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Waffles in France
On one of our many visits to my husband’s family in France, my mother-in-law decided to make waffles for dessert after lunch one day. She made them to order in the kitchen whilst we sat impatiently at the dining table until she would appear with a freshly made waffle, one at a time.
Although I felt bad that she was stuck in the kitchen while the rest of us were just sitting around like hungry birds, it was perhaps the first time that the thought crossed my mind that waffles didn’t have to be a breakfast item, that they were quite fitting as a simple dessert.
Why This Waffle Recipe Works
- The batter takes just 5 minutes to prepare!
- This recipe produces thin and crispy waffles, which are perfect for serving as a sweet or savoury dish.
- Waffles are perfect at breakfast, but also as a light lunch or dinner.
Waffles for Lunch or Dinner
For a while now, I have embraced the idea of making waffles as an entire meal, and my children couldn’t be happier!
My son has a swimming lesson every Saturday morning, and we have somehow fallen into a ritual of eating waffles or crêpes for lunch on Saturdays.
Given all of the busy errands that we find ourselves doing on Saturday mornings, making waffles or crêpes for lunch is the perfect solution because it takes a mere 5 minutes to whip up the batter (even better is if you can let the batter rest for a bit).
I like to cook the waffles at the table so that I am not stuck in the kitchen, plus it is also nice to serve the waffles hot and straight from the pan.
What Type of Waffle Maker or Waffle Iron to Buy
I found a cheap and cheerful heart-shaped waffle maker on sale about 10 years ago and bought it without giving it too much thought. It has served us well throughout the years and, since the arrival of our children, it has had an even more frequent workout than initially expected. In fact, we recently bought a second waffle maker, which also doubles as a toasted sandwich and panini maker.
Electric waffle makers are easy to use as they heat up quickly and can typically control their heat well. There are also usually timers to let you know when the waffles are ready, meaning that even your kids can use them (with some adult supervision).
When buying an electric waffle maker, I would recommend a heavy non-stick version. It can also be economical (and space-saving) to buy the models which come with different attachments for making toasted sandwiches and/or panini.
Waffle irons are also a good option if you have a gas stove (I find they work better on a gas stove than on an electric stove). Waffle irons are comprised of two hinged plates which close to cook the waffle mixture inside. The waffle iron is placed directly on the stove to cook, and then turned over so that both sides are applied to the heat to cook the waffle evenly. Waffle irons come in both cast iron and non-stick metal.
Waffle makers and waffle irons come in a variety of patterns. Heart-shaped patterns are popular, as are the large grid patterns which are used for making Belgian waffles.
How to Serve Waffles
In my husband’s family, they like to eat their waffles with a generous dusting of icing sugar (powdered sugar), courtesy of a fabulously retro orange icing sugar dispenser made by Tupperware. And I think waffles really are perfect with just icing sugar because the waffles remain hot and crisp this way.
But a popular savoury option is to serve them with crispy bacon and warm maple syrup.
I love to make savoury waffles to serve alongside soups, such as these Bacon and Chive Waffles or Waffles with Gruyère and Thyme.
For a sweet option, I highly recommend serving waffles with a salted caramel sauce or toffee sauce, or with a delicious blueberry sauce.
Easy Waffles
Ingredients
- 200 g (1 â…“ cup) plain flour, (all-purpose flour)
- 5 g (1 teaspoon) baking powder
- 6 g (1 teaspoon) fine salt
- 50 g (¼ cup) caster sugar, (superfine sugar)
- 300 ml (1 cup plus 3 tablespoons) milk
- 2 eggs
- 100 g (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Instructions
- Make sure the eggs and milk are at room temperature. If the eggs are fridge cold, place them in a bowl with some warm water for about 20 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
- In a small bowl or jug, whisk together the milk and eggs.
- Add the melted butter and whisk until you have a thick and smooth batter.
- Let the batter rest for about 30 minutes.
- Heat the waffle machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Pour some batter into the machine, making sure it covers most of the mould.
- Close the lid and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Serve warm or hot.
- This recipe makes 6 to 8 waffles if using a heart-shaped waffle machine like pictured.
Kitchen Notes
- CONVERSIONS
To convert from cups to grams, and vice-versa, please see this handy Conversion Chart for Basic Ingredients.
Did you make this recipe?
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This recipe was first published on 8 August 2011. It has been updated with new photos and more comprehensive recipe notes.
LOL i remember kicking off the waffle fever with my happy purchase and not long after you got yours :o) My friend also got the same maker as me and in her house it’s known as teh fourth emergency services. There’s nothing like sweet soft fresh waffles, fresh strawberries and a little syrup. Heaven and holiday on a plate.
I also use a pumpkin recipe that makes lovely waffles. Thanks for reminding me that it’s a while since I made some. Now is it too late for dessert…..
Oh I remember you talking about the pumpkin waffles or the “pumcakes”! Is that a variation of Nigella’s recipe? That sounds really delicious, especially with autumn around the corner. I’ve been thinking that I need to branch out a bit more and try different waffle recipes, especially savoury recipes. Thanks for the inspiration! P.S. When is it ever too late for dessert??? 😉
ha ha ha, mmmm dessert
Yes i used the ‘pumcake’ recipe for waffles. I also use a lot of cinammon and nutmeg in mine, so autumy. Cinammon waffles with caramelised apples on top, yum.
Aaahhh Julia … now I want dessert!! 😉 I will definitely try the pumcakes once pumpkins are in season again. Can’t wait!
Your waffels look delicious! <3 Btw. I have the same waffle iron.
Oh I am so trying to source a waffle maker here that doesn’t cost the same as All-Clad pans!!!! When I do , oh I am so making these Thanh!!! :-)) There is such a romantic look about these pictures! 😀
Ale śliczny kubeczek i gofry też ! Pozdrawiam 😉
LOVE the waffle iron – the waffles are so pretty. Problem is that I have to start throwing things out to make room for anything new!! Would happily get rid of the dishwasher to make room for appliances like waffle irons, but I don’t think our ll would like that (only joking if you are reading this ll).
I know what you mean about making room for new things in the kitchen … except I don’t and our cellar is now an extension of the kitchen! Come to Zurich and I’ll make you some waffles 🙂
Your waffles remind me of the Norwegian waffles. They are always heart shaped and I also have an iron for it. If you want to try the Norwegian style of taste add half or one teaspoon of cardamom. They also use sour cream in some recipes and also add sour cream on top, or cheese. If you can get hold of a cheese called Gudbransdalost (I know long name) it is a caramelized goat cheese. Soooooo good. It is brown in colour and is also used to eat with waffles, or just strawberries and cream, nothing wrong with good old strawberries. Waffles are served often when visiting people and at every event. I know people who put the batter in an empty bottle and transport the iron to a school event etc and just pour the mix into the waffle iron when cooking them. I really like the way you lay with the different types of waffles, savory and sweet.
I love the sound of adding ground cardamom to the batter – I will definitely try that next time, especially since I’ve gotten into the habit of adding ground cinnamon for something a bit warming and different at breakfast.
And sour cream in the batter also sounds delicious … I’ve been making quite a few different savoury waffles recently and just love how versatile they are. Perhaps I am subconsciously trying to justify this kitchen appliance but I think it has gotten more use than I ever expected!
It sounds like the Norwegians really embrace waffles in their food culture. Sounds like I place I ought to visit again!
I finally got myself a waffle iron and it’s just like yours. I bought it on a whim too, no research whatsoever 🙂 I tried this recipe out and boy weren’t they great. I then drenched a few with honey and the rest with icing sugar. It’s the perfect breakfast treat. I’m wondering if I could turn these into chocolate ones. he he
Great to hear that you also have a heart-shaped waffle maker 🙂 I was worried that mine was an impulse purchase but I still love it. I think this is a great go-to waffle recipe and lends itself well to some playing around. Maybe add some chocolate-chips to the batter?? Yum!!
What a fantastic idea! This is a great recipe! I definitely want to try! Thank you!
Great, easy recipe! Made these on the weekend with the kids. We all loved them.
Love this recipe! Definitely my favorite. Thankyou for sharing. Sue R
Hi Sue,
So glad you enjoyed these waffles!
Delicious! So easy to make and the family loved these waffles. Can’t wait to make them again 🙂
Delicious waffles! I have the same heart-shaped waffle machine. The waffles were very crispy and tasty.
Wow! This one is looking so much tempting! I love waffles immensely! I am thankful to you for sharing quick easy recipe of my favorite waffle. Now i can cook anytime quickly my luscious waffles. You are an wonderful chef!
I love this waffles recipe! I am deeply in love with waffles and looking for the most tasty recipe of it but after reading this blog i found a very yummy waffle recipe. Glad to be here. Thanks a lot!