21 Waffle Recipes That Will Get Anyone Out of Bed
Dig your waffle iron out of the cupboard! These recipes, which include basic buttermilk, spicy-sweet gingerbread, and gluten-free waffles, are the best way to start any day.
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Waffles were made for syrup, which is why they have a honeycombed surface—all those pockets hold melting butter and plenty of syrups, as well as blueberries, slices of banana, or even strips of bacon. There are endless possibilities with this favorite crisp, light bread that's a cousin to the pancake. Most feature flour, eggs, dairy, and fat with baking powder or baking soda providing the leavening. Buttermilk waffles are perhaps the best known, but you really don't need buttermilk to make waffles. Our Easy Waffles are made with regular dairy milk (just not low-fat or no fat please), but that's not your only option, either: One of Martha's favorite waffle recipes uses sour cream as the dairy. The result? Very fluffy waffles that we highly suggest you try.
As you'd expect, most waffle recipes call for all-purpose flour, but here we've included some tasty variations made with whole wheat flour, buckwheat flour, semolina flour, and even an irresistible gluten-free waffle made with peanut butter, mashed bananas, and eggs—yes, just three ingredients!
While the recipes are versatile, there's one hard and fast rule for making waffles: You must own a waffle iron. It can be round, square, or even heart-shaped, electric or (much rarer) stovetop, but it needs to include honeycomb-patterned griddles hinged together. You fill one side with batter and close the other over to cook. It's fun, it's simple, and it's pretty quick.
Finally, here's our secret to a happier morning: Make waffles on the weekend and freeze them. Then pop one or two into the toaster on a busy weekday.
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One-Bowl Buttermilk Waffles
Our streamlined recipe for buttermilk waffles is sure to become your go-to. It produces waffles that are fluffy, delicious, and simple to make. They also freeze well so you can pop one in the toaster whenever the mood hits. Try topping them with caramelized bananas.
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Easy Waffles
No buttermilk, no problem! You can make crisp yet fluffy waffles with milk as this simple recipe proves.
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Gluten-Free Peanut Butter-Banana Waffles
No flour here! You only need three main ingredients to whip up these satisfying, protein-rich waffles: peanut butter, eggs, and mashed overripe bananas.
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Buckwheat Waffles with Fresh Ricotta and Citrus
Buckwheat flour lends these waffles a lovely toasted flavor. Skip the maple syrup and drizzle with honey instead, then top with fresh ricotta and three types of citrus: blood oranges, Cara Cara oranges, and clementines.
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Quick Fried Chicken and Waffles
Fluffy buttermilk waffles make an excellent partner for crispy fried chicken cutlets. Serve for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and don't forget the maple syrup and hot sauce!
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Whole-Wheat Waffles with Greek Yogurt and Mixed Berries
Made with whole-wheat flour and topped with Greek yogurt and macerated raspberries and blackberries, these waffles are a healthy but still delicious take on the classic.
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Zucchini Waffle with Smoked Salmon and Greens
Waffles go deliciously savory here, thanks to the addition of grated zucchini and Gruyere in the batter. They're crowned with garlicky sautéed spinach, crème fraîche, and smoked salmon just before serving.
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Maple-Brown-Butter Dessert Waffles
A maple-brown butter glaze takes crisp, golden buttermilk waffles to the next level. Sprinkle with toasted pecans before serving.
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Buttermilk Oat Waffles
Serve these with our Oven-Fried Chicken for the ultimate sweet and savory combo! Spicy Maple Butter made from scratch ties all the flavors together beautifully.
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Golden Waffles with Tropical Fruits
Coarse-ground semolina flour gives these waffles their unique texture, and homemade date butter, plus kiwi, citrus, and pistachios, add intrigue to the topping.
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Pumpkin Waffles
Better than pie? Try these waffles for breakfast or brunch, and not just at Thanksgiving.
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Yogurt Waffles
This recipe calls for plain, low-fat yogurt rather than the standard buttermilk. The result? Waffles even lighter than usual.
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Blueberry Buttermilk Waffles
Sure, you can make buttermilk waffles and top them with blueberries and maple syrup, but this recipe, where blueberries are added to the batter, ups the berry delicious quota. These crispy and fluffy waffles are sure to become a weekend favorite.
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Whole-Grain Waffles with Sliced Strawberries and Yogurt
They're light and fluffy, so no one will believe these waffles are made with all whole-wheat flour. Another difference? They're made with milk rather than buttermilk. Sliced strawberries and Greek yogurt make a stellar topping for just about any waffle!
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Peanut Butter Waffles
Peanut butter lovers, rejoice! The good stuff is mixed right into this buttermilk waffle batter for a great start to the day. Top with bananas for extra flavor—or berries if you prefer.
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Orange Waffles
An orange triple play—there's orange pieces in the waffle batter, orange segments are served atop the waffles, and a spiced syrup made with orange juice finishes it all off.
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Gingerbread Waffles
A touch spicy and altogether delicious, these gingery, cinnamon-y waffles pair best with tangy sour cream and tart lingonberry preserves or another berry jam rather than the traditional butter and syrup.
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Fluffy Waffles
This recipe is courtesy of Napa vintner Donn Chappellet and is one of Martha's favorites. The secret behind the waffles' heavenly texture? Sour cream, buttermilk, a touch of cornmeal, and, most importantly, whipped egg whites folded into the batter.
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Potato Waffles
These hearty brunch or lunch waffles can be made ahead and reheated. They're perfect topped with soft poached eggs, steamed asparagus, and a sprinkling of coarse salt.
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Chocolate Waffles
Cocoa powder and semisweet chocolate make waffles decadent enough for dessert, especially if you serve them with ice cream.