Best Belgian Waffle Recipe (2024)

The Best Belgian Waffle Recipe has a crispy exterior and light, fluffy interior! These waffles rival any that you’d find at your favorite breakfast restaurant and, with a couple of tricks, they’re super simple to make!

Best Belgian Waffle Recipe (1)

People don’t say breakfast is the most important meal of the day for no reason, you guys.

It’s because waffles exist and waffles are important. 😉

Those frozen waffles are fine in a pinch, but oh goodness, nothing beats a homemade Belgian waffle with a crisp exterior and deep pockets full of maple syrup and melted butter.

Our Belgian waffle recipe just melts in your mouth and if you’re not stopping what you’re doing to head to the kitchen RIGHT. NOW. you are missing out!

But enough about my love for the best waffle recipe to exist…let’s just get to the good stuff so you know how to make them too! You and your family are going to love this one and I won’t make you wait a minute longer.

Be sure to try our Biscuit Donuts and Monkey Bread too. We love all these breakfast treats!

Table of Contents

Waffle Ingredient Notes:

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Flour – We use all purpose flour, but a combo of white and whole wheat would likely work, if you don’t mind a heavier texture.

Cornstarch – This helps keep the waffles crisp on the outside and light and airy inside.

Spices – We add vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a bit of salt to the batter for flavor. You can skip the cinnamon and nutmeg if it’s not your thing, but we think it adds the perfect touch.

Baking Powder & Baking Soda – Both work to make the waffles light and airy.

Buttermilk & Milk – We use a combo of both here. No buttermilk? Just add a teaspoon of vinegar to milk and let it sit for 5 minutes. Instant buttermilk!

Oil

Egg – You’ll need to separate the white from the yolk for this one, but we’ll use the whole egg.

Sugar – Just a touch of sweetness.

What Readers are Saying!

“My family has been on a waffle making odyssey – and after a dozen or so recipes, I think we can stop searching!!! Yes, the egg is a bit more work than most recipes, but it’s definitely worth it for the airy texture. These are crisp and light with a pinch of that cinnamon flavor. Two thumbs up from my whole family!” – Leigh S.

Waffle Iron – We use and recommend this waffle iron. Easy to use and fairly budget friendly. We’ve had ours over 10 years now.

Electric Hand Mixer It’s so easy to whip up dessert (or in this case, breakfast) with this cute hand mixer. It doesn’t take up much space and is a must for any kitchen!

Rotating Hand WhiskIf you don’t have an electric mixer one of these rotating whisks works pretty well too without the need for any electricity.

How To Make Belgian Waffles:

Whip: To start, we’re going to whip an egg white. I KNOW. I hate whipping egg whites. I promise you, this is 100% worth it and is the key to this recipe.

If you have a hand mixer, drag it out and start whipping. Otherwise, count this as your arm workout for the day and go to town with a whisk.

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Combine: Once your egg whites are whipped to stiff peaks, you’ll stir together the rest of the Belgian waffle batter and, once combined, fold in those whipped egg whites.

One of the secret ingredients here is cornstarch. It helps to make the waffle crispy on the outside and the whipped egg white makes it light and airy inside. That’s why this is the best Belgian waffle recipe!

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Cook: Let your waffle iron preheat for a few minutes and spritz it with nonstick spray.

Every waffle iron is different and some will cook faster than others. Mine takes about 3 minutes. I generally just look for the steam to stop coming out of the iron and that’s when I know they’re done.

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Serve: As you cook these waffles, pop them right onto the rack of a warm oven. They’ll stay nice and crisp and everyone can enjoy breakfast at the same time this way. Genius, right?

Leftover Hack!

Leftover waffles freeze great! Just place them on a sheet pan in a single layer and freeze for one hour. Place in a zip top freezer bag, squeeze out as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 325 degree oven for 10 minutes or until warmed through.

FAQs:

How many waffles does this make?

Great question, but the answer is…it all depends on your waffle iron. Some are larger than others and it’ll really all depend on that. The waffle iron I linked above is large enough that this recipe makes 3 large waffles.

I have another smaller iron that makes 4 waffles. It never hurts to double the recipe, just freeze any extra waffles for later and reheat in the oven!

Can you store waffles for later?

Yes, you can refrigerate or freeze them for later! They’ll last in the fridge for about 2 to 3 days and in the freezer for up to a few months. To freeze, first place them on a baking sheet and flash freeze before transferring to a sealed bag or container. It also helps to separate them with parchment paper.

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Waffle Mix-In’s:

We think a classic Belgium waffle is pretty perfect just the way it is, but my kids do have fun sprinkling in other ingredients. Makes for a fun breakfast!

Try adding 1/2 to 1 cup of these additions:

  • Chocolate Chips
  • Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
  • Cooked and Crumbled Bacon
  • Cinnamon Chips
  • Chopped Pecans

Belgian Waffle Toppings:

You can keep it simple with a pat of salted butter and a drizzle of pure maple syrup, but it’s also fun to get creative. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Nutella and Strawberries
  • Biscoff and Raspberries
  • Fried Chicken
  • Air Fryer Bananas and Caramel Sauce
  • Apples and Cinnamon
  • Peaches and Pecans (like these peach pancakes)
  • Cherry Pie Filling
  • Apple Butter or Cinnamon Honey Butter

MORE BREAKFAST RECIPES!

  • Cake Donut Recipe
  • Amish Breakfast Casserole
  • Homemade Biscuits
  • Sausage Gravy
  • English Muffin Bread
  • Keto Oatmeal
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Follow me on social for more recipe ideas & inspiration!

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Recipe

The Very Best Waffles

This is the best Belgian waffle recipe we've ever tried at home. The waffles are crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. It beats restaurant waffles any day of the week!

4.11 from 179 votes

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Prep5 minutes minutes

Cook15 minutes minutes

Total20 minutes minutes

Serves 4 waffles

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg separated
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 200°F and heat up the waffle iron.

  • Mix the flour, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Measure the buttermilk, milk, and vegetable oil in a measuring cup and stir in the egg yolk. Set aside.

  • In another bowl, beat the egg white almost to soft peaks. Sprinkle in the sugar and continue to beat until the peaks are firm and glossy. Beat in the vanilla.

  • Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk until just mixed. Drop the whipped egg white onto the batter in dollops and fold in with a spatula until just incorporated.

  • Pour the batter onto the hot waffle iron (My Belgian waffle maker takes 2 1/2 ice cream scoops of batter, but your mileage may vary) and cook until the waffle is crisp and brown.

  • Set the waffle directly on the oven rack to keep it warm and crisp. Repeat with the remaining batter, holding the waffles in the oven (don’t stack them). When all the waffles are cooked, serve immediately.

Tips & Notes:

This recipe makes 3-4 waffles in my Belgian waffle maker. The number of waffles may vary depending on your waffle maker.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1waffle| Calories: 293kcal (15%)| Carbohydrates: 25g (8%)| Protein: 4g (8%)| Fat: 19g (29%)| Saturated Fat: 14g (88%)| Cholesterol: 42mg (14%)| Sodium: 345mg (15%)| Potassium: 138mg (4%)| Sugar: 4g (4%)| Vitamin A: 135IU (3%)| Calcium: 81mg (8%)| Iron: 1mg (6%)

Author: Karly Campbell

Course:Breakfast

Cuisine:American

Did You Make This?Tag Us On Instagram

This recipe was lightly adapted from Fine Cooking.

This post was originally published in May 2012. It was updated in March 2019 with new photos and a video. Old photo below:

Best Belgian Waffle Recipe (8)
Best Belgian Waffle Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a waffle and a Belgian waffle? ›

The ingredients for both regular waffles and Belgian waffles are similar and include flour, milk, eggs, and butter or oil. However, Belgian waffles use egg whites to give a fluffier texture. Additionally, Belgian waffles have yeast in their recipe while regular waffles use baking powder.

What is the secret to making good waffles? ›

Add cornstarch.

If you're making waffles with baking powder and baking soda, adding cornstarch to the mix will get you waffles that are crisp on the outside and soft and flaky on the inside. Because waffle recipes vary, start with ¼ cup and work in as much as ½ cup to get the desired effect.

Why are my Belgian waffles not crispy? ›

Not waiting until the iron heats up properly means your waffles will cook, but never achieve that satisfyingly crisp exterior. Overworking the batter will leave your waffles dense and chewy instead of light and airy. And stacking even the most perfect waffles will cause them to become soggy and limp in minutes.

What makes Belgian waffles so good? ›

The secret ingredient in Belgian waffles is the pearl sugar, which gives the waffles a unique texture and slight, satisfying crunch. Belgian waffles are also fantastically light, which adds to their perfection. Fun bonus fact: traditional Belgian waffles are usually eaten with your hands, not a fork and knife.

Can you use a regular waffle iron for Belgian waffles? ›

If you don't have a Belgian waffle maker, you can use a regular waffle maker. It likely won't create the larger, thicker, deeper grooves, but you may still end up with fluffier waffles. Keep in mind that the time it takes to make Belgian waffles may vary depending on serving size.

Can you use regular waffle batter in a Belgian waffle maker? ›

Can You Make Regular Waffles in a Belgian Waffle Maker? Sure! Since regular waffles are denser than Belgian ones, increase the leavening agent—usually baking powder—in your recipe to adjust the texture.

Should you let waffle batter rest? ›

Recommended overnight or 2 hr resting – for the tastiest waffles, rest the batter overnight in the fridge or for at least 2 hours. This makes the flour grains absorb the liquid so it makes the inside of the waffles softer.

What is the secret to crispy waffles? ›

Of course, you can substitute whole grain flours like whole wheat or spelt flour, but expect them to be a little denser. Cornstarch is our secret ingredient for making the crispiest waffles. Cornstarch guarantees that the waffles will be perfectly crisp and tender.

Should waffle batter be thicker than pancake batter? ›

Consistency: Waffle batter is thicker than pancake batter. This thick consistency lets you pour the waffle batter into a waffle maker without running out the sides. Pancake batter is looser, which means it is easily pourable into a round shape.

Why do Belgian waffles taste different? ›

Belgian waffles are typically made with a yeast-based batter, which gives them a slightly tangy flavor and a light, airy texture. Dutch waffles, on the other hand, are typically made with a batter that is more similar to pancakes, which gives them a denser texture and a sweeter flavor.

Why do restaurant waffles taste better? ›

A restaurant, on the other hand, will have an industrial cooker with a higher wattage plugged into a circuit designed for heavier loads. If you are asking about the waffle itself, my answer will be that most restaurants make their batter from scratch. Home waffles are usually made from a boxed mix like Bisquick.

What is the famous Belgian waffle brand? ›

Famous Belgian Waffles was established September 16, 2012. Without skipping a beat, after 5 productive years, Famous Belgian Waffles now has more than 500 branches including 1 in San Diego, California and counting. It has grown from kiosks to semi coffee shop concept.

What is the difference between a waffle maker and a Belgian waffle maker? ›

✔️ Belgian waffle makers typically have round plates versus square, but what really sets them apart are the thick, fluffy waffles they produce. Belgian waffles are soft with a slightly crisp exterior. They also have large, deep pockets that trap even more butter or syrup per bite.

Why do Belgian waffles taste different than regular waffles? ›

Belgian waffles start with a yeasted batter, require a leavening agent and tend to include more butter, milk and sugar. If you try to make the Liege style, larger sugar granules are added for more crunch. Traditional or American waffles often substitute yeast with baking powder and do not sit overnight.

Are Eggo waffles Belgian waffles? ›

Enjoy warm, Belgian-style waffles at home with Eggo® Thick & Fluffy Waffles. They have the classic Eggo® flavor you love, with deep pockets to fill with all of your favorites.

What is the difference between a Belgian waffle maker and a regular waffle maker? ›

✔️ Belgian waffle makers typically have round plates versus square, but what really sets them apart are the thick, fluffy waffles they produce. Belgian waffles are soft with a slightly crisp exterior. They also have large, deep pockets that trap even more butter or syrup per bite.

Why are they called Belgian waffles? ›

Initially calling his product “Brussels” waffle, he soon changed it to “Bel-Gem” waffle, realizing most Americans associated Brussels with sprouts and didn't know it was a Belgian city (not to mention, his homeland's capital). Over time, the name morphed into “Belgian” waffles.

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