You don’t have to be in Belgium to appreciate a hearty waffle for breakfast. In fact, belgian waffles are a staple that should be on every home chef’s repertoire. A belgian waffle is simple and delicious, and it provides a great base to get really creative (belgian waffle topped with aged cheddar and a poached egg?) with your breakfast experiments. So if you’ve never tried to knock out belgian waffles during your relaxing Sunday morning brunch, it’s time to put on an apron and give this simple recipe a try.
But before we dive into a delicious recipe for traditional belgian waffles, let’s take a look at some of the interesting history behind the waffle. It’s important to note that the term “belgian waffle” is an American thing. In Belgium, they’re generally called “Liege waffles”. It was introduced to Americans at the Century 21 Exposition in Seattle in 1962, and then again at the World’s Fair in 1964. This was really the turning point for the food’s popularity in the US, and it became a common breakfast food and dessert (served hot and topped with vanilla ice cream and strawberries).
How to Make Belgian Waffles from Scratch
Start by gathering the following ingredients: 2 eggs; 2 cups of milk; 2 cups of flour; 4 teaspoons of baking powder; 1/2 cup of oil; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Crack the eggs and add the yolks into a separate, smaller mixing bowl. Set the egg whites aside in a bowl. Whip the egg whites until they’re stiff (sort of like when you’re making a meringue). Once the egg whites are stiff, set them aside. Mix the egg yolks, oil, and milk together. Add this mixture into the dry mixture and mix well until batter starts to form. Finally, fold the whipped egg whites into the mixture.
Drop enough of the belgian waffles batter into the waffle iron to just cover the squares and cook 2-3 minutes. Serve belgian waffles warm and top with either sweet or savory toppings. What’s your favorite topping for belgian waffles? Share your tips and ideas with us in the comments!
