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Here’s the best easy waffle recipe: it makes perfect waffles every time, whether Belgian or classic! This is your go-to for weekend mornings.
What’s better than a crispy-on-the-outside, vanilla scented waffle warm from the griddle? (Not much). Here’s your new go-to: the Best Easy Waffle Recipe. We’re ready to stand behind that title! This one is everything you need for cozy weekend mornings. It’s simple to put together with that classic waffle house flavor, and works with a standard waffle maker or Belgian. This is the one our 4 year old begs for: and, we’ve got a few variations based on your diet and seasonal preferences.
Ingredients in the best waffle recipe
Our best waffle recipe is 100% classic, so the ingredients are the standard cast of characters. Below, we’ve got some variations that work based on dietary preferences. Here are the waffle ingredients in our classic recipe:
- All purpose flour and whole wheat flour: Adding a bit of whole wheat flour adds complexity to the flavor
- Baking powder
- Sugar of any type, or you can substitute maple syrup
- Cinnamon and vanilla for seasoning
- Neutral oil: like organic canola or vegetable oil, grapeseed, etc. Using oil omits the need to melt butter (see below)
- Milk of choice, either dairy or non-dairy like oat milk or almond milk
- Eggs
Works as a Belgian waffle recipe or standard!
This waffles recipe delivers no matter what type of waffle maker you have! It works as both a Belgian waffle recipe or a classic one with the standard waffle maker. What’s our preference? After experimenting with both types of waffle irons, we like Belgian the best. They’ve got the best fluffy, thick texture and deep grooves. Here’s the difference between the two and what that looks like in terms of size:
- Belgian waffles are twice as large as regular waffles. They’re 1.5 inches thick with a deep grid pattern, making them look more impressive. A serving size is half of a Belgian waffle, since it’s double the size of a standard waffle.
- Regular waffles, aka American waffles are about 1/2-inch thick. If you’re making a standard waffle, the serving size is 1 waffle.
What Belgian waffle maker to buy? If you’re in the market for one, here’s the Belgian waffle iron we use.
How to make waffles: a few tips!
How hard can it be to make a waffle recipe? Just mix up the batter and cook, right? Actually, there are a few best practices when it comes to waffles — we’ve learned from experience. Here’s what to know about how to make waffles:
- Grease or butter the waffle iron. You can use oil with a brush, butter, or coconut oil. While most waffle irons are non-stick, they can use their surface over time. Our Belgian waffle maker is a few years old and requires a good greasing: or else the waffle gets stuck in the deep grooves.
- Cook until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Some waffle makers have a light or sound that tells you when the waffle is cooked. Others don’t (like ours)! Set a timer and start checking around the 3 minute mark: pull it when it’s nice and golden.
- Place cooked waffles in a 250°F degree oven to keep warm. Once you’re done cooking the waffle, serve it right away. Or, place it on a parchment lined baking sheet and place it in a low oven to cool.
Make ahead and storage info for this waffles recipe
Waffles are great for making a big batch and freezing them. While you might eat all of this waffle recipe at once, you can double or triple it and safe the leftovers for easy eating throughout the week.
- To store short term: Cooked waffles last 3 days in the refrigerator. See the reheating instructions below.
- To store: Make the waffles, then let them cool completely on a wire rack. Once they’ve cooled, stack the waffles in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
- To reheat: Pop them into the toaster and cook them on a low setting for just a few seconds, repeating it two or three times. Or, warm them on an oiled baking sheet in a 300 degree oven (make sure to oil the sheet or the waffles will stick!).
Waffle recipe variations
Got a special dietary need? Or want to incorporate seasonal ingredients or add some flair? We’ve got you! Here are some of our favorite waffles recipes:
- Fluffy waffles: Separate the egg whites from the yolks (use the yolks for the batter). Whip the whites in a stand mixer or hand mixer until soft peaks form, then fold into the batter with a spatula before cooking.
- Vegan: Go to Vegan Waffles
- Gluten Free: Go to Fluffy Gluten Free Waffles (they’re impossibly fluffy!)
- Berry flavors: Try Strawberry Waffles or Best Blueberry Waffles
- Pumpkin: Try Pumpkin Waffles
Waffle topping ideas
For the best waffle recipe, you need the best waffle toppings! Here are are our top ways to put together waffle toppings:
- Maple syrup or honey: A little goes a long way
- Nut butter: Add peanut butter, almond butter, pecan butter, walnut butter, pistachio butter or cashew butter
- Sauces: Try Strawberry Sauce, Easy Strawberry Compote, Strawberry Puree, Blueberry Sauce or Raspberry Sauce
- Fresh fruit: Go simple with sliced bananas or berries
- Chopped nuts: try pecans, cashews, walnuts or hazelnuts
- Whipped cream: Try Homemade Whipped Cream or Vegan Whipped Cream
- Greek yogurt: Sweeten it with a little maple syrup
This easy waffle recipe is…
Vegetarian. For gluten free, go to Gluten Free Waffles. For vegan, go to Vegan Waffles.
Perfect Waffle Recipe
Here’s the best easy waffle recipe: it makes perfect waffles every time, whether Belgian or classic! This is your go-to for weekend mornings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 (4 standard or 2 large Belgian waffles) 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Waffle Iron
- Cuisine: Breakfast
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour*
- ½ cup whole wheat flour (or substitute all purpose)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar (any type, or maple syrup)
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup neutral oil
- 1 ¼ cups milk of choice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 eggs*
Instructions
- Preheat the waffle iron to the high heat setting.
- In a medium bowl, mix the all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, and kosher salt until thoroughly combined.
- In another bowl, whisk the oil, milk, vanilla and eggs (or see Fluffy Waffles variation**). Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk gently until the batter is smooth.
- Grease or butter your waffle iron. Add the batter (a little over 1 cup for a Belgian waffle maker or a little over ½ cup for a standard waffle maker) into the center of the waffle iron, then cook according to the waffle iron’s instructions until golden brown: about 3 to 4 minutes depending on your waffle iron. Remove the cooked waffles and place them on a parchment-lined or greased baking sheet without stacking. Make the waffles to order, or place cooked waffles in a 250°F oven to keep warm.
- Cooked waffles can be frozen; place them in a plastic bag and remove the remaining air with a straw before sealing. To reheat, remove from the freezer and lightly toast in a toaster.
Notes
*For vegan waffles, go to Perfect Vegan Waffles. For gluten-free waffles, go to Gluten-Free Waffles.
**Fluffy Waffles variation: Whisk only the egg yolks with the oil, milk, and vanilla. Use a stand mixer, handheld mixer or whisk to beat the two egg whites until soft peaks form. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth, then fold the egg whites into the batter with a spatula. This will make 2 ½ Belgian waffles or 5 classic waffles.