Easy Waffle Recipe with 5 Variations

Everyone needs an easy waffle recipe in their arsenal! This simple recipe only calls for 7 ingredients and is fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. With this one easy waffle recipe you can create virtually any flavor of waffle. This is the only waffle recipe you will ever need.

OVERVIEW

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Technique Used: Muffin Mixing Method

Making waffles from scratch is an easy process. Just like my easy pancake recipe, the process of creating a waffle batter uses “The Muffin Mixing Method.”

To make waffle batter, the dry ingredients are whisked together and then the wet ingredients are added to the dry ingredients. The ingredients can all be mixed together in one bowl and then your waffle batter is ready to go into your waffle maker.

Personally, I always find that knowing the purpose of each ingredient in a recipe is helpful with the success of creating a dish! Let’s go over the function of each ingredient and discuss substitution options.

Ingredients

Flour: Flour is the structure of your waffles. I typically use all-purpose flour but you could substitute whole wheat flour if you prefer. Cake flour or pastry flour would also work well in these waffles if that is all you have on hand. Both cake flour or pastry flour will create a much more delicate and tender waffle. I do not recommend using bread flour.

Tip: If you want to make this recipe even more simple, use self-rising flour and omit the salt and baking powder in this recipe.

Sugar: In a waffle recipe, the sugar is completely optional. The main purpose of the sugar in this particular recipe is to add sweetness. I like to use only a small amount of sugar. The amount called for in this recipe will give you slightly sweet waffles. I think this is the perfect amount especially if you are topping them with maple syrup or other sweet toppings. You can increase or decrease the amount of sugar to match your own preferences.

Note: Increasing the amount of sugar will will a crispier waffle while decreasing the sugar will give you softer waffles.

Salt: Salt is a key ingredient in all baked goods. The amount of salt in this recipe will not make salty waffles, rather it simply balances the flavors. Leaving out salt in this recipe will make waffles that taste flat.

Baking Powder: Baking powder is the leavening agent in this recipe. That means that it helps the waffles to rise and become fluffy and tender. If you are in a pinch and do not have any baking powder, you can still make this waffle recipe without baking powder. However, your waffles will be less fluffy and tender than if you used baking powder.

Milk: The purpose of milk in this recipe is to add moisture and to hydrate the dry ingredients. The milk in this recipe can be any kind. I usually have regular 2% milk on hand so that is what I use. If you happen to have buttermilk, it adds a tanginess that is lovely in this recipe. You could also use skim milk, whole milk, or non-dairy milk.

Eggs: Eggs are the binder in this recipe. They hold the waffles together and they help to leaven the waffles. Vegan egg substitutions can be used but please note that using flax or chia egg will result in more dense waffles. The best vegan egg substitution is Bob’s Red Mill Vegan Egg Replacer.

Oil: In a waffle recipe, the oil or liquid fat serves several purposes: flavor, browning, and texture. I typically use canola oil but you can use any liquid fat like melted butter or coconut oil. You could even use bacon fat!

Add-Ins

The beauty of this easy waffle recipe is that it is a blank slate. These waffles are delicious as is served simply with butter and maple syrup. But you could also flavor the batter or add various ingredients to make any kind of waffle you desire!

Spices and Extracts: Adding a spice or an extract is the easiest way to flavor the batter. Some ideas of spices you might want to try are cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin spice. Some ideas of extracts that you could try are vanilla, almond, anise, or lemon extract.

All spices and extracts have various potencies so I suggest adding just a little bit at a time and tasting the batter to decide how much you want to add.

Fresh Fruit and Nuts: Berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, are always delicious additions to waffles. Bananas are also a hit! I love pairing these with nuts such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts.

Sweet Things: This is where you can get really creative! Of course chocolate chips are a staple addition to waffles but what about adding a sweet cereal like Fruity Pebbles or Captain Crunch?

Popular Waffle Flavor Ideas

Chocolate Chip Waffles: Mix mini chocolate chips right into the batter or sprinkle on top of the batter before you close the waffle maker lid.  Serve with whipped cream and a sprinkling of additional mini chocolate chips.

Blueberry Waffles: Add fresh or frozen blueberries right into the batter or sprinkle on top of the batter before you close the waffle maker lid. Top with blueberry jam or blueberry syrup.

Banana Pecan Waffles: Add fresh diced bananas and chopped pecans right into the batter or sprinkle on top of the batter before you close the waffle maker lid. Top with more fresh diced bananas, diced pecans, and warm maple syrup.

Cheddar Bacon Waffles: Add shredded cheddar and crumbled cooked bacon right into the batter or sprinkle on top of the batter before you close the waffle maker lid. Top with more cheddar, a fried egg, and chives.

The flavor variations listed above are just a few options of the endless combinations you could create!

MORE RECIPES FROM BAKER BETTIE!

If you loved this recipe, you might like to try these other waffle recipes.

• Belgian Liege Waffles
• Cheddar Rosemary Savory Waffles
• Old Fashioned Waffles with Maple Butterscotch Syrup