This classic waffles recipe has a crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior and is the perfect way to start your day (just like our classic fluffy pancakes). With simple ingredients, easy preparation, and endless customization options, these are sure to become a breakfast staple in your household.

Classic waffle recipe on a plate with butter and drizzled with syrup, surrounded by forks, a bowl of strawberries and a bowl of syrup.

Classic Homemade Waffles

Whether you prefer your waffles crispy or fluffy, sweet or savory, this easy, homemade waffle recipe will surely satisfy your taste buds.

Classic waffles are a breakfast staple that can easily be customized to suit your preferences. Here are a few reasons why you should try making this classic waffles recipe at home:

SIMPLE – No fancy ingredients are used here. All you need are a few pantry staples that you probably already have in your kitchen.
EASY TO MAKE – Making waffles from scratch may sound intimidating, but it’s very easy and way more affordable than going to a restaurant!
CUSTOMIZABLE – It’s the perfect brunch base served with fruit, syrup, butter and whipped cream. And a sprinkle of chocolate chips and you’ve got an easy crowd-pleaser.
FAN FAVORITE – Whether you’re hosting a brunch, feeding a crowd, or just looking for a delicious breakfast option, classic waffles are always a great choice.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s an overview of how to make classic waffles with full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR – This is the main ingredient for the waffle batter. It provides structure and texture to the waffles.
MILK – Milk adds moisture and helps to thin the batter to make it easy to pour. Regular milk or a plant-based alternative will both work.
UNSALTED BUTTER – I used unsalted butter, but salted butter can also work. You can also swap this ingredient for vegetable oil.
EGGS – Eggs are used as a binding agent in the batter and add moisture and richness to the waffles.
WHITE SUGAR – Granulated white sugar is added to the batter to sweeten the waffles. You can also use brown sugar, honey or maple syrup instead. Feel free to add more or less sugar to adjust to your tastes.
BAKING POWDER – Baking powder is used as a leavening agent to help the waffles rise and become fluffy.
VANILLA EXTRACT – Vanilla extract helps to enhance the flavor.
SALT – A little bit of salt can balance the sweetness and waffle flavor.

Tips for Cooking the Waffles

Master the art of waffle-making with these simple tips:

PREHEAT WAFFLE IRON – This will help ensure that your waffles cook evenly and come out crispy and golden.
USE THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE – Try using a medium-high temperature setting. This will help cook the waffles evenly and are slightly crispy.
DON’T OVERFILL – Adding too much waffle batter can cause it to overflow and make a mess. Use a measuring cup to portion out the batter and make sure to leave some space around the edges. Use the manufacturer’s suggestions to check how much batter to use.
DON’T OPEN TOO SOON – Resist the urge to open the waffle iron too soon, which can cause the waffles to stick and break apart.
USE A FORK OR TONGS – Use a fork or tongs to remove the waffles.
KEEP THE WAFFLES WARM – Add waffles to a plate covered with a kitchen towel. You can also keep them warm in a preheated oven set to 200°F. This will help keep them warm until you are ready to serve.

How To Make Homemade Classic Waffles

Here’s an overview of how to make waffles with the full details in the recipe card at the bottom of this post:

MIX DRY INGREDIENTS – In a medium bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
MIX WET INGREDIENTS – In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until smooth and creamy. Next add the milk, melted butter and vanilla extract. Mix together.
COMBINE AND LET SIT – Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients bowl and mix gently just until the batter is smooth. Do not overmix, or the gluten will be activated in the flour and could create dense waffles. Let the batter sit for 5 minutes.
PREHEAT WAFFLE IRON – Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Spray with nonstick cooking spray if needed (some waffle irons are already nonstick)
COOK WAFFLE – Pour the batter onto the preheated waffle iron, making sure to spread it evenly. Close the waffle iron and cook the waffles until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a pair of tongs to remove the waffle and place on a plate. Cover with cooked waffles with a kitchen towel to keep warm.
REPEAT – Pour more batter onto the waffle iron and bake. Repeat the process until all waffle batter has been used.
SERVE – Serve the waffles hot with your favorite toppings, such as butter, syrup, whipped cream, or fresh fruit. Enjoy!

Storing Waffles

If you have leftover waffles, you can store them in the refrigerator or freezer.

FRIDGE – Place your waffles in an airtight container or plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
TO FREEZE – These waffles freeze well! Place them in a single layer on a cooling rack and freeze for 1-2 hours. Once they are frozen, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap, parchment paper or foil (this helps to prevent freezer burn and keep them fresh). Store them all together in an airtight container or large plastic bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating Waffles

When you are ready to enjoy your homemade waffles recipe again, you can reheat them in a few ways:

MICROWAVE – Place your waffles on a microwave-safe plate and heat them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. Then serve with your favorite toppings.
TOASTER – For crispy waffles, use a toaster! Place your waffles in the toaster and toast them until they are heated through and crispy.
OVEN – If you have a lot of waffles to reheat, use the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F, place your waffles on a baking sheet, and bake them for 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through.

A waffle iron with a cooked classic waffle recipe inside.

Waffle Iron Tips

Making classic waffles requires a waffle iron. I used the Ninja waffle maker (which I love), but all other waffle makers and irons are a little bit different. Here are a few tips before you get started:

PREHEAT WAFFLE IRON – First, make sure to preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This is important because it ensures that your waffles cook evenly and come out crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
MEASURE BATTER ACCORDINGLY – Some waffle irons make round waffles, while others make square or rectangular waffles. Check how much batter you’ll need to make each waffle before you start cooking.
ADJUST IF NEEDED – Some waffle irons require you to use cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking, while others do not. Additionally, some waffle irons have adjustable temperature settings, while others do not. Adjust the temperature based on the manufacturer’s instructions and your personal preference.
CLEAN – Lastly, be sure to clean your waffle iron after each use. Most waffle irons have non-stick surfaces, which makes them easy to clean. Once the waffle iron has completely cooled, you can wipe the surface with a damp cloth or sponge and let it dry completely before storing it away.

A stack of classic waffles with butter and syrup drizzled on top and forks in the front.

What to Serve with Waffles

Whether you prefer sweet or savory, there are plenty of toppings to choose from. Here are a few ideas:

SYRUP – Always a popular classic. I recommend using pure maple syrup for the best flavor. Some other delicious options include flavored syrups like blueberry, strawberry or raspberry.
PRESERVES – Add a dollop of strawberry jam, raspberry or apricot preserve.
FRESH FRUIT – Top with slices of banana, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, sliced peaches or nectarines.
WHIPPED CREAM – The perfect decadent treat! Top with store-bought whipped cream or make your own by whipping heavy cream with a little sugar and vanilla extract. If you want to get really fancy, you can also add some cocoa powder or cinnamon.
MEAT – Round out the meal with a savory side dish like crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, or fried chicken.
POTATOES – Serve with a side of crispy potatoes or hashbrowns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make my waffles crispy?

To make your waffles crispy, you can try these tips:

Use a waffle maker with a non-stick surface.
Preheat your waffle maker and let it heat up for a few minutes before adding the batter.
Use a batter that has a higher fat content, like this recipe which includes butter and eggs.
Cook the waffles until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Can I make waffles ahead of time?

Yes, you can make waffles ahead of time and store them in the fridge or freezer. Follow my easy instructions above to reheat waffles in the toaster or oven.

Can I make waffles without a waffle maker?

You can use this batter to create a pancake version by using a griddle or frying pan. Simply pour the batter onto the griddle or pan and cook 1-2 minutes on both sides, flipping once.

Can I make waffles without eggs?

Yes, you can make waffles without eggs by using applesauce, mashed banana, or a commercial egg replacer.

A hand holding a fork with a bite of waffles. Stack of waffles and bowl of strawberries in the background.

Making waffles at home is a great way to start your day off right. With just a few simple ingredients and a waffle iron, you can create a delicious and satisfying breakfast that everyone will love.

More Breakfast Recipes

Classic Waffle Recipe

With simple ingredients, easy preparation, and endless customization options, these classic waffles are sure to become a breakfast staple in your household.

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Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 25

Servings: 5 waffles

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
3 Tbsp white sugar
1 ½ Tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 ½ cups milk - room temperature
½ cup unsalted butter - melted
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix together the all purpose flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs with a hand mixer until they're light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add in the milk, melted butter and vanilla extract. Mix together again until smooth and creamy.
Add the dry flour ingredients bowl to the wet ingredients. Mix together just until combined. Do not overmix.
Let the batter sit for 5 minutes while you preheat the waffle iron.
Spray the waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray if needed. Pour the batter onto the waffle iron. Cook until golden brown. Use a pair of tongs to carefully remove the waffle. Stack waffles on a plate covered wth a kitchen towel.
Serve warm with butter, maple syrup, whipped cream or strawberry sauce.

Recipe Notes:

PREHEAT WAFFLE IRON – First, make sure to preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This is important because it ensures that your waffles cook evenly and come out crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
MEASURE BATTER ACCORDINGLY – Some waffle irons make round waffles, while others make square or rectangular waffles. Check how much batter you’ll need to make each waffle before you start cooking.
ADJUST IF NEEDED – Some waffle irons require you to use cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking, while others do not. Additionally, some waffle irons have adjustable temperature settings, while others do not. Adjust the temperature based on the manufacturer’s instructions and your personal preference.