How is a waffle made? The iron, perhaps? Because without one, all you’re really looking at is a pancake. Possibly the batter What would happen if you used something else in your waffle iron? What would happen if you placed a sandwich inside (yes, we have)? Whatever they may be, we adore them. We love them for brunch, they’re a fantastic anytime snack, and you can “waffle” nearly anything to great effect (think LOTS of crispy corners). We have four recipes for the magical combination of chicken and waffles, so don’t even start there. Check out our top waffle recipes for inspiration, then dust off your waffle maker and get waffling!

Basically, things like melted butter, extra sugar, and refined flour are required to make waffles. High-sugar and high-fat waffles are best consumed in moderation but might not be the healthiest choice for your morning meal. So, let’s get cooking!

Buttermilk Waffles

Weekend mornings that begin with a delectable brunch—is there anything better? A batch of soft buttermilk waffles topped with pats of melty butter and pools of maple syrup is the ideal way to start any day that lies leisurely ahead. The aroma of the waffles’ delectable vanilla batter will permeate your kitchen as they cook. It’s perfect. Buttermilk waffles should be served alongside plenty of mimosas and a dish of crispy bacon.

Ingredients

• 2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 eggs
• 2 c. buttermilk, shaken
• 1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted, plus softened butter for serving
• Cooking spray
• Maple syrup and sliced fresh fruit, for serving

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter. Fold into dry ingredients until just incorporated—do not overmix; it’s okay if there are some lumps.
3. Spray a preheated waffle iron with cooking spray. Pour about 1/2 cup batter into the middle of the iron until completely covered. Cover and cook until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer the waffle to a plate. Repeat with the remaining batter.
4. Serve waffles hot topped with softened butter, syrup, and fruit.

Avoiding over-mixing is the secret to making Buttermilk Waffles that are extra tender—not rubbery. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until they are very barely mixed. A few lumps are acceptable because they will dissolve into the batter as the waffles cook.

Banana Bread Waffles

Why don’t we use banana bread more if everyone is so infatuated with it? Our ideal breakfast uses practically the exact same batter as our favorite banana bread we’ve ever had.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 2 c. all-purpose flour
• one tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 c. (a stick) melted butter
• 1 c. sugar
• one large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/4 c. sour cream
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed with a fork
• 1 c. semisweet chocolate chips
• Maple syrup, for serving

Directions

1. Heat waffle iron and grease with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
2. In another large bowl, stir together melted butter, sugar, egg, egg yolk, sour cream, and vanilla. Add mashed bananas and stir until combined. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips. 
3. Add 1 cup of batter to the waffle iron. Close and cook until golden on both sides. Transfer the waffle to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter. 
4. Serve with maple syrup.

Pumpkin Waffles

The main ingredients in these waffles, which give them their distinctive fall-inspired flavors, are pumpkin puree and ground spices (you could also use pumpkin pie spice instead). The pumpkin puree and buttermilk keep the inside extremely delicate even if the outside is very crispy. Enjoy them with your preferred syrup on top.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 c.all-purpose flour 
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• a tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• one tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 c. packed light brown sugar
• 1 c. canned pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 c. whole buttermilk
• 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled 
• Pure maple syrup and extra butter, for serving, optional

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, buttermilk, and melted butter until everything is well combined. Pour wet ingredients into the flour mixture and stir until fully combined.
3. Heat up the waffle maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the waffle maker is hot, lightly spray with cooking spray and pour the batter in, leaving a 1-inch border as the batter will spread out.
4. Cook waffles until golden and crispy, about 3 to 5 minutes depending on the waffle maker. Place cooked waffles onto a plate and repeat with the remaining batter.

Cinnamon Sugar Waffle Dippers

For these churro-inspired dippers, you may omit the steps for making the batter and simply use a boxed mix if you’re short on time. But be aware that this recipe ensures waffles that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The greatest, by far!

Ingredients

• 2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar, divided 
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• a tsp. baking soda
• Kosher salt
• 2 c. buttermilk
• 3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted, divided
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extracts
• a tbsp. plus 1/2 tsp cinnamon, divided
• a cup of chocolate chips
• 1/2 c. heavy cream Cooking spray

Directions

1. Make the batter: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and a large pinch of salt. In another large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, 6 tablespoons butter, eggs, and vanilla. Slowly add dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon until just combined.
2. Make cinnamon sugar: In a shallow bowl or plate, mix together the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon.
3. Make cinnamon ganache: Place chocolate chips and the remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a medium, heat-proof bowl. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, heat heavy cream just until it bubbles, about 5 minutes. Pour hot cream over chocolate chips. Let sit 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
4. Cook waffles: Heat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When the iron is hot, grease with cooking spray and cook waffles until deeply golden. 
5. Brush waffles with the remaining 6 tablespoons of melted butter, and immediately dip into the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat.
6. Slice into strips and serve with ganache for dipping.

Red Velvet Waffles

Take your passion for red velvet cake to new heights. We like to top ours with a frosting that is reminiscent of cream cheese frosting and small chocolate chips, but you are welcome to stick with the traditional toppings of maple syrup and butter.

Ingredients

• 1 box red velvet cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 2 1/4 c. milk, divided
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 4 tbsp. cream cheese softened
• 2 c. powdered sugar
• 1/2 c. Mini chocolate chips, for garnish

Directions

• Preheat the waffle maker to medium heat.
• In a large bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, and 2 cups of milk. Whisk until fully combined and smooth.
• In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and remaining milk. Using a hand mixer, mix until smooth. Add more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze if desired.
• Spray waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray. Pour batter into waffle iron and cook until done about 6 minutes.
• Plate waffles and drizzle over cream cheese glaze. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and serve.

Loaded Hash Brown Waffles

Store-bought hash browns quickly get extremely crispy when pressed between the hot waffle iron grates. Bonus: Baking the potatoes in a waffle iron also makes it dangerously simple to fill them with cheddar and bacon.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 2 c. frozen hash browns (defrosted)
• 2 slices bacon, fried and crumbled
• 1/4 c. shredded Cheddar
• 2 tbsp. finely chopped chives
• Fried egg, for serving
• kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

• Preheat the waffle iron to medium-high.Spray both sides of the waffle grates generously with cooking spray.
• Spread about 1 cup of hash browns on the waffle iron, focusing on the center of the grate. Sprinkle with bacon, cheddar, and chives. Top with the remaining hash browns and press down to cover.
• Cook until the hash browns are golden brown and crispy and the cheese has melted. Carefully remove the waffle (the perimeter might break!) from the waffle iron. Top with a fried egg, if desired, and season with salt and pepper.

Waffled Quesadillas

The most brilliant idea ever is using your waffle iron to make quesadillas. In little time at all, you have a tortilla that is super crispy. Additionally, since you don’t have to flip your packed quesadilla, you may add as many toppings as you like!

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 8 small flour tortillas
• one and a half c. shredded cheddar
• 1 1/2 c. shredded Monterey Jacko
• one c. black beans
• 1 c. corn
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Sour cream, for serving (optional)

Directions

• Heat waffle iron to high and grease with cooking spray. Place one tortilla on a waffle iron and top with ¼ of cheeses, black beans, corn, and avocado. Top with another tortilla and cook until golden and cheese is melted, 3 minutes. 
• Repeat with remaining tortillas and fillings. Serve with sour cream, if using.