If you have ever craved a breakfast that feels like a warm hug on a plate, then this Homemade Waffles from Scratch Recipe is the one to make your mornings truly special. Crispy on the outside, delightfully fluffy on the inside, and filled with a rich buttery flavor enhanced by a hint of vanilla, these waffles will quickly become your go-to weekend treat or anytime snack. Best of all, making waffles from scratch means you control every ingredient, giving you that unbeatable fresh taste you just can’t get from store-bought mixes. Let me walk you through how to create these golden beauties from scratch!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating the perfect batch of waffles relies on simple but essential ingredients that each play a crucial role in flavor, texture, and color. From the creamy richness of butter to the leavening power of baking powder, every single item is chosen to make these waffles irresistibly delicious.
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick): This adds a luscious creaminess and helps create that crisp, golden crust.
- 1 & 3/4 cups whole milk (or buttermilk): The liquid base that moistens everything and the slight tang of buttermilk elevates flavor wonderfully.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a subtle warmth and sweetness, rounding out the batter’s taste.
- 1 & 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled): Provides structure to the waffles so they’re sturdy yet tender.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter just enough to enhance without overpowering.
- 1 tablespoon baking powder: The magic ingredient that creates those inviting light pockets in every bite.
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and strengthens the batter’s overall flavor.
- 2 eggs (separated): The yolks add richness and color, whites whipped to stiff peaks bring airy lift.
How to Make Homemade Waffles from Scratch Recipe
Step 1: Melt Butter and Warm Milk
Start by combining the butter and milk (or buttermilk) in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until the butter is halfway melted, then stir to fully melt it. This warm mixture helps blend your batter smoothly and infuses it with rich, creamy flavor.
Step 2: Add Vanilla Extract
Next, stir in the vanilla extract. This simple addition gives your waffles a gentle aroma and sweeter taste that will make every bite feel special.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the chemical leaveners are evenly distributed, so your waffles rise perfectly uniform and tender.
Step 4: Separate the Eggs
Separate the eggs, adding the whites to a clean bowl or stand mixer, and the yolks to your wet milk and butter mixture. Separating eggs might seem fussy, but it’s absolutely worth it for that fluffy texture.
Step 5: Combine Yolks with Wet Ingredients
Whisk the egg yolks into the warmed milk and butter blend until smooth. This step enriches the batter and helps with that classic golden color you expect from homemade waffles.
Step 6: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gently add the dry mix to the wet ingredients and stir just until you see a few streaks of flour left. Overmixing can make waffles tough, so it’s important to keep the batter somewhat lumpy for maximum tenderness.
Step 7: Whip Egg Whites to Stiff Peaks
Beat the egg whites until they hold stiff peaks — this usually takes between 2 and 5 minutes. This action traps air inside, giving your waffles that coveted lightness and fluffiness.
Step 8: Fold Egg Whites Into Batter
Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter. Be careful to preserve the volume by folding lightly until no large lumps remain and the batter looks combined but still airy.
Step 9: Cook Waffles
Preheat your waffle iron according to manufacturer instructions, then ladle the batter in. Cook each waffle for 2 to 4 minutes until crisp, golden, and just right. Each waffle should be firm yet soft inside — pure waffle perfection.
Step 10: Keep Waffles Warm
If you’re not serving immediately, heat your oven to about 170 degrees F (the ‘keep warm’ setting). Place a cooling rack inside and arrange cooked waffles on it. This prevents sogginess and keeps them crisp and ready to enjoy.
Step 11: Serving Suggestions
I love pairing these waffles with oven-fried bacon and fluffy scrambled eggs — a breakfast combo that truly delights. You might also adore them with a dollop of cinnamon honey butter for an extra touch of sweetness and spice.
Step 12: To Reheat and Freeze
These waffles reheat beautifully in a toaster — just pop them in and enjoy fresh warmth in minutes. They also freeze wonderfully; double or triple this batch, store extras in ziplock bags in the freezer, and you’ll have ready-made waffles any time cravings strike.
How to Serve Homemade Waffles from Scratch Recipe
Garnishes
The best part about serving waffles is the chance to get creative with toppings. Fresh berries, maple syrup, whipped cream, or even a sprinkle of powdered sugar all bring bursts of flavor and texture that complement the buttery base perfectly.
Side Dishes
Waffles love savory friends! Crispy bacon, breakfast sausages, and eggs — scrambled, fried, or poached — create a balanced and energizing meal. Don’t overlook fresh fruit or yogurt on the side for a refreshing balance.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking waffles with layers of jam or Nutella between them for a delightful waffle sandwich, or cut them into bite-sized cubes for a fun party skewer with fruit and chocolate. The possibilities for presenting this Homemade Waffles from Scratch Recipe are truly endless and always delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover waffles, store them in an airtight container or ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This helps maintain their texture so you can enjoy them fresh the next morning.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze waffles individually on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They keep well for up to a month and make a perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack.
Reheating
Reheat waffles in your toaster or oven for the best texture. The toaster crisps the surface nicely, while an oven at 350 degrees F can evenly restore warmth and crispness if you’re reheating many at once.
FAQs
Can I use milk alternatives in the Homemade Waffles from Scratch Recipe?
Absolutely! You can substitute almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk. Just keep in mind that it may slightly alter the flavor and texture, but generally, the waffles will still turn out fantastic.
Why do I need to separate and whip the egg whites?
Whipping the egg whites adds airiness to your batter, which gives the waffles their light, fluffy texture. Skipping this step can make waffles dense and less tender.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend. Make sure your blend contains xanthan gum or another binder for best results.
How do I prevent waffles from getting soggy?
Keep finished waffles on a cooling rack in a warm oven until serving. Avoid stacking them or covering them tightly, which traps steam and makes waffles soggy.
What if I don’t have a waffle iron?
This specific recipe is designed for waffle irons, but you can adapt it slightly for pancakes by cooking on a griddle or nonstick pan. Keep in mind the texture and crispness will differ.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of pulling golden, fluffy waffles straight from the iron and knowing you made them from scratch. This Homemade Waffles from Scratch Recipe combines simplicity and love in every bite, turning any morning into a celebration. Whether you’re feeding family, friends, or treating yourself, I encourage you to give this recipe a try — you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
Print
Homemade Waffles from Scratch Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total Time: 14 minutes
- Yield: 4 waffles
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This homemade waffle recipe from scratch produces light, fluffy, and delicious waffles perfect for breakfast or brunch. Using simple pantry ingredients like flour, eggs, milk, and butter, these waffles combine a tender crumb with a crispy exterior. The technique of folding beaten egg whites into the batter ensures an airy texture. Ideal to serve with syrup, fresh fruit, or cinnamon honey butter, these waffles also reheat well and can be frozen for convenient future meals.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
- 1 & 3/4 cup whole milk or buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, separated
Dry Ingredients
- 1 & 3/4 cup all purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat butter and milk: In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the stick of butter and the milk or buttermilk. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until the butter is half melted, then stir until completely melted.
- Add vanilla extract: Stir in the vanilla extract to the warm milk and butter mixture.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt until combined.
- Separate eggs: Separate the egg whites from the yolks, placing the whites in a stand mixer bowl or medium bowl for beating.
- Combine yolks and wet ingredients: Add the egg yolks to the milk and butter mixture and stir until blended.
- Add dry ingredients to wet: Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix just until you can see some streaks of flour still visible; avoid overmixing to ensure tender waffles.
- Beat egg whites: Using a stand mixer or hand beater, whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form, which usually takes 2-5 minutes.
- Fold in egg whites: Carefully fold the beaten egg whites into the batter until just incorporated, avoiding lumps or overly soupy spots for best texture.
- Cook waffles: Preheat your waffle iron and pour in batter according to your waffle iron’s instructions. Cook for 2-4 minutes or until golden and crisp.
- Keep waffles warm: If not serving immediately, preheat oven to 170°F (keep warm), place a cooling rack inside, and set cooked waffles on the rack to prevent sogginess.
- Serving suggestions: Serve waffles hot with toppings such as cinnamon honey butter, syrup, or fresh fruit. They pair excellently with oven-fried bacon and scrambled eggs for a hearty breakfast.
- Storing and reheating: Waffles freeze well—double or triple the batch and store extras in a ziplock bag in the freezer. To reheat, simply toast them in a toaster for the best texture.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter once dry ingredients are added—lumps and streaks are fine to keep waffles tender.
- Beating egg whites until stiff peaks form adds airiness that results in light waffles.
- Keeping cooked waffles on a cooling rack in a low oven prevents them from becoming soggy before serving.
- These waffles freeze beautifully and can be reheated from frozen in a toaster for convenience.
- Using buttermilk instead of milk adds tang and helps tenderize the batter but is optional.
