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!
Homemade Buttermilk Waffles
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.
Better Than the Box Mix
The first recipe I used 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 till I tossed them a few days later. 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. No fru-fru fluffy waffles for my man. No sirree. These buttermilk waffles passed Mr. Persnickety’s taste test with flying colors.
If you’d like to incorporate more homemade recipes into your breakfast menu, check out these Perfect Pancakes and Crepes. The Best Cinnamon Rolls, Baked Denver Omelet, and Best Dutch Baby Pancake are also winners!
Why Use Buttermilk in Waffles?
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 as a gentle tenderizing effect that makes for perfectly textured waffles.
How to Make Waffles
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, mix the liquid ingredients, then mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Do not overmix as this will over-activate the gluten. It’s better to have a few lumps in the batter than beat until smooth!
After the batter is made, cook according to your waffle maker’s instructions, then dig in!
How to Serve Waffles
Just like with pancakes, how you serve waffles is up to you! Maple syrup is classic, but berries and 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
- Powdered sugar, to sprinkle over berries or buttered waffles
- Jams and jellies, warmed
- Lightly sweetened whipped cream
- Chocolate chips
- Chopped, toasted pecans
- Sprinkles
What Is a Substitute for Buttermilk?
PRO-Tip: 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 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.
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”
Just made these! I added a dash of cinnamon and reduced the salt a little bit, and I love them! Nice and crispy on the outside, spongy and light on the inside. Thank you!!!
So glad you enjoyed thees waffles, Martha!!! Thanks so much for the feedback, too!
Aren’t waffles and pancakes the best idea for the weekend? Love this recipe, and the fact that it’s better without the beaten egg whites…
Lizzy,
The waffles look delicious. I have a waffle-maker from my bridal shower (I won’t say how many years ago that was) that I’ve never used. I think I’m going to have to break it in with this recipe.
Annamaria
Lol, I’d actually be thrilled if Tony didn’t prefer the frou frou waffles because that eliminates the extra step of whipping the egg whites (which I’m too lazy to do!). I love these beautiful, crispy, golden, simple buttermilk waffles, Liz. And they still look super fluffy so I’m sure they’re not missing anything by omitting the egg whites!
Oh wow! This is making me want a waffle maker now more than ever!
These amazing pictures are melting my resolve to not buy a waffle pan! I so want one but my kitchen is fit to bursting with gadgets already. I am so glad you cracked a from scratch recipe these do look lovely 🙂
Love how deep those waffle pockets are … now I wonder where my waffle maker is…these look delicious!
Cute how Bill makes his waffles. And cute that you made some for him…and they look perfect!
ela
Perfect breakfast, these waffles look incredible 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you for this recipe, Liz. I know it’s got to be delicious because it’s on your site…Now, if I only knew I can make perfect waffles…I’ve got the machine…but it will be my first time making them =)
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!