This Classic Belgian Yeast Waffle Recipe is crispy, airy, and worth every minute; made with eggs, milk, butter, yeast, and a little patience!
Classic Belgian Yeast Waffles
Classic Old World Waffles
If you’ve only ever made waffles from a quick pancake-style batter, you are in for a life-changing breakfast.
Classic Belgian Yeast Waffles are old-world rich, slightly crisp on the outside, tender and airy on the inside, and full of buttery flavor.
Made with simple ingredients, eggs, milk, yeast, and butter, plus just a little patience, these waffles will spoil you forever.
Why Belgian Yeast Waffles Are Different (and Better)
Let’s not mistake Classic Belgian Yeast Waffles for those quickie pancake recipes, cooked in a waffle iron, better known as regular waffles: not all waffles are created equal.
Most standard “American-style” waffles are made from a pancake-like batter using baking powder. They’re fine… but they’re also cake-like, soft, and often flat.
Classic Belgian Waffles, however:
- Use yeast for leavening instead of baking powder.
- Develop a light, airy interior and crisp golden shell.
- Have deep pockets that hold every drop of syrup, butter, fruit, or whipped cream.
- Taste richer thanks to butter, eggs, and a slow-rising batter.
These aren’t just waffles, they’re breakfast royalty. There is no similarity, other than what we choose to put on top of them.
What Is A Classic Belgian Waffle Recipe?
For classic homemade Belgian Waffles, we first must embrace a little instant yeast in our batter. Here’s how it works:
- Mix the batter using milk, yeast, eggs, butter, and flour.
- Let it rest, either for 1 hour on the counter or overnight in the fridge.
- Cook in a Belgian waffle iron to create that classic crisp exterior and tender inside.
Planning ahead pays off. You can even make the batter while cleaning up dinner, pop it in the fridge, and wake up to batter ready to pour!
I often double the recipe (as you will see in my video), which produced about 20 large, perfectly cooked waffles.
Savory Waffles
This recipe can omit the sugar for a handful of freshly chopped herbs to make fabulous savory waffles, perfect for a brunch staple.
Also, these waffles are quite sturdy and make for a decadent savory sandwich instead of bread!
Fluffy Belgian Waffles vs Cake-like American Waffles
Don’t get me wrong, a pancake batter being used to make waffles, can be fun and whimsical for the kids.
But to clarify the difference in the two types of waffles, American waffles use baking powder, which makes them more like a muffin or cake in texture, but let’s look at how the ingredients makes them different.
Make Them Sweet Or Savory
One of my favorite features of this recipe? It’s versatile.
- Classic sweet version: Keep the sugar and top with berries, maple syrup, whipped cream, or powdered sugar.
- Savory brunch waffles: Omit the sugar and stir in chopped fresh herbs or cheese. Add smoked salmon, poached eggs, or crispy bacon for a brunch masterpiece.
The recipe is easy to double, making it perfect for those holiday brunch gatherings of even lovely to serve for bridal showers or girl’s gatherings.
Tips For The Best Classic Belgian Waffles
As in any baking recipe, a few tips on techniques can make the difference between a recipe you will make often and one that feels challenging. These are simple tips and they work!
- Use instant yeast for convenience.
- Allow the batter to rest, this step develops flavor and texture.
- Don’t overfill the waffle iron; the batter expands as it cooks.
- Freeze leftovers and reheat in the toaster for quick weekday mornings.
Making Waffles For Television
Can you believe, while competing in The Great American Recipe with PBS, I chose to prepare waffles and fried chicken in under 60-minutes!
Of course, I was not able to use this recipe, since it takes an hour for the batter to ferment and become a richer batter.
I did, however, make the American waffles, since I was also making fried chicken to go inside the waffles for a Chicken and Waffle sandwich.
The results were fabulous, said the judges.
Though it was my quick recipe, and not these classic Belgian waffles, I still made it to the next round!
What To Serve With Classic Belgian Waffles
While a good quality maple syrup or honey with a handful of fresh fruit makes for perfect sweet waffles for breakfast, let’s not limit ourselves!
Turn this classic recipe into a savory classic breakfast and serve them as you would classic Herb Crepes.
Or with smoked salmon, mascarpone, chives, and a poached egg on top as I do over Potato Latkes.
This is a savory option I make for Mother’s day or any special holiday brunch.
For a decadent packed lunch, take any leftover waffles and spread a schmear of peanut butter or Almond Butter, into those showstopper deep pockets with a Strawberry Jam or Fig Jam, and wow, do you have a fabulous lunch!
Step By Step Visual Instructions
A step by step video is included in the recipe card but for those of us, old-school, that like to look ‘longingly’ at detailed photos of how to do something, I have provided those for you here.
The recipe is easy, even though you will need to dirty three separate bowls to prepare the batter.
Once prepared, the cooking of the waffles goes rather fast, for these impressive fresh waffles.
Step 1 – Dry Ingredients
Ultimately, all the ingredients will be added to the dry ingredients, so use a large bowl for the flour and spice mixture, and set this aside.
Step 2 – Yeast
Since most of the wet ingredients will be added to the ‘bloomed’ yeast, place the yeast and warm water in a medium size bowl.
Allow the yeast and warm water to sit for about 10-minutes to bloom, or come alive.
Step 3 – Egg Whites
In a third bowl, whipping the egg whites until light and firm are an important part of creating an airy waffle batter.
Whip them in a medium bowl and set them aside. The egg whites are folded in last.
Step 4 – Mixing The Wet Mixture
By the time you have whipped the egg whites, the yeast will have come alive.
Add the yolks and sugar to the yeast mixture and whisk until light and cream.
Add the melted butter and milk and whisk to a pale yellow.
Step 5 – Adding The Wet Ingredients To The Dry Ingredients
Slowly whisk in the creamy egg and milk mixture into the dry ingredients.
Whisk until the lumps are blended and the batter is creamy.
Step 6 – Folding In The Whipped Egg Whites
Now that the batter is looking rich and creamy, it’s time to whisk in the whipped egg whites.
Once you plop them into the batter, be patient as you gently whisk the egg whites into the mixture until it is yet again, creamy.
Step 7 – Waiting!
This is what makes a Classic Belgian Waffle batter different from an American ‘quick’ waffle batter; yeast.
The yeast needs time to bring all of the batter ingredients alive, ferment – so to speak.
Cover the bowl and allow to sit out room temperature for an hour, if you are planning to cook the waffles the same day.
Otherwise, place the covered batter into the fridge overnight. Next day, allow the batter to sit out 30-minutes, and proceed with cooking the waffles.
Step 8 – Cook The Waffles
Following the manufacturer’s instructions on heating the machine, get it hot and ready to cook the waffles.
About one-third of a cup of batter goes into the hot waffle iron and gets closed to cook.
Many of the waffle irons have an indicator as to when the waffles are ready, so don’t open it while the waffles cook.
I found it easiest to remove the plump, cooked waffles with small tongs, or wooden chopsticks, which help lift out the waffle from the pockets of the iron.
Ingredients Needed
- Instant yeast – The star of classic Belgian waffles. Yeast creates tiny air pockets while the batter rests, giving the waffles their signature airy interior and deep flavor you can’t get from baking powder.
- Warm water activates the yeast and hydrates the flour. The water should feel like a warm bath, too hot will kill the yeast, too cold will slow the rise.
- All purpose flour provides structure. It’s strong enough to hold the bubbles from the yeast, yet still soft enough to keep the waffle light and tender.
- Cinnamon or Cardamom adds warmth and aroma, making your kitchen smell like a bakery. Optional, but it gently elevates the flavor without overpowering.
- Salt, just a pinch balances the sweetness and enhances every other ingredient. Without salt, the waffles taste flat.
- Large eggs, separated – Egg yolks add richness and fat, giving the batter a silky texture and a golden color, while the egg whites, when whipped separately and added back into the batter, add lift and extra crispness to the edges.
- Sugar sweetens the batter, but also helps caramelize the surface of the waffle so it browns beautifully.
- Whole milk adds moisture, richness, and helps create a smooth, pourable batter. Whole milk is best for flavor and browning.
- Unsalted butter makes everything better! It adds buttery flavor, tenderizes the waffle, and helps create those crunchy, golden edges.
Equipment Needed
- Belgian Waffle Machine creates deeper pockets and thicker waffles than standard irons, allowing for crisp edges and fluffy centers.
- 3 Mixing bowls – 1 large and 2 medium, one for the batter, one for egg yolks, and one for whipping egg whites, keeping everything clean and layered properly.
- Measuring cup and spoons – precision matters with yeast and flour. Too much or too little and your texture will change.
- Small saucepan – to melt butter – to melt butter without browning.
- Hand mixer or stand mixer or stand mixer whips egg whites to stiff peaks quickly and easily, this step brings the high-rise fluffiness.
- Tongs to safely remove hot waffles from the iron without tearing or burning your fingertips.
- Wooden spoon is ideal for gently folding whipped egg whites into the batter without deflating them.
Classic Belgian Yeast Waffles Recipe
Equipment
- Belgian Waffle Machine
- 3 Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups Warm water
- 2 tsp Instant yeast
- 3 cups All purpose flour
- 1 tbsp Cinnamon or cardamom
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 3 Egg yolks large eggs
- 4 Egg whites
- 1/3 cup Sugar
- 1 1/2 cups Whole milk
- 8 tbsp Melted butter unsalted butter
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl mix the flour, cinnamon and salt and set aside.
- In a second bowl, a medium bowl, place the yeast, a pinch of sugar from the measured sugar and 1/3 cup of warm water. Set aside to proof for 10 minutes.
- In a third bowl place the egg whites and whip until soft peaks form. Set aside.
- With a whisk attachment on a hand mixer or stand mixer, whisk the sugar into the yeast mixture. Whisk in the egg yolks, remaining water, milk and melted butter. Whisk until the egg-milk mixture is pale yellow.
- With a wooden spoon, stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently whisk in the whipped egg whites. Cover the batter and allow to set out room temperature for an hour, or place in the fridge until the next day.
- When ready to make the waffles, take the waffle batter out of the fridge for 30 minutes, while getting the Belgian waffle iron hot, according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Once the Belgian waffle maker is hot, if it requires non-stick cooking spray, spray a light mist now. Many are non-stick so check with the instructions of your machine. Place enough batter to quickly coat the bottom of the waffle grid, about 1/3 cup, then close the machine to cook the waffle, about a minute or as indicated by the machine you have. Sometimes the first waffle is the tester waffle, but the rest will go quickly.
- If serving right away, keep in a warm 200 degrees oven until all the waffles are cooked. If serving at another time, set each waffle on a cooling rack and allow to cool completely to maintain the crispy texture, and store in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. When ready to serve, place on a baking sheet and warm in a 250 degree oven until waffles are warm.
Video
Notes
Classic Belgian Yeast Waffles Recipe
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.