Easy Waffles Recipe (With Video and Step by Step)

Fluffy and Delicious Homemade Waffles

1:31

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

25 mins

Servings:

Step away from your freezer: This easy, from-scratch waffle recipe is so simple, you'll want to make them every weekend (maybe even on weekdays, too). You won't find any fussy steps or unexpected ingredients in our recipe, which means you can whip up these breakfast favorites whenever your cravings hit.

All you need to make our crispy waffles are ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen: all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, butter, milk, and eggs. Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl, the wet ingredients in another, then add the wet to the dry and mix together—that's it! So long as you've preheated your waffle iron and have plenty of butter and maple syrup on hand for serving, breakfast will be the best meal of the day, guaranteed.

Our Top 10 Waffle Toppings

Butter and maple syrup are our go-to toppings, but other delicious waffle toppings include:

Fresh fruit: blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, or sliced bananas—or a mix
Homemade whipped cream and berries
Nuts: pecans, walnuts, or pistachios
Greek yogurt with berries, nuts, and honey
A fruit sauce
Chocolate-hazelnut spread (like Nutella)
Fried eggs, bacon, or breakfast sausage, and sautéed mushrooms or cherry tomatoes
Fried eggs, sliced avocado, and salsa
Fried chicken
Smoked salmon, creme fraiche, and dill

Make-Ahead Waffles

We prefer making the batter when we cook the waffles, but you can also make the batter ahead of time. Simply cover, refrigerate, and it will keep for up to five days. Whisk gently before using. (The waffles may need to cook for an extra minute or two if you are using cold batter.)

Directions

Easy Waffles Ingredients — Grant Webster

Preheat waffle iron and combine dry ingredients:

Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

Grant Webster
Whisk milk and eggs and add to flour:

In a small bowl, whisk milk and eggs; pour over flour mixture, and whisk gently to combine (don't overmix).

Grant Webster

Grant Webster
Add melted butter:

Gently whisk in butter.

Grant Webster
Cook waffles:

Following manufacturer's instructions, cook waffles until deep brown and crisp. (For a standard waffle iron, pour a generous 1/2 cup of batter into center, spreading to within 1/2 inch of edges, and close; waffle will cook in 2 to 3 minutes.)

Grant Webster

Grant Webster

Martha shared her trick for crispy (never soggy!) waffles on TikTok: "Take the waffle out of the maker and toss them back and forth to let the steam escape. It helps make sure that the crispiness of those edges is retained."
Serve warm:

Serve warm, with maple syrup and butter, as desired.

How to Keep Waffles Warm Until It's Time to Serve

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Place cooked waffles on a cooling rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet, and place in preheated oven. The rack allows for air circulation so the waffles will stay warm and crispy until ready to serve.

How to Store Waffles

If you have any leftover waffles, make sure they are completely cooled before you store them in an airtight container or freezer bag—if they are still warm, they will sweat and become soggy. Then, store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze them.

Freezing

Arrange the waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze till firm or overnight. When the waffles are frozen solid, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Store them in the freezer for up to three months.

Reheating

Frozen homemade waffles are a wonderful treat. Simply take them straight from the freezer and reheat them like you would store-bought frozen waffles—in the toaster or the microwave.

Variations

Add an extract: To instantly boost the flavor of these waffles, consider adding a teaspoon vanilla extract or one half-teaspoon of almond extract.

Give them a citrus twist: You can also stir in one to two teaspoons of orange or lemon zest for a citrusy twist.

Make them extra sweet: For a sweet, celebratory spin, add 1 cup of mini chocolate chips or one-third of a cup of rainbow sprinkles to the batter before making the waffles.

Transform them into gluten-free waffles: Use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour in place of the all-purpose flour to make these waffles gluten-free. (Alternatively, check out our recipe for gluten-free peanut butter-banana waffles.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pancake batter the same as waffle batter?

No, pancake batter is not the same as waffle batter, though they are similar. They use the same ingredients but in different proportions. Waffle batter is richer, having more sugar and butter than pancake batter. Pancake batter has more milk (or buttermilk) than waffle batter—it’s a more liquid batter. The extra fat and sugar in waffle batter help to create the crispy exterior of the waffles and prevent them from sticking to the waffle iron.
Can I use this batter with a mini waffle maker?

Yes, you can use this batter with a mini waffle maker. It will take a little longer, but you'll still end up with golden, crispy waffles. As with a standard waffle maker, be sure to thoroughly preheat your waffle maker for the best texture.
Should you clean a waffle maker after each use?

Yes, you should clean a waffle maker after each use. The grooves in the plates can trap grease and batter, which can impact the flavor of future batches. Cleaning a waffle iron properly will also help it work properly for years to come. Always unplug it first and give it a few minutes to cool down before cleaning.
What's the difference between Belgian waffles and regular waffles?

The difference between Belgian waffles and regular waffles is that Belgian waffles have deeper pockets than American waffles, and their texture is fluffier. This is because they often include whipped egg whites in their ingredients. Belgian waffles may also be made with a yeasted batter, where as regular waffles rely on baking powder as a leavener.

5 More Waffle Recipes to Try

Updated by

Esther Reynolds

Easy Waffles

Our Top 10 Waffle Toppings

Make-Ahead Waffles

Directions

Preheat waffle iron and combine dry ingredients:

Whisk milk and eggs and add to flour:

Add melted butter:

Cook waffles:

Serve warm: