Just picture it: a sleepy Saturday morning, and you wake up ravenous. Shuffling out of your bedroom into the kitchen, you can't decide what to make for breakfast. All you know is it's got to be a big meal, easy, and delicious--and your spouse and kids are going to want some, too. Suddenly you remember you have Belgian waffle mix in the pantry. Perfect!
You can make your own fluffy waffles either from scratch or using Belgian waffle mixes, but not all mixes are created equal.
Keep reading to find out how you can make the whole family happy with a plate of beautiful and freshly made Belgian waffles.
What Makes Waffles Belgian?
Technically, there are a few things that make the difference between regular waffles and Belgian waffles.
For one, Belgian waffle irons are usually thicker and have deeper pockets to soak up and cradle all your favorite toppings. Often, Belgian waffle batter contains yeast and a period of rising to activate the yeast for extra fluff. Sometimes the egg whites are separated out, whipped, and folded in at the end, again to achieve a fluffier texture.
Finally, Belgian waffles are traditionally made with pearl sugar, which leaves small, crunchy chunks of sugar throughout the batter and also creates caramelization on the outside of the waffle when it bakes.
Don't worry too much about getting overly fancy, at least not to start. Get the basics down and then you can experiment with all the different ways you can make your waffles extra special.
Why Use Waffle Mixes?
Belgian waffles are a super popular breakfast food, but you might not always have each ingredient available or the time to mix your own waffles from scratch.
Fortunately, you can still make amazing Belgian waffles even if you don't want to deal with the hassle of gathering and preparing all the ingredients.
How to Use Our Belgian Waffle Mixes
The best waffle mixes make everything easy. All you need is our own Belgian waffle mix, water, a bowl, a spatula, and a lightly greased waffle iron.
It's super simple: just add equal parts waffle mix and water, and stir to combine. Your waffle batter is ready, and it couldn't have been easier.
Now all you need to do is pour your batter into the waffle iron, baking until it's light and fluffy on the inside and golden brown on the outside.
Serve with butter, maple syrup, fresh strawberries, blueberries, bananas, fruit preserves, whipped cream, chocolate chips, or anything else that makes your mouth water. The possibilities are endless and delicious! Don't forget to sift some powdered sugar on top to make it extra special.
Making Belgian Waffles from Scratch
If you want to make your own waffles from scratch, make sure you have the best possible ingredients for the best results. There are tons of waffle recipes out there, but no matter which one you follow, always start with quality flour.
Gather the same equipment you would use for making Belgian waffles from a mix. If you prefer, you can use a whisk to mix everything.
Ingredients:
- Flour, 2 1/4 cups
- Sugar, 1/4 cup
- Baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoon
- Baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt, 1/2 teaspoon
- Milk, 1 1/2 cups (you may need a little bit more if your batter comes out too thick)
- Eggs, 2 (beaten)
- Melted butter, 1/4 cup (you can also use canola oil)
- Vanilla extract (optional)
Start by combining your dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt) until they're well mixed.
Then add your remaining ingredients (milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract, if you're using it) and mix just until all the ingredients are fully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix; any lumps you see will help turn your batter into the fluffy, beautiful waffles of your dreams.
Grease your waffle iron with non-stick spray or melted butter and pour the batter in. Just like if you're making Belgian waffles from a mix, let them cook until they turn golden brown on the outside.
Add your favorite toppings and dig in! This recipe will yield around 5 large waffles.
If you're vegan, don't worry! You can make incredible vegan waffles without any animal products included.
Other Tips and Tricks for Amazing Belgian Waffles
There are a lot of little things you can do to bring your waffles to the next level, and many of them can either be from scratch or added to your Belgian waffle mix.
While any waffle iron will do, a Belgian waffle iron has much deeper grooves and will give you a thicker waffle, great for holding all your favorite toppings.
You can make your batter the night before, whether from mix or from scratch, and keep it in the refrigerator so you can really roll out of bed and just pour right into your hot waffle iron. Easy!
Make a batch of waffles and freeze them so you can toss one or two in the toaster anytime. They freeze really well and toast up nicely. Pro tip: don't expect to have leftovers to freeze--they're just too good. Plan ahead and make a batch specifically to go in the freezer from the get-go and you won't regret it.
Traditionally, Belgian waffle recipes call for separating the yolks and whites from the eggs, whipping the whites, and folding the fluffy whites in at the very end. If you're making them from scratch, give it a try and see if it makes a difference for you.
If you really want to take it to the next level, try to get your hands on pearl sugar. This will create crunchy, caramelized bits both within and on the outside of your waffles.
Try adding yeast! Fermentation is a great tool to use in baking recipes, and you might love the results you get.
Delicious Belgian Waffles Whenever You Want Them
Nothing satisfies that morning breakfast craving like thick, delicious Belgian waffles, and it doesn't have to be a huge hassle to make them just right every time.
Now that you know everything you need to know about Belgian waffle mixes, go ahead and get creative! There are so many yummy ways to enjoy waffles beyond the usual butter and syrup for breakfast that your whole family will love.
