Simple Tutorial: Making Waffles, Step-by-Step

How to make waffle batter

While specific measurements and ingredients vary by recipe, the steps for making waffle batter are generally the same across recipes. Of course, there are some shortcuts you can take (I’m looking at you, busy people!) that can help get breakfast on the table faster. I’ve noted those below.

Mix the dry ingredients

Dry ingredients include flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and seasonings. Measure the dry ingredients into a bowl and combine them well.

Sift the ingredients together into a large mixing bowl.

Shortcut: while sifting the ingredients makes a nicer waffle, this is not a mandatory step and hey, we’re all busy. If you are aren’t feeling it, you can simply measure the dry ingredients into a bowl and whisk them together. Whisking will break up any large clumps and lighten the mix.

Combine the Wet Ingredients

Milk, buttermilk, fruit purees, pumpkin, eggs — these all fall into the category of wet ingredients. Use a whisk or mixer to combine these together in a second bowl.

Making Waffle Batter

Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until they’re just combined. Overmixing the batter can create a tough waffle.

Shortcut: If you’d prefer to make the waffle batter in one bowl (and who could blame you?) you can instead make a well in the dry ingredients and measure all of the wet ingredients right into that. Then mix just until combined.

Making Waffles Fluffier

The magic behind fluffy waffles is whipped egg whites. Start by separating the egg whites from the egg yolks. Add the eggs yolks to the wet ingredients. Put the egg whites in a bowl and use a hand mixer or stand mixer on high speed to whip the egg whites until they’re foamy and white. This can take 10 to 15 minutes.

Add sugar to the whipped egg whites just until combined.

As above, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients just until combined, excluding the sugar and the egg whites. Then transfer the whipped egg whites to the batter and gently fold them in, using a large spoon or spatula. The idea here is to incorporate extra air (whipped into the egg whites) into the batter.

adding whipped egg whites to waffle batter

Once the egg whites are incorporated into the waffle batter, pour batter into a hot waffle iron and cook as described here.

RECIPES TO TRY

Thanks for sharing!