Nothing will send your family or guests running to the table like the scent of homemade waffles. Tender, fluffy, and crisp all at once, they give off an aroma that's as equally delicious as their flavor. 

Belgian waffles make for the perfect weekend breakfast or brunch that everyone will love, so much that they may just become a new tradition in your kitchen regardless of the time of day. The reward is not only happy friends and family, but you get to eat them, too.

In this article, we'll walk you through how to make Belgian waffles with an easy recipe that you and your loved ones are sure to love. We'll also cover what to serve as toppings and answer some waffle FAQs. 

For example, what exactly makes Belgian waffles Belgian? Read on to find out.

Making waffles at home is surprisingly simple and convenient. Most importantly, the result is a waffle that's crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Homemade waffles are also much fresher than their frozen, store-bought counterparts in both taste and texture.

How to make homemade Belgian waffles

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This recipe makes 12 servings, takes 10 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook, with a total time of 40 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 4 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/4 cup white sugar

• 2 large eggs separated

• 1/4 cup melted salted butter

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 2 cups milk

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions

1. Spread a small amount of oil on the grids of your Belgian waffle maker and preheat to medium-high heat.

2. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

3. Separate the egg whites into a small bowl and beat them until they form stiff peaks.

4. Mix the yolks and the rest of the ingredients into a four-cup measuring glass.

5. Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well.

6. Carefully fold in the egg whites. Avoid overmixing.

7. Cook the mixture in the waffle iron until they're golden, about five to eight minutes each.

8. Reapply oil to the iron in between rounds. 

9. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

Nutritional information

• Calories: 187

• Carbohydrates: 18 grams

• Protein: 4 grams

• Fat: 10 grams

• Saturated fat: 7 grams

• Cholesterol: 41 milligrams

• Sodium: 63 milligrams

• Potassium: 254 milligrams

• Sugar: 2 grams

Original recipe: The Kitchen Magpie

Toppings for waffles

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You can top your waffles with essentially anything, but here are some suggestions to help you decide and get creative with your toppings:

• Syrups: maple, table, berry, fruit, chocolate, caramel, and cinnamon.

• Creams: whipped cream and ice cream (here's how to make excellent homemade ice cream).

• Berries: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

• Chopped fruit: peaches, kiwis, bananas, oranges, and grapes.

• Sweets: sugar, cinnamon, chocolate chips, sprinkles, mini marshmallows, M&Ms, and Fruit Loops cereal.

• Spreads: butter, peanut butter, jam, marmalade, and chocolate hazelnut spread.

Pro tip: to make serving your waffles a breeze, prepare and place your toppings on the table ahead of time so your guests or family can dress up their plates. Adults at the table may also want to pair theirs with this mimosa recipe.

Tips and tricks for making homemade waffles

• To serve all of your waffles simultaneously, keep them warm in the oven. You can do this by setting it at the lowest heat possible and place your waffles inside atop a warming rack in a baking pan.

• You can make your waffles ahead of time and freeze them in a large freezer bag with wax paper between them.

• Reheat single waffles in the toaster if they fit.

• To reheat a waffle that's too large for your toaster or an entire batch, place them in the oven at 350℉ and cover them loosely with aluminum foil.

• Ensure you're using a waffle recipe, like this one, and not a recipe for pancake batter.

FAQs about waffles

What's the difference between Belgian and regular waffles?

It's all looks, but some may prefer one over the other because of their nooks. Regular waffles have many small craters, while Belgian waffles have fewer with deeper indentations. The hollower cavities mean more space to fill up with syrup and other goodies.

What can you add to the waffle mix?

You can add just about anything to your waffle mix, but the most delicious options are a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or both.

Are pancake and waffle mix the same?

No, pancake mix and waffle mix are not the same. If you think about it, pancakes are floppy while waffles hold their shape. Waffles contain additional fat that helps them achieve a crispy exterior and a light, fluffy interior. This also allows them to keep their firmness.

How do you keep waffles crispy?

The only downside to making waffles at home is that they come out one at a time. Once one person is receiving their share, another is finishing up. Typically the chef eats last and misses out on the meal. However, it needn't be that way. You can keep your waffles crips and serve everyone at once by storing them in the oven.

Some chefs use a baking sheet to lay them out, but moisture can build up, resulting in soggy waffles. Instead, place an oven-safe cooling rack atop your baking sheet before putting it in the oven. Place the waffles on the rack as they're ready, with your oven on the "warm" setting or the lowest possible temperature. This way, the air will continue to circulate around them. Some folks use the oven rack directly in place of a cooling rack. However, do this with caution as the waffles can easily fall through, and they're trickier to remove.

Can I make waffles without baking powder?

You can make this waffle recipe without baking powder by swapping it for baking soda. Alternatively, if you're without either, you can use buttermilk instead of regular milk or replace half of the milk with sparkling water. If you're wondering how that works, the eggs in the waffles help them rise.

Can I make Belgian waffles with yeast?

Yes, you can make Belgian waffles with yeast instead of baking powder. However, it's a whole different ball game. The measurements and directions to do this are different, so you'll want to look up a specific recipe. One thing to note is that they will take longer as the yeast needs time to do its thing.

Waffle-ly hungry

If you're craving waffles and you're without an iron, check out this recipe for fluffy, everyday pancakes. Suppose the iron is in your kitchen but not the ingredients. In that case, you can order groceries and other daily essentials from Gopuff in seconds and have them at your door in minutes. That includes frozen waffles for days when you're too busy or feeling lazy. 

Instead of spending time at the grocery store, you can binge-watch a few episodes of your favorite sitcom or fit in a workout. With Gopuff, shopping has never been easier.