Best Waffles Recipe (Homemade Waffles)

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The Best Waffle Recipe ever! These golden-brown, crispy,  fluffy homemade waffles turn out perfectly every time! They’re made completely from scratch, are freezer-friendly, and are lightened up by using applesauce in the batter! Plus this recipe makes a large batch, so you will have leftovers to enjoy all week long! 

stack of 5 waffles with butter and syrup


 Today I have a special treat for you in honor of Mother’s Day, a guest post from my husband Ritch! He developed this recipe, tested it (for over a year), made it, styled the shoot and took all the photos! He’s the best (ever), just like these waffles! We literally make them every Saturday!

Have you ever tried making homemade waffles? If not, today is your day! This is the best waffles recipe ever! These golden-brown, crispy,  fluffy homemade waffles turn out perfectly every time!

These waffles are made completely from scratch, freezer-friendly, and lightened up by using applesauce in the batter! Plus this recipe makes a HUGE batch, so you will definitely have leftovers to enjoy all week long! 

front view of a stack of 5 waffles with butter melting on top

Waffle Recipe: Ingredients & substitutions

Here are a few possible substitutions for this recipe! However, as mentioned above, it has been tested over and over again with many variations and the recipe, as written, is pretty perfect!

overhead photo of the ingredients in this Waffle Recipe
  • All-purpose flour. If desired, you may substitute up to half of the flour with whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour. This will make the waffles less fluffy but still delicious.
  • Milk. We always use whole milk because that’s what we buy at the store. You can substitute your favorite variety (including non-dairy milks like almond milk). Just remember, the higher the fat content, the richer and tastier your waffles will be.
  • Butter. Ghee or canola oil can be used in place of butter in this recipe. However, real butter adds such an amazing flavor I don’t recommend making substitutions. 
overhead view of 9 square homemade waffles

How to make waffles

As always, let’s walk through this waffle recipe step-by-step to ensure your success, and don’t forget to watch the video!

Combine dry ingredients

The first step in this recipe is to combine the dry ingredients, then set them aside to use later! 

two overhead photos showing How to make Waffles - mixing dry ingredients

Beat the egg whites

Beating the egg white separately is the key to crispy fluffy waffles. Beat them until soft peaks form, then transfer them to another bowl and set them aside to use later. 

overhead photo showing How to make Waffles - beating egg whites until thick and fluffy

Combine wet ingredients

Next, combine the eggs and butter. Then add vanilla, milk and applesauce and beat on low speed to combine. 

Add dry ingredients

Next, add the dry ingredients you mixed together in the first step, and beat until just combined. 

two overhead photos showing How to make Waffles - combining wet ingredients and adding dry ingredients

Fold in beaten egg whites

Next, fold in the beaten egg whites carefully with a spatula until they batter in uniform throughout. Be careful not to over mix. 

two overhead photos showing How to make Waffles - folding in the beaten egg whites

Cook in a waffle maker

Next, add the waffle batter to a pre-heated waffle maker and cook until they are done. The amount of batter used really depends on the size and shape of your waffle maker. For our Cuisinart Waffle Maker (which we LOVE), it takes about 1 cup of batter to make 4 waffles. 

Note: this waffle recipe makes a very large batch

This waffle recipe makes a huge batch of waffles, about 18-20 waffles. We always have lots leftover, even though our kids sometimes eat 3 per sitting!

two photos showing How to make Waffles - pouring batter into a waffle maker and the cooked waffles in the waffle maker

Serving suggestions:

Here are our favorite ways to enjoy these homemade waffles: 

  • With a glug of pure maple syrup (of course).
  • Topped with a dollop of homemade whipped cream.
  • With a side of fresh berries or other fruit
  • Drizzled with nutella, peanut butter, etc. 

Store

Let leftover waffles cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the toaster.

To freeze

I suggest freezing these waffles to keep them fresh. Let them cool completely, then lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer until they are hardened. Once hardened, transfer the waffles to an airtight container or freezer-friendly storage bag, and freeze for up to 2 months.

syrup being poured onto a stack of the best waffle recipe

Recipe FAQs

How do you keep homemade waffles crispy?

Here are two suggestions I have for you to ensure the crispiest waffles ever!
Keep them warm in the oven. After cooking the waffles, put them in a warm oven (about 250 degrees) until you are ready to serve. This will ensure that they stay warm without becoming soggy!
Reheat in the toaster. Place chilled or frozen waffles directly in the toaster to reheat and enjoy! This will re-crisp them beautifully after they have been stored!

Can you freeze homemade waffles?

The reason Ritch created this recipe to make such a large amount is that we love having leftovers in the freezer to warm up for a quick breakfast! To reheat, simply pop the frozen waffles in the toaster and enjoy!

Should waffle batter be thin or thick?

This waffle recipe makes a thick batter (see photo for reference). It should be easy to spread but still thick.

overhead photo of the top waffle in a stack with butter and syrup

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Best Waffles Recipe

Laura
The Best Waffle Recipe ever! These golden-brown, crispy,  fluffy homemade waffles turn out perfectly every time! They're made completely from scratch, are freezer-friendly, and are lightened up by using applesauce in the batter! Plus this recipe makes a HUGE batch, so you will definitely have leftovers to enjoy all week long! 
5 from 14 votes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 20 Waffles
Calories 139.9
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time40 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, sea salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
  • Preheat a waffle maker to medium heat.
  • Separate egg whites from yolks (save both parts of the egg).
  • Put whites in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the wire whisk attachment and beat on high until stiff peaks form. (or beat them in a large bowl with a handheld mixer).
  • Transfer beaten egg whites to a bowl and set aside in the refrigerator.
  • Add egg yolks and butter to the bowl of a standing mixer and mix on medium speed until combined.
  • Add milk, applesauce and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
  • Add half of the dry ingredients and beat until combined.
  • Repeat with remaining dry ingredients.
  • Add beaten egg whites and fold into the batter by hand with a spatula.
  • Spray the waffle maker lightly with non-stick spray and scoop 1 cup of batter into the center of the waffle plates.
  • Cook on medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until the waffles are golden brown.
  • Repeat with remaining batter until it has all been used.
  • To keep warm: preheat oven to “warm” setting and put each batch of waffles on a large baking sheet in the warm oven until ready to serve.
  • Serve warm with maple syrup, whipped cream, fresh berries, etc. etc.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • All-purpose flour. If desired, you may substitute up to half of the flour with whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour. This will make the waffles less fluffy but still delicious.
  • Milk. We always use whole milk because that’s what we buy at the store. You can substitute your favorite variety (including non-dairy milks like almond milk). Just remember, the higher the fat content, the richer and tastier your waffles will be.
  • Butter. Ghee or canola oil can be used in place of butter in this recipe. However, real butter adds such an amazing flavor I don’t recommend making substitutions. 

Store

Let leftover waffles cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the toaster.

To freeze

I suggest freezing these waffles to keep them fresh. Let them cool completely, then lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer until they are hardened. Once hardened, transfer the waffles to an airtight container or freezer-friendly storage bag, and freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1waffle | Calories: 139.9kcal | Carbohydrates: 18.8g | Protein: 4.5g | Fat: 5.4g | Saturated Fat: 3.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.3g | Cholesterol: 44.2mg | Sodium: 245mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 3.3g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Commentary from Ritch: 

My kids love Saturday mornings. As a pastor, I work each Sunday, and Laura gets all four kids ready for church by herself and out the door in time for service. So Saturday is really the only day in a given week where we get to wake up slow together. I usually stay in bed until the kids come bouncing in at [precisely] 7:30am. We snuggle in bed together, as I let them watch an episode of PJ Masks, or Spirit (the horse) on my iPad, before we all head downstairs in our pajamas together.

But one of the most special things that our kids love about Saturday mornings is having a big “Daddy-made” waffle breakfast using this Best Waffles Recipe!

I don’t consider myself much of a cook…for a few reasons: 1) I have an AMAZING chef for a wife, who loves to make incredible meals for us (I know, I am totally spoiled!), and 2) I have a very unsophisticated palette (to put it lightly). Seriously, I often confuse beef for chicken. Ha!

But after our last baby was born, I took a couple of weeks off, and worked from home to help Laura out around the house. {It’s true ladies, it was glorious and I love him so much for it} After a few mornings of serving the kids a sub-par breakfast, I decided to hunt down a good waffle recipe. I found a few that were decent…but felt uncharacteristically picky, and wanted to find a really great recipe.

After combining a bunch of good ideas from several other recipes, and testing out half a dozen different tweaks over a few months, Laura helped me dial in on what has become a family favorite…this Best Waffles Recipe! I hope you enjoy it too!

More of our favorite breakfast recipes: 

Thank you Ritch, for this beautiful post! I am one blessed lady to be married to such a stud! He’s artistic, he knows how to cook, is the best daddy in the world AND he loves me very much! XOXO love you babe!

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20 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These waffles look so good. How cool that Ritch helped create this recipe! Nothing like making some waffles or pancakes together on the weekend.
    I can’t wait to try these waffles! Love how they combine your favorite parts of all the recipes you tried. 🙂