This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Crisp and buttery on the outside, fluffy on the inside, this easy waffle recipe is perfection. Included are loads of options for sweet or savory waffles, plus all the toppings you could ever desire.
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.
Easy Waffles
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, there are a few things that all great waffles have in common.
The ultimate waffle recipe is crispy on the outside (but never oily or greasy!) with a soft fluffy interior. The best waffles won’t fall apart when you lift them from the iron, they won’t bend in half, and they also won’t get tough and dense as they cool.
Rest assured that when I say this is the best waffle recipe ever, I don’t make that claim lightly. Part of the reason this recipe is the best is simply because it’s as easy as can be.
These are a few of my all-time favorite waffle recipes, ranging from savory to sweet and everything in between.
Waffle Ideas
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.
Waffles from Scratch
You’ll need the following ingredients to make perfect waffles every time:
- all-purpose flour
- kosher salt
- baking powder
- sugar
- milk
- eggs
- vanilla extract
Waffle Recipe
- Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the milk and the eggs. Whisk to combine. (I LOVE my dough whisk for making pancakes and waffles!)
- Pour the melted butter and the vanilla into the batter and stir until mostly smooth. Take care not to over-stir the batter. Let the batter rest for at least 10-15 minutes while heating the waffle iron.
- Heat the waffle maker. (This is my favorite Belgian waffle maker!) Pour batter onto the hot waffle iron and cook according to the manufacturer’s directions. Serve warm or let cool completely before storing.
If you’re lucky enough to have leftover waffles, completely cooled waffles may be frozen in zipclose bags. Reheat from frozen in the toaster, microwave, or on a rack in the oven.
Gluten Free Waffles
Light and fluffy waffles that are crisp on the outside 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.
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.
A few years ago I started making Pumpkin Spice Waffles inspired by the pumpkin muffins my family has loved for years. 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.
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 of 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 sausage gravy is a welcome sight served next to a stack of savory waffles.
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.
For a classic sweet side, toss together this almost effortless Rainbow Fruit Salad.
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
- Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the milk and the eggs. Whisk to combine. (I LOVE my dough whisk for making pancakes and waffles!)
- Pour the melted butter and the vanilla into the batter and stir until mostly smooth. Take care not to over-stir the batter. Let the batter rest for at least 10-15 minutes while heating the waffle iron.
- Heat the waffle iron. (This is my favorite waffle iron!) Pour batter onto the hot waffle iron and cook according to the manufacturer’s directions. Serve warm or let cool completely before storing.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 8/9/19 – recipe notes and photos updated 11/27/23}
These were ok. Followed the recipe completely..We tried them as a break from our usual waffle recipe which incorporates whipped egg whites. These waffles were not as airy or crispy as our favourite recipe but it did make a change and I appreciated cutting out a few steps. My kids only ate one instead of their usual 2-3.
Sorry to hear that the waffles weren’t a huge hit, but at least they helped break up the routine. Hopefully the next recipe you make will turn out more successfully. Happy cooking!
This is our go to waffle recipe now. Always a huge hit!
It’s one of our recurring favorites too, April.
These waffles were edible. Ok with some fruit on top but not our favorite waffles.
Sorry to hear they weren’t a favorite. We sure do love them!
This is exactly how I’d describe them. “Edible”, but I always appreciate trying new recipes.
I was surprised at how firm the batter was.
With fruit or ice cream it would be better IMO than just syrup like I typically enjoy.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I tried this recipe for the first time. The waffles turned out great! Crunchy on the outside but soft inside. Just the right balance of sweet and salty so it could go either way— sweet or savory., depending on the topping. We had it for breakfast — blueberries and syrup, or Nutella topping. Also good when eaten plain with just a little extra butter.
I’m so happy you are enjoying them, Dawn!
We love these waffles. They always turn out light, fluffy, and delicious. I’ve made them a few times and they are always a hit.
I’m thrilled to hear that, Royce!
Best waffle recipe. Never buying a box again! Thank you!
YAY! I’m so glad you like the waffles, Tara.
Too much salt. Great consistency. Not enough flavor.
Well, the beauty of homemade waffles is being able to adjust them to individual tastes. We love these waffles exact as written, but you can reduce the amount of salt and increase the extract for a stronger vanilla flavor.
I have tried many waffle recipes and most were just ok. This recipe however is perfect. They are fluffy and so tender. Definitely my go to from now on.
That’s awesome to hear, Bonnie. I’m thrilled the waffles were a hit.
Perfect family breakfast!!!
I’m thrilled you like the waffles!
My family just loves this recipe we make it every opportunity we get, so good for camping the flavour suggestions are so good too!!
Thank you for sharing your recipe ❤️
I’m thrilled you like the waffles!
Too much baking powder. I knew it but I put it in anyway and then to add more salt!!
Other than that easy recipe.
Would not make again with all the BP
Glad you were able to make it work for you. We enjoy these waffles exactly as written.
These had a nice consistency but overall lacked flavor to us. Will have to try the recipe again and maybe a few tweaks to achieve the flavor that I was hoping to enjoy.
While we love them exactly as written, there are lots of ways to mix off the flavors. Happy waffle making!
I made these waffles last night for brinner, and I loved them! The kids loved them too. Tasted much better than our typical box mix, and was very easy. Made great Mickey waffles lol!
I’m so glad you like them!
Airy, fluffy over all great waffles. Did anyone else have problems with a baking power tastes? I thought 1.5 tablespoons was a lot, doubled checked that it wasn’t teaspoons. Ended up trusting the recipe but there was that kinda soapy baking soda taste to all the finished waffles that made them less enjoyable. The only tweak I made was using Gluten Free Flour so it could just be the flour mix. Next time I try these I might use less baking powder.
While you can certainly try reducing the baking powder, we don’t taste it in the waffles. The GF flour may have affected the way they tasted, or possibly you’re more sensitive to it than we are.
Great recipe! I would definitely tweak the amount of baking powder though. 2 tsp of baking powder works just as well without the strange aftertaste. I also added an extra tablespoon of sugar cause I like mine sweet! Other than that it was a great recipe!
I’m glad you enjoyed the waffles and were able to make them work for you!
These are great! My girls love them and they are my new go to.
I’m so glad you like them!
Brieful could have simply separated the 2 eggs from this recipe whipped them to near full peak and then folded them into the recipe.
Unfortunately, these waffles didn’t work out for us. I followed the recipe as directed, but our waffles were actually more limp instead of crunchy. For the second waffle I left it in the waffle maker for a longer period of time, thinking they would crisp up. Not really. I also thought they would have more vanilla flavor with the amount of vanilla in the recipe, but not so. I’m glad we tried it anyway so we can find out what works for us. I can see that a lot of people love them and that is great.
Without being in your kitchen with you, it’s hard to guess what might have gone wrong. Did you by chance substitute any ingredients?
I did not substitute any ingredients for this recipe, it was made as written. I did notice though that when I added the melted butter, it was still very warm. Maybe I should have let it cool down first?
The butter honestly shouldn’t have affected the results that way. Do you normally get crisp waffles out of your waffle iron? I’m having trouble imagining what might have gone wrong.
I gave this more thought. I do recall that with every waffle I made, the waffle iron did pop open while it was cooking, and then I had to close it again. Maybe I used too much batter. Normally this does not happen when I have made waffles in the past. If I make this recipe again I will use less batter per waffle. That might be the answer.
Thanks for helping me work through it, Judy. Keep me posted!
Made this yum yum yum !
Best recipe by far tried many !
Made a whole batch and froze them !
Thank The Lord I have a big toaster!!
I took out 1/3 cup of milk and substituted
With water they came out perfectly!
I’m glad to hear the waffles are a hit!