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    Home » Best Waffles Recipe (Homemade Waffles)

    Best Waffles Recipe (Homemade Waffles)

    Published: Apr 15, 2020 · Modified: Jul 29, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    The Best Waffle Recipe ever! These golden-brown, crispy,  fluffy homemade waffles turn out perfectly every time! They're made completely from scratch, are freezer-friendly, and are lightened up by using applesauce in the batter! Plus this recipe makes a large batch, so you will have leftovers to enjoy all week long! 

    stack of 5 waffles with butter and syrup

     Today I have a special treat for you in honor of Mother's Day, a guest post from my husband Ritch! He developed this recipe, tested it (for over a year), made it, styled the shoot and took all the photos! He's the best (ever), just like these waffles! We literally make them every Saturday!

    Have you ever tried making homemade waffles? If not, today is your day! This is the best waffles recipe ever! These golden-brown, crispy,  fluffy homemade waffles turn out perfectly every time!

    These waffles are made completely from scratch, freezer-friendly, and lightened up by using applesauce in the batter! Plus this recipe makes a HUGE batch, so you will definitely have leftovers to enjoy all week long! 

    front view of a stack of 5 waffles with butter melting on top

    Waffle Recipe: Ingredients & substitutions

    Here are a few possible substitutions for this recipe! However, as mentioned above, it has been tested over and over again with many variations and the recipe, as written, is pretty perfect!

    overhead photo of the ingredients in this Waffle Recipe
    • All-purpose flour. If desired, you may substitute up to half of the flour with whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour. This will make the waffles less fluffy but still delicious.
    • Milk. We always use whole milk because that's what we buy at the store. You can substitute your favorite variety (including non-dairy milks like almond milk). Just remember, the higher the fat content, the richer and tastier your waffles will be.
    • Butter. Ghee or canola oil can be used in place of butter in this recipe. However, real butter adds such an amazing flavor I don't recommend making substitutions. 
    overhead view of 9 square homemade waffles

    How to make waffles

    As always, let's walk through this waffle recipe step-by-step to ensure your success, and don't forget to watch the video!

    Combine dry ingredients

    The first step in this recipe is to combine the dry ingredients, then set them aside to use later! 

    two overhead photos showing How to make Waffles - mixing dry ingredients

    Beat the egg whites

    Beating the egg white separately is the key to crispy fluffy waffles. Beat them until soft peaks form, then transfer them to another bowl and set them aside to use later. 

    overhead photo showing How to make Waffles - beating egg whites until thick and fluffy

    Combine wet ingredients

    Next, combine the eggs and butter. Then add vanilla, milk and applesauce and beat on low speed to combine. 

    Add dry ingredients

    Next, add the dry ingredients you mixed together in the first step, and beat until just combined. 

    two overhead photos showing How to make Waffles - combining wet ingredients and adding dry ingredients

    Fold in beaten egg whites

    Next, fold in the beaten egg whites carefully with a spatula until they batter in uniform throughout. Be careful not to over mix. 

    two overhead photos showing How to make Waffles - folding in the beaten egg whites

    Cook in a waffle maker

    Next, add the waffle batter to a pre-heated waffle maker and cook until they are done. The amount of batter used really depends on the size and shape of your waffle maker. For our Cuisinart Waffle Maker (which we LOVE), it takes about 1 cup of batter to make 4 waffles. 

    Note: this waffle recipe makes a very large batch

    This waffle recipe makes a huge batch of waffles, about 18-20 waffles. We always have lots leftover, even though our kids sometimes eat 3 per sitting!

    two photos showing How to make Waffles - pouring batter into a waffle maker and the cooked waffles in the waffle maker

    Serving suggestions:

    Here are our favorite ways to enjoy these homemade waffles: 

    • With a glug of pure maple syrup (of course).
    • Topped with a dollop of homemade whipped cream.
    • With a side of fresh berries or other fruit
    • Drizzled with nutella, peanut butter, etc. 

    Store

    Let leftover waffles cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the toaster.

    To freeze

    I suggest freezing these waffles to keep them fresh. Let them cool completely, then lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer until they are hardened. Once hardened, transfer the waffles to an airtight container or freezer-friendly storage bag, and freeze for up to 2 months.

    syrup being poured onto a stack of the best waffle recipe

    Recipe FAQs

    How do you keep homemade waffles crispy?

    Here are two suggestions I have for you to ensure the crispiest waffles ever!
    Keep them warm in the oven. After cooking the waffles, put them in a warm oven (about 250 degrees) until you are ready to serve. This will ensure that they stay warm without becoming soggy!
    Reheat in the toaster. Place chilled or frozen waffles directly in the toaster to reheat and enjoy! This will re-crisp them beautifully after they have been stored!

    Can you freeze homemade waffles?

    The reason Ritch created this recipe to make such a large amount is that we love having leftovers in the freezer to warm up for a quick breakfast! To reheat, simply pop the frozen waffles in the toaster and enjoy!

    Should waffle batter be thin or thick?

    This waffle recipe makes a thick batter (see photo for reference). It should be easy to spread but still thick.

    overhead photo of the top waffle in a stack with butter and syrup

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Best Waffle Recipe

    Best Waffles Recipe

    Laura
    The Best Waffle Recipe ever! These golden-brown, crispy,  fluffy homemade waffles turn out perfectly every time! They're made completely from scratch, are freezer-friendly, and are lightened up by using applesauce in the batter! Plus this recipe makes a HUGE batch, so you will definitely have leftovers to enjoy all week long! 
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20 Waffles
    Calories 139.9 kcal

    Equipment

    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • glass batter bowl
    • KitchenAid Mixer
    • waffle maker

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 TBS granulated sugar
    • 2 ½ TBS baking powder
    • ½ tsp sea salt
    • ½ tsp cinnamon
    • 4 eggs separated
    • 3 ½ cups milk
    • ½ cup butter melted
    • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, sea salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
    • Preheat a waffle maker to medium heat (on our waffle maker we use “3”).
    • Separate egg whites from yolks (make sure to save both parts of the egg)!
    • Put whites in the bowl of your standing mixer and beat on high until stiff peaks form.
    • Transfer beaten egg whites to a bowl and set aside in the refrigerator.
    • Add egg yolks and butter to the bowl of your standing mixer and mix on medium speed until combined.
    • Add milk, applesauce and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
    • Add half of the dry ingredients and beat until combined.
    • Repeat with remaining dry ingredients.
    • Add beaten egg whites and fold into the batter by hand with a spatula.
    • Spray waffle maker lightly with non-stick spray and scoop 1 cup of batter into the center of the waffle plates.
    • Cook on medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until the waffles are golden brown.
    • Repeat with remaining batter until it has all been used.
    • To keep warm: preheat oven to “warm” setting and put each batch of waffles on a large baking sheet in the warm oven until ready to serve.
    • Serve warm with maple syrup, whipped cream, fresh berries, etc. etc.

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • All-purpose flour. If desired, you may substitute up to half of the flour with whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour. This will make the waffles less fluffy but still delicious.
    • Milk. We always use whole milk because that's what we buy at the store. You can substitute your favorite variety (including non-dairy milks like almond milk). Just remember, the higher the fat content, the richer and tastier your waffles will be.
    • Butter. Ghee or canola oil can be used in place of butter in this recipe. However, real butter adds such an amazing flavor I don't recommend making substitutions. 

    Store

    Let leftover waffles cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the toaster.

    To freeze

    I suggest freezing these waffles to keep them fresh. Let them cool completely, then lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer until they are hardened. Once hardened, transfer the waffles to an airtight container or freezer-friendly storage bag, and freeze for up to 2 months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1waffleCalories: 139.9kcalCarbohydrates: 18.8gProtein: 4.5gFat: 5.4gSaturated Fat: 3.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.3gCholesterol: 44.2mgSodium: 245mgPotassium: 109mgFiber: 0.8gSugar: 3.3gVitamin A: 235IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 137mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Commentary from Ritch: 

    My kids love Saturday mornings. As a pastor, I work each Sunday, and Laura gets all four kids ready for church by herself and out the door in time for service. So Saturday is really the only day in a given week where we get to wake up slow together. I usually stay in bed until the kids come bouncing in at [precisely] 7:30am. We snuggle in bed together, as I let them watch an episode of PJ Masks, or Spirit (the horse) on my iPad, before we all head downstairs in our pajamas together.

    But one of the most special things that our kids love about Saturday mornings is having a big “Daddy-made” waffle breakfast using this Best Waffles Recipe!

    I don’t consider myself much of a cook…for a few reasons: 1) I have an AMAZING chef for a wife, who loves to make incredible meals for us (I know, I am totally spoiled!), and 2) I have a very unsophisticated palette (to put it lightly). Seriously, I often confuse beef for chicken. Ha!

    But after our last baby was born, I took a couple of weeks off, and worked from home to help Laura out around the house. {It's true ladies, it was glorious and I love him so much for it} After a few mornings of serving the kids a sub-par breakfast, I decided to hunt down a good waffle recipe. I found a few that were decent…but felt uncharacteristically picky, and wanted to find a really great recipe.

    After combining a bunch of good ideas from several other recipes, and testing out half a dozen different tweaks over a few months, Laura helped me dial in on what has become a family favorite...this Best Waffles Recipe! I hope you enjoy it too!

    More of our favorite breakfast recipes: 

    • The best healthy pancakes!
    • Cinnamon rolls that taste better than Cinnabon! 
    • My all-time favorite peanut butter breakfast bars.
    • Baked oatmeal: Peanut Butter Banana baked oatmeal, Blueberry baked oatmeal, apple cinnamon baked oatmeal, pumpkin baked oatmeal. 
    • The best green smoothie ever. 

    Thank you Ritch, for this beautiful post! I am one blessed lady to be married to such a stud! He's artistic, he knows how to cook, is the best daddy in the world AND he loves me very much! XOXO love you babe!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah

      June 04, 2022 at 6:40 am

      5 stars
      These are great! And I love that your recipes are scaled for a family. Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Michelle

      July 13, 2021 at 10:23 am

      5 stars
      Amazing recipe! The waffles were very fluffy and good taste!

      Reply
    3. Olivia Buehl

      September 05, 2020 at 2:12 pm

      Excellent recipe. I subbed oat milk for milk and mashed banana for applesauce.

      Reply
    4. Chelsea

      May 01, 2020 at 2:17 pm

      5 stars
      These waffles look so good. How cool that Ritch helped create this recipe! Nothing like making some waffles or pancakes together on the weekend.
      I can't wait to try these waffles! Love how they combine your favorite parts of all the recipes you tried. 🙂

      Reply
    5. Jennifer

      January 07, 2020 at 6:33 pm

      5 stars
      These waffles were SO good! I was tired of buying frozen waffles so now we have waffles for dinner and then I freeze the rest. My kids loved the taste and the adults appreciated the taste and texture (thanks to the egg whites!). Your website is my go-to site because the recipes are always spot on. My entire family thanks you!

      Reply
    6. Jill

      June 18, 2019 at 7:48 am

      Is the applause just for flavor? If it is, I'm going to use jelly instead!

      Reply
      • Laura

        June 18, 2019 at 12:55 pm

        Applesauce is a great substitute for butter or oil. I don't recommend using jelly in it's place!

        Reply
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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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