Authentic Belgian Waffle Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

FAQs

Why aren t my Belgian waffles crispy? ›

The problem is moisture. You need some of it to make sure your waffles are tender, but too much and that extra moisture will quickly soften the waffle's outer crust. Buttermilk is also a tricky ingredient because it tends to make a heavier batter, which results in less crispy waffles.

The ingredients for both regular waffles and Belgian waffles are similar and include flour, milk, eggs, and butter or oil. However, Belgian waffles use egg whites to give a fluffier texture. Additionally, Belgian waffles have yeast in their recipe while regular waffles use baking powder.

A Belgian waffle in the United States is called a Brussels waffle in Belgium. This waffle is lighter and crisper than the Liège waffle (see below), has deep pockets, and is typically served for dessert. Brussels waffles are rectangular or square and much larger than American waffles.

Traditional American waffle makers have shallower grooves, although that's beginning to change. Many waffle irons accommodate both types through a more consistent depth or interchangeable plates. Belgian waffle irons are thicker and wider with larger, deep square grooves covering the surface like a grid.

You can substitute whole grain flours like whole wheat or spelt flour, but expect the waffles to be more dense. Cornstarch: The secret ingredient for making the crispiest waffles. Cornstarch guarantees that the waffles will be perfectly crisp and tender. Baking powder and baking soda: Help our waffles rise and brown.

Belgian waffles taste more soft and crispy, while waffles in the Netherlands are made from a heavier batter with a chewy and sticky texture. Another prominent difference lies in the shapes used by Belgian and Dutch styles. The former is in the shape of rectangle and the latter is round.

If you don't have a Belgian waffle maker, you can use a regular waffle maker. It likely won't create the larger, thicker, deeper grooves, but you may still end up with fluffier waffles. Keep in mind that the time it takes to make Belgian waffles may vary depending on serving size.

In comparison to thick, rectangular Belgian waffles, German waffles are typically baked in a heart-shaped waffle maker and are much thinner. The batter has more sugar which makes the waffles incredibly delicious on their own. Belgian Liege waffles are typically sweeter as the batter includes pearl sugar.

Either way, Norwegian waffles are thinner and softer than the American or Belgian versions and the best thing is that they can be enjoyed throughout the day, as any time is waffle-time in Norway. They are even served at the Nordic cuisine phenomenon Maaemo, a restaurant that scooped three Michelin stars in 2019.

What is the difference between Liege waffles and Belgian waffles? ›

Here's how you can tell the two apart. Brussels waffles are made with a yeast-leavened batter, which makes them lighter and crispier. They are rectangular with defined edges, and they have deeper pockets or holes. Liege waffles are made with a thicker batter that is similar to bread dough, and they have uneven edges.

On Belgium, we call it “gaufres” (in French) or “wafels” (in Flemish).

Their process of operation works as follows: When you pour the batter onto the waffle maker, it starts to spread and cook on the bottom plates. Then you have to flip the machine over allowing direct contact so that the batter pours onto the top plates. This ensures both sides of the waffle brown evenly and cook faster.

While regular old waffles are made from a typical pancake-like batter, Belgian waffles are made from a brioche dough. The secret ingredient in Belgian waffles is the pearl sugar, which gives the waffles a unique texture and slight, satisfying crunch.

Texture – In Belgian waffles, the eggs are separated. The yolks are whisked together with the other wet ingredients, while the whites are whipped to stiff peaks and then folded into the batter at the end. This creates a texture that is crisp on the outside and light and tender on the inside.

While butter is typically the fat of choice for any pan-fried cake, vegetable oil or rapeseed oil gives the waffle a better crisp. This is due to the difference in water content between butter and any neutral oil.

Preheat a waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions. Place a baseball-sized ball of dough on the preheated waffle iron. Cook waffles until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes.