Pizzelle are traditional Italian cookies made from butter, flour, sugar, eggs, and vegetable oil and pressed into a thin waffle cookie with a beautifully intricate design. They're commonly served at Easter, Christmas, and Italian weddings.
The more traditional method for making pizzelle uses a stovetop iron, but as is often the case, the old-school way is not the easiest. Using an electric pizzelle maker makes the process much faster—but that doesn't mean there isn't still a lot to love about the traditional method. After scouring the internet for both electric and stovetop models, we've rounded up the best pizzelle makers worth buying.
Our Favorites
- Our Top Pick: CucinaPro Pizzelle Baker
- Best Budget: Dash Mini Pizzelle Maker
- Best for Storage: Chef's Choice Pizzelle Maker
- Best Mini: CucinaPro Piccolo Pizzelle Baker
- Best Stovetop: Nordic Ware Krumkake and Pizzelle Iron
- Best for Advanced Cooks: Cuisinart Pizzelle Press
Our Top Pick: CucinaPro Pizzelle Baker
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screenshot2023-12-12at10.40.01AM-65a54c35799d4e02bfb9295792f894c0.png "The Best Pizzelle Makers to Buy for Nonna-Approved Cookies (1)")
Why It's Great: Thick baking plates; available in multiple finishes; steam guard
Grain of Salt: Indicator light under the handle is hard to see
This CucinaPro delivers standout features, including a nonstick surface that helps the cookies to lift from the grid with ease and extra-thick baking plates for even heat distribution. For the pizzelle traditionalist, it's also available in a polished stainless steel interior.
We love that it has a steam guard and cool-touch handles, so you don't have to worry about burning your hands. There is also a clamp on the end of the handles to keep the batter level. Apart from producing two 5-inch cookies at once in two different designs, it's also easy to clean thanks to the high-quality nonstick coating.
The Details: Aluminum; 10 x 10.25 x 5 inches; 2 pounds; makes (2) 5-inch cookies
Best Budget: Dash Mini Pizzelle Maker
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screenshot2023-12-12at10.42.59AM-618c51f54f8f44d181d0135ea74a7250.png "The Best Pizzelle Makers to Buy for Nonna-Approved Cookies (2)")
Why It's Great: Compact; simple design; nonslip feet
Grain of Salt: Easy to overfill; only makes small pizzelle
Dash is probably most famous for their mini, single-serve waffle maker, so it's only fitting that they would release a pizzelle maker, too! Considering it only makes one four-inch cookie at a time, it's not recommended for making large batches. But if you're looking for a fun family activity, this low-cost, space-spacing pizzelle maker is just too adorable to pass up.
This model has two different traditional patterns, one on each side of the nonstick cooking surfaces. It's also incredibly easy to use—simply plug it in, wait a few minutes for it to heat up, and pour in your batter.
The Details: Aluminum; 6.5 x 5 x 2.75 inches; 1 pound, 4 ounces; makes (1) 4-inch cookie
Best for Storage: Chef's Choice Pizzelle Maker Model 834
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screenshot2023-12-12at11.02.05AM-e529f74af08e4a4f90a0f1065c05a6c2.png "The Best Pizzelle Makers to Buy for Nonna-Approved Cookies (3)")
Why It's Great: Works fast; folds up for storage; easy to use
Grain of Salt: Expensive; heavy
Similar to the CucinaPro model, this electric pizzelle maker can cook two pizzelle on its nonstick surface in just 30 seconds. Plus, the baker easily slides into the cabinet when stored in an upright position.
This unit fell just short of the CucinaPro due to the price point and slightly smaller pizzelle (each cookie measures 4.75 inches), but it's clear that you can't go wrong with either model.
The Details: Stainless Steel; 10.5 x 12.38 x 5 inches; 5.1 pounds; makes (2) 4.75-inch cookies
Best Mini: CucinaPro Piccolo Pizzelle Baker
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screenshot2023-12-12at11.05.02AM-e8b81c29849740448ca669d10c18241c.png "The Best Pizzelle Makers to Buy for Nonna-Approved Cookies (4)")
Why It's Great: Makes four cookies at once; two different patterns; steam guard
Grain of Salt: May not heat as evenly
Mini pizzelle are perfect for gifting or serving to guests around the holidays, and this baker can make four 3.25-inch cookies at once for the perfect bite-sized treats. Like its full-size CucinaPro counterpart, it has a nonstick coating and extra-thick baking plates. There's also an indicator light under the handle to see exactly when your pizzelle are ready.
Although the four cookie molds leave more room for error when it comes to even heat distribution, this appliance is very simple to use and easy to clean.
The Details: Aluminum; 10 x 10.25 x 5. inches; 3.5 pounds; makes (4) 3.25-inch cookies
Best Stovetop: Nordic Ware Krumkake and Pizzelle Iron
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screenshot2023-12-12at12.59.57PM-bc6b440b8fee41afa7aab64592805d88.png "The Best Pizzelle Makers to Buy for Nonna-Approved Cookies (5)")
Why It's Great: Makes krumkake and pizzelle cookies; works with electric and gas stovetops; made of sturdy craft aluminum; beautiful design
Grain of Salt: More difficult to use than electric models
This classic pizzelle maker is constructed out of durable heavy-cast aluminum and can be used on any type of stovetop. It makes both pizzelle and krumkake, which is a traditional Norwegian waffle cookie shaped like a cone.
To use, the iron holder base is preheated directly on the stove, and then the batter is poured directly into the iron. By rotating the iron, the cookie is cooked briefly on each side. The traditional pizzelle iron has a lovely pattern of flowers and leaves decorating the cookie mold, the handles, and the exterior of the base.
The Details: Cast aluminum; 2.38 x 12.13 x 10.3 inches; 3 pounds; makes (1) 5.25-inch cookie
Best for Advanced Cooks: Cuisinart Pizzelle Press
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Screenshot2023-12-12at11.06.57AM-6134172ab57942468551f6ad2af03a2c.png "The Best Pizzelle Makers to Buy for Nonna-Approved Cookies (6)")
Why It's Great: Multiple temperature settings; two indicator lights; includes measuring scoop and rolling dowel
Grain of Salt: Cookies are on the smaller side
For those who want maximum control over the final result, this pizzelle maker from Cuisinart allows you to choose between five different browning shades for your cookies. Plus, its nonstick baking surface means cleanup is a breeze.
We love that it has two indicator lights, one to tell you when the press is ready to use and another for when the pizzelle is ready to remove. It makes two 4-inch cookies at a time, which are smaller than other similarly sized pizzelle makers, but it also includes a measuring scoop and rolling dowel to ensure a consistent thickness.
The Details: Stainless steel; 9 x 7.5 x 4.5 inches; 4.5 pounds; makes (2) 4-inch cookies
We Made Dozens of Cookies To Find the Best Baking Sheets Available
Our Takeaway
Our top pick, the CucinaPro Pizzelle Baker, features thick nonstick plates for even heat distribution and a steam guard for added safety. For something a little more affordable, the Dash Mini Pizzelle Maker is easy to use and makes smaller 4-inch cookies with a different design on each side.
How to Pick the Right Pizzelle Maker
Size
Pizzelle can come in a variety of sizes, some upwards of five inches, with mini pizzelle being three inches or less. Which size is best for you depends on personal preference and what you intend to do with the pizzelle. Larger pizzelle are ideal for molding into cannoli shells, while smaller pizzelle are great for bringing to a party or handing out as gifts.
Amount
Some pizzelle makers can only handle making one cookie at a time, especially if they're a larger size. If you plan on making a large batch of these cookies, you may want to go for an option that makes multiple at a time.
Aesthetic Design
The pizzelle's most notable feature is the intricate designs. The marks range from lacy to flowery to resembling a snowflake and beyond. Be sure to review the maker's design to make sure you love the print, after all, you'll be making lots of delicious waffle cookies with that shape.
Common Questions
What is a pizzelle maker?
A pizzelle maker is similar to a waffle maker in that batter is poured into the plates of the iron, which is heated electrically. A beautiful, intricate design is imprinted onto the pizzelle batter, giving you a result that is not only attractive but also delicious. Depending on your preference, pizzelle can either be thin and crispy or soft and chewy.
How do you make pizzelle dough?
A simple pizzelle recipe is made up of eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, flour, and baking powder. Start by beating the eggs with the sugar, stirring in the butter and vanilla, and then adding the flour and baking powder. Once mixed, simply spoon the batter onto the heated pizzelle maker and cook for the designated time. With traditional Italian pizzelle recipes, the vanilla may be replaced with anise.
How do you clean a pizzelle maker?
Most pizzelle makers have a nonstick coating on the cooking plates, which not only give the cookies a smoother release once they're cooked, but also makes for an easier clean up. Although the plates typically aren't removable for cleaning, they're flat enough to wipe clean.
Why Take Our Word for It
Melanie Fincher is a Birmingham, Alabama-based food journalist who loves to cook, eat, and test out new kitchen gadgets. Melanie has spent the last three years working exclusively in food media, writing and editing cooking content, including tested product reviews. Her work has appeared on Allrecipes, Food & Wine, MyRecipes, and Better Homes & Gardens.
This article was updated by Allison Wignall, a writer with a soft-spot for Italian food, wines, and desserts. Her work has been featured in Food & Wine, the Spruce Eats, Travel + Leisure, Southern Living, and more.
Every Kitchen Needs a Hand Mixer—Three of Our Favorites Are Under $25
