Extra Light & Fluffy Waffle Recipe
on Aug 07, 2019, Updated Feb 07, 2025
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If you’re looking for the most fluffy waffle recipe, this one hits the right spot every time. Light, golden, and perfectly crispy on the outside!
I am a bit of a waffle connoisseur, and I am here to teach you all of the best-kept secrets about making the best waffles. Not just any waffles, though – these are extra light, fluffy, and completely delicious homemade waffles, perfect for a sweet blueberry sauce!
The secret to achieving that perfect texture lies in two key steps: separating the eggs and folding in stiffly beaten egg whites, plus letting the batter rest for 10 minutes before cooking. While it might seem fussy, these extra few minutes make all the difference between good and extraordinary waffles.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Fluffy Waffle Recipe
- Perfect Texture: These waffles hit the sweet spot with a golden, crispy exterior that gives way to the most tender, fluffy interior. The buttermilk works its magic to create a delicate crumb that melts in your mouth.
- Versatile Recipe: While maple syrup is classic, these waffles are equally delicious topped with fresh berries and whipped cream, or paired with crispy fried chicken for a savory twist. The neutral base lets you get creative with toppings.
- Pantry Friendly: No specialty ingredients required – just flour, eggs, buttermilk, and other basic staples you likely have on hand. Don’t have buttermilk? A quick mix of milk and lemon juice works perfectly as a substitute.
- Make Ahead: The batter can be made the night before and refrigerated, making morning prep a breeze. Plus, cooked waffles freeze beautifully – just pop them in the toaster for a quick homemade breakfast any day of the week.
- Crowd Pleaser: From picky kids to discerning adults, everyone loves these waffles. They’re perfect for lazy weekend breakfasts, special brunches, or even breakfast-for-dinner nights when you want something comforting and delicious.
🧇 Crispy waffles are always a win in our house — light, golden, and perfect for stacking high with all the syrup and toppings you can handle!
Recipe Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Eggs
- Oil — Any light vegetable oil will work.
- Milk
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Extra Light and Fluffy Waffles
- Preheat the waffle iron for 5-10 minutes, depending on your appliance.
- Use a whisk to combine the dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, making a well in the center.
- Beat the egg whites with a hand mixer in another medium bowl until they form stiff peaks.
- Add the wet ingredients EXCEPT the egg whites to the well of the dry ingredients, and combine slowly with a whisk until very few lumps remain.
- Fold in the beaten egg whites, taking care not to over-mix.
- Spray the waffle iron with non-stick spray and pour in the batter according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- When the waffle is done cooking, place it on a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve the waffles hot with your favorite topping!
Recipe FAQs
Even though these waffles are light and fluffy on the inside, they will normally get a slightly crispy exterior due to how they cook in the waffle iron. If you want extra crisp, place them on a wire rack in a 200°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes to make them extra toasty.
This is not a recipe where you need to let the waffles rest. I like to start cooking them when I have them mixed up so that the whipped egg whites don’t have time to deflate.
A good-quality waffle maker will allow you to get a well-cooked (and not soggy) waffle. Plus, do not stack your waffles once they’re done cooking! These traps steam between them, causing them to get moist and soggy—bleh. Let them cook on a wire rack with plenty of room to breathe.
Expert Tips
- Beat and Fold: Beating the egg whites and folding them in is a trick that will result in the most fluffy, puffy, and incredible waffles ever! This step seems kind of extra, but trust me—it makes a huge difference in the texture and taste of the waffles. It’s worth it 100%!
- Bulk Cooking: If you’re serving a crowd and want to eat all together, simply place cooked waffles directly on the rack of an oven heated to 200°F. This will prevent sogginess and everyone can dine together -WIN!
- Add-Ins: This recipe just begs you to add your favorite little bites of flavor, like mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, blueberries, coconut flakes, and more! Just add a half or full cup of whatever you love in waffles to the batter right before cooking.
- Hot Iron: Ensure your waffle iron is fully preheated before adding the batter. A properly heated iron promotes even cooking and contributes to a crisp outer layer.
How to Make Fluffy Waffles
To achieve exceptionally fluffy waffles, start by separating the eggs and beating the whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold these whipped egg whites into your batter. This technique incorporates air into the mixture, giving your waffles that signature light and airy texture.
Additionally, consider substituting a portion of your liquid with club soda. The carbonation in club soda introduces extra bubbles into the batter, enhancing its rise and resulting in fluffier waffles.
How to Clean a Waffle Iron
Nobody wants to pull out a dirty waffle iron when it’s time to make waffles again. Cleaning the waffle iron is a good practice that only takes a couple of minutes and will preserve the life of your waffle iron.
The easiest way to clean a waffle iron:
- Unplug and let cool off until it’s just a bit warm.
- Use a paper towel or dishcloth to remove any oil, batter, or cooked-on bits.
- Dislodge any stuck-on gunk with a soft brush.
- Clean with a damp dishcloth and a very tiny amount of dish soap. Wipe with a cloth dampened with water to “rinse” any leftover residue.
- Let air dry or dry with a clean towel.
If you get into the habit of cleaning your waffle iron after every use, it will be a cinch to maintain!
How to Store Leftover Waffles
Yes, you can! Although, they might get a little soggy in the fridge. Store them in a plastic sealable bag or airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or the freezer for 2 to 3 months, and reheat them in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes or until heated through and crisp on the outside.
More Waffle Recipes to Consider
Simple Gingerbread Recipes
Homemade Gingerbread Syrup: Cozy Holiday in a Bottle
15-Minute Recipes
Cornbread Waffles with Chili – 15 Minute Dinner Idea
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
Extra Light & Fluffy Waffle Recipe
Equipment
- Waffle Iron
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, yolks and whites separated
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 3/4 cups milk
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle iron as directed.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a whisk to combine. Make a small well in the center of the dry ingredients.
- In a second medium bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.
- Add the egg yolks, oil, and milk to the well, and use the whisk to slowly combine the wet and dry ingredients. Stir well until very few lumps remain.
- Fold in the beaten egg whites, taking care not to over-mix.
- 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, fruit, or whipped cream.
Notes
- Opting for oil over butter in the batter enhances the waffles’ exterior crispness while maintaining a moist and fluffy interior.
- Waffles aren’t just for breakfast! This is a perfect recipe to serve for dinner with either sweet or savory toppings.
- It’s best to use this batter right away as soon as it’s done mixing so the whipped egg whites don’t have time to deflate.
- Mix the batter until just combined—it’s okay if there are a few lumps. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tougher waffles instead of tender, fluffy ones.
Excellent! Very light which is thanks to egg whites being folded in. I added dash of vanilla & a little cinnamon. Perfect texture & freezes well
Very fluffy and soft.
This recipe turned out amazing! Hands down my new favorite waffle recipe.
AMAZING recipe!! I would recommend it to friends/family! I did use Cream of Tartar not baking powder, but still, AMAZING!! I will make it again! Thank you Melissa!!
oh I love these. I love your advice to make them crispy in the oven too! I always find it a tad hard to make super fluffy waffles that are also crispy, and stay crispy. The best solution I found was store bought fluffy waffles from https://shop.kodiakcakes.com/collections/toaster-waffles-flapjacks – but thanks to you, now i know! 🙂
These are super duper tasty!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the killer recipe!!!
Hooray! I love this recipe too!!!
I finally have my cast iron waffle maker cleaned and seasoned…which recipe to make first…this one or the cornmeal one? You’ve had me craving waffles all week!!!! I think I’m gonna have some fun with all of these and my waffle maker! Happy waffle week to ya!
What?! Is it electric or is it one you use over your stove or something? I’m intrigued!
Its old school…like 100 years old. They were made to be used on the wood cookstoves of the past….but can still function over an electric or gas burner. I’m so excited to master waffle making in it!!!
Ohhh that’s so cool! I’d love to see that in action!