Gingerbread Waffles Recipe - Sally's Baking Addiction (2024)

FAQs

Which flour is best for waffles? ›

On the flip side, waffles aren't as flaky-delicate as baked goods, making pastry flour too fine for the job. Good old AP, or all-purpose, flour is where it's at. If you want to sprinkle in a tablespoon or two of buckwheat or rye flour for added nutty heft, go for it.

Pancakes and waffles typically both contain baking soda, which causes them to rise. As soon as the baking soda is combined with the wet ingredients (which contain an acidic ingredient, like often buttermilk), it starts producing carbon dioxide gas bubbles that cause the batter to rise.

They'll still be fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Frozen waffles (along with most food) last for a while in the freezer, so don't worry about them going bad anytime soon. I've tested them months later and they're still really good.

Recommended overnight or 2 hr resting – for the tastiest waffles, rest the batter overnight in the fridge or for at least 2 hours. This makes the flour grains absorb the liquid so it makes the inside of the waffles softer.

It creates waffles that are crisp on the outside, tender inside. Using vegetable oil instead of melted butter – once my go-to for homemade waffle batter – makes your waffles light and airy, not dense. Folding whipped egg whites into the batter also keeps the waffles light and fluffy.

Pancake recipes also include leavening agents. However, certain pancakes will be flatter and resemble crepes. Consistency has to do with how thick the batter is. Waffle batter is thick, and pancake batter is thin.

We use the two together for the fluffiest, best tasting waffles. The baking powder really does most of the lifting and makes the waffles fluffy, and the baking soda reacts with the buttermilk for tender waffles with a tasty tang (and helps contribute to giving them a little lift, too).

A restaurant, on the other hand, will have an industrial cooker with a higher wattage plugged into a circuit designed for heavier loads. If you are asking about the waffle itself, my answer will be that most restaurants make their batter from scratch. Home waffles are usually made from a boxed mix like Bisquick.

Some lumps are fine and will cook out. If your recipe calls for whipped egg whites, carefully fold them into the batter in three or four batches. Don't overmix. Overmixing your waffle batter can leave you with tough, chewy or hard waffles instead of crisp waffles with tender insides.

Why are my waffles soggy in the freezer? ›

Cool the waffles completely. As you remove each cooked waffle from the iron, lay them on a baking rack so air can circulate underneath while they cool. Any contact with a plate or baking sheet will cause the waffles to steam and get soggy. Freeze the waffles flat.

They harden and lose their taste over time. If you intend on using the waffles right away, refrigerating them is fine. Freeze them instead if you wish to keep them edible long-term. Throw the waffles away if you notice anything strange, such as mold growth.

If you're working ahead, cool the waffles and store in the fridge or freezer. When it's breakfast time you can reheat your waffles toaster oven, cut into dippable pieces, and serve with maple syrup on the side. A make-ahead breakfast your kids will love.

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).

Use a hot griddle or waffle iron: Make sure your griddle or waffle iron is hot before adding the batter. This will help create a crispy crust on the outside while allowing the inside to cook evenly. Don't overcrowd the griddle or waffle iron: Give each pancake or waffle enough space to cook without touching each other.

Use a non-stick spray preferably made with canola oil to handle the high temperatures. Butter and olive oil have too low of a smoke point and will scorch after the waffle is removed. Spray the griddle plates after they are warm and right before you add the batter.

Waffles toward the bottom of that stack will have no choice but to go limp. To keep a cooked batch of waffles warm, place them in a low oven directly on the oven rack, or on a wire rack where the air can circulate—never on a sheet pan, where they'll trap that steam and go soggy on the bottom.