Waffles: crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside and always delicious with a topping of your choice. Whether you opt for sweet waffles with fresh fruit and whipped cream or savoury varieties with bacon and cheese, the key to success lies in the perfect waffle batter and the right baking techniques. In this article, you will learn step by step how to bake the best waffles yourself!
Step 1: The basic ingredients
For classic Belgian waffles, you will need the following ingredients:
- 250 g flour
- 2 eggs
- 250 ml of milk
- 100 g butter (melted)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar (for sweet waffles)
- 1 sachet vanilla sugar (optional)
- 10 g baking powder
- Pinch of salt
Want to make savoury waffles? Omit the sugar and add a pinch of spices such as pepper or paprika.
Step 2: Making the waffle batter
Add melted butter. Finally, add the melted butter and mix until you have a smooth and creamy batter. For an extra airy texture, let the batter rest for 15-30 minutes.
Sieve the flour. Start by sifting the flour in a large bowl. This will ensure you don’t get lumps in your batter.
Mix dry ingredients. Add the sugar, vanilla sugar, baking powder and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together well.
Eggs and milk. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl and add the milk. Beat until fluffy.
Add wet and dry ingredients together. Gradually pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients while continuing to stir. This will ensure a smooth batter.
Source photo: Suikerfee
Step 3: Baking waffles to perfection
Baking. Pour a scoop of the batter into the waffle iron (about a tablespoon, depending on the size of your iron). Close the iron and bake the waffles for 3-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Do not open the iron too early to prevent the waffles from tearing.
Heat your waffle iron. Make sure your waffle iron is well preheated. This will prevent the batter from sticking and ensure an evenly baked waffle.
Grease. Lightly grease the waffle iron with a little melted butter or baking spray. This makes for extra crispy waffles and prevents them from sticking to the iron.
Step 4: The best toppings for waffles
Now comes the best part: the toppings! Here are some delicious combinations for sweet and savoury waffles:
Sweet
- Powder sugar
- Fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Whipped cream or Greek yoghurt
- Maple syrup or honey
- Melted chocolate or Nutella
Savory
- Melted cheese and ham
- Smoked salmon and cream cheese
- Fried bacon and a fried egg
- Avocado and feta
- Grilled vegetables and hummus
Additional tips for perfect waffles
Keep waffles warm. Do you bake several waffles at once? Keep them in a low-temperature oven (about 100°C) to keep them warm and crispy without getting tough.
Use good-quality flour. For the fluffiest waffles, use flour with a low protein content, such as pastry flour.
Play with flavours. Add a dash of vanilla extract or lemon zest to the batter for a subtle extra flavour.
Vary with toppings. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings. Think ice cream, compotes or even peanut butter for a surprising taste experience.
Baking the perfect waffles is a delicious process that leaves plenty of room for creativity. By making the right batter and using the right baking technique, you can conjure up a delicious waffle on the table within minutes. Whether you opt for the classic sweet waffle or the savoury variety, the possibilities are endless. With these tips, you are guaranteed to bake the best waffles!