Crisp and buttery on the outside, fluffy on the inside, homemade waffles are a breakfast (or a dinner!) for which my entire family cheers.
I like sweet waffles, savory waffles, snack waffles (handheld Ham and Cheese Waffles, I’m looking at you). If you can waffle it, I will probably love it.
Homemade Waffles
Want to know a secret? I almost never order waffles at a restaurant. That’s how picky I am about my waffles.
I know exactly how I like my waffles and restaurant waffles are never as good as the homemade waffles from my own kitchen.
I take my waffle enthusiasm too seriously to waste a meal on waffles that are anything less than spectacular. Rest assured, I’d never share a waffle recipe with you that I didn’t absolutely adore. My standards are just too high.
Considering how deep my love for waffles runs, it’s high time I shared with you my ultimate list of best waffle recipes.
I’ve been making waffles a long time and I’ve discovered that, while everyone has their own preferences for favorite waffle recipes, there area few things that all great waffles have in common.
A superior waffle is crispy on the outside (but never oily or greasy!) with a soft fluffy interior. The best waffle recipe is one that doesn’t fall apart when you try to pry it from the iron but doesn’t get tough and dense as it cools.
These are a few of my all-time favorite best waffle recipes, ranging from savory to sweet and everything in between.
Best Waffle Recipe
Want the best ever classic Homemade Waffles Recipe? Scroll straight to the bottom of this post and print the recipe.
This is our go-to recipe and it’s also the base for countless sweet and savory waffle combinations here on the website. This recipe is from my Weekday Lunches & Breakfasts Cookbook and it’s a huge favorite with everyone who tries it.
A lightly sweet waffle topped with a pat of butter and drizzled with maple syrup makes any morning beautiful. When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a Whole Wheat Waffle covered in your favorite waffle toppings.
Few things make me smile like a plate of Blueberry Waffles. My blueberry waffle recipe features what I think is the exact right ratio of berries to batter, and never disappoints.
How To Make Waffles
- Preheat the waffle iron. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar in a medium-size mixing bowl.
- Add the milk and the eggs. Whisk to combine. Pour the melted butter and the vanilla into the batter and whisk until mostly smooth.
- Pour onto the hot waffle iron and cook according to the manufacturer’s directions. Serve warm or let cool completely.
Homemade Waffle Recipes
A few years ago I started making Pumpkin Spice Waffles inspired by the pumpkin muffins my family’s loved for a while. They’re lightly spiced and sweet and perfect served with a hot cup of coffee, especially on a cool crisp autumn morning (or anytime you need to be transported to fall!).
If you like banana bread as much as the members of my household, then Banana Waffles are for you. We enjoy them on their own or topped with slices of fresh bananas, chopped nuts and maple syrup.
Some mornings you can’t choose between homemade waffles and homemade donuts, and I believe you shouldn’t have to. Enter Maple Glazed Doughnut Waffles. They’re the ideal sweet indulgence for breakfast (or any time of day).
Whole Wheat Zucchini Waffles , Buckwheat Waffles and Gluten Free Buttermilk Waffles are even more homemade waffle recipes I enjoy on the sweeter side.
Savory Waffles
While I love a sweet waffle, I sometimes think savory waffles don’t get nearly the amount of attention they deserve. Whether I’m serving them for breakfast, brunch or dinner, they always disappear almost as fast as I can get them on the table.
Cheddar Bacon Green Chile Waffles are the ultimate cheesy waffle with southwestern flavors. The green chiles add a little spice to the savory, cheesy waffle batter with pieces of bacon providing smokiness and even more flavor.
Speaking of southwestern flavors, Cornbread Waffles topped with chili and cheese are simply divine. We love this meal anytime of day and it’s become one of our favorite ways to enjoy homemade chili!
Cheddar Chive Waffles are yet another “must try” waffle on my list of best waffle recipes. Served with a fried egg and sausage gravy, they’re a hearty and delicious comfort food meal.
Waffle Toppings
One of the joys of making waffles is the many different ways that you can top these waffles! The same waffle recipe may taste entirely different depending on what you choose to top them with and that, for me, is part of the fun.
I’ve been making my grandmother’s Homemade Waffle Sauce for years and it’ll always have a special place in my heart (and in my kitchen). This sauce is delicious on a waffle on its own or alongside fruit and nuts.
Have you tried my Kahlua Cream Sauce yet? I first made it to pour over a Challah Bread Pudding and immediately knew it would also be perfect on waffles.
Buttermilk Syrup, Brown Sugar Butter Syrup , Strawberry Simple Syrup and Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream are more topping ideas that I love on my waffles.
I also love just about any variation on fresh sliced fruit and chopped walnuts or pecans on top of my waffles!
On savory waffles, I love toppings like chili, cheese, sour cream, and even guacamole. A fried egg or a helping of warm savory gravy is a welcome sight served next to a stack of savory waffles.
For a classic sweet side, toss together this almost effortless Rainbow Fruit Salad.
Can’t get enough waffle recipe ideas?
Strawberry Shortcake Waffles with Maple Whipped Cream from Well Plated and these Peanut Butter and Banana Stuffed Almond Crusted Waffles by The Noshery are what breakfast dreams are made of.
Gluten Free Waffles
Light and fluffy waffles that are crisp on the inside and tender inside are a year-round favorite in our house. My family has been making waffles along with my grandma’s waffle sauce since long before I was born. I was happy to discover that both the waffles and the sauce freeze beautifully, making this a dream of a make-ahead breakfast.
The added starches in the gluten-free version of this recipe make them extra crispy on the outside. I might be guilty of loving the gluten-free recipe even more than the original, but truly they are both delicious.
Kitchen Tip: I LOVE my double Belgian waffle iron for making loads of waffles in no time at all!
Perfect Every Time Homemade Waffles
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour*
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1½ tablespoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1⅔ cups milk
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
*Gluten-Free Alternative
- 1⅓ cups brown rice flour
- ⅔ cup tapioca starch
- ¼ cup potato starch
Instructions
- Preheat the waffle iron. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar in a medium-size mixing bowl. Add the milk and the eggs. Whisk to combine. Pour the melted butter and the vanilla into the batter and whisk until mostly smooth.
- Pour onto the hot waffle iron and cook according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve warm or let cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 8/9/19 – recipe notes and photos updated 7/27/21}
Cv says
A bubbling mess and ruined my Belgian waffle maker. What kind of crazy recipe is this?
Mary Younkin says
It sounds like the waffle maker was over-filled. Waffle batter doesn’t typically “bubble up” unless there is far too much of it in the waffle maker.
Jeanna says
I sincerely doubt if your waffle iron was ruined. You probably just had to clean it. Most of us do that regularly.
Monte says
Delicious every time! Best recipe!
Ivy says
This is the only recipe I’ve used for over a year. Works perfectly every time!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that, Ivy!
Melis says
Hi Mary, just wondering if I can use white rice flour as a sub for brown when making gluten free?
Mary Younkin says
Yes, you can do that, Melis.
Dorothy says
My go to waffle recipe from now on! Family was happy 😊
Lisa says
I would like to know which ‘syrup’ is on the waffles in the main picture. I was hoping it was stated on the recipe card. Saw the picture with biscuits & gravy … going to have to try that too! Thanks!
Mary Younkin says
That is my grandmother’s Waffle Sauce. We love it!
U says
What is the best waffle maker? I had a cusinart upright one that was not very good
Mary Younkin says
I LOVE my double Belgian waffle iron for making loads of waffles in no time at all!
Tony says
I only put 3 star because they didn’t turn out well and I need some help. I got a new waffle maker for Christmas. I just made a batch and cooked them all for under 3 minutes. I lowered the amount each time until I was at 1.5 minutes and it wasn’t cooked all the way through. My waffles are fluffy, but are fairly dark brown and taste slightly like pretzels. Any advice?
Mary Younkin says
To be honest, that sounds a bit like an issue with the waffle iron. I can’t imagine what is causing that though. I’ve never cooked a waffle in under 3 minutes and definitely not to a dark brown at that point.
Miranda says
This has been my go to recipe for 2 years now, the best simple recipe by far. I make them in a Mickey Mouse waffle maker and never have any problem. Thank you for sharing it!
Steve says
My 8 year old son and I make these each weekend together. The recipe is excellent and the waffles are crisp in the outside and soft in the center every time. Plus, he has so much fun mixing the batter. It has become his dish. Thank you for sharing it!
Charles C says
Made today (6/26), great recipe. Makes a lot of batter. I will halve the recipe next time to use with my non-Belgian waffle maker. Cooking for 6 minutes worked best for me: a little crunchy outside, soft and cake-like inside.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad that the waffles were a hit, Charles!
NicholeLT says
These were simple to make abs delicious! Adding to our favorites!
Mary Younkin says
Glad that they were a hit, Nichole!
Kendall says
You should add some coco powder. Very good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mary Younkin says
Chocolate waffles for breakfast? My guys would think they hit the jackpot if I did that. Great idea.
TACEY LUCAS says
I usually just pick a random waffle recipe online and make it, saving only the ones I like and making them again. WELL since I found this one, I have deleted ALL the other waffle recipes I’ve saved, seriously. I have not made the waffle sauce yet, but as amazing as the waffle recipe is, I can only imagine how delicious it will be! Next on the agenda is to make the Blueberry Lemon Baked French Toast. Now that sounds delectable!!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so very happy to hear that you’re loving the waffles, Tacey!
Sherrie says
After YEARS of flabby waffles, you helped us out of that rut! Thank you SO much! We LOVE YOUR RECIPE and your “secret” for crispy waffles! Thank you!
Mary Younkin says
You’re welcome, Sherrie. I hope you continue to enjoy the waffles, and happy cooking!
Megan says
For the nutrition facts, is a serving one waffle?
Mary Younkin says
Hi, Megan! Yes, the nutrition facts for a single serving are for one waffle.
Sandi says
The best waffles we’ve every had!…I added crumbled bacon to the mix and they were for sure PERFECT!!!!
Mary Younkin says
That’s a great idea, Sandi. I’m glad everyone loved the waffles. Enjoy, and happy cooking!
Dave D. says
I have now made these waffles twice. My family loves them! Fresh baking powder, really makes a difference.
Mary Younkin says
Glad to hear that everyone’s loving the waffles, Dave.