Easy Crispy Waffles
- PREP 25min
- COOK 10min
- TOTAL 35min
I love these homemade light and crispy waffles. Cornstarch is the secret to crispy waffles. It guarantees that your waffles will be perfectly crisp and tender. Separating the egg is optional but is recommended (especially for deeper waffle irons).
This recipe makes 4 standard waffles (1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick). If you want to make thicker Belgian waffles or use a deep waffle iron, you will get closer to three waffles using our recipe below.
You Will Need
1 cup (130g) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup (235ml) whole milk or buttermilk
1/3 cup (80ml) vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
Butter, syrup and/or berries, for serving
Directions
Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract.
For the lightest waffles, separate the egg. Whisk the egg yolk into the milk mixture. If you do not plan on separating the egg, whisk the whole egg into the milk mixture.
If you separate the egg, add the egg white to another bowl, use a handheld mixer to beat until stiff, and then set aside.
Whisk the milk mixture into the dry ingredients until only small lumps are left. Switch to a rubber spatula and gently fold in the whipped egg whites.
Set the batter aside for 10 to 20 minutes while preparing the waffle iron.
Heat the waffle iron to the highest heat setting.
Cook waffles until golden and crisp, adding enough batter to the waffle iron to fill the entire lower grid. If the waffles look too dark, turn the heat down slightly.
Serve the waffles immediately or keep them warm and crispy on a rack in a 200°F (93°C) oven until ready to serve. Stacking them outside the oven will cause them to steam and become floppy.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Buttermilk substitute: Use whole milk or to mimic buttermilk, stir 1 cup of whole milk with 2 tablespoons lemon juice or distilled white vinegar. Set aside for 5 minutes to thicken, and then use in the recipe above.
- Melted butter: Makes these waffles a little heavier but is delicious. Use 1/3 cup melted butter.
- Recipe updated May 2022 to improve results when making thicker waffles. For the original recipe, use 3/4 cup of flour.
- Recipe inspired by Aretha Frankenstein’s recipe
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.