A simple, foolproof batter for making easy, delicious, hot, crispy waffles at home. Enjoy a special family breakfast! Just add butter and syrup.
Waffles are something of a Sunday morning tradition here at FFF towers. It started a few years ago, and shows no signs of abating. If anything, our attachment to our special Sunday breakfast is getting stronger!
Domestic v. Pro
Having seen off two ‘domestic’ waffle makers, we upgraded to a ‘pro’ version as a family Chanukah present. The main difference between the two (apart from cost!) is that the domestic version takes 6-7 minutes to cook a waffle, whereas the pro machines take 1-2 minutes per waffle. Less time waiting, more time eating hot delicious waffles.
Breakfast experience
When we bought our first waffle maker, DH chimed in at length about what makes a good one. This was based on his years of experience making waffles at US hotel breakfast buffets. He travels in the USA for work quite often, and hotel breakfast buffets there often include a waffle maker accompanied by a self-serve batter dispenser, to make your own hot, fresh, crispy waffles.
Turn, turn, turn
According to DH, the really critical feature is that once you’ve poured your batter into the machine and closed it, you then turn the waffle maker over. This means that the batter is spread evenly over both the top and bottom irons, rather than simply rising in between them. If you’ve ever watched artisan French or Belgian waffle people making gauffres etc, you’ll have seen them spin the irons around once they’ve put the batter in. It makes all the difference, apparently.
USA v. UK
Interestingly, I think more people in the USA have a waffle maker than have an electric kettle! The market for domestic waffle irons is therefore much larger than it is here. Having looked at the electric waffle-makers available in the USA, the majority DO turn over. In the UK, where only a very few people make waffles, most of them don’t turn over. UK machines are typically more like a toastie-maker only with a waffle plate inside. I think on this one occasion, the Americans actually have the right idea.
What to look for
In conclusion, those are my two top considerations when choosing a waffle maker. 1) speed of waffling, and 2) spinnability. If it’s fast and turns the waffle over to cook, then yay! That’s the waffle machine to get.
What to put in the machine!
Now that you’ve got your perfect waffle machine, you need something to put in it! Below is our (very) tried and tested easy waffle batter recipe. This has gradually evolved from the recipe which came in the instruction booklet for our first waffle maker. We’ve simplified it quite a bit, and also ditched the sugar, to create a simple foolproof batter with only 5 ingredients. It cooks to a crisp, tasty waffle that is perfect with both sweet and savoury toppings.
Easy waffles – ingredients
So what are the five ingredients I hear you cry! To make these super easy waffles, all you will need it:
- Plain flour (also called all purpose flour)
- Baking powder
- Egg
- Milk (or non-dairy alternative)
- Vegetable oil or melted butter
And that’s it!
Easy waffles – Toppings
We usually prefer some combination of butter, cream cheese, jam, honey or maple syrup on our waffles. Occasionally there will be some fresh blueberries or sliced strawberries. Sometimes, like in these photos, I make a quick berry compote by simply heating through some frozen mixed berries with a squirt of honey or agave syrup.
This amount of batter makes 3 x 20cm circular waffles (more or less, depending on your machine.)
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📖 Recipe
Simple home-made waffles
Ingredients
- 125 g plain flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 egg
- 225 ml milk
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or melted butter
- Butter, maple syrup, jam, berries etc to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the flour and baking powder in a large bowl or jug and set aside.
- Whisk the egg, milk and oil/butter together, then add to the flour.
- Use a stick blender or balloon whisk to mix everything into a smooth, even batter.
- Heat your waffle-maker, then brush with a little oil. Pour in the batter and cook according to the machine’s directions.
- Serve hot with butter and syrup or your favourite toppings, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Waffles – not just for breakfast
Waffles aren’t just for breakfast!
If you fancy some sweet dessert waffles, check out:
- Vegan Norwegian waffles from Family Friends Food
- Black Forest Waffles from Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary
- Chocolate Cake waffles with lemon curd from Tin and Thyme
- Thick and fluffy American waffles from Family Friends Food
Or, for something more savoury, try
- Falafel waffles from Veggie Desserts
- Courgette Fritter waffles from Amuse Your Bouche
- Sweet potato latke waffles from Family Friends Food
I’m entering these into the Alphabakes challenge, which has the letter W this month. (Alphabakes is organised by The More than Occasional Baker and Caroline Makes, who also hosts this month.)
sareena ali
Hi how much batter do you put in the waffle iron? Do you just put enough in to cover the centre or cover the whole thing?
Helen
Hi Sareena, I fill it almost to the edges, so there is a little room for the waffle batter to rise and expand without (Hopefully!) spilling over the edges. Your waffle maker may include a little cup to help measure the right amount of batter, or may say in the instructions how much batter to use to make one waffle. I hope this helps! All the best, Helen.
Sidney
At first, I tho8ght hat they would be gross becuase the batter looked watery but when they came out I was surprised!!! They are delicious!!!
Helen
Glad you enjoyed them! Yes, the batter is a bit runny but it makes it easier to pour into the machine 🙂
I use this recipe almost every weekend and they always come out perfect.
Sidney
I agree I love them they are so easy to make too!!!
GlutenfreePrincess
So, I used this recipe using King Arthur’s gluten free flour (I have celiac) and I used water instead of milk because of my intolerances I also used applesauce instead of eggs and used a little vanilla. Turned out pretty good. I’ll use again in the future.
Helen
Great to hear that even with your adjustments the waffles were a success!
Janet
I made these then topped the batter with leftover Mac n cheese before cooking. We topped the waffles with butter, shredded cheese and green salsa. Very tasty savory waffles.
Helen
Sounds delicious! A great way to use up leftovers 🙂
Kobe
thank you for the recipe!! but my waffles taste like pretzels i did everything correctly though? I even read the recipe twice and I checked to make sure I did everything right and I did.
Helen
Hi Kobe. I don’t really know what to suggest as I use this exact recipe almost every weekend and my waffles have never come out tasting of pretzels! Sorry 🙁
Simone Reeves
Can I put cheese in my batter mix
Helen
Hi Simone, I’ve never tried this but I think it would probably be OK. Grate it finely and make sure it’s well mixed. Good luck!
bakingaddict
We just had waffles for brunch today! It’s a firm favourite in our house and we’ve just been gifted a waffle maker so I can’t wait to try your recipe next week. Thanks for sharing with AlphaBakes.
Caroline
I love the waffle makers they have in US hotels! I’ve got one at home but it’s not very good – it’s basically a sandwich toaster with interchangeable plates so the waffles that come out are very thin. I might have to invest in a better one! Thanks for sharing this recipe with Alphabakes.
laura_howtocookLaura@howtocookgoodfood
I now really want a waffle maker, yours look so good and love your fruity topping!
Helen
Thanks Laura 🙂
Just make sure you get a spinny one!!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
I love my waffle maker! I can’t believe that I went so long without having one. We have waffles every Sunday as a treat 🙂
Helen
It sounds like Sunday waffles are having something of a ‘moment’ 🙂
Emily
Now I need a waffle iron… more than anything in the world. I prefer nutty flavours so Nutella and chocolate would be the toppings for me! 🙂
Helen
LOL! Amazing how many of these items become ‘must haves’! Chocolate syrup is certainly a popular topping here. Must try them with nutella…
choclette
Your circular waffles look so pretty Helen, I’ve not seen that shape before. I’m with you on the sugar, I don’t see the point of adding it if it’s going to be smothered with syrup or fruit or whatever.
Helen
Thanks Choclette. DH is diabetic, so we tend to cut back on sugar wherever possible. Taking the sugar out of the waffles reduced the carb content by about a quarter, with no impact on the taste or texture! I must admit that I do usually load up with sweet toppings, although sliced fresh fruit and whipped cream is pretty heavenly on a freshly made waffle 🙂
Katherine Hackworthy
You sound like a waffle expert. We’ve just entered the wonderful world of waffles and love them! The spinner makes sense, too!
Helen
I think they’re catching on in the UK more and more. We love them too!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
Ooh these look perfectly fluffy, and so tasty with that lovely compote on top!
Helen
Thanks Becca. The compote was an extra treat 🙂
recipesfromapantry
I love finding new waffle recipes to try out and this one I will certainly bookmark.
Helen
Thanks! There are so many gorgeous looking waffle recipes about but somehow we always end up making these plain ones – I guess we just stick to the ones we know we like. Or maybe I’m too tired first thing in the morning to do anything more complicated!
Kate | The Veg Space
Great to have another ‘classic’ waffle recipe to try in my new waffle maker Helen, (though mine doesn’t spin, I didn’t realise this was even possible!!). Will give them a try this weekend and let you know how it goes!
Helen
Thanks Kate. I must admit I had no idea about the spinny thing either till DH brought it up, but the American machines pretty much all do it. Cultural differences… 🙂
Lyn purves
Hi. Can you freeze and leftover waffle mix?
Helen
Hi Lyn. I haven’t tried freezing the batter but my instinct is that it wouldn’t defrost well. However, you can certainly freeze prepared waffles, and then thaw/reheat in the toaster whenever you want one. I hope this helps. All the best, Helen x.