Best Waffle Recipes

Delicious traditional waffles stacked up on a antique plate

Freshly homemade, light and fluffy waffles are one of the easiest and most delicious ways to impress your family and breakfast guests Ð or just give yourself a morning treat! Read this guide to learn the secrets to crafting perfect waffles every time and to find several great recipes from expert cooks.

Bake with better batter

Hundreds of waffle recipes are available in cookbooks and online, making it hard to determine which version guarantees the best waffles. For batter that crisps properly, ensures moist yet fully cooked insides and imparts a delicate and delicious flavor, follow these rules of thumb. First, a touch of sugar and vanilla add the perfect level of sweetness to any waffle recipe, even those that do not explicitly call for these ingredients. When mixing your batter, beat gently for only as long as it takes to incorporate your dry and wet ingredients. Overbeating can cause your waffles to condense while cooking, resulting in an unpleasantly chewy texture. A few lumps may remain in the mixture when you are done beating; these settle during grilling and thus do not ruin your waffles. Finally, even if your recipe does not call for oil, add a pinch anyway. This helps the outer edges of your waffles stay crisp and golden.

Never forget these important additions to your batter to guarantee great waffles every time.

Listen to the pros

Since waffles are one of the world's most beloved breakfast foods, dozens of professional chefs offer exclusive recipes that you can easily prepare at home. Alton Brown demonstrates the science of waffle-making on his Food Network show "Good Eats," showing how chemistry makes or breaks the success of any recipe. You can find his recommendations for glorious golden-brown waffles at http://www.foodnetwork.com/alton-brown. To add a dose of healthy whole-grain goodness to your breakfast, try the recipe from Food Network Kitchens available at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/whole-grain-waffles-recipe/index.html.

Gather your closest family and friends around the breakfast table for a feast of delicious, nutritious and easy-to-make waffles by following this guide. Use recipes from trusted professional chefs to make restaurant-quality waffles right at home.

For batter with a delicate and delicious flavor, follow these rules of thumb