Perfectly crispy, soft, light, and fluffy Belgian waffles. Made with common pantry staples and ready in just 20 minutes!
Table of Contents
True Homemade Belgian Waffles
Waffles are a classic recipe for breakfast or Sunday brunch just like my favorite homemade biscuits and gravy. Everyone always loves to pile on all their favorite toppings. Some other popular breakfast favorites are pancakes, omelettes, french toast, crepes, bacon, and more.
These waffles are a family favorite and the best waffle recipe I have made. They come out perfectly crispy on the edges and tender and fluffy on the inside. My kids request these weekly along with liege waffles, too!
I love that these homemade waffles are made with common ingredients that you probably have on hand. Done in 20 minutes and SO delicious! I could eat them plain, although I love them topped with fresh berries, maple syrup, and homemade whipped cream. Yum!
Ingredients for the Best Belgian Waffles
This Belgian waffle recipe is the perfect start to any morning! This waffle batter is made from pantry staple ingredients that are easy to have on hand. The taste is amazing and has all the right ingredients to make them light and fluffy!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- All-purpose flour: This will thicken the waffles and add that extra texture to the mixture.
- Sugar: Just a bit for a little sweetness!
- Baking powder: Helps the waffles fluff up and become thicker as they are baking.
- Salt: Aids with the baking powder and balances out the ingredients.
- Eggs: Using a hand mixer, beat the eggs into the batter for a fluffy texture. This will help hold the batter together too. It is a binder for the Belgian waffles.
- Milk: Gives the waffles that extra rich flavor and sweetness with milk.
- Vegetable oil: This ensures the waffles are nice and moist.
- Vanilla extract: Adds the perfect touch of flavor!
How to Make Waffles
These easy Belgian waffles are the best way to wake up in the morning! They are light, fluffy, and full of flavor in every bite. Making Belgian waffles is a quick and easy breakfast that has pantry staple ingredients to create the perfect waffles every time!
- Whisk together dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients together. Place egg yolks in a small bowl. Then whisk in milk, oil, and vanilla. Then stir the wet mixture into the flour mixture.
- Beat egg whites. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form (about 2 minutes). Then fold egg whites into the batter. Don’t over-mix.
- Pour batter into waffle iron and cook. Preheat the waffle iron to medium heat, then spray with non stick cooking spray. Add 1/2 cup to the grid and cook until the iron goes off about 3 minutes.
Waffle Mix-in Ideas
Feel free to include your favorite mix-ins in the batter. Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, blueberries, or a sprinkle of cinnamon are all delicious additions. You can even add pumpkin pie spice during the fall season to make an easy pumpkin waffle recipe.
The Trick to Perfect Belgian Waffles
Use these helpful tips to help with making these easy Belgian waffles! Learn about eggs, how baking powder will work properly, and what waffle iron is best. All these tips and tricks can make your Belgian waffles even better!
- Egg whites. It’s important that you separate the egg yolks from the egg whites. Before adding the egg whites to the batter, you’ll beat them separately until stiff peaks form (photo above). Then you’ll fold them into the batter. This gives the waffles the perfect crispy outside texture while remaining soft and light on the inside.
- Baking powder. I love to add a Tablespoon of baking powder to my waffle mix. It’s a leavening agent, so it helps make the waffles super fluffy and soft.
- Waffle iron. Belgian waffles are known for their deep pockets and thicker texture. You can achieve this by using a Belgian waffle iron, which has deeper grids than a regular waffle maker. I use this double waffle iron and love how my waffles turn out. The deeper pockets make it perfect for holding all your favorite waffle toppings!
Waffle Toppings
You can’t go wrong with topping your Belgian waffle with all your favorites! Add fruit, syrup, or make it simple with whipped cream. Try using two to three toppings at once! The topping options are endless!
- Fruit: Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are always the best berries to top waffles with. Caramelized bananas are another great treat!
- Syrup: Maple syrup or buttermilk syrup are family favorites!
- Sauce: Strawberry sauce, blueberry sauce, or caramel are all great sauces to add to the waffles.
- Chocolate: Drizzle chocolate sauce or spread Nutella over top for a dessert as breakfast.
- Peanut butter: Peanut butter or almond butter adds that extra protein.
- Fruit preserves: Jam or jelly are always simple ways to add a berry flavor without the work.
- Toppings: Make it easy and light with powdered sugar or homemade whipped cream.
Recipe FAQs
A Belgian waffle, also known as a liège waffle, has deeper pockets and a thicker texture. The outside is also crispier and the inside is lighter. You get this texture by using baking powder and beating the egg whites before adding them to the batter.
Belgian waffles are the best because of their extra deep pockets. This allows more filling to go inside each pocket when topping them. They are also thicker than most waffle makers too.
The most famous Belgian waffle is the Liège waffle. They are unevenly shaped, chewy, and made with a thick, brioche-like dough. This special dough is sweetened with pearl sugar and baked in a special waffle pan.
Belgian waffles are called Belgian waffles because of their name. They are formally named Brussels waffles, but Vermersch decided to change the name to Bel-Gem waffles instead. They did not think that Americans would not correctly identify Brussels as the capital of Belgium. These waffles are normally served with whipped cream and strawberries on top. They were sold for only one dollar.
5 star review
“Best waffles ever and WORTH the time! Never considered waffle iron temperature before either. Your recipe is perfect!”
-Cindi
Storing and Reheating
Who knew that storing and reheating Belgian waffles could be so simple?! Here are a few ways to make your homemade waffles last even longer!
- To keep warm: Place waffles on a baking sheet in the oven at 175°F to keep warm.
- To store: Store leftovers in a zip-top bag and place them in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- Freezing: Let cool, then place in a freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To reheat: Reheat in the microwave or toaster oven for 30 seconds or until warm throughout.
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Belgian Waffles
Equipment
- Belgian waffle maker
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 2 large eggs , separated
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Toppings: Berries, maple syrup, chocolate spread, nut butter, jam, buttermilk syrup, whipped cream, powdered sugar, caramel
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
- Place the egg yolks into a small bowl. Then whisk in the milk, oil and vanilla. Then stir into the flour mixture.
- Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Then fold into the batter. Do not over mix.
- Preheat your waffle iron on medium-heat, then spray with non-stick spray. Add about 1/2 cup of the batter to the grid and cook until the waffle iron goes off, about 3 minutes.
Notes
- To add a special touch, you can mix in 1/4-1/2 cup Belgian pearl sugar.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: Breakfast, Freezer-Friendly, Kid-Friendly, Sweet Breakfast
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
Loved this belgian waffle recipe! so good.
My favorite morning treat! I would like to have some of these with my morning coffee!
This is what brunch is all about! Truly amazing waffles!
Best waffles ever and WORTH the time! Never considered waffle iron temperature before either. Your recipe is perfect!
This makes me so happy to hear! So glad you love the recipe, Cindi :)
When I mine in the microwave they were soggy. Could you warm them in the microwave and then place in the oven to crisp them. Or could you just put them in the oven to heat and crisp up without them getting to hard?
I would pop them in the toaster, a toaster oven or the oven at about 250 for 5 minutes and they should be great!
My best friend made these for me theee years ago. Today I still dream of them and am so happy I finally found it! Also got one of your recipe books from my friend as a wedding gift and I can honestly say my husband is alive and happy because of I heart naptime! Thanks soooo much! You make me feel like I can cook!
Thank you so much for the nice comment, Baylie! I’m so happy to hear that you love my cookbook!! :)
I loved it! Such an amazing day starter!
Finally found a perfectly crisp yummy waffle recipe that makes the perfect amount of waffles for a small family!! I loved it!
So glad your family enjoyed them, thanks for your review!
I love belgian waffles but have never tried to make them at home. These were delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! :)
Breakfast of champions right here! I love how simple they are to make and I know my kiddos would love to wake up to these!
I know what I am having for breakfast tomorrow! This sounds so light and fluffy; a perfect way to start my day!