Homemade Buttermilk Waffles
Homemade Buttermilk Waffles are a classic breakfast dish that can be easily made at home! Tender and delicious, this is the best waffle recipe!
If you’ve been using a box mix, you’ll find that Homemade Waffles are not as daunting as you might expect, and much tastier! If my husband can make them, then so can you!!!!
Why You Must Make
- If you can take an extra 5 minutes, making buttermilk waffles from scratch isn’t much more difficult than using a box mix.
- Plus, you have control over what goes into the batter.
- Adding a touch of sugar makes them extra delicious!!
Bill makes pancakes or waffles with bacon nearly every weekend…under the guise of “for Katie” or “for Nick.” Yeah, we all know they’re for him. His secret recipe for both these dishes involves a box, some milk, and eggs. So I decided to treat him to some Buttermilk Waffles from scratch. A new concept. He’s now a convert!
Ingredient Notes
- Kitchen Staples – Flour, Sugar, Baking Soda, Salt
- Baking Powder (affiliate links in blue) – You will need both baking powder and baking soda. Baking powder has a much shorter shelf life than baking soda, so check the expiration date. Replace if needed. To test if it’s still active, put a spoonful into a cup with some very hot water. If it bubbles vigorously, it’s still fresh. If it doesn’t, it won’t leaven (make them rise) your waffles.
- Buttermilk – Helps make tender waffles due to its acidic nature. See how to make a buttermilk substitute at home with 2 simple ingredients in the Frequently Asked Questions below.
- Butter – Melt and cool to room temperature. Salted butter is fine.
- Eggs – Have them at room temperature for easy incorporation. I use large eggs in all my recipes unless otherwise noted.
- Vanilla Extract – Use real vanilla extract, not artificially flavored. I use the Nielsen-Massey brand.
Better Than Box Mix Waffles
The first homemade waffle recipe I tested was similar to his mom’s recipe. Whipped egg whites were folded into the waffle batter to make a lovely, light waffle. Well, I guess I’m the one who likes this version. The leftovers stayed parked in the fridge until I tossed them a few days later. It was back to the drawing board.
I used almost exactly the same ingredients, but this recipe eliminated the step of beating and gently adding the whites to the mix. That was fine with me. I knew I could find a recipe BETTER than the box mix. No fru-fru fluffy waffles for my man. No sirree. These buttermilk waffles passed Mr. Persnickety’s taste test with flying colors.
How to Make Waffles
- PRO-Tip: This waffle recipe is super easy. Whisk together the dry ingredients first. This helps disperse the baking powder, baking soda, and salt throughout the flour.
- In another bowl, whisk together the liquid ingredients, then mix the wet and dry ingredients (do not beat, use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon).
- PRO-Tip: Do not overmix, as this will over-activate the gluten.
- Having a few lumps in the batter is better than beating until smooth!
- After making the batter, cook according to your waffle maker’s instructions, then dig in!
Frequently Asked Questions
Buttermilk is a magical ingredient when it comes to baked goods. It’s slightly acidic, and it’s the acid that works on altering the gluten in the flour. Gluten is what gives bread and waffles their structure, but too much gluten can make baked goods tough. Adding buttermilk provides a gentle tenderizing effect that makes for perfectly textured waffles.
If you don’t have any buttermilk on hand, you can easily make an Easy Buttermilk Substitute at home. Measure one tablespoon of lemon juice or neutral-colored vinegar into a one-cup liquid measuring cup, then add milk to the one-cup line. Mix and let sit for a few minutes before using it.
Just like with pancakes, how you serve waffles is up to you! Maple syrup is classic, but berries and sweetened whipped cream is another delicious option. And fresh butter is a must. If you’re entertaining, make a waffle bar.
Here are some fun toppings to offer on a waffle bar at your next brunch:
Butter
Real Maple Syrup, warmed
Sliced strawberries, fresh raspberries, blueberries, or all three, sweetened if necessary.
Powdered sugar, to sprinkle over berries or buttered waffles
Jams and jellies, warmed
Lightly sweetened whipped cream
Chocolate chips
Chopped, toasted pecans
Sprinkles
You May Also Like:
- Perfect Pancakes
- Crepes
- Best Cinnamon Rolls
- Baked Denver Omelet
- Best Dutch Baby Pancakes
- Plus all my Breakfast Recipes and Brunch Recipes.
Homemade Buttermilk Waffles
Terrific homemade waffles that are worth the extra effort.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¾ cups buttermilk
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, mix together the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla.
- Combine the liquid and dry ingredients and mix until almost combined (don't overmix).
- Cook according to your waffle maker's instructions. Serve warm with butter, syrup, and/or fresh berries.
Notes
Adapted from King Arthur Flour.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1 waffleAmount Per Serving: Calories: 206Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 709mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 8g
31 Comments on “Homemade Buttermilk Waffles”
These look perfect. I don’t have a waffle iron (yet) but it’s the one appliance I still need to have…
And now I need a waffle iron. I love the thickness of your waffles. I’d love to try them with buttermilk. What a lovely weekend tradition xx
They look so fluffy. Waffles are often requested here too on the weekends.
Lovely looking….beautiful jewel colors too.
lol silly boys!! These waffles are so stinkin gorgeous!!! I am hoping to be half as amazing of a mom and wife as you!
Liz,
your waffles are perfection. . just like everything else you put out here!!! LOVE! and pinned!
Bill approved says a lot. These buttermilk waffles look so good!
You’d think that with the amount of time I spend in the houseware section I would have bought a new waffle iron by now. The temperature control button is broken and so is the hinge. Can’t wait to get a new one so I can make these!
Making waffles from scratch doesn’t seem harder than making it from the instant version – thanks to your recipe! I love waffles due to its versatility where you can mix and match whatever topping you like depending on your craving. I perfectly agree with you – simpler is better!
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
I need to make these this weekend. They look beautiful.
What is it with men and when you change something up on them and they sorta freak out?! Funny because my fiancé loves the fluffy waffles you noted above! But these may have to stand in for mornings short on time!
Liz, they are perfect !they look wonderful and yummy.
These sound delicious Liz and the pictures are gorgeous!
Okay, I need this immediately.
I’m currently sitting at my work desk salivating over how good these look!
Oh yeah – I love “real” waffles – you just can’t get that flavor and texture from anything but homemade. Dang – now I want waffles for lunch!
How I wish I was waking up to these waffles. I love the fresh berry topping!
I’m with you Liz, I love the light, airy waffles or pancakes. I believe the Begian waffles are made like that too. The photos are beautiful.
these waffles look amazing Lizzy! Love them!
Im thinking in buy a machine waffles the twins would be happy with these)
Have a nice day!
Delicious! I would love them for breakfast!
I have been looking for waffle maker for a while.. still haven’t found decent one.
My memory of waffles would be something along the lines of… Eggos. And I didn’t have any trouble “letting go” of them:@) Yours look beautiful, and yummy with the fruit!