Authentic Belgian Waffle Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between a Belgian waffle and an old fashioned waffle? ›

The ingredients for both regular waffles and Belgian waffles are similar and include flour, milk, eggs, and butter or oil. However, Belgian waffles use egg whites to give a fluffier texture. Additionally, Belgian waffles have yeast in their recipe while regular waffles use baking powder.

The secret ingredient in Belgian waffles is the pearl sugar, which gives the waffles a unique texture and slight, satisfying crunch. Belgian waffles are also fantastically light, which adds to their perfection. Fun bonus fact: traditional Belgian waffles are usually eaten with your hands, not a fork and knife.

Not waiting until the iron heats up properly means your waffles will cook, but never achieve that satisfyingly crisp exterior. Overworking the batter will leave your waffles dense and chewy instead of light and airy. And stacking even the most perfect waffles will cause them to become soggy and limp in minutes.

It's key to know your preferred waffle style.

If you prefer American-style waffles, which are thinner and crispier than their counterparts, you'll want a classic waffle maker with shallow plates. For thick, fluffy Belgian-style waffles, look for models that are labeled “Belgian” or that have deeper plates.

Belgian waffles taste more soft and crispy, while waffles in the Netherlands are made from a heavier batter with a chewy and sticky texture. Another prominent difference lies in the shapes used by Belgian and Dutch styles. The former is in the shape of rectangle and the latter is round.

Can You Make Regular Waffles in a Belgian Waffle Maker? Sure! Since regular waffles are denser than Belgian ones, increase the leavening agent—usually baking powder—in your recipe to adjust the texture.

Add cornstarch.

If you're making waffles with baking powder and baking soda, adding cornstarch to the mix will get you waffles that are crisp on the outside and soft and flaky on the inside. Because waffle recipes vary, start with ¼ cup and work in as much as ½ cup to get the desired effect.

To keep Belgian waffles crispy, they 1st have to be crispy! Make sure waffle iron is very hot before adding batter & cook until crispy. Then place on cooling rack (like you would cookies) to allow air to touch both sides. I do not cover as that can make them soggy.

Through the decades, Belgium's waffle styles diversified, resulting in two distinct groups – the crunchier, bread-like Liege waffle and a softer, lighter Brussels variety made with a yeast-leavened batter. Today, the Liege waffle incorporates crystals of pearl sugar for more crunch and caramelization on the outside.

Recommended overnight or 2 hr resting – for the tastiest waffles, rest the batter overnight in the fridge or for at least 2 hours. This makes the flour grains absorb the liquid so it makes the inside of the waffles softer.

Should waffle batter be thicker than pancake batter? ›

Pancake recipes also include leavening agents. However, certain pancakes will be flatter and resemble crepes. Consistency has to do with how thick the batter is. Waffle batter is thick, and pancake batter is thin.

Don't overmix the batter: Like pancake batter, you'll want your waffle batter to be a bit lumpy. Plus, a lot of that scrumptious fluffiness comes from the separately whipped egg whites.

Our favorite Belgian waffle maker is the Cuisinart Double Belgian Waffle Maker. It heats up quickly, cooks waffles fast, and delivers consistent results. For a splurgier pick, it's hard to do better than this waffle maker from All-Clad.

Their process of operation works as follows: When you pour the batter onto the waffle maker, it starts to spread and cook on the bottom plates. Then you have to flip the machine over allowing direct contact so that the batter pours onto the top plates. This ensures both sides of the waffle brown evenly and cook faster.

Either way, Norwegian waffles are thinner and softer than the American or Belgian versions and the best thing is that they can be enjoyed throughout the day, as any time is waffle-time in Norway. They are even served at the Nordic cuisine phenomenon Maaemo, a restaurant that scooped three Michelin stars in 2019.

Belgian waffles are generally larger and have deeper wells than Dutch waffles. They are also typically thicker and have a lighter, fluffier texture. Belgian waffles are typically made with a yeast-based batter, which gives them a slightly tangy flavor and a light, airy texture.

For one, waffle batter has a little bit more sugar, butter, and eggs than pancake batter. This helps make the waffles richer because they'll have a higher fat content. Alternatively, the pancake mix is thinner and easy to pour. The texture is another part of the equation.