Basic Waffles

Nothing whispers comfort food like waffles.  Normally, I envision them smeared with butter and covered in maple syrup, but there are so many possibilities.  

Basic Waffles

Nonstick cooking spray

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp kosher salt

2 large eggs, separated

2 cups milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla

Coat a waffle maker with cooking spray.  Preheat waffle maker to medium-high.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a bowl.  In a large bowl lightly beat egg yolks; whisk in milk, oil, and vanilla.

Place egg whites in a mixing bowl and beat with a mixer on high until stiff peaks form. 

Add flour mixture to milk mixture; mix together until fully blended.  Gently fold in the beaten egg whites.  

Add batter to prepared waffle maker according to manufacturer's directions.  Close lid quickly and don't open until waffle is done.  Use a fork to lift waffle off grid.  Repeat with remaining batter.  To keep waffles warm while making more, place them on a rack in a large baking pan and set in a 200 degree oven.

Whole Wheat Waffles

Prepare as directed, except substitute 1 cup whole wheat flour for 1 cup of all-purpose flour.  Increase the baking powder to 1 tablespoon.  Let batter rest 15 minutes before baking.  

Savory Waffles

Reduce sugar to 2 Tbsp and omit vanilla.

Cornmeal Waffles

Prepare as directed, except decrease flour to 1 1/4 cups and sugar to 2 Tbsp.  Add 1 cup of cornmeal and 1/8 tsp cayenne to flour mixture.  Omit vanilla.  

Sweet and Savory Ideas to Top Them Off

Butter, syrups, nuts, chocolate hazelnut spread, strawberry or cinnamon whipped cream cheese, yogurt and granola, sauteed apples or pears, fresh fruit, fruit preserves or powdered sugar.

Fresh herbs or spinach, chopped cooked bacon, hot honey, fried chicken, fried eggs, avocado or tomatoes, cheese, sauces (pesto, BBQ, or chili).  

Mix It In Ideas - Both Sweet and Savory

For best results, add no more than 1 cup total mix-ins to the batter.

Chopped fresh fruit (banana, mango, apple, strawberries), whole blueberries or raspberries, mini chocolate chips, citrus zest (orange, lemon, lime).

Cooked sausage, chopped fresh herbs (2 Tbsp max), chopped fresh spinach, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, shredded or crumbled cheese (cheddar, feta, ;blu, Parmesan)

Be bold and enjoy!!