Classic Gingerbread Waffles Christmas Breakfast Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between a Belgian waffle and an old fashioned waffle? ›

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.

Tasty toppings

Spread peanut butter on each waffle and top with sliced banana and mango and a few fresh or frozen raspberries. Drizzle over honey and a sprinkling of dried mango and coconut mix. Spoon Greek yogurt over each waffle and top with blueberries, toasted flaked almonds and maple syrup, to taste.

The best method is to just make a large batch of batter, keep it in the fridge, and then cook them as you need them (which a waffle iron can do pretty quickly). If you've already made them, then your best bet is probably the toaster. Microwaves are fast and convenient, but they leave waffles very soft and squishy.

They are usually served as a sweet breakfast food, topped with butter and maple syrup, bacon, and other fruit syrups, honey, or powdered sugar. They are also found in many different savory dishes, such as fried chicken and waffles or topped with kidney stew.

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.

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.

Opt for a variety of syrups, jams, compotes, toppings and sides—from whipped cream and fresh fruit to bacon and eggs—so your guests can personalize their plates to their heart's content. For added convenience, check out our selection of pancake and waffle mixes that will make prep a breeze!

Bake Them in the Oven for That Crisp Finish

You probably already know the trick to keep your waffles warm by placing them in a 200°F oven until you're ready to eat. But if you set your oven a little higher, to 300°F, this trick will crisp waffles even further in addition to keeping them nice and warm.

The low temperature of the oven will keep the waffles warm and crispy without burning them and the the elevation of the rack in the baking sheet helps keep away sogginess. The result? Hot, still-crispy waffles that taste as fresh as they did the moment you took them off of the waffle iron.

How do you keep waffles warm and crispy for a buffet? ›

To keep a cooked batch of waffles warm, place them in a low oven directly on the oven rack, or on a wire rack where the air can circulate—never on a sheet pan, where they'll trap that steam and go soggy on the bottom.

Belgium • Brussels Waffle

However, a traditional Brussels waffle is only topped with powdered sugar, and occasionally melted chocolate or fruit.

So while a basic waffle might have more protein, a pancake has better macros and has 20 percent fewer calories than a waffle. Waffles also tend to have more refined sugar in them than pancakes. Amy Goodson, who worked for the Dallas Cowboys, said that “pancakes are easier to turn healthy”.

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.

For one, waffle batter has a little bit more sugar, butter, and eggs than pancake batter. This helps make the waffles richer because they'll have a higher fat content. Alternatively, the pancake mix is thinner and easy to pour. The texture is another part of the equation.

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.