Classic Fluffy Buttermilk Waffles Recipe

5 from 2 votes

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Ditch the box and make easy fluffy buttermilk waffles from scratch! This easy and incredible homemade classic buttermilk waffles recipe uses only 7 ingredients. It’s a simple recipe that will quickly become a family favorite!

buttermilk waffles on a plate with syrup and strawberries.


 

You’ll never go back to boxed waffle mix after trying this classic fluffy buttermilk waffle recipe! It is SO easy and SO delicious, and you only need 7 ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry or cupboard.

They turn out perfectly crisp on the outside and light on the inside with that classic buttermilk flavor that just makes everything a bit cozier and rich. We love this recipe when we want waffles fast because it’s no-fuss and comes together in no time!

If you don’t happen to have buttermilk on hand, no worries! It is beyond easy to make a substitute at home and one of my favorite kitchen hacks. Just add one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a one-cup measuring cup, and fill the rest up with milk to the one-cup line.

You’ll be glad you have this recipe in your recipe box the next time a rainy, slow Sunday morning rolls around!

waffles on a plate with syrup and strawberries.

Why You’ll Love This Buttermilk Waffles Recipe

  • Classic Flavor: They have that class buttermilk flavor and tang.
  • Versatile: It’s the perfect base for various toppings and additions: sweet toppings like fresh fruit, maple syrup, or whipped cream, or savory ones like fried chicken or bacon.
  • Make-Ahead & Freezer Friendly: You can make a big batch of these waffles and freeze them for later. They reheat easily in the toaster or oven so you can get two meals (or more) out of a batch, especially if you double it!
  • No More Boxes: This is such an easy recipe for homemade buttermilk waffles that you’ll never go back to spending money on waffle mixes from the grocery store.

Recipe Ingredients

  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Baking Powder
  • Salt
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Light Oil — one with a light, neutral flavor such as canola, vegetable, or avocado oil
  • Buttermilk — The homemade substitute works just fine, although real buttermilk will give that more classic flavor and fluffiness.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities 

waffles on a plate with syrup and strawberries.

How to Make Classic Fluffy Buttermilk Waffles

Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine all the dry waffle ingredients, then make a well in the center.

Step 2: Add the wet ingredients to the well, then whisk until a slightly lumpy batter forms.

Step 3: Pour batter into the hot waffle iron and cook according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 4: Serve hot with desired toppings.

Recipe FAQs

What’s the difference between buttermilk and homestyle waffles?

Buttermilk waffles have an oh-so-slight tang to them from the sourness within the buttermilk, and this ingredient also lends to much springier, fluffier waffles than regular homestyle, which are often a bit more dense inside and crispy on the outside.

How do you make homemade waffles crispy?

If your waffle maker has heat settings, turn up the heat to “dark” or the highest temperature if you prefer a crispier exterior. You can also just leave them in there for a bit longer than the cycle says, but be careful not to burn them. Plus, when they’re all done, to keep them crispy, place them on a wire rack to cool, making sure not to stack them, which traps steam and can make them soggy.

How do you keep waffles warm and crispy?

To keep waffles warm and crunchy on the outside, heat the oven to 200 degrees F., place the done waffles in a single layer on a wire rack, and store them in the oven until ready to serve. This will keep them nice and toasty with a light crunch on the outside.

buttermilk waffles on a plate with syrup and strawberries on a cooling rack.

Expert Tips

  • Don’t Overmix: With all pancake and waffle batters, be careful not to overmix. Overmixing makes your pancakes and waffles tough.
  • Crispy Waffles: The trick to crispy waffles is to make sure your waffle iron is nice and hot before adding any batter.
  • No Steam: Don’t open your waffle iron until the waffle is done cooking. (You will notice that it will stop steaming so much when they are finished.)
  • Lots Of Variety: Because these are a great, classically flavored waffle, you can use it as a base recipe for a lot of variations, including adding fruit, chocolate chips, cinnamon, vanilla, or a combination of things.
waffles on a plate with syrup and strawberries on a cooling rack.

How to Freeze Waffles

Cool the waffles completely, then place them in a single layer in a freezer zip top bag. You can freeze them for up to two months. Reheat them in the toaster or oven.

Other Fabulous Homemade Waffles

We’re pretty big fans of waffles around here, and not only for breakfast! Here are some of the fun waffle recipes I’ve made over the years.

A plate of two golden, fluffy buttermilk waffles with a pat of butter melting on top, served with fresh strawberries on the side. A fork rests on the plate. Text at the bottom reads Classic Fluffy Buttermilk Waffle Recipe.

More Waffle Recipes to Consider

buttermilk waffles on a plate with syrup and strawberries.
5 from 2 votes

Classic Fluffy Buttermilk Waffles Recipe

Ditch the box and make from your waffles from scratch! This easy and incredible homemade classic fluffy buttermilk waffle recipe uses only 7 ingredients.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 large waffles

Ingredients 

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup light oil, such as canola, vegetable, or avocado oil
  • 1 and 3/4 cups buttermilk
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Instructions 

  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar, and stir to combine.
  • Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and add the eggs, oil, and buttermilk.
  • Whisk all ingredients together until a thin and slightly lumpy batter forms.
  • Pour the batter into your waffle iron according to manufacturer’s directions.
  • When the waffle is done cooking, carefully place it on a wire rack to cool, taking care not to stack the waffles on top of each other. Repeat with remaining batter.
  • Serve waffles hot with your favorite topping, such as buttermilk syrup, strawberries, and whipped cream.

Notes

  • No buttermilk? No problem! For each cup of buttermilk, you can use 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to measure 1 cup. Stir, then let rest for 5 minutes before using.
  • I have replaced half of the oil in this recipe with applesauce with great success.
  • You can easily substitute the all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour. Because it is lighter than regular whole wheat flour in texture, you won’t notice much difference at all.
  • These waffles are a great base for all kinds of toppings – sweet AND savory.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 6 large waffles, Calories: 383kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 14g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 407mg, Potassium: 157mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 206IU, Calcium: 213mg, Iron: 2mg
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5 from 2 votes

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2 Comments

  1. Robin says:

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe. Simple and delicious. I always use Kate’s buttermilk and this recipe never lets me down. I also use a good extra virgin olive oil for all of my baking and cooking. This recipe included. I made a blueberry sauce to go with it. These are delicious. Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful recipe. My parents raved about these waffles when I made them yet again today. Don’t hesitate. Make them!

  2. Robin says:

    5 stars
    Hi. I’ve been making these waffles for some time now. I use my Belgian waffle iron. They’re yummy and so easy. I love the idea of oil as I use extra virgin olive oil in all my cooking and baking now with great success. These waffles are easy to freeze too if you want to stock up. I’ve tried other recipes where you beat the egg whites separately etc. etc. and these waffles can hold their own thank you, with no fuss or muss. Lol. Buttermilk always makes things better. Thanks for a fast, delicious, homemade waffle recipe that is sure to please.