Homemade Waffle Recipe
The best waffle recipe ever! Soft and fluffy inside, with a slightly crisp exterior. Easy to make & perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert!
Waffles! My family loves ’em. How could they not? There’s something so wonderful about a stack of piping hot, golden brown waffles, fresh off the waffle maker.
We mostly eat them for breakfast, but they’re REALLY good for dessert too. Waffles and ice cream is a total classic!
I’m big on make-ahead breakfast recipes for my kids. These chocolate chip muffins are a staple, and I’m a huge fan of scones too (check out these lemon blueberry scones, and these petite vanilla bean scones!).
And I always try to keep a batch of these homemade waffles in our freezer too.
In my opinion, this is the best waffle recipe ever! It’s easy to make and the waffles bake up perfect every time. The flavors are perfectly balanced (not too sweet!) and the texture is on point. Soft and fluffy in the middle, with a slightly crispy exterior.
Table of Contents
- What are waffles?
- What’s great about this waffle recipe
- What do these waffles taste like?
- Ingredients
- Special equipment
- How to make homemade waffles
- How to serve homemade waffles
- Expert tips
- FAQ’s
What are waffles?
Waffles fall into the “quick bread” category of baking, which means they’re leavened with baking powder, and the method is super fast and super easy. With any kind of quick bread, you start by blending the dry ingredients, then the liquid ingredients, and then you stir everything together and bake it up.
They’re often enjoyed as a breakfast treat, but they work for dessert as well.
This is very similar to a pancake recipe, but instead of dropping the batter onto a skillet, it goes into a waffle maker. Then, you close the lid, and the waffles are baked into this grid pattern, which gives you deliciously crisp edges, and lots of little hollows for the syrup and butter to settle into.
It’s a really great contrast of textures!
What’s great about this waffle recipe
- Tastes amazing: These waffles bake up with the most incredible buttery flavor, and they’re just sweet enough.
- Few ingredients: It’s made with just a handful of pantry staples.
- Easy to make: The batter is made in around 15 minutes, and then it’s just a matter of baking them off, two at a time.
- Versatile: You can modify this recipe with different add-ins and flavorings, and really let your creativity shine!
What do these waffles taste like?
These waffles bake up deliciously crisp on the edges and pillowy soft in the middle.
They’re slightly sweet and really buttery. And there’s a hint of tanginess from the buttermilk, and a beautiful floral sweetness from vanilla.
Ingredients
Flour
This forms the bulk of the waffle batter and provides structure.
Swap it out for any kind of whole-grain option if you like. You may need slightly less if you go that route.
A gluten-free flour blend that can sub 1:1 for regular flour should also work just fine, if you’d like to make gluten-free waffles.
Sugar
A small amount of granulated sugar adds sweetness to the waffles, aids in browning, and keeps them moist.
Sub for another type of sweetener if you like. As long as it swaps 1:1 for granulated sugar it should work.
Baking Powder
This is the leavening agent that helps the waffles rise and become light and fluffy.
Baking powder is a double-acting leavener, so it starts the batter rising both when liquid is added to it, as well as when it hits the hot waffle maker.
Baking soda will not work in this recipe because there isn’t enough acidity to fully activate it.
Baking powder has a little bit of extra acid built in.
Salt
Salt carries the flavors and intensifies them. The end result won’t taste salty, but it will make everything so much more flavorful!
I like kosher salt best because it doesn’t have any additives (table salt usually contains iodine which can leave a bitter taste), so the flavor is pure. It’s also inexpensive and easy to find in a regular grocery store.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk adds moisture to the cake batter, resulting in a softer and more tender cake. It helps prevent the waffles from drying out during baking, and it also gives them a really unique, home-y flavor, as well as providing a little bit of acid to help them to bake up nice and pillowy.
If you don’t have buttermilk, you could also use the same amount of sour cream or plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt. or buttermilk.
Or you can create a reasonable facsimile by adding a little lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk. Let it stand for about 5 minutes, and it will start to curdle and become thicker.
Butter
I like to use unsalted butter because it lets me control the amount of salt in the dish. Different brands of butter can contain different amounts of salt, so this way you get a more consistent result.
Melt the butter before adding it to the recipe, either in a small pot on the stove or in the microwave for about 2 1/2 minutes on 30% power.
Eggs
Eggs provide structure to the waffles, as well as added richness.
Make sure you’re using large eggs or a vegan egg substitute that swaps for chicken eggs 1:1. It’s nice if the eggs are at room temp, but I don’t find this to be too critical.
Vanilla
Vanilla extract adds a subtly sweet flavor without being at all sugary.For a more pronounced flavor, try using vanilla bean paste. You could also split a vanilla bean down the center lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, and add those.
Special equipment
- Waffle maker: If you want to make waffles, you need a waffle maker. Here’s a link to the kind I have: KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Follow this guide for accurate measuring: How to Measure Ingredients for Baking.
- Mixing bowls: One large for dry ingredients, and one smaller for liquid ingredients.
- Silicone spatula: For folding the batter together and getting every last drop out of the bowl.
- Batter scoop: I find this really handy for portioning the batter out onto the waffle maker, but you could use a spoon or measuring cup instead.
How to make homemade waffles
This recipe comes together in 4 simple steps.
Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients
Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt all together in a big bowl.
Step 2: Combine the liquid ingredients
Whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla.
Step 3: Add the liquid to the dry
Pour the liquid mixture into the dry.
And fold everything together.
Don’t overmix the batter, or your waffles could come out tough. It’s perfectly ok (and even preferable!) if the batter is a bit lumpy.
Step 4: Cook the waffles
Now just scoop the batter into your preheated waffle maker, and let it do it’s thing!You’ll know your waffles are done when they’re golden brown and a little crisp on the outside.
How to serve homemade waffles
Waffles are so versatile! They can be topped in any number of different ways.
My family loves to eat them with butter and maple syrup. I think that is probably the most traditional way to enjoy waffles.
But they’re also great with fresh fruit or berries, and a dusting of powdered sugar!
We also like to top them with peanut butter, almond butter, or Nutella.
And they’re really good with fried chicken! It’s a thing, trust me. A very delicious thing.
For dessert, homemade waffles are the perfect vehicle for ice cream. There is nothing quite like a freshly baked, warm waffle with cold, creamy ice cream! Here are some of my favorite ice cream recipes:
Drizzle with chocolate syrup, hot fudge, or caramel sauce for the waffle sundae of your dreams!
Expert tips
Don’t overmix: If you overmix your batter, it will develop the natural glutens in the flour and the waffles could come out tough. So just as few strokes as possible to get things combined, and don’t worry if there are lumps!
Bake right away: The baking powder will start activating the minute it hits the liquid. And those glorious bubbles that are created don’t last forever! So be sure to use the batter right away. Sadly it doesn’t keep for any extended period of time.
Get creative: You can add all sorts of different things to the waffle batter to create something really special! Think about tossing in a handful or two of fruit (such as blueberries, sliced bananas, or diced, drained, canned peaches, for example) nuts (I LOVE toasted pecan waffles), or a half teaspoon or so of spices (think cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom). You could also swap out the vanilla for something like rosewater, lemon zest, or almond extract, for a whole different flavor experience!
FAQ’s
Make a big batch of these homemade waffles, and keep them in your freezer! They freeze beautifully, and make busy mornings so much easier. It’s so great to be able to serve a homemade breakfast to your family, with minimal effort!
As the waffles come out of the waffle maker, cool them on a wire rack.
Freeze them (in a single layer) until hard, then slip them into a plastic bag and stash them for several weeks in the freezer. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat them gently in the toaster.
This recipe makes about 6 8-inch diameter waffles, in the waffle maker I linked to above.
For me, one waffle is plenty!
So the nutritional info included in the recipe card below is for a serving size of 1 waffle. This does not include syrup or any other toppings. It’s just for the waffle alone.
I hope you’ll give this homemade waffle recipe a try! I bet your family will love it just as much as mine does!
This post contains affiliate sales links.
Homemade Waffle Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons (29.57 g) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (22.18 g) baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon (0.75 teaspoon) kosher salt
- 3 cups (720 g) buttermilk, *
- 3/4 cup (170.25 g) unsalted butter, (1 1/2 sticks) melted
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (1.5 teaspoons) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the waffle maker.
- Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, and whisk to combine.
- Place the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla in smaller bowl, and whisk to combine.
- Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry, and fold together until mostly blended but still a little lumpy.
- Place about 1 cup of waffle batter into the hot waffle maker and cook until golden brown (about 2 to 3 minutes).
- Serve warm.
Absolutely delicious! Make them at least once a week. Best waffles I’ve ever eaten and I have eaten quite a few in my 75 years.
That’s so great to hear! Thank you Iris!
Hi Allie, I love this recipe and usually make it a few times a month!
I was wondering if I don’t have buttermilk, can I substitute with Greek yogurt or sour cream like I can for your cake recipes or does it have to be liquidy?
Thank you!
Yes absolutely. There’s info on a buttermilk substitution in the recipe notes just below the video in the recipe card.
I LOVE THESE WAFFLES!!!!!
Hi! I love how your waffles look, I am looking for a new waffle maker, which one do you recommend?
Hey Lucia! I’ve honestly never used a waffle maker I didn’t like. They’re all pretty much the same from what I can tell. I’d choose one that has a pattern you particularly like. The one I have is by KitchenAid. Good luck!
These waffles look INCREDIBLE!!! Can’t wait to try them!
Thank you! Hope you enjoy!
Hope to try this recipe soon. The KitchenAid Pro line waffle maker you recommended is $400! There have to be good alternatives that aren’t so expensive. Looking for something reliable that’s easy to clean.
Oh absolutely! You don’t have to buy that exact one. I included an Amazon affiliate sales link just to their waffle maker page too, so you can look at all the different options. I just added that specific one because sometimes readers want to know exactly what I’ve used in the pictures.
The best waffle recipe!!! ❤️ I did a crazy thing with this recipe….I added bananas! Was a H I T! Thank you for sharing! This will be my go-to for waffles!
Ooh I love that! Sounds wonderful; so happy you enjoyed!
out of this world i was just playing around one evening with the recipe for tomoro s breakfast and my wife couldnt wait till morning to try the waffles so we end up eating the for supper great recipe
Yum! So good I am sure they will be a family favorite.
So glad to hear it, Angela! Thanks for the review!
These were awesome! I made them today for Easter brunch with homemade strawberry topping and they were a hit! Thanks for the recipe, I’ll be using it lots as my kids eat waffles pretty much everyday ?
That’s so great to hear! Thanks so much for the great feedback!
Excellent recipe with excellent results just as described! Thank you!
My pleasure Rose! So glad you were happy with it!
Is the batter supposed to be runny? Mine was super runny after I made it.
I think you can probably get a pretty good idea of what the batter is meant to look like if you watch the video. It’s embedded within the recipe card.
Tried making the waffles again with a new waffle iron. My old waffle iron was failing and overheated the waffles, causing almost burnt sections on the waffles. My new iron is adjustable.
I followed the recipe to a T, but they ended up “flat”. Adding more baking powder helped, but I should have added more flour too. I should have reread my initial assessment and adjusted the ingredients. Looking at the video, I see that my batter was clearly too runny in comparison. Maybe next time.
I’m really pleased with how the waffles turned out. This recipe is easy to put together and the leftovers freeze well. I only had 2 cups of buttermilk, so in a pinch, rather than “making” it, I added 1 cup of cream. They were crazy good!
That sounds amazing Conni! Thanks so much for the 5-star rating!
My batter was runny, was it supposed to be? However, we did love the waffle and will be making it again…
Hi Sheila! Did you happen to take a look at the video just above the recipe card? That should give you a good idea of what the batter should look like. Glad you enjoyed!