Tips on How to Make Waffles and 12 Easy Homemade Waffle Recipes

I don't know too many people who don't like waffles, however, many people don't know how to make waffles, and so this is what we will show you here. It isn't that difficult, and once you have the hang of it, you can try out these simple, homemade waffle recipes on your friends and family.

If you have made pancakes or fritters before, then you will be able to make waffles as the method and ingredients are not that different.

Waffles are very versatile. Made sweet you can serve them up for breakfast with honey, syrup, fresh fruit, jams, jellies or marmalade. As a main meal made plain, minus the sugar, they are good served with creamed chicken, oysters, meat or fish. I like them with meat and gravy. Basically, whatever you would have on toast, you can have on waffles.

The ideal waffle is crisp, light and evenly brown on both sides.

Tips on How to Make Waffles

How to Make Waffles: Equipment

The first thing you will need is a good waffle iron. If you are using a cast iron waffle iron, you will also need season it well, before you use it.

However, these days you can also get some good electric waffle irons. I prefer the traditional cast iron ones, but then that is just a matter of preference.

Other than your waffle iron you really don't need any other special equipment.

How to Make Waffles: Ingredients

Once you have learned how to make waffles, you can experiment with different flavors and using different flours, to give your waffles that extra edge.

Because some flours absorb more liquid than others, you may have to add extra liquid to your batter.

The liquid can be buttermilk for making extra light waffles, milk or water. Add enough liquid to make your batter thin enough to pour, but it shouldn't be too thick and stodgy. It should run slightly when you pour it into your waffle iron, but it shouldn't flood everywhere either.

However, the best tip I can give you on how to make waffles is that you need to first sieve your flour. By doing this you will get all the lumps out and end up with a lighter batter mixture.

The next tip is to add the liquid gradually, little by little, beating well in between making sure that there are no lumps and getting air into the batter.

If there is time, allow your batter to stand for at least an hour. Allowing your batter to stand will allow the grains of flour to swell and soften, which will give you a lighter batter.

How to Make Waffles: Temperature

If you want to cook your waffles on a high temperature, then you will end up with a crispy, brown waffle. However, if you want to cook your waffles over a lower temperature your waffles will be soft and moist.

If you just pour enough batter to cover your waffles will be even crispier, if that is what you are after.  Adding butter to your batter will also produce a crispy waffle. If you are wanting a more moist waffle, then don't use butter. Use oil instead.

To prevent your waffle from sticking to the waffle iron make sure that it is hot enough when you add the batter. 

More Tips for Making Good Waffles

Another tip for getting crisp, light waffles is to make sure that when you beat the egg yolks you do so until they are very pale, and beat the egg whites until stiff, just before combining the mixture. When you fold in the mixture do so lightly.

The best way of filling the waffle iron is to take the batter and pour it from a jug.  Pour the batter into the center of the lower plate and allow the mixture to spread slightly. Usually about 2 large tablespoons of batter is enough to cover the base.

Lower the top plate and the waffles is cooked for 2 minutes on one side. Flip the waffle iron and cook for a further 2 minutes or until crip or brown.

Lift the waffle from the waffle iron as soon as it is cooked and keep warm. Grease the iron and pour the batter for the next one.

If you are using an electric waffle iron, then follow the instructions for your particular brand.

10 Easy Waffle Recipes

1. Healthy Wholewheat Waffles

2 cups wholewheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs, separated
1/4 cup melted butter or sunflower oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 cups buttermilk

Sift together the flour, baking powder and baking soda. In a separate bowl beat the eggs briefly and then stir in the melted butter or oil. Add the maple syrup and buttermilk. Mix gently.

Beat the egg whites until stiff, but not dry. Stirring while pouring, add the milk ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix. Stir only enough to remove the lumps.

Fold in the egg whites. If the batter is too thick at this stage you can think it down with a little extra buttermilk.

Heat the waffle iron, and if not seasoned, brush with oil or butter. Pour batter on the iron and spread it to form an even layer just thick enough to cover the area. Close the iron and bake until it stops steaming. This should take about 4 minutes. Check to see if it is cooked. If your waffle isn't brown, then cook for 1 minute more. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve as soon as possible.

2. Cornmeal Waffles

1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs, separated
1/4 cup melted butter or sunflower oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 cups buttermilk

Make the waffle batter recipe as above. You can top your cornmeal waffles with slices of tomato and chopped coves. Cover with cheese and grill until cheese melts.

3. Gingerbread Waffles

2 cups wholewheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs, separated
1/4 cup melted butter or sunflower oil
1/4 cup molasses
1 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
pinch of ground cloves
2 cups buttermilk

Make the waffle batter recipe as above. Cook as per the whole wheat waffles. Top with cooked apples and cream.

4. Cheese Waffles

2 cups wholewheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup cheese, finely grated
3 eggs, separated
1/4 cup melted butter or sunflower oil
2 cups buttermilk

Make the waffle batter recipe as above. Cook according to the whole wheat waffle recipe. You can add a number of toppings here; turkey, cheese or tuna with a chunky fresh tomato sauce, top with cheese and grill.

5. Buttermilk Waffle Recipe

2 cups white self-raising flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
3 eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/3 cup melted butter

Mix and sift dry ingredients. Beat egg yolks until a pale lemon color. Add to dry ingredients with the milk.

Add the melted butter and beat well. Lastly fold in the stiffly beaten egg whites.

If you want to create nut waffles you can sprinkle 1 teaspoon of crushed nuts of your choice onto the batter before cooking.

Buttermilk waffles are great topped with honey, syrup and cream, jam, jelly or a fruit sauce as a dessert.

6. Peach Cake Waffles

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk
1 cup chopped peaches

Cream butter and sugar together. Add beaten eggs. Mix and sift dry ingredients. Add alternatively with milk. Add vanilla and chopped peaches. Serve with honey and whipped cream.

7. Plain Homemade Waffles

This waffle recipe is great to have with sausages and gravy, or even beef  stew.

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons sugar
3 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 egg yolks, beaten
1 cup milk
5 tablespoons butter, melted

Sift dry ingredients together. Combine milk with well-beaten egg yolks and mix lightly and thoroughly with dry ingredients. Mix in melted butter and then fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Cook as usual.

8. Chocolate Waffles

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 oz unsweetened cooking chocolate, melted
1 1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Cream butter and sugar together. Beat eggs well and add gradually to sugar mixture. Add melted chocolate. Sift dry ingredients together and add alternatively with milk. Add vanilla extract. Cook as usual. Serve hot with berries and whipped cream.

9. Bacon Waffles

3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 egg yolks, well beaten
1 1/4 cups milk
3 tablespoons melted butter or oil
3 egg whites, stiffly beaten

Sift flour and baking soda. Add sugar and salt and combine well beaten egg yolks and milk to flour gradually. Beat until all lumps are gone. Add the melted butter or oil. Fold in the egg whites. Pour batter onto waffle iron and lay 1 or 2 strips of bacon over the batter. Close the iron. The crisply cooked bacon will be pressed into the waffle and will taste delicous!

10. Savory Waffles

2 cups plain flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 cup milk
4 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs

Sift flour, salt and baking soda together. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Beat the egg yolks and then the milk and melted butter. Add to the mixture. fold in the stiffly beaten egg whites. Heat the waffle iron throughly, brush with a little butter or oil. Cook as usual.

Serve with cheese sauce, Welsh rarebit or grilled ham.

11. Pumpkin Waffles

1 1/2 cups flour
6 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 level teaspoon ground ginger
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup cooked pumpkin
2 tablespoons melted buter

Beat eggs, add milk then pumpkin. Add these to dry ingredients beating and mixing thoroughly. Melt butter and add last. Bake on a hot waffle iron and serve with butter and brown sugar, or with a mixture of syrup and butter heated together.

12. A Traditional Belgian Waffle Recipe

Belgian waffles or Flemish waffles as they are sometimes called, come from Belgium. These are different to American waffles as they are made using yeast. This Belgian waffle recipes makes a large amount of waffles, so you could halve the ingredients to make a smaller batch if you wanted to.

1 lb flour
8 whole eggs
1/2 pint of cream
2 oz butter
1/2 glass brandy
1/2 oz fresh yeast
pinch of salt
pinch of sugar

Put 1/4 lb flour in a basin and mix with the yeast, dissolved in a little warm water. Work well and set to rise. Then work in the rest of the flour with the salt and sugar, the eggs slightly beaten, and the cream which should have been boiled and to which the butter is added. Work well and let stand for 2 1/2 hours in a cool oven. The batter should be sufficiently liquid to spread by itself over the well-greased waffle irons. When evenly browned on both sides, sprinkle with sugar and serve very hot.

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