The Best Pizzelle Makers to Buy for Nonna-Approved Cookies

Our Top Pick

Cuisinart Pizzelle Press

$55 at Amazon $47 at Walmart $50 at Sur La Table

Many pizzelle makers don't allow you any control over temperature, and you have no idea when the press is hot enough or when the pizzelle might be done. When we tested our pizzelle maker picks, that was a big issue, until we used the Cuisinart model.

This maker allows you to choose between five different browning shades for your cookies, so you have complete control over the pizzelle and can make a few extra crispy if you so desire. The green indicator light also lets you know when the plates are hot enough, and again when it's time to gently lift the cookies out of the maker.

This 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. Plus, its nonstick baking surface means cleanup is a breeze.

The Details: Stainless steel; 9 x 7.5 x 4.5 inches; 4.5 pounds; makes (2) 4-inch cookies

Best Budget

Dash Mini Pizzelle Maker

$23 $13 at Amazon $10 at Williams Sonoma $13 at Sur La Table

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.

When we tested this, making a perfect pizzelle was effortless. Placing an heaping tablespoon of dough slightly above the enter of the plate completely filled out the press. It only took one practice cookie before we got the hang of it. 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 Mini

CucinaPro Piccolo Pizzelle Baker

$40 at Amazon

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, though it was hard to see since it's directly under the handle.

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. Simply place about a tablespoon of dough on each mold, and press down. As we tested, we realized there's almost impossible to not have dough overflow and for the cookies to bake together. We recommend using kitchen shears to cut the edges off once the cookies are cooled.

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

$62 at Amazon $62 at Wayfair $63 at Home Depot

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 (it includes a dowel to shape the krumkake).

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. While this might seem intimidating to many bakers, it was easy to create a beautiful pizzelle when we tested this. 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

Cucina Pro Pizzelle Maker

$40 at Amazon $44 at Wayfair $79 $55 at Macys

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. We love that it produces two 5-inch cookies at once in two different designs. For the pizzelle traditionalist, it's also available in a polished stainless steel interior.

Its steam guard and cool-touch handles performed well during testing, and there is also a clamp on the end of the handles to keep the batter level. But it was hard to get just the right amount of batter in each mold, and we couldn't control the temperature at all. If you're not advanced in your pizzelle-making skills, you might have to make a lot of practice cookies (as we did). Thankfully, it's 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