Easy Homemade Waffles
Thick and fluffy, yet light and crispy…the perfect waffle. That’s how this waffle recipe comes out every time! Plus, the the gluten free version of Easy Homemade Waffles is so good that no one can tell the difference! Last but not least, they’re so easy to make you’ll ditch the boxed mix!
Easy Homemade Waffle recipe ingredients…
Okay, these are ingredients you already have in the house, such as; flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, oil, milk and vanilla extract. Waffles are quick and simple to whip up, the only downside is waiting for them to cook! In fact, I’m still waiting for someone to invent a waffle griddle that can make a family sized batch in one round! Is anyone listening?
Ways to eat waffles…
One of the things I love about waffles is the versatility. They’re great for breakfast, brunch, lunch or even dinner. The options are endless, I like mine with butter and powdered sugar, but they’re also delicious with maple syrup or add fruit and whipped cream for an extra special treat!
Waffle Add-ins: Get creative! Make your own customized gourmet waffle! My kids have fun with this. Just toss your favorite add-ins on the batter right before closing the lid to your waffle iron.
In no particular order, these are some of our favorites: Chocolate Chips, Nuts, Coconut, Blueberries and Raspberries (Raspberries and chocolate chips together are amazing)
As a dessert…topped with ice cream, chocolate syrup, nuts, whipped cream and any other sundae topping you love.
Waffles as a staple…
As a lunch or dinner…waffles make great sandwiches, just use in place of bread. And if you have leftover sausage gravy or Hollandaise sauce you should try the ideas below. The possibilities are endless… try something new, use what you have handy, you might discover your new favorite!
Waffles for dinner ideas:
Turkey, Ham & Swiss Sandwich (like Chicken Cordon Bleu)
Sausage Gravy Topped Waffles
Chicken ala King topped Waffles
Eggs Benedict Waffles
Chicken & Waffles
Patty Melt
Reuben
Gluten Free Easy Homemade Waffles
If you need to make them gluten free, I use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-1 Baking Flour. It is amazing! You’ll see it mentioned a lot around here… because it’s that good! I know what a challenge gluten free cooking can be so if I find something that’s really exceptional I let everyone know about it! By the way, this gluten free version of my Easy Homemade Waffles recipe (like my Fluffy Buttermilk Pancake recipe) is another recipe that everyone in my house agrees is better with the gluten free flour…which speaks volumes coming from people who are not gluten free!
Secrets to making the perfect waffle:
Don’t over mix your batter! I cannot say this enough! You want to stir the ingredients just until they’re combined, otherwise you will have thin tough waffles.
Greasing your waffle iron: Butter is best! I use a pastry brush to brush butter onto my waffle iron, I think the butter adds so much taste and in addition, it helps the waffles to brown and crisp to perfection! Plus, you won’t have to butter them after they’re cooked. It’s a win-win.
How do I know when waffles are done? An easy way to tell when your waffles are finished cooking (if your waffle iron does not have an indicator light) is to watch the outside of the unit… they’re usually done cooking when they stop steaming. If you like them a bit crispier and browned you should leave them in about 30 seconds or so after that point. Avoid opening and closing the lid while waffles are cooking! This will flatten them.
Keeping waffles warm…
Place waffles in a 200 degree oven in a single layer, not piled up or they will lose their crispiness. A toaster oven or convection oven works great. I place waffles directly on the racks in mine but for a regular full sized oven I put them on a cookie sheet.
Freezing Waffles…
Waffles keep well for several weeks in the freezer in freezer ziplock bags (make sure they are freezer bags not regular ziplock). When you’re ready to use them just pop them in the toaster to get them nice and crispy again.
Easy Homemade Waffles
Yield: 12-16, 4-inch waffles. Total Time: 30 minutes
2 cups flour
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 ¾ cups milk
½ cup oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder & salt in large bowl.
Beat eggs, milk, oil & vanilla in medium bowl.
Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture & stir just until combined. It should still be a little lumpy.
Brush heated waffle iron with butter (reapply after each waffle).
Pour about 1 cup of batter into waffle iron (adjust according to your size & shape). Mine uses 1/3 cup per waffle square.
Close lid and cook until the waffle stops steaming.
Enjoy!