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
{originally published 8/9/19 – recipe notes and photos updated 11/27/23}
Lindi says
We just made these waffles again for breakfast this weekend. The whole family loves them and they turn our perfectly light and crispy every time. My favorite way to serve them is with freshly whipped cream and tons of fruit.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you love the waffles so much, Lindi! I love them with whipped cream and fruit too.
Sara says
Hi,
This is our go to recipe for waffles, but in a bid to make it a little healthier, I use
1 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup oats
1/3 cup ground flax
1/3 cup wholemeal all purpose flour
Which totals the 2 cups flour needed, it give a nuttier flavour and is more filling 😁❤️
Mary Younkin says
That’s an interesting combination, Sara. I’m glad you and your family are enjoying the waffles.
Deatte Witzgall says
I’ve made other waffle recipes and this one is by far my favorite. It has the right amount of fluff and crispness.
Mary Younkin says
I am so glad that you like the waffles, Deatte!
Lori says
Light and fluffy every time! Love these waffles.
Mary Younkin says
Thrilled to hear that you love the waffles, Lori!
AnnR says
Easy recipe …I followed it exactly as written and results were okay. I prefer a fluffier waffle with a crispier crust.
Mary Younkin says
Glad to hear that the waffles were easy to make, Ann. Bummer that they weren’t to your tastes.
Barbara J Hartman says
Mine looked like the picture and are light as waffles go I suppose. I double checked every ingredient and instruction. I never use butter and that would be the only difference. Could barely finish one as it just did not taste good. Looks just aren’t the most important thing to me.. or maybe my own recipe is more my preference.
Mary Younkin says
I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy the waffles. It sounds like they cooked up fine, so I’m not sure what might have gone wrong, Barbara. These waffles typically get rave reviews. I’m wondering if one of your ingredients might have been off or spoiled?
Avy says
Very cakey. They came out fine, but not my taste
Mary Younkin says
Hmmm, I wonder what went wrong there, Avy? It’s always hard to guess when I’m not in the kitchen with you. Did you by chance substitute an ingredient?
Judy Cramer says
These waffles really are perfect every time, thank you for sharing this recipe. We have had them 3 times now, have had them topped with strawberries, added pecans – endless opportunities here!
Mary Younkin says
I bet the waffles were delicious with pecans and strawberries, Judy.
Mom of 2 says
Would have been better without the salt and less baking soda, the recipe gave me waffle shaped pretzels.
Mary Younkin says
huh… I don’t even have a serious reply here. Pretzels? Did you boil the waffles? How on earth did you wind up with pretzels? Because I would LOVE a recipe this easy for homemade pretzels. All of that said, I have no idea what went wrong here, but something clearly did. Did you substitute any ingredients? or change measurements?
Peter says
I feel like I didn’t get something right. The batter was very thick going into the waffle iron and so I think I put in too much since it wasn’t flowing. This resulted in really thick dense waffles.
Did I just put in too much batter or did something go wrong before that?
Mary Younkin says
It sounds like one of the measurements might have been off, Peter. It shouldn’t have been that thick. You’ll know when there is too much in the waffle maker when it overflows out the sides. (I typically overflow at least one waffle every time I make them!)
C Williams says
Tried it, love it,, now my favorite!!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you love the waffles!
Yvonne says
I made your waffle recipe today and decided to try the waffle sauce…..so much better then syrup and not overly sweet or overpowering. It will now become a staple in my kitchen when I make waffles. However, I think I am going to use a real vanilla bean or real vanilla next time. You just can’t compare artificial vanilla to the real thing because of the flavour difference it brings! Also, I am thinking outside the box that your waffle sauce would be great on apple crisp or even apple pie….just seems like something that would go great on many things. Thanks for sharing!
Mary Younkin says
I am thrilled that you love the waffles and the waffle sauce, Yvonne!
Anne says
I am tying many waffles recipes to find one my family likes. These waffles are like a brick. Taste more like a biscuit. I just have bad luck with waffles!
Mary Younkin says
Hi Anne! Are you by any chance scooping the dry ingredients and then tapping or shaking the measuring cup to level them off? That can add a considerable bit more flour to the scoop than if you spoon the flour into it or even scoop and level with a knife. They shouldn’t have turned out biscuit-like or heavy at all. My best guess is that some of the measurements might have been a bit off.
Perry says
Typo. Never fails to disappoint I know that’s not what you meant 😀 We love the waffles.
Mary Younkin says
Thanks for catching that, Perry!
Ken Johnston says
Any Tex Mex recipe
Mary Younkin says
I’m not sure just what you’re looking for, Ken. But I can tell you that green chile waffles (linked above) are pretty amazing topped with Sausage Gravy.
Alyssa says
We have tried many waffle recipes and this one is the family favorite. I triple the recipe so that we can freeze the extra waffles for weekday breakfast reheated in the toaster.
Mary Younkin says
We love stashing them in the freezer and reheating in the toaster as well, Alyssa.
Alyssa says
We have tried many waffle recipes and this one is the family favorite. I triple the recipe so that we can freeze the extra waffles for weekday breakfast reheated in the toaster.
***For those that it didn’t work try using a kitchen scale. We always weigh flour instead of using a measuring cup***
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you love the waffles so much, Alyssa.
James says
This is a great recipe. So easy and delicious. Thank you.
Mary Younkin says
I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying the waffles, James!
Wendy says
These are the worst waffles that I have ever made and I’m not trying to be mean. It’s just the truth. The guy who said they are chewy is right on. These waffles are SUPER chewy! There is nothing light or fluffy about them they are super dense! I have never had waffles so horrible. I usually can’t stop eating waffles…with this recipe I can barely finish a quarter. So disappointed. We followed the recipe to a T. There is an error in it
Mary Younkin says
For the life of me, I can’t figure out what is going wrong with the handful of negative results. It’s always hard to help when I’m not in the kitchen with you. If you didn’t substitute any ingredients, my best guess is that too much flour is being added, via shaking the measuring cup or simply by accident. It’s also possible that someone is beating or over-mixing the batter. I’ve sorry to hear that the waffles didn’t work out for you. We make these waffles exactly as written almost every weekend and they turn out light and fluffy every time. There is not an error in the recipe. As you can see from the hundreds of 5-star reviews, we aren’t alone in that.
Christi says
We love these so much, make them almost every weekend, they really are perfect. Thanks for the great recipe!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad that you love the waffles so much, Christi!