Easy American Waffle

Are you craving something quick and easy for weekend breakfast? Then, give this easy American waffle recipe a chance. Nothing beats homemade and made-from-scratch waffles. All you need is 5 minutes, and you will be cooking the waffles in no time.

These waffles are easy to make and made with simple ingredients you may have in your pantry already.

This American waffle recipe was adapted from the Cuisinart recipe book that came with my waffle maker. The recipe has become my family favorite for Saturday mornings. We usually alternate among this American pancake recipe, pumpkin muffins, or this Cuisinart waffles recipe.

What is Waffles?

A waffle is a dish made from leavened batter or dough cooked between two patterned plates to give a characteristic size, shape, and surface impression. There are many variations based on the type of waffle iron and recipe used. Waffles are eaten worldwide, particularly in Belgium, which has over a dozen regional varieties (Source: Wikipedia.org).

Types of Waffles

Did you know that waffles date back to 1725 and have different types and recipes? Some of the variations are as follows:

1. Brussels waffles -are prepared with an egg-white-leavened or yeast-leavened batter, traditionally ale yeast; occasionally, both types of leavening are used together.
2. Belgian Waffles: These are large, thick waffles with deep pockets. They are light and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Belgian waffles are typically served with powdered sugar, whipped cream, fresh fruit, syrup, or a combination of these toppings.
3. American Waffles: American waffles are thinner and crispier than Belgian waffles. They are often served as a breakfast dish and can be found in diners and breakfast joints across the United States. They are typically smaller and have shallower pockets than Belgian waffles.
4. Liege Waffles: Liege waffles originate from Belgium and are known for their rich, sweet, and chewy texture. They are made with a brioche-like dough and contain chunks of pearl sugar that caramelize when cooked, creating a delightful crunch.
5. Hong Kong Waffles (Egg Waffles): These waffles are popular street food in Hong Kong and have a distinctive spherical shape. They are made with a sweet, eggy batter and often served with toppings like ice cream, chocolate, and fruit.
6. Scandinavian Waffles: Scandinavian waffles, particularly Swedish and Norwegian variations, are often heart-shaped and thinner than Belgian waffles. They are commonly served with lingonberry jam and whipped cream.

Other Types of Waffles

1. Sour Cream Waffles: These waffles are made with sour cream or yogurt, giving them a tangy flavor and slightly denser texture than traditional waffles. NYTIMES waffle recipe
2. Potato Waffles: Potato waffles are made by incorporating grated or mashed potatoes into the waffle batter. They can have a unique savory flavor and a slightly crispy texture.
3. Gluten-Free Waffles: These waffles are made without wheat flour to accommodate individuals with gluten sensitivities or allergies. They often use alternative flour like almond flour, rice flour, or gluten-free oat flour.
4. Vegan Waffles: Vegan waffles do not contain any animal products like eggs or dairy. Common egg substitutes include flaxseed or chia seed “eggs,” and non-dairy milk is used instead of regular milk.
5. Whole Wheat Waffles: Whole wheat waffles are made with whole wheat flour, adding a nutty flavor and extra fiber. They are often considered a healthier option.
6. Chocolate Waffles: Chocolate waffles incorporate cocoa powder or melted chocolate into the batter, resulting in a rich and chocolatey flavor. They can be served with chocolate sauce or fresh berries.
7. Savory Waffles: savory waffles are made with cheese, herbs, vegetables, and spices, creating a delicious and savory meal option.

These are just a few examples of the many types of waffles worldwide. As you can see, there are possibilities for endless creativity and customization to suit individual preferences. Which one have you guys tried, or will you try?

Ingredients for making Waffles.

Olive oil: Olive oil was used, but you can use melted Butter. If you are using butter, then melt the butter first to give it a chance to cool slightly before you mix it into the other wet ingredients.

All-Purpose Flour: The base of the waffles.

Granulated Sugar: Just enough to sweeten the batter.

Baking Powder: it gives these pancakes some fluffiness.

Salt: To balance the sweetness and enhance the taste.

Eggs: To bind the ingredients together.

Milk: use whole milk or 2% milk.

Vanilla Extract: homemade vanilla adds the perfect flavor enhancer to the pancakes.

Ground nutmeg is optional but takes the waffles’ flavor and taste to a different level.

How to make American Waffles

Step 1

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl and set aside. Whisk together milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and eggs in another bowl.

Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Allow the batter to sit for 5 minutes before using.

Step 2

Preheat a waffle iron according to the brand instructions, and lightly coat it with butter using a pastry brush or paper towel. Pour ½ cup batter onto the center of the lower grid of the waffle maker.  Spread the batter evenly with a heat-proof spatula, cover, and cook the waffles until golden and crisp. Butter the iron in between batches as needed. Serve waffles immediately as they are ready or keep them warm in a 200-degree oven until ready to serve.

Toppings

Waffles can be eaten plain or with various toppings. Waffles go with the same toppings used for serving pancakes and these can include:

•              Maple syrup or fruit syrup

•              Warm fruit compote or fruit sauce

•              Fresh berries, chopped fruit, or chopped nuts

•              Powdered sugar

•              Whipped cream, ice cream or sorbet

•              Chocolate sauce

•              Fruit-flavored yogurt

Aside from the usual maple syrup and butter combination, you can top them with blueberry syrup and whipped cream or serve them with fried chicken.

How to Freeze Waffles

 Fully cooked waffles can be frozen in resealable, airtight plastic bags for up to 3 months. You can pop them in the toaster to reheat (use a light setting) and they come out nearly as well as freshly made, maybe even slightly crunchier.

More Recipes You’ll Love

American Pancakes

American Biscuits

Pumpkin Muffins

Bofrot Recipe

Egg muffins

Pawpaw Muffins

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Thanks for reading and stay blessed.

Happy baking!

Linda