Belgian Waffles

Waffles are the epic breakfast for a special occasion or when you really want a special treat. Belgian waffles are really thick and have deeper pockets than regular waffles. They are really crisp on the outside and fluffy, light and tender on the inside. 

I tried all sorts of ingredient combinations trying to achieve the perfect waffle recipe. I used buttermilk as the main liquid component, not only does it work so well for pancakes, muffins and waffles, it also is acidic, which helps to activate the baking powder and baking soda.

I also used a bit less flour than most recipes call for so that the waffles would turn out lighter and not as dense and added just a bit of cornstarch, which helps to make the waffles really light and airy.

The addition of butter and vanilla extract give the waffles a really great flavor, so they are absolutely delicious eaten all on their own, but a drizzle of honey, maple syrup or fresh berries, fruit and whipped cream are also great additions.

Waffle Maker For Belgian Waffles

There are many models of waffle makers on the market today. Belgian waffles are really thick with large pockets and usually circular, sometimes square.

This is the model* that I have and I really like it. It’s nonstick, can make two waffles at the same time and you can adjust the color and crispness of the waffles. 

The Liquid Ingredients Need To Be At Room Temperature

It is really important for all the liquid ingredients to be at room temperature. I would suggest heating up the buttermilk just a little bit. If you add the melted butter to cold buttermilk, the butter will congeal and created little clumps of cold butter throughout the butter, which will prevent the liquid ingredients from mixing evenly.

Making the Waffle Batter

Preheat the waffle iron before you start making the batter.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda and salt. I usually use a whisk to mix it all together.

In another bowl, combine the egg yolks, (put the egg whites in another bowl, which you will beat separately next) buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla extract and whisk together until the mixture is smooth.

Use a hand mixer or a standing mixer to beat the egg whites for about 2 minutes, until stiff peaks form.

Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix to combine, making sure not to over mix, there should still be lumps and streaks of flour in the batter. If you over mix the batter, the waffles will end up dense, not be tender and light.

It is perfectly normal to have streaks of flour and lumps in the batter. That is what you are looking for, especially since you will still be folding in the beaten egg whites.

Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter, until the batter is evenly mixed. Once again, be careful not to over mix the batter.

Brush the preheated waffle iron with oil or butter. Pour in the appropriate amount of batter that your waffle iron needs (it should tell you in the instructions how much batter you need to use).

Use a spatula or the back of the portion scoop to spread out the batter towards the edges of the waffles iron, about 1/2 inch from the sides.

Close the waffle iron and cook until the waffle is golden brown on both sides.

If you are using a double waffle maker, like mine, flip the waffle maker and pour more waffle batter into the second side, close and keep cooking until golden brown too.

The time will depend on your waffle iron. As a general rule of thumb, I find that you need to wait for the steam to stop coming out of the sides of the waffle iron. I got exactly four waffles from this batter.

Serve the waffles immediately, or keep warm in the oven. Serve with butter, honey, maple syrup, fresh fruit, jam, whipped cream, etc.

Keeping the Waffles Warm

If you are making a large batch of waffles, place the waffles on a wire rack and place in a warm oven set to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t do this for too long, or the waffles will dry out.

Freezing Waffles

Waffles freeze really well. Store them in an airtight container or a large freezer ziplock bag. Freeze up to 6 months. You can defrost the waffles before serving, or place them, frozen, right into a toaster or the oven to defrost and reheat.

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Belgian Waffles

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5 from 4 reviews

Waffles are the epic breakfast for a special occasion or when you really want a special treat. Belgian waffles have deeper pockets than regular waffles and that is dependent on the waffle maker that you use. Belgian waffles are also really crisp on the outside and fluffy, light and tender on the inside.

  • Author: Olga's Flavor Factory
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Breakfast

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 eggs (separated, room temperature)
  • 1 3/4 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
  • 6 Tablespoons butter (melted and slightly cooled)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the waffle iron before you start making the batter.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda and salt. I usually use a whisk to mix it all together.
  3. In another bowl, combine the egg yolks, (put the egg whites in another bowl, which you will beat separately nexbuttermilk, melted butter and vanilla extract and whisk together until the mixture is smooth.
  4. Use a hand mixer or a standing mixer to beat the egg whites for about 2 minutes, until stiff peaks form.
  5. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix to combine, making sure not to over mix, there should still be lumps and streaks of flour in the batter.
  6. Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter, until the batter is evenly mixed. Once again, be careful not to over mix the batter.
  7. Brush the preheated waffle iron with oil or butter. Pour in the appropriate amount of batter that your waffle iron needs (it should tell you in the instructions how much batter you need to use).
  8. Use a spatula or the back of the portion scoop to spread out the batter towards the edges of the waffles iron, about 1/2 inch from the sides.
  9. Close the waffle iron and cook until the waffle is golden brown on both sides.
  10. 1If you are using a double waffle maker, like mine, flip the waffle maker and pour more waffle batter into the second side, close and keep cooking until golden brown too.
  11. 1The time will depend on your waffle iron. As a general rule of thumb, I find that you need to wait for the steam to stop coming out of the sides of the waffle iron. I got exactly four waffles from this batter.
  12. 1Serve the waffles immediately, or keep warm in the oven. Serve with butter, honey, maple syrup, fresh fruit, jam, whipped cream, etc.

Notes

Keeping the Waffles Warm

If you are making a large batch of waffles, place the waffles on a wire rack and place in a warm oven set to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t do this for too long, or the waffles will dry out.

Freezing Waffles

Waffles freeze really well. Store them in an airtight container or a large freezer ziplock bag. Freeze up to 6 months. You can defrost the waffles before serving, or place them, frozen, right into a toaster or the oven to defrost and reheat.

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10 Comments

    • olgak7

      I’m happy to hear that you and your family enjoy the waffles, Alina.
      I have never tried substituting coconut oil for the butter. It will probably work, but I can’t guarantee it, since I haven’t tested it.

  • Mariana

    These waffles are delicious! I didn’t have buttermilk so I used milk/lemon juice instead. They still turned out great! I will make these again but will make sure to have buttermilk next time. By the way your medovik and blueberry scones are a staple in my kitchen and are often requested. Thank you Olga!






    • olgak7

      That’s wonderful, Mariana. I’m so glad you enjoyed the waffles and the other recipes too. I always love hearing feedback and it makes me so happy to hear when others are enjoying my recipes.

    • olgak7

      I wouldn’t recommend it with this particular recipe. First of all, the whipped egg whites will deflate and the baking powder and baking soda will be activated as soon as they are mixed in with the liquid ingredients, so the waffles will not be as fluffy, light and puffy if you make them the night before. The best batter for overnight waffles is yeast or sourdough waffle batter.

  • Ella

    Do you know if these freeze well? If I made up a big batch and then froze the waffles would they still be ok? If so how would be best to reheat, I know other recipes have suggested putting them in a toaster to reheat. Many thanks

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