The Best Pizzelle Makers for Making the Tasty Italian Treat at Home

Buying Guide

Coming from Italy, pizzelles are flat, crispy cookies that stand out for their waffle-like texture and design. While you can enjoy these cookies on their own, you can also use them for ice cream sandwiches or roll them up to make yummy cannolis. While making pizzelles just requires simple ingredients, you’ll need to use a pizzelle maker, also called a pizzelle iron, to create them properly.

The most common type of pizzelle maker is an electrical appliance similar to a waffle icon, and this offers the convenience of not needing a stove. When you open it up, the iron has metal plates with one or more spots to make pizzelles, and you may get multiple mold designs too. Using this type of pizzelle maker requires letting the unit heat up, putting the dough on the plates and closing and locking the iron to let the treats cook properly.

These electric pizzelle makers often come with features for convenience and easy use. The maker will usually have an indicator light to help prevent burning the cookies. Some models even have controls for your preferred browning level.  Plus, nonstick plates are common to reduce the need for oiling, and the plates may even be removable for cleaning in the dishwasher. 

If you prefer a manual option, you can instead get a pizzelle iron that has a handle you’ll use to hold it over a stovetop for cooking. This low-tech option is usually made of cast iron or aluminum and makes just one pizzelle at a time. Like when using electrical models, you’ll place the dough and close and lock the plates for cooking. While simple and sometimes less expensive, handheld pizzelle irons take more time if you need to make multiple cookies.

To decide which type of pizzelle maker suits you, think about how many cookies you want to take and what your cooking preferences are. If you want to make multiple pizzelles, cook a single one quickly or avoid the hassles of using the stove, an electrical maker likely fits your needs best. A manual maker can work fine if you want to make individual pizzelles, don’t mind a longer cooking time for multiple cookies and prefer something more basic.

• Pizzelle makers usually make cookies with diameters of four or five inches, so you may want to consider your preferred cookie size when shopping for one.
• When buying an electric pizzelle maker, consider your counter space and the machine’s portability. The most compact options are mini makers for a single pizzelle, and you’ll find these easy to take places with you. The largest machines are bulkiest and usually make four pizzelles ideal for a family treat. Mid-sized ones, however, make a pair handy for ice cream sandwiches.
• For safety, look for electric pizzelle makers with a bottom that won’t slip. Avoid putting the maker too close to the edge of a counter as well. Additionally, keep children away from the machine while it’s hot.
• If you use a pizzelle maker without nonstick plates, add some oil to them to keep your cookies from sticking.
• Avoid touching a hot pizzelle maker to avoid burns. Also, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for electrical machines, including placing the machine somewhere safe, checking the cord for issues and unplugging it when not in use.
• Preheating times for electric pizzelle makers vary, but expect to at least wait a few minutes before you add the dough.
• Roll your pizzelle dough into a ball and place it in the center of the plate pattern. 
• Depending on whether you use a manual or electrical unit, pizzelles usually cook quickly in around 45 seconds to 2.5 minutes. Follow the cooking time listed for your maker or recipe to avoid burning the cookies. 
• A spatula comes in handy for safely removing the pizzelles from the maker. Let them cool on a cookie sheet before you handle them or add powdered sugar and other decorations. If you plan to make cannolis, bend the pizzelles before they cool down so much that they get too crispy.
• Clean your pizzelle maker’s plates to get rid of the dough residue. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance and don’t submerge electrical makers.
• Put your leftover pizzelles in a closed container for later enjoyment. They should stay fresh for at least one week sealed, and you can freeze them to keep them fresher for longer.