Make *Way* Better Waffles by Avoiding These Common Mistakes (2024)

We know what you're thinking: Waffles! How hard can that be to screw up? Well listen: There's a lot that can go wrong with these griddled and golden fluffy frisbees. We spoke with the Bon Appétit test kitchen to identify the most common things people mess up when making a good old-fashioned Sunday morning waffle recipe. Do don't screw up this diner classic—we'll be watching.

1. Not Reading the Recipe

Yes, smarty pants, you should always read a recipe in full before attempting to cook it. But it's especially important here: Some recipes call for proofing yeast, which takes at least eight hours. In that case, you'll need to mix the batter the night before you plan on making waffles. Senior editor Chris Morocco recalls the first (and last) time he made that mistake: "I didn't realize that they needed to proof overnight until I had the syrup out on the counter." Oops.

Make the batter for these yeasted waffles the night before—it needs to proof. Photo: Marcus Nilsson

2. Not Lightening the Batter

Whether your waffles are yeasted or not, the key to a successful one is in a light and fluffy, not dense and doughy, texture (we're not making pancakes here, people). You can lighten the batter in one of two ways. First, you could separate the egg yolk and white. Whip the whites into a frothy texture, then gently fold them in to the rest of the mix. Or, you could whip unsweetened cream and fold that in. Either way, use a delicate hand so as not to deflate the whites or whipped cream. This results in a batter that's light and ethereal, but not overly rich.

3. Using the Wrong Flour

While nailing a waffle's ideal texture is an elusive game, there's one surefire way to mess it up: Using a flour with too much protein structure. This eliminates bread flour, which is great for chewy loaves but too heavy for waffles. On the flip side, waffles aren't as flaky-delicate as baked goods, making pastry flour too fine for the job. Good old AP, or all-purpose, flour is where it's at. If you want to sprinkle in a tablespoon or two of buckwheat or rye flour for added nutty heft, go for it. If you want to use a store-bought mix… at least promise us you'll get out the real maple syrup.

Make *Way* Better Waffles by Avoiding These Common Mistakes (2024)

FAQs

Make *Way* Better Waffles by Avoiding These Common Mistakes? ›

Utter Waffle - Rhetorical Question, noun. Definition - “A question, asked in order to make a statement, that does not require an answer”.

What is the secret to making good waffles? ›

Here are some tips:
  • Strike while the iron's hot. If your waffles come out pale and soft, it could be because the appliance isn't hot enough. ...
  • Whip your whites. ...
  • Opt for oil instead of butter. ...
  • Try a yeasted-waffle recipe. ...
  • Add cornstarch. ...
  • Finish them in the oven.
Apr 9, 2022

What is a waffle question? ›

Utter Waffle - Rhetorical Question, noun. Definition - “A question, asked in order to make a statement, that does not require an answer”.

How to improve waffles? ›

15 Tips You Need To Make The Best Homemade Waffles
  1. Add egg whites for a fluffy batter. ...
  2. Try a yeasted waffle for more flavor. ...
  3. Use seltzer water for a better rise. ...
  4. Use mochiko flour instead of all-purpose flour. ...
  5. Get creative with spices and extracts. ...
  6. Avoid over-beating your batter.
Apr 29, 2023

Why won't my waffles get crispy? ›

Not waiting until the iron heats up properly means your waffles will cook, but never achieve that satisfyingly crisp exterior. Overworking the batter will leave your waffles dense and chewy instead of light and airy. And stacking even the most perfect waffles will cause them to become soggy and limp in minutes.

How do you keep homemade waffles crispy? ›

As you are cooking, simply transfer each finished waffle from your waffle maker to the wire rack. That's it! The low temperature of the oven will keep the waffles warm and crispy without burning them and the the elevation of the rack in the baking sheet helps keep away sogginess.

How do you make pre made waffles better? ›

"Drizzle a couple drops of water on the top of your waffles before popping them in the oven. This reintroduces moisture and will help you get an even better texture," Stanley told Insider. Just a few drops will do the job. You don't want to saturate your waffles or they won't brown properly.

What type of flour is best for waffles? ›

On the flip side, waffles aren't as flaky-delicate as baked goods, making pastry flour too fine for the job. Good old AP, or all-purpose, flour is where it's at. If you want to sprinkle in a tablespoon or two of buckwheat or rye flour for added nutty heft, go for it.

Is waffle slang for? ›

Waffle is language without meaning; blathering, babbling, droning. One might waffle throughout an essay or a presentation, when not having enough material, or needing to fill in time. The term may be derived from the Scots verb waff "to wave, fluctuate".

Why are waffles called waffles? ›

Waffles eventually made their way to medieval Europe in the 13th century, where they became a popular treat during religious festivals. The term “waffle” itself is derived from the Dutch word “wafel,” which referred to the honeycomb pattern found on the cakes. But that was then…and this is now.

Why is waffling called waffle? ›

The verb waffle seems to have its origins in the 1690s as the word waff, "to yelp," possibly in imitation of the yelping of dogs. The word soon came to mean "to talk foolishly" and then eventually "to vacillate, to change."

What is the secret to good waffles? ›

Cornstarch is the secret to crispy waffles. It guarantees that your waffles will be perfectly crisp and tender. Separating the egg is optional but is recommended (especially for deeper waffle irons). This recipe makes 4 standard waffles (1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick).

What makes waffles so good? ›

Because they have maple syrup and butter catching pockets. And they're crispy. Whereas pancakes get soggy when they absorb maple syrup. You can also make multiple waffles in one go with a waffle maker, whereas pancakes are made one at a time.

Why do waffles taste better? ›

Waffles generally have more butter and sugar in the batter and become more caramelized while cooking, so they savor a little richer. On the other hand, pancakes are softer and easier to eat.

Should you let waffle batter rest? ›

Recommended overnight or 2 hr resting – for the tastiest waffles, rest the batter overnight in the fridge or for at least 2 hours. This makes the flour grains absorb the liquid so it makes the inside of the waffles softer.

Why are my waffles not light and fluffy? ›

Making pancake and waffle batter ahead of time is a huge no-no and will lead to flat, dense results every time. Even letting your batter hang out for just a few minutes after you've mixed it before you start ladling it onto the griddle will lead to less fluffy results.

How do you keep waffles crisp while making more? ›

Here are some other ways to keep the sogginess at bay:
  1. Place your waffles on a cooling rack in a low-heat oven (don't stack the waffles on top of each other).
  2. Throw your waffles in a toaster to refresh their crispiness.
  3. Make sure your waffle iron is very hot.
Mar 17, 2023

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