Classic Waffle Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good waffles? ›

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 makes waffle batter different than pancake batter? For the most part, waffles and pancake batter contain the same main ingredients. However, there are a few key differences between these tasty breakfast foods. For one, waffle batter has a little bit more sugar, butter, and eggs than pancake batter.

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.

Belgian waffles taste more soft and crispy, while waffles in the Netherlands are made from a heavier batter with a chewy and sticky texture. Another prominent difference lies in the shapes used by Belgian and Dutch styles. The former is in the shape of rectangle and the latter is round.

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.

If you just put pancake batter into a waffle maker, chances are it will spill over the edges of the iron, burn, and create a mess. Also, they'll come out a bit flat and too crunchy, as opposed to having that fluffy soft center that you usually look for in a waffle.

Waffle batters contain a higher proportion of fat than pancake or crêpe batters, as the extra fat helps to keep the waffles soft. Nigella's recipe uses 125ml (1/2 cup) of vegetable oil. Generally you can switch oil for melted butter in a waffle recipe.

Can I put pancake mix in a waffle maker? ›

Turning Your Pancake Mix Into a Waffle Mix

You must double the amount of fat you use for the pancake mix. For example, you use 1 tablespoon of butter per cup of dry pancake mixture. Instead, add 2 tablespoons of butter to ensure the crispiness of the waffle. However, we recommend using oil over butter.

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.

Cinnamon or Nutmeg: Sprinkle ground cinnamon or nutmeg into the batter to give your waffles a warm and cozy flavor. Citrus Zest: Grate the zest of an orange, lemon, or lime into the batter for a citrusy kick. This adds a bright and refreshing element to your waffles.

You're probably getting the pan or griddle too hot so they're cooking on the outside before the inside is done. Either cook them longer or reduce your heat.

Making pancake and waffle batter ahead of time is a huge no-no and will lead to flat, dense results every time. Even letting your batter hang out for just a few minutes after you've mixed it before you start ladling it onto the griddle will lead to less fluffy results.

The resting time allows the batter to thicken and the gluten to relax so you get that really tender and fluffy waffle interior rather than chewy waffles. (Here's a good article on what's happening while batter is resting, if you're curious).