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? ›

Cornstarch guarantees that the waffles will be perfectly crisp and tender. Baking powder and baking soda: Help our waffles rise and brown. I recommend using both for the best waffles. Sugar, salt, and vanilla extract: Make our waffles taste amazing.

What are the mistakes when making waffles? ›

Here's a guide to sidestepping the most common waffle-making missteps, ensuring your next batch turns out impeccably.
  1. Never Overmix the Batter.
  2. Never Ignore the Importance of Resting.
  3. Never Skimp on the Cooking Spray.
  4. Never Peek Too Early.
  5. Never Forget to Preheat Your Waffle Iron.

How do you make waffles better? ›

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

What makes waffles so good? ›

Cornstarch guarantees that the waffles will be perfectly crisp and tender. Baking powder and baking soda: Help our waffles rise and brown. I recommend using both for the best waffles. Sugar, salt, and vanilla extract: Make our waffles taste amazing.

What makes waffles better than pancakes? ›

Waffles are crispier and fluffier than pancakes, but pancakes are compacter and more filling than waffles. The tastes are not to be discussed, but the fact is that waffles hold syrup better than pancakes. On the other hand, the combination of flavors on the pancakes is unlimited.

How do you keep waffles from falling apart? ›

After turning off the waffle iron, we always lubricate it with oil to prevent it from drying out, and every day before work we scrub the plates with a slotted wire brush for a few minutes to remove the softened deposits of baked batter from the previous day, then wipe dry with a cotton towel and only lubricate the ...

Why don t my waffles stay 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.

What are 2 facts about waffles? ›

1 Waffles have been eaten since the 14th century. 2 Nike's first pair of sneakers, Waffle Trainers, were made using a real waffle iron. 3 “Waffle” descends from the Dutch word for “wafer.” 4 The world's biggest waffle was 8 feet long and weighed 110 pounds.

What is best on waffles? ›

You can't go wrong with a pat of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup on waffles, but you could also top them with strawberry jam, fresh fruit, or whipped cream…perhaps with a few slices of crispy bacon on the side. Or go all out and make chicken and waffles!

What makes waffles unhealthy? ›

Pancakes or waffles

Despite their tasty profile, these comfort foods are often made with refined white flour and topped with butter and syrup, which is essentially pure sugar. This means that pancakes and waffles are high in calories, fat, and sugar, yet lacking in protein and fiber.

What are the pros of waffles? ›

Waffles tell you how much syrup to put and they store it for you nicely. You'll never need to look for the hole with a waffle. Furthermore, waffles give you a sense of fulfillment to a greater extent than pancakes.

What is special about waffles? ›

Waffles also can serve as a base for savoury mixtures such as seafood or poultry in sauce. In Belgium, waffles are a popular snack food. They are mentioned in French poems from as early as the 12th century, when they were sold as street food at fairs and religious festivals.

How do waffles taste? ›

Waffles should taste like pancakes, only with a bit of well-done flavor and crisp texture due to the shape of the waffle iron. They can be made sweet or savory, depending on what goes into them (similar to pancakes).

What happens if you overmix waffles? ›

Whisk until the batter is combined, but not too heavily. A few lumps are fine. If you over-mix the waffles, you could end up with chewy, hard waffles from drawing all of the gluten out of the flour.

How do you keep homemade waffles from getting soggy? ›

Make Sure Your Waffle Iron Is Hot

You should actually hear the batter sizzle on contact. The outer crust will immediately begin to set and crisp. Moisture in the batter quickly turns to steam and evaporates out the sides of the pan. If the iron isn't hot, none of this happens and the waffles will be soggy and squishy.

Why are my waffles not 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.

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