I’m dying over those crispy cheesy edges!!
Oh my god, I had one of these as a kid, too! Only in Maryland, we just called it a “grilled cheese maker.” I’ve never heard of this jaffle business! Also, we would never put anything other than just cheese in it. It never occurred to me to put in other fillings! Now I have to go dig that thing out of my parents’ basement!
in the US, we have “sandwich makers'” or “sandwich presses” (similar to the electronic waffle maker type appliance. but without the fun pattern) And, we have ‘”puggy pie makers” for the campfire. Never thought of this combo of beans and cheese, but could be yummy! For the puggy pies, people usually use pre-made fruit pie filling or nutella. It’s like a warm & toasty cherry/apple/blueberry pie! So yummy!
Aha! Finally a use for that can of heinz baked beans I bought at the British imports store a while ago. I was planning to do beans on toast, but this sounds much more fun!
Oh my gosh, I have one of those, but I never knew what to call it! I just called it a sandwich toaster! I always make mine with ham or turkey and American cheese. Because NOTHING melts better than American cheese.
I adore jaffles! I want to join your crusade to bring jaffles to the world. I’ll take the UK, you take the rest, deal?! One of my favourites is a meat pie jaffle using puff pastry instead of bread. Oh boy is it good.
Ummm…puff pastry! Now you’re talking!
Mammaaaaaaa…oh wait, we weren’t singing anymore?
This sandwich looks so tasty and easy to throw together. What is not to love about bread, cheese, and legumes?
Ha, ha, ha…. Made me laugh! You are the only one so far with the song reference! Well done! Now make me a Jaffle please, someone!?!
Never heard of them. Where were you reared? Can these be made in a waffle iron?
You’re missing out, Australia and no.
I have a jaffle maker!!! I usually make ham and cheese sandwiches, but these have bme intrigued!
Omigosh, love these jaffles you got here! Gooey is 4eva :) …Caught in a landslie, no escape from reality lol
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
NAILED IT!
We used to have “themed” potlucks. Our very firs t theme was “food you made when you first moved away from home”. Let’s just say it was a very white potluck – perogies, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, ichiban noodles, and , yes, Baked bean “Jaffles”.
Although we just call it a “sandwich maker” here – I think I’m going to invite people over for “Jaffles”. Boy will they be surprised!
We always use these sandwich irons to make pizzas over the campfire–white bread, sauce, cheese, meats and veggies. And LOTS of butter on the outside to make sure it doesn’t stick. I’ve never heard the name “jaffle” in the US but I will definitely start using that term now!
You folks down-under have some strange terms! We called ours a Sandwich Maker. I never had one, ‘cuz I was raised by hippies, but my hubby loves him some leftover sandwich maker sandwiches…spaghetti and meatballs…chili & cheese…da bomb!
With all due respect, Crystal, “sandwich Maker” is a weird term – well, more dull than weird. We can make sandwiches without a machine, so why do we call it a sandwich maker? I’m gonna adopt the term “jaffle” it’s much more intriguing…:)
I had these every morning when I was in Bali!! So good!
Simple cheese and tomato jaffle all the way.
Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen
Go the jaffle! We were also fans of the cheese and egg as kids, and my brother was renowned for always getting the egg perfectly cooked. We only had one of the old cast iron ones you use over the fire as we had no electricity, because hippies! So for people like Crystal, I’m afraid hippie parents is no excuse for not knowing about jaffles :)
BTW, there’s a cafe round the corner here in Canberra that seems to be on a quest to bring back jaffles as they make ones with fillings like chorizo and scrambled eggs, and, wait for it, butter chicken!
Love it! The world needs more butter chicken.
I have just recently rediscovered jaffles after purchasing a few at my local takeaway….
I then decided that $5.50 was expensive when I could make them myself.
First try and it turned out soggy in the middle. I am using a cheap jaffle maker – does that make a difference? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!