Crispy Pheasant and Honey Herb Waffles

Chicken and waffles are an American classic, but if you are looking for a savory combination after a hunt, try this recipe for Crispy Pheasant and Honey Herb Waffles.

Pheasant is similar to chicken or turkey in texture and also has both light and dark meat. Wild pheasant will have a sharp, gamey flavor, but the specific taste can vary based on what food sources were available to the bird. Unlike duck, turkey, and chicken it is a very lean meat and care must be given not to overcook.

How to Make Crispy Pheasant and Honey Herb Waffles

1. Season pheasant with salt and marinate with buttermilk for 8-10 hours.
2. Mix together waffle batter and cook waffles in waffle iron or waffle pan.
3. Heat oil in fryin pan.
4. Dredge pheasant in flour and aromatics mixture.
5. Fry pheasant for 8-12 minutes.
6. Serve pheasant on waffle with drizzle of honey.

This fall, I was gifted a ring-necked pheasant by a friend. Frankly, I was a little bit stumped about what to do. I’m less familiar with this game bird. I usually think of pheasant roasted with stuffing for a holiday dinner. Then, with the cold fall weather setting in, I was trimming back the last of my herb garden and got this idea for a savory, rich take on your basic chicken and waffles.

Don’t think this meal is outdoors appropriate? It is camping friendly! Make your waffles on a cast iron waffle pan. Marinate your pheasant in a plastic bag in a cooler overnight and fry in a Dutch Oven. 

Love game bird? Also, try Chinese Smoked Duck Legs with Spicy Green Beans and Red Chili and Honey Quail Legs with Ranch Dip.

4.84 from 6 votes

Crispy Pheasant with Honey Herb Waffles

Prep Time 12 hours hrs

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 12 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Equipment

• Waffle Iron

Ingredients

For the waffles…

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 pepper
• 2 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
• 5 tbsp butter melted and cooled
• 1/4 cup mixed fresh herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley finely chopped
• Vegetable Oil Spray

For the pheasant…

• 1 pheasant broken down
• salt
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 3 cups avocado oil
• 3/4 cup flour
• 3 tbsp sambal olek dry spice mix
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1/4 cup honey

Instructions

Marinate the Pheasant…

• Season pheasant with salt.
• Place pheasant in shallow bowl or baking dish. Cover with buttermilk. Refrigerate 8-10 hours.

Make the Waffles…

• Pre-heat waffle iron or waffle pan.
• Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda sugar, salt, and pepper.
• Whisk eggs until slightly beaten. Add in buttermilk and butter. Mix into dry ingredients. Let batter rest for 10 minutes.
• Lightly coat the waffle iron or pan with vegetable oil spray. Drop waffle mixture into the. Cook for 3-5 minutes until golden brown. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Fry the Pheasant…

• Heat oil to 350 F.
• Mix together flour, and sambal olek. Remove pheasant from buttermilk and dredge in flour mixture.
• Add to oil and fry for 8-12 minutes until golden brown. Drain excess oil off by resting pieces on sheets of paper towel.
• Serve on a waffle with a drizzle of honey.

Course: Breakfast, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Breakfast, Dutch Oven, Hunt

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @bewildeats on Instagram and hashtag it #bewildeats.