Belgian waffles are a beloved breakfast treat known for their light, fluffy texture, and delectable taste. Originating from Belgium, these waffles have gained immense popularity worldwide, becoming a staple in breakfast menus, brunch gatherings, and even indulgent desserts. In this article, we will explore the history, unique characteristics, and cultural significance of Belgian waffles, as well as provide tips for making them at home and discovering the best places to enjoy them. So grab a cup of coffee and get ready to delve into the delightful world of Belgian waffles!

Belgian waffles with whipped cream
Belgian waffles with whipped cream

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How to make Belgian Waffles

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
  • 3 Tablespoons Sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 2 Large Eggs Separated
  • ½ Cup Vegetable Oil
  • 2 Cups Milk
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Cripsy Belgian waffles

Instructions

  • Preheat your waffle iron, spray with non-stick cooking spray, and set aside.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
  • In a medium bowl beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
  • In a separate medium bowl mix together the egg yolks, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract.
  • Add the egg yolk mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well.
  • Fold in the egg whites.
  • Pour the batter onto your hot waffle iron and cook according to the manufacturer’s directions.
  • Serve immediately with butter, syrup, powdered sugar, or any other favorite toppings.

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Best Belgian Waffles Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2cups flour
  • 4teaspoons baking powder
  • 1⁄2teaspoon salt
  • 1⁄4cup sugar
  • 2eggs
  • 1⁄2cup vegetable oil
  • 2cups milk
  • 1teaspoon vanilla
Tantalizing waffles drizzled with honey
Tantalizing waffles drizzled with honey

Instructions

Easy Belgian Waffles Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼  cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½  teaspoons baking powder
  • ½  teaspoon baking soda
  • ½  teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½  cups cold milk
  • ¼  cup melted butter or canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 whole eggs beaten
Waffles
Waffles

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Create well in the center.
  • Into the well of the dry ingredients, pour in the remaining ingredients: milk, melted butter, vanilla, and eggs. Whisk to incorporate and create a batter. If it seems too thick, add an extra splash of milk. You want your waffle batter to be the consistency of white school glue.
  • Preheat the Belgian waffle maker. Brush generously with melted butter and pour in about 1/2 cup batter into the center. Close and cook according to waffle maker instructions.
  • Repeat with the remaining batter until all waffles have been cooked. Serve warm with berries, whipped cream, powdered sugar, maple syrup, and/or butter.

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Traditional Method For Preparing Belgian Waffles

  • Separate your eggs into whites and yolks. Add egg whites into a large bowl and whip with a stand mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
  • In another large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Create well in the center. pour in the remaining ingredients: milk, melted butter, vanilla, and egg yolks. Whisk to incorporate and create a batter. If it seems too thick, add an extra splash of milk. You want your waffle batter to be the consistency of white school glue. Fold in the whipped egg whites.
  • Preheat the Belgian waffle maker. Brush generously with melted butter and pour in about 1/2 cup batter into the center. Close and cook according to waffle maker instructions.
  • Repeat with the remaining batter until all waffles have been cooked. Serve warm with berries, whipped cream, powdered sugar, maple syrup, and/or butter.

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Liege Belgian Waffles recipe

Liege waffles with chocolate toppings
Liege waffles with chocolate toppings

Liege Belgian waffles are a delicious variation of the classic Belgian waffle. They are known for their rich, sweet flavor and unique texture. Unlike traditional Belgian waffles, Liege waffles are made with a yeast-based dough that incorporates chunks of pearl sugar, which caramelize during cooking, creating pockets of sweet, crunchy goodness.

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Difference between Liege Belgian waffles and Regular Belgian waffles

Liege Belgian Waffles and regular Belgian waffles may both hail from Belgium, but they have distinct differences in terms of taste, texture, and preparation.

The main difference lies in the dough used for each type of waffle. Regular Belgian waffles are typically made with a batter that resembles a pancake batter. It is light, airy, and leavened with baking powder or baking soda. This results in a waffle that is crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

On the other hand, Liege Belgian waffles are made with yeast-based dough. The dough is richer and denser, resembling that of a brioche bread. It is leavened with yeast, which gives the waffle a unique texture and flavor. The dough also contains chunks of pearl sugar, which do not fully dissolve during cooking, resulting in caramelization and pockets of sweet, crunchy goodness.

Liege waffles served with hot choco
Liege waffles served with hot choco

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How to make Liege Belgian Waffles

Ingredients for making Liege Belgian Waffles

  • 1 cup (8 fl oz, 237 ml) whole milk (lower fat milk can be substituted)
  • 1 package (0.25 oz, 7 gr, or 2 ½  tsp) active dry or quick-rise yeast
  • ¼  cup (1.75 oz, 49 gr) granulated sugar
  • ⅓  cup (5 ½  TBSP, 2.6oz, 73gr) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ¼  tsp (6 gr) Morton kosher salt or table salt (use 2 ½  tsp if using Diamond kosher)
  • 4 cups (17oz, 476gr) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (8 oz, 224 gr) pearl sugar or homemade pearl sugar
Liege waffles with fresh fruits toppings
Liege waffles with fresh fruits toppings

Instructions

  • Warm the milk to 110-115 F (43-46 C). This can be done on the stovetop or in the microwave. It should take about 30-45 seconds in the microwave. Make sure the milk is not too hot or it will kill the yeast. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and stir together.
  • In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the cooled butter, sugar, and salt with a spoon or a rubber spatula.
  • Stir in the milk/yeast mixture.
  • Stir in the flour until it is hydrated. The dough will be shaggy at this point.
  • This dough can be kneaded by hand or with the dough hook of a stand mixer. If kneading by hand, lightly flour a work surface and knead the dough for about 8 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic. The dough will be very sticky to start but will become less sticky as it is kneaded. If kneading in the stand mixer, knead at medium/high speed for about 6 minutes, stopping about halfway through to scrape the bottom of the bowl.
  • Transfer the dough to a clean bowl. Lightly spray the dough with oil and cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough ferment at room temperature until double in size. This will take about 30-45 minutes if you used quick-rise yeast and 1-2 hours if active dry yeast was used. A warm spot will speed up the fermentation time.
  • Deflate the air out of the dough by pressing down on it in the center and bringing the edges of the dough over the top.
  • Flatten the dough out on a lightly floured work surface and add the pearl sugar. Knead the pearl sugar into the dough until evenly distributed. Alternatively, you can knead the sugar into the dough in a stand mixer with a dough hook.
  • Divide the dough into roughly 12 pieces and cover with a piece of plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes while the waffle iron heats up.
  • All waffle irons are different so start your iron on a low temperature. Increase the temperature a little at a time to find the setting that will caramelize your sugar. Spray the iron with non-stick spray and put a piece of dough in the center of the waffle iron and close it. The waffle will puff up as it cooks. Cook until golden brown.
  • You can keep the waffles warm in a 200 F (95 C) oven. Uneaten waffles can be stored in the freezer in a ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Rewarm in a 250 F (120 C) oven until warmed through.

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Tips and Tricks for Making Liege Belgian Waffles

  • Be very cautious to start the waffle iron at a low temp until you find the setting that will caramelize. Cleaning burned sugar from the waffle iron is extremely difficult.
  • These waffles can be made ahead and stored in the freezer in a ziplock bag for up to 3 months. To refresh, heat in a 250F (120 C) oven or toaster oven until warmed through.
  • Top these Liege waffles with any number of toppings. My favorite is a simple sprinkling of cinnamon sugar but real whipped cream, Nutella, or fresh berries would all be delicious as well!

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Bisquick Belgian Waffles Recipe

Bisquick waffles with butter
Bisquick waffles with butter

Bisquick Belgian Waffles are a quick and convenient way to make Belgian-style waffles using Bisquick, a popular all-purpose baking mix. Bisquick is a pre-mixed blend of flour, baking powder, salt, and fat, which simplifies the waffle-making process and reduces the need for measuring individual ingredients. 

Ingredients for Bisquick Belgian Waffles Recipe

Ingredients Functions

  • Bisquick: You can use store-bought Bisquick to make waffles or use my homemade Bisquick recipe.
  • Milk: Whole milk adds moisture as well as some fat to these Bisquick waffles.
  • Egg: You only need one egg to make these waffles.
  • Oil: We suggest melted butter for the oil because it adds additional flavor! You can also use vegetable oil or canola oil if you prefer.
  • Sugar: The brown sugar adds sweetness and flavor and helps the waffles get crispy.
  • Vanilla: A little vanilla extract adds flavor! You could also use coconut or almond extract.
Bisquick waffles served with honey
Bisquick waffles served with honey

Instructions

Toppings Ideas for Belgian Waffles Recipes

Belgian waffles provide a versatile canvas for a wide range of toppings, allowing you to customize your waffle to your preferences. Here are some delicious and popular topping ideas to elevate your Belgian waffle experience:

1. Fresh Fruits

Top your waffle with a variety of fresh fruits such as sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or bananas. The natural sweetness and vibrant colors of the fruits add a refreshing touch.

2. Whipped Cream

Dollop a generous amount of whipped cream on your waffle for a luscious and creamy addition. You can also flavor the whipped cream with vanilla or add a sprinkle of cocoa powder for extra indulgence.

3. Maple Syrup

Drizzle warm, pure maple syrup over your waffle to enhance its natural sweetness. The combination of the syrup and the waffle’s texture creates a classic and irresistible pairing.

4. Nutella or Chocolate Spread

For chocolate lovers, spread a layer of Nutella or any chocolate spread on your waffle. The rich, creamy chocolate flavor complements the waffle’s taste and adds a decadent twist.

5. Powdered Sugar

A simple yet classic choice, dust your waffle with powdered sugar for an elegant and sweet touch. The fine powder adds a delicate aesthetic and enhances the overall taste.

6. Nut Butter

Spread a layer of creamy peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter on your waffle. The nutty flavor pairs well with the waffle’s texture and creates a satisfying combination.

7. Honey or Agave Nectar

Drizzle a drizzle of natural honey or agave nectar over your waffle for a touch of sweetness and a hint of floral flavor. These natural sweeteners add depth to the waffle’s taste.

8. Ice Cream

Indulge in a scoop of your favorite ice cream flavor on top of a warm Belgian waffle. The contrast between the hot waffle and the cold, creamy ice cream creates a delightful dessert experience.

9. Fried Chicken

Chicken and waffles are a popular combo in Southern cooking, and it’s easy to see why! It’s salty, sweet, and the undisputed best brunch combo.

10. Yoghurt and Granola

Top your waffle with a dollop of Greek yogurt or any flavored yogurt and sprinkle some crunchy granola for a wholesome and satisfying breakfast option.

11. Bananas

Both fresh and caramelized bananas make a great addition to a stack of waffles. Although they’re not Ree’s favorite fruit, they’re a classic breakfast option

12. Apples and Cinnamon

Is it getting chilly in here? Or is it just the cozy flavors of fall in these waffles with apples and cinnamon?

Belgian waffles 5
Classic Belgian waffles

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Conclusion

Belgian waffles have undoubtedly made a significant mark on the culinary world, captivating taste buds with their light, fluffy texture and delightful flavor. From their origins in Belgium to their global popularity, these waffles have become a beloved breakfast and brunch staple, as well as a mouthwatering dessert option.

We’ve explored the distinct qualities that set Belgian waffles apart, such as their airy texture, larger grid pattern, yeast-leavened batter, rich flavor, and crisp exterior. These characteristics, along with their versatility in terms of toppings and variations, make Belgian waffles a delightful treat for any occasion.

Whether you prefer the traditional powdered sugar and maple syrup combination, an array of fresh fruits and whipped cream, or even adventurous savory pairings, the options for enjoying Belgian waffles are endless. The ability to customize and experiment with toppings allows you to create a personalized waffle experience that suits your tastes and preferences.

So, next time you’re craving a delicious breakfast or a delightful dessert, consider treating yourself to the joyous experience of Belgian waffles and let your taste buds embark on a delectable journey.

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