Parents of picky eaters know that making breakfast interesting can make all the difference in getting their children fed before a long school day. It is a tricky balance to strike when searching for healthy breakfast and snack ideas that a child will actually eat. Waffle makers and pizzelle irons are excellent tools for giving picky kids a great start to the day.

Both waffle makers and pizzelle irons include hot plates that are meant to sandwich a batter, either prepared from a box, a mix, or by hand. Depending on what ingredients go into the batter, a waffle or pizzelle, an Italian cookie, can be sweet or grainy. The amount of batter used on the plates also determines how crispy the waffle or cookie turns out to be. The more batter poured onto the surface of the griddles, the thicker and chewier it should be.

Children typically crave sweet foods. That’s why pizzelle makers are an excellent alternative to the typical breakfast cereals and toaster pastries that parents often serve. Although this is actually an Italian cookie, it can be made into a healthy breakfast meal by tweaking the ingredients that go into it. Sugar substitutes and whole wheat flour make can turn a sweet cookie into a crispy wafer that can be used to sandwich either a sweet or savory filling.

Likewise, waffles are a well-loved breakfast meal for individuals of all ages. Many people enjoy a warm, filling breakfast that can be topped in a multitude of ways, from fruit to syrups. Whereas waffles are best known for their distinguishable criss-cross pattern and thickness, these cookies are usually much thinner and smaller. A pizzelle maker also usually features an interesting embossed pattern imprinted during baking.

It is simple and easy to get a homemade meal on the table even during the rushed hours before work and school. Waffle makers and pizzelle irons are the right tools to get the job done. Picky eaters and easier-to-please spouses will thank their resident pizzelle chef for the favor.