Today waffles are a favorite brunch food and a special-occasion food. Many of us get out the waffle iron for Mother’s Day and other occasions. Americans buy almost $50 million in waffle irons annually.

But if the waffle iron is one of your least-used appliances, consider expanding your waffle repertoire to lunch, dinner, dessert and a waffle frolic with an add-your-own-toppings bar.

Lunch & Dinner Waffles

Dessert waffles. Photo courtesy L’Auberge Provençale. Get the recipe.

• For a luxurious lunch or a first course for dinner, we make caviar waffles: waffles topped with sour cream or crème fraîche and garnished with salmon caviar and optional smoked salmon.

Dessert Waffles

• Try a waffle sundae: top a waffle with ice cream and your favorite sauces and garnishes.
• Make “Belgian waffles” topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. For an adult crowd, first marinate the strawberries in an orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier.
• Orange Blossom Waffles with mangoes, berries and whipped cream are another favorite recipe.

Here are 15 waffle recipe ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.

The history of waffles.