Easy and Fluffy Belgian Waffles Recipe (2024)

There’s a standard type of Belgian waffle made from a yeast dough containing flour, butter or oil, sugar, and yeast. The other option is a “quick” recipe that uses baking powder instead of yeast and relies more on heavy cream and eggs for the leavening.

The results of either method are delicious: you can top your finished baked goods with chocolate chips, strawberries, and whipped cream, fruit compote, maple syrup, or whatever you prefer!

The main difference between American-style (or standard) waffles and their European counterparts is that traditional European waffles are smaller, thinner, and more delicate.

They’re also usually made without any sugar since they’re considered breakfast food. In contrast, American versions tend to be larger and fluffier, flavored with vanilla or other extracts. And since they’re often served with syrup or topped with fruit, there’s usually a bit of sugar in the recipe as well!

If you can’t decide which type to try first, it may be easiest to run out and buy both kinds, so you don’t have to choose. Then you can enjoy them both and see which one is your favorite!

Belgian waffles can be a healthy choice, as long as you’re careful about what you top them with.

For example, if you’re making strawberry-topped Belgian waffles for breakfast, you’ll want to avoid adding lots of butter and maple syrup (or whipped cream and chocolate syrup).

You might not think that fruit and syrup belong in the same category, but all it takes is a few spoonfuls of sugar before your Belgian waffles become an unhealthy treat.

Instead of adding syrups and toppings with added sugars, opt for fruit that’s been sweetened naturally or sauteed instead. Of course, a little bit of butter can also go a long way, and a dollop on top of fresh berries and whipped cream is all you need to make those waffles taste delicious!

Belgian waffles have been around for hundreds of years, although they were initially referred to as “Brussels waffles” instead.

According to Huffpost, the Belgium waffle was introduced in America for the first time during the 1962 World’s Fair. It took a few years, but soon the waffle gained popularity.

The irony is that the American version of the Belgian waffle little resembles the actual Belgian waffle. In Belgium, they are rarely topped with anything while here they are often topped with syrup, fruits, and whipped cream. If you ask me, I like our version best!

Belgian waffle makers are usually round and very large. Most of them have four sections, although some can have six or eight. I rounded up the Best Belgian Waffle Makers in this post.

The purpose of the different sections is to make sure your finished baked goods come out perfectly! For example, if you’re making a traditional Belgian waffle with whipped egg whites, you’ll want your waffle iron to have as many sections as possible.

The more sections there are, the thinner those waffles will be, and they’ll also cook faster! Without any sections at all, you might end up with a massive lump of baked goods that deflates and falls apart!

Your finished baked goods will be golden-brown and crispy outside while still soft and doughy in the center.
Use a toothpick to puncture the middle of your waffle – if it’s raw batter, then your waffle isn’t done yet.

If you’re using a brand new waffle maker that doesn’t have any built-in heat controls, 450°F will usually get the job done.

If you’re cooking a thicker Belgian waffle recipe, you may need to lower your temperature slightly. If your waffles are baking faster on one side than another, you can rotate them halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

Belgian waffles are traditionally topped with a generous amount of butter and maple syrup, but you can use whatever kind of syrup you prefer.

Since Belgian waffles often have a sweeter batter than traditional American waffles, they’re an excellent backdrop for many different kinds of syrups.

For example, if you want to make baked apple-topped Belgian waffles, then apple cider syrup might be good. On the other hand, traditional maple syrup adds wonderful flavor if you prefer to top your waffles with berries.