Make Homemade Waffles

Waffles… they feel like a special treat when you order them at your favorite diner. But with food prices being what they are these days, it’s kinda smart and awesome to start making waffles from scratch at home.

Why Waffles?

Most everyone loves them. When was the last time you offered a waffle and were turned down?
They’re versatile. We think of them for breakfast first, but it’s time to think out of the waffle box. You can get your waffle fix for the morning meal, a satisfying lunch, fun snack, or even dessert.
They travel well. Pancakes taste great from the pan to the plate, but waffles hold up better in the lunch box.
They’re sandwich friendly. Add a scoop of egg salad, tuna salad, or your favorite smear, like cream cheese.
They have crevices to catch the drips and dribbles. Whether your topping of choice is sweet, creamy butter, warm fruit compote or your favorite flavor of ice cream, it’s always better settled into those toasty squares of goodness.
You can freeze them in bulk. A cold, stiff freezer waffle comes to life within a few minutes of being popped into the hot toaster.
You can eat them in the car, or on the way out the door.
You can egg them up, to pack extra protein and flavor. Classic brands of waffles may have branded the egginess, but it’s easy enough to add egg-stra goodness to your homemade waffle recipe.

How to Make Waffles from Scratch

Wondering how to make waffles? Fun fact: They’re made from a basic pancake batter. The key, of course, is to pour the batter onto a waffle iron, which is a special grill type of device that contains little grooved squares – a waffle pattern. The squares catch the batter so that the little cake that forms takes the shape of a waffle.

Some waffles are more flat, while others come out high and fluffy. The ratio of baking powder to flour determines the pillowy-ness of your waffles. If you prefer flat, crunchy waffles, use less baking powder. If you prefer thick, fluffy waffles, use more.

If you don’t own a waffle iron, it’s highly recommended that you get one. You might even find a waffle iron that contains different inserts for different shaped and grooved patterns for the waffles. A heart shaped waffle would make an adorable Valentine’s Day breakfast for your family. A waffle with mouse ears will go over big for your resident Disney fans!

Make Waffles at Home – Step by Step

Here’s a step by step guide on how to make waffles:

First, plug in and turn on the waffle iron so it’s ready to receive your batter.
Prepare the batter, just like you would for pancakes. The most basic waffle recipe contains flour, baking powder, a few pinches of salt and sugar, eggs, oil, and milk.
When the waffle iron indicator light shows that its fully heated, make your first waffle. Spray the surface of the waffle iron with cooking oil (You can also wipe it with a paper towel dipped in oil if you don’t have cooking spray.)
Stir the batter, then spoon about a cup of it across two waffle squares. Or, if you’re using a single circle-shaped waffle iron, use just enough waffle batter to coat the surface.
Close the waffle iron down on the batter. After a few minutes (probably about 3), your waffle will begin to smell delicious.
Gently pry the waffle iron open but don’t force it. If it seems “stuck,” that means the waffle isn’t fully cooked. Continue to cook the waffle – you may see a small amount of steam.

The waffle is ready when it separates easily from the grill – you can use a fork to gently jiggle the edges free. If you prefer your waffle toasty, continue to cook it until done to your liking.

Wow-Worthy Waffle Recipes

Make these at home, they’re perfect for a special breakfast, versatile to make lunches and desserts too… and even packed up to go!

Basic Waffles

A good waffle recipe is all you need to get creative with waffles for breakfast, lunch, snack or dessert! Here’s one to start with:

Ingredients

2 cups flour
2 Tb sugar
3 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
1.5 cups milk
2 eggs
3 Tb oil

To Make

Spray waffle iron with cooking spray, or swab with oil using a paper towel. Plug in or preheat waffle iron on the stove top, depending on what type you have.
Prepare the batter: Combine dry ingredients and stir. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well.
When waffle iron is ready (check the indicator light, or if there isn’t one, spatter a few drops of water on the waffle iron. If they sizzle, it’s hot enough).
Use a half-cup scoop or ladle to gently pour the batter on the waffle iron. Try to pour directly in the middle, as it will spread to the edges. You can help it along with the back of a spoon, but try not to over-pour, as the batter will end up dribbling down the edges.
Close the lid of the hot waffle iron – you’ll hear sizzling sounds, and see a bit of steam. Your waffles are cooking! This won’t take long – maybe 3 minutes. Check your waffle for done-ness by gently prying open the lid. Your waffle should easily come free from the hot surface. If they don’t, let them continue cooking for a minute or two longer, then try again.
When waffles are done to your liking, use a fork to wiggle them loose. Stack them on a plate, with butter between each waffle.

Serve hot, with the topping of your choice. Or, freeze, and pop in the toaster for a single waffle serving, as needed.

Extra Fluffy Waffles

If you love your waffles extra big and pillow-y, then this recipe is for you.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 pinch salt
2 Tb sugar
5 tsp baking powder
3 eggs, whites separated from yolks
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup milk
3 Tb melted butter

To Make

Start by sifting the flour together with salt, sugar and baking powder.
Whip the egg whites using a hand mixer until soft peaks form.
Beat the egg yolks, then combine these with vanilla, milk and melted butter.
Oil the waffle iron using cooking spray (you can also wipe with oil on a paper towel). When the indicator light glows, your waffle iron is ready.
Combine the egg yolk mixture with the flour. Gently fold in the egg whites.
Scoop about a half-cup of batter onto the waffle iron, adding more as necessary and gently pushing it toward the edges. Try to keep the batter in the middle of each waffle, as it will spread after you close the lid. If it doesn’t, you can help it along using a fork or spoon.
Close the waffle iron lid and let the waffles cook for several minutes. You should be able to see them solidifying at the edges.
When you smell a wonderful waffle smell, check for doneness by gently prying the waffle maker open. If the waffle separates easily (you can use a fork to gently coax them free), that means they’re fully cooked.

If you like your waffles a bit more well-done, close the lid of the waffle maker and let them cook for a minute or two longer.

Plate when done to your liking. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy! You can also bag and store. Waffles easily eat in the toaster, and make a great, on-the-go breakfast.

Chocolate Waffles

Chocolate lovers will appreciate these cocoa-flavored waffles full of choco-goodness. Enjoy these as an ice cream sandwich, with vanilla rolled in chocolate chips!

Ingredients

1.5 cups flour
½ a cup of cocoa powder
½ cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
1.5 cups milk, or more as needed
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
3 Tb melted butter

To Make

Spray waffle iron with cooking spray. Plug in or preheat waffle iron.
Combine dry ingredients and stir. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well.
Pour about a half-cup of batter on the waffle iron, keeping in mind that it will spread to the edges.
Close the lid of the hot waffle iron and let them sizzle and steam for about 3 minutes. Check for doneness by attempting to open the lid of the waffle iron. If the waffle doesn’t separate easily, it needs more cooking – just a few minutes is fine!
When waffles are done to your liking, use a fork to wiggle them loose. Stack them on a plate, and add the topping of your choice, such as ice cream and/or whipped cream and chocolate sauce.

Your chocolate waffles will also freeze well. Take one out to warm in the toaster when you feel like having a special treat!

Eggy Waffles

Everyone loves eggy waffles which is why those specially branded ones have been spotted on the shelves of your grocery store freezer section for ages. Great news. All it takes is two extra eggs to have egg-ceptional, protein packed, yummy waffles at home.

Ingredients

1.5 cups flour
1 Tb sugar
3 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 cup evaporated milk, or more as needed
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
3 Tb melted butter

To Make

Start by lubing up and heating the waffle iron.
Mix all batter ingredients together and stir well to combine.
When the waffle iron is hot, pour some waffle batter onto the center of each waffle form.
Close the lid and let waffles cook for a few minutes. You’ll be able to gauge how they’re doing by the sizzling and steaming action.
Your waffles are ready when they pry away easily from the hot surface of the waffle maker.

Top with butter and your favorite waffle toppings. Or, just grab a waffle for each hand, and eat on the run!

Low Carb Waffles

Low carb waffles swap almond flour for regular flour. They’re a staple of keto dieters because they freeze well, transport well, and make a filling snack or bread substitute for sandwiches or toast.

Ingredients

2 cups almond flour
2 Tb xylitol sweetener (skip if making savory waffles)
3 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 cup cream
2 eggs
2 Tb. butter

To Make

Combine all ingredients and stir.
Heat and grease waffle iron.
When ready, drop about the batter on to each waffle section.
Close the lid and listen for sizzling and steaming sounds.
Waffles are ready when they separate easily from the cooking surface.

Plate and serve with your favorite topping, or freeze for single use, heated in the toaster.

Vegan Waffles – Apple Cinnamon

Vegan recipes aren’t as difficult to make as some might have you believe. The animal products are replaced with plant-based alternatives. Here, waffles get a vegan facelift.

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 pinch salt
3 tsp baking soda
1 tsp fresh ground cinnamon
1 Tb honey
½ cup applesauce
1 cup almond milk
3 Tb coconut oil
1 granny smith apple, peeled and sliced into bite-sized pieces.
1 Tb maple syrup

To Make

Combine dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir well.
Make a quick apple topping. Add apple pieces to a pan with a small amount of water and spoon of maple syrup. Heat to bubbling, then simmer for 2 or 3 minutes until apples are tender.
Grease and heat waffle iron. When the indicator light goes on, or water droplets spatter on the surface, it’s ready.
Pour about a half-cup of batter on the center of each waffle square or circle. Close the lid and let cook for several minutes. Waffle batter will spread to the edges as it cooks.
If you hear hissing sounds or see steam, that means your waffle is cooking the way it should be.
Test for done-ness after about 3 or 4 minutes. Waffle should separate easily from the griddle surface. Help it along by using a fork to gently pry the waffles loose.

Plate, and serve with warm apple topping, and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts.

Wow-Worthy Waffle Mixes

Short on time and/or low on energy? Or, looking for some low carb, gluten-free, organic, or vegan alternatives? Here are some delicious premade waffle mixes that will (almost) taste as good as your homemade mix!

Stonewall Kitchen Farmhouse Pancake & Waffle Mix

Tastiest and fluffiest pancakes you may ever make from a mix!

TruEats Pancake & Waffle Mix

Low Glycemic, Protein & Fiber Rich, Gluten & Grain Free, Diabetic Friendly, Vegan Friendly, Dairy Free, Plant Based, No Sugar Added

DivineKuizine Complete & Fluffy Pancake and Waffle Mix

Vegan Friendly, All-Natural Ingredients – No Artificial Flavors, Sweeteners, or Preservatives – Delicious Homemade Taste, Easy to Use Pancake and Waffle Mix

Heavenly Waffles® Mix, Legacy Blueberry

11g Protein, Yogurt Based, Healthy and Nutritiously Balanced, Superior Tasting Waffles and Pancakes

Anthony’s Organic Pancake Mix

USDA Certified Organic Pancake Mix – Made with certified organic ingredients for delicious homemade pancakes and waffles. Gluten Free, Dairy Free & Non-GMO – Made without dairy and crafted with gluten free, Non-GMO ingredients.

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Waffle Meals: So Many Ways to Make Waffles

Waffles with Peaches and Cinnamon

Slice up fresh peaches, or use jarred if available. Add to a shallow pan along with a pat of butter, sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a sprinkle of brown sugar. Bring to a quick boil, then reduce heat to medium low and heat to just warmed. Serve over hot waffles, with whipped cream or a dollop of sour cream or yogurt.

Waffles with Strawberries and Homemade Whipped Cream

Slice strawberries and toss with a few sprinkles of sugar. Let sit so that the sugar melts into the fresh berries, about 15 minutes to a half-hour. Toss gently, then spoon over a warmed waffle (chocolate makes a great choice). Top with fresh whipped cream.

Waffles with Peanut Butter

Waffles with peanut butter makes a great, filling snack to have at home or take on the go. If you’re low carb, use the keto friendly waffle recipe, and choose sugar-free peanut butter. Stay satiated for hours!

Waffle Egg Sandwich

Fry or scramble an egg. Top with cheese and melt right in the pan. Serve over a warm waffle, open face or top with another waffle. Add a sausage patty or ham slice if you like. Yummy and hearty!

Grilled Cheese Waffle Sandwich

Top a waffle with your favorite cheese. Melt in a hot oven and enjoy with 2 slices of tomato.

Waffles Topped with Ice Cream

Frozen waffles are a great way to take ice cream next-level. Just pop the waffle in the toaster and warm through. Place on a plate, and top with a few scoops of your favorite ice cream. Ladle on chocolate or butterscotch sauce if you have it. Deck out with your favorite sundae toppings like walnuts, banana slices, candy bar pieces, or chocolate chips. Finish with a squirt of whipped cream, and cherry if you have one!

Recommended Waffle Makers

A waffle maker is a must-have for every kitchen! Check out our favorites from Amazon.