This easy Waffle Recipe makes light, fluffy waffles with crisp, golden edges and a tender center. Separating and whipping the egg whites gives these homemade waffles an extra airy texture.

Serve topped with whipped cream, strawberry freezer jam, or hot fudge sauce and a dusting of powdered sugar.

fluffy Waffle Recipe in a stack on a plate

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Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Waffle Recipe

  • Flavor: These waffles are lightly sweet with a buttery, vanilla flavor, crisp golden edges, and a soft, fluffy center.
  • Tools: An electric mixer makes quick work of whipping the egg whites, while a waffle maker cooks them to crisp, golden perfection.
  • Make Ahead: Double the batch so you can pop these freezer-friendly waffles into the toaster for weekday breakfasts.
  • Time-Saving Tip: Want an even quicker version? Try this shortcut for Bisquick waffles instead.
  • Serving: Keep finished waffles warm in a low oven so everyone can enjoy them together.

Total Time: 33 Min Servings: 6 Servings Cooking Method: Waffle Maker

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for homemade waffles recipe including milk, butter, salt, flour, baking powder, sugar, eggs
  • All-Purpose Flour: Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off rather than scooping directly from the container, which can pack in too much flour and make the waffles heavy.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps the waffles develop crisp, golden-brown edges. You can reduce it slightly for savory toppings, but don’t omit it entirely if you want that golden, crisp exterior.
  • Eggs: Separating and whipping the whites creates an especially light, fluffy texture. For a quicker version, use whole eggs and reduce the milk as noted in the recipe.

Variations

  • Cinnamon Waffles: Add ground cinnamon to the dry ingredients.
  • Blueberry Waffles: Sprinkle a small amount of fresh or frozen blueberries over the batter after it is added to the iron. Do not thaw frozen berries first.
  • Chocolate Chip Waffles: Add mini chocolate chips sparingly so melted chocolate does not stick to the plates.
  • Lemon Waffles: Add finely grated lemon zest to brighten the vanilla batter.
  • Belgian Waffles: Try this same batter in a Belgian waffle maker.

Waffle Toppings

Savory: You can make dinner versions with savory toppings, too! Make pizza waffles with pizza sauce and shredded cheese, or go with a classic chicken and waffles for a fun twist on dinner.

Sweet: Try topping them with fresh berries, strawberry sauce, blueberry sauce, whipped cream, chocolate chips, or a drizzle of maple syrup for a cozy treat everyone will love.

And don’t forget to add a side of crispy oven bacon and fresh fruit salad for the perfect Sunday brunch.

How to Make Waffles

beaten egg whites for making homemade waffles
  1. Whisk together wet ingredients and dry ingredients separately. Beat egg whites until stiff.
mixing homemade waffles batter in a bowl
  1. Stir together wet and dry ingredients until just combined being careful to not overmix (some lumps are okay!).
waffle batter in a bowl
  1. Gently fold in egg whites.
Homemade Waffles being cooked on a griddle
  1. Cook in pre-heated waffle iron until golden brown and cooked through.

Waffle Wisdom

  • Preheat the Waffle Maker: Do this before adding the batter. A properly heated iron sets the crust quickly and prevents pale, soft waffles.
  • Don’t Overmix: Mix only until the flour is moistened. A few small lumps are better than an overmixed batter.
  • Gently Fold the Egg Whites: Fold with a spatula using broad, gentle strokes so the batter keeps as much air as possible.
  • Use Oil: Lightly brush or wipe the iron with oil. Aerosol cooking spray can leave a sticky residue on some nonstick waffle plates.
  • Fill the Waffle Wells Perfectly: Use enough batter to cover most of the wells without filling the iron to the edge. The batter will spread when the lid closes.
  • Don’t Stack: Place cooked waffles directly on an oven rack in a 200°F oven. Stacking them traps steam and softens the crisp exterior.

Save Some for Later

Fridge: Keep leftover waffles in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze waffles in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Reheat: Reheat refrigerated or frozen waffles in the toaster, on a wire rack over a baking sheet at 350°F in the oven, or in the air fryer.

More Sweet Breakfast Favorites

Did you enjoy this Waffle Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
close up of fluffy Waffle Recipe.
4.97 from 1356 votes

Waffle Recipe

Servings 6 servings
This easy waffle recipe makes buttery, golden waffles with crisp edges and light, fluffy centers. Serve them with warm syrup, fruit, or a pat of butter.
Servings 6 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
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Ingredients  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs yolks and whites divided, room temperature
  • 1⅔ cups milk
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • Preheat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer's directions (or to 400°F if your waffle maker has a temperature gauge).
  • Place flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
  • In a small bowl, mix egg yolks, milk, butter, and vanilla extract. Set aside.
  • In a separate medium bowl, beat egg whites with a mixer on medium high speed until stiff peaks form. *see note
  • Add the egg yolk mixture to the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Gently fold in the egg whites.
  • Drop by large spoonfuls onto greased waffle iron until most of the wells are covered. Close the lid and cook for about 3-5 minutes or until golden brown.

Video

Notes

  • Refrigerate leftovers for up to 7 days, or freeze for up to 6 months. Place sheets of wax paper or parchment between waffles before placing in freezer bags. Reheat briefly in the toaster until crisp. Watch for burning. 
  • This recipe assumes you are using unsalted butter. If using salted butter, eliminate the salt ingredient.
  • *Whipped egg whites make the lightest, fluffiest waffles, but you can make this recipe without beating the egg whites. If you do not, then reduce the milk to 1 1/2 cups, and add whole eggs to the butter mixture.
  • Keep waffles warm in a 200°F oven while you make the remaining waffles.
  • Buttermilk Waffles: To make, replace milk with buttermilk, reduce baking powder to 1 1/2 teaspoons, and add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. 
To Make the Best Waffles
  • Don’t overmix the batter, it should be slightly lumpy.
  • Preheat the waffle maker and lightly wipe with vegetable oil. Do not use cooking spray.
  • Put enough batter in the iron so the waffle compartment is almost full so it will cover the edges when closed.
4.97 from 1356 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 313 | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 247mg | Potassium: 378mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 534IU | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Waffle Recipe with syrup and butter with writing
Waffle Recipe on a plate and top photo with syrup and butter with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. She is also the author of the best selling cookbook “Everyday Comfort,” which delivers hearty, home-cooked meals designed for real life.
See more posts by Holly

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4.97 from 1356 votes (996 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. OMG amazing!! My husband could eat waffles daily and usually uses a premade mix… I convinced him to let me make the batter from scratch and hesitantly he agreed. OMG OMG is all he could say… I followed the recipe exactly including whipping the eggs whites and this seriously is the best recipe for waffles I’ve ever tasted and I’m not a big waffle eater.. I am now! Thank you so much for sharing!5 stars

  2. I used vanilla oat milk and a 3 tablespoons of sour cream ( I was out of milk) . Then to make a sweet citrus flavor , I added blood orange olive oil ( instead of butter) and 1 tsp vanilla extract . They were great and as reported fluffy and crispy too. Thank you for the great recipe.5 stars

  3. Found this recipe while searching for the one I used to make all the time, but misplaced. This is exactly it. Then I bought a Griddler & waffle plates after finding this recipe. It’s all your fault, Holly! lol

    1. LOL! So glad you’ve enjoyed the waffles! The Griddler is great for so many things too, I hope you get lots of use out of it!

      1. Thanks! I definitely will & I’ll be getting rid of the appliances the Griddler can replace. Used it yesterday for waffles & pancakes for the freezer. These waffles were perfection!5 stars

  4. I have been making waffles this way (beating the egg whites until meringue-like) for years. Rarely do I see this step in recipes, so thank you for posting this recipe! Beating air into the egg whites makes the waffles incredibly light, with a crisp exterior but a soft inside. Usually, pancakes and waffles sit on my stomach like a ton of bricks, but not with this method. Waffles stay light and crispy in the fridge for days instead of getting soggy also. I rarely follow a food blog, maybe pick a recipe or 2 that I like, but your blog is intensely filled with wonderful recipes and the format is so easy to follow, some blogs are a PITA to maneuver and yours is easy to sink my teeth into :).5 stars

  5. Absolutely delicious! I got a hankering for home-made waffles this morning and so I tried your recipe. I made two small changes: I substituted two Tablespoons of malt powder for two Tablespoons of the flour and I added a teaspoon of vanilla. These were without a doubt some of the best home-made waffles I’ve had. Because I am cooking for one and the recipe made 11 large round waffles, I put the waffles in a 200 degree oven as they came off the waffle maker. I do wish they had been just a bit crispier/crunchier on the outside, but the light and fluffy texture and the delicious flavor made them a recipe I’ll add to my recipe book.5 stars

  6. These are absolutely amazing!
    I did edit it just a smidge after reading a few comments.

    I added 1 tsp of Vanilla

    I used margarine instead of butter

    I mixed the egg yolks with the milk and added that to the flour then I added the melted margarine after so it didn’t develop lumps

    I added 1 Cup of frozen blueberries

    My partner couldn’t get enough of them and said we can make these everyday!5 stars

  7. I am so happy I found this recipe. Waffles came out so light and fluffy. Taking the extra time to whip the egg wipes is a must.5 stars

  8. Couldn’t believe how good these were. I used safflower oil in place of the butter. I used buttermilk and followed those directions and I used a quarter cup measure for the waffles. Will make time and again!5 stars

  9. Very excited to try this recipe- have you had any luck experimenting with dairy free products (ie oat milk?) Would love to know if you have any recommendations for substitutes!

  10. Just made these today, and though I am a senior citizen, I had never made waffles before! That is changing immediately! These are wonderfully fluffy and absolutely delicious! I did opt for Canola oil and added a bit of vanilla, but followed the directions and even beat my egg whites!

    Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!5 stars

      1. Jake, all I can say, considering all the other extremely positive remarks about this recipe, and my own experience making and eating these delicious waffles, is that you goofed! There’s literally nothing about these waffles that is in any way “nasty.” Maybe you should try this recipe again and get some help with it so you don’t make the same mistake(s) again.

  11. Holly,
    Girl!!!! These were the best waffles!!! I’ve been trying to break my husband away from.. that name brand version… so if finally replaced my broken waffle machine and made these from your recipe.. OMGosh! They were so light and fluffy and tasty! You were so right about whipping the egg whites… Thank you!! This will be my “go to” recipe the next time I try them with bacon bits or blueberries! I highly recommend them!!5 stars

  12. I have tried a ton of different waffle recipes and this one is the BEST!! I do them with the buttermilk and also whipping the egg whites. They have come out beautifully every time and they have become a fast favorite for Sunday mornings with my husband and kids!! They think I’m the best for making these!! ❤️ Thank you so much for sharing Holly!5 stars

  13. This recipe did not work at all for me. I tried it twice and both times the cold milk made the warm melted butter harden too quickly, causing butter chunks instead of melted butter while mixing the wet ingredients. Would not make again.1 star

    1. I wonder-do you have this same problem with any recipe that calls for melted butter and milk? Its a pretty common combination. I wonder if there is something different you could do, like maybe warm the milk slightly or combine the dry and wet ingredients and then add the butter last? I dont believe the one star review you gave is any fault of the author. Maybe try again doing a small change and review the taste and ease of the recipe instead of something that was done incorrectly that is a fairly common practice.

  14. Used this recipe for my first-ever attempt at waffles and they turned out perfectly! Flavour was awesome, texture was great, and it was super easy to make. Thanks for posting, so glad I found this!5 stars

  15. I made these with whole wheat flour and they came out super well! I liked them fresh and crispy from the waffle iron but I was feeding a crowd so I put them in a warm oven (170) where they quickly became less crispy. I wonder how to avoid that? Perhaps next time I’ll reheat them in the air fryer?

  16. i haven’t made these yet, but i would like to know if they are like cakey on the inside or does it taste like a waffle?

  17. Wow! Great recipe! My waffles turned out perfect! I did go with the oil option and egg whites. It really does make the difference! I added just a bit more sugar and a little vanilla. Other than that it was wonderful!5 stars