Homemade American Waffles
Skip the frozen waffles and waffle mixes. American waffles are super easy to make at home in 20 minutes using only 6 staple ingredients. Serve the fluffy homemade waffles with a generous pat of butter and maple syrup drizzle as a delicious breakfast, as part of a weekend brunch, or as a dessert – especially for special occasions such as Mother’s Day.
My family LOVES homemade waffles. My sweet and buttery German waffles are our go-to ones but this no-fuss homemade waffle recipe is a close second for sure.
This 6-ingredient basic waffle recipe creates a fluffy and buttery canvas for a variety of toppings. Keep it classic with butter and a generous drizzle of maple syrup, or go all out and explore my 50 sweet and savory waffle topping ideas.
Plus, these classic American waffles are perfect for meal-prep – make the batter or bake the waffles ahead of time for effortless breakfasts. No waffles mixes, or store-bought frozen waffles needed!
But let’s not waffle on chat about 15 types of homemade waffles and get to the recipe, shall we?
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Homemade American Waffles
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter more to grease the waffle iron
- 2 eggs room-temperature
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk lukewarm
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
To Serve
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat on the stove or in the microwave.1/4 cup butter
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and add the lukewarm milk while mixing. Slowly add the melted butter (make sure it's not too hot) and the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.2 eggs, 1 1/2 cups whole milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Gradually mix in the dry mix including the self-rising flour and sugar to the wet ingredients while stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter or the waffles can become tough once cooked.2 cups self-rising flour, 2 tbsp sugar
- Let the batter rest for 10 minutes while you prepare the waffle iron for it to thicken up lightly. Preheat the waffle iron and lightly grease it with butter or light olive oil.
- Pour in about 1/4 of a cup of the batter onto the preheated waffle iron or follow the manufacturer's instructions for the recommended amount. Close the waffle iron and cook until golden brown and crisp. Mine take around 3 minutes to cook on medium heat.
- Carefully remove the waffle from the iron and repeat the process with the remaining batter.
- Serve the homemade waffles warm with butter and maple syrup or your favorite waffle toppings. Enjoy!3 tbsp butter, 3 tbsp maple syrup
Notes
Nutrition
Ingredients and substitutions
- Butter – Lightly salted butter gives the waffle mix richness and prevents it from sticking to the waffle maker. You can use unsalted butter but you’ll need to add a pinch of salt to the batter to balance out the flavors.
- Sugar – You can substitute the white sugar with brown sugar, or natural sweeteners including honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup.
- Vanilla – Vanilla extract can be substituted with fresh vanilla beans, vanilla syrup, or essence if needed.
- Egg – Medium-sized eggs stored at room-temperature work best. They help combine the ingredients and create a fluffy texture.
- Flour – Self-rising flour is great for convenience as it combines all-purpose flour, baking powder, a salt. You can use 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 3 tsp of baking powder, and 1/2 tsp of salt instead.
- Milk – I use whole milk for a rich flavor but lighter options work well too. You can use buttermilk to create a more tangy flavor or leftover liquid whey to make whey waffles. Make sure the milk is lukewarm or at least at room-temperature.
Waffle topping ideas
Popular American waffle toppings include butter and pure maple syrup to create a rich and sweet flavor. Crispy bacon is another popular choice as it adds a salty and savory element in contrast to the waffle’s sweetness. Here are some more waffle topping ideas my family loves:
- Fresh fruit including fresh strawberries, blueberries, and bananas.
- Add a dollop of cream such as my German schlag or extra rich mascarpone cream.
- Ice cream such as my boysenberry ice cream is the perfect summer topping.
- Stewed fruit including my honey-stewed apples and pears or honey-stewed berries are a great addition in fall and winter.
- Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, and caramel or chocolate sauces offer delicious flavors and textures.
Check out my top 50 waffle toppings for more ideas on how to enjoy these classic homemade waffles.
My top 5 homemade waffle tips
- Warm ingredients: Adding cold milk to hot melted butter creates lumps. Adding an egg to hot melted butter makes it curdle. Make sure that all ingredients are at least at room temperature and add the ingredients in the order as outlined in the recipe for a lump-free batter.
- Whisk by hand: Yes, you can use a stand mixer or electric mixer to combine the batter but I prefer to mix the waffle batter with a whisk by hand. That way you can easily spot any lumps and make sure you don’t overmix the batter which leads to tough waffles. Plus, let equipment to clean-up and a free mini arm workout included!
- Let it rest: Let the batter rest for 10 minutes after mixing for it to thicken up lightly. Give it another stir and bake the waffles.
- Hot iron: Make sure the waffle iron is fully heated and lightly greased before adding the batter or it will stick to the iron.
- Meal prep waffles: Make a double or even triple batch and store the baked waffles for up to 4 days at room temperature or freeze them with a layer of parchment paper for up to 3 months. That way you’ll have a convenient from-scratch breakfast option on hand!