The Sweet History of Waffles: From Ancient Greece to Dutch Kitchens

The journey of the waffle is a fascinating one, dating back further than you might imagine. The earliest forms of waffles, described in the 13th century, were actually savory. The ancient Greeks would bake a dough between two metal plates, flavoring these precursors with cheese and herbs. These flat, griddle cakes were known as ‘obleios’ and laid the foundation for the sweet delight we enjoy today across various cultures.

Centuries later, the waffle truly began to evolve into the sweet treat we recognize. The modern sweet waffle is often credited to the cook of the Prince of Liège in the mid-17th century. This innovative chef sought to create a delicious brioche dough enriched with chunks of pearl sugar, resulting in the now-famous Liège waffles, commonly known as Belgian waffles. From that point on, the popularity of waffles soared across Europe, becoming a beloved staple. Specialized waffle irons became commonplace, making it easier for home cooks and street vendors alike to prepare this delectable treat. Even today, you can find street vendors at weekly markets in quaint villages, offering freshly made, warm waffles to eager customers, a tradition that continues to delight.

Traditionally, many classic waffle recipes call for yeast, which helps the dough rise and achieve an incredibly airy texture due to fermentation. However, preparing a yeast-based batter can be time-consuming, requiring several hours for the dough to ferment and rise properly. Our recipe for Dutch waffles offers a more convenient approach, utilizing baking powder instead of yeast. This clever substitution ensures that your waffles are wonderfully airy and light, with a delightful crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior, all without the long waiting time. It captures the authentic taste of old-fashioned Dutch waffles with modern ease, allowing you to enjoy them quickly and effortlessly, perfect for a spontaneous breakfast or a last-minute dessert.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Yeast-Free Waffles

Crafting these delicious, old-fashioned Dutch waffles requires a few simple, readily available ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward nature, proving that you don’t need exotic items to create something truly special and comforting. Each ingredient plays a vital role in achieving that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside texture. For the precise measurements of each ingredient, along with a printable version, please refer to the detailed recipe card conveniently located at the bottom of this page.

Vanilla: The Flavor Enhancer

Vanilla extract plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall flavor profile of these Dutch waffles, adding a warm, sweet, and aromatic depth that complements the other ingredients perfectly. It’s that subtle, familiar note that makes these waffles taste truly ‘old-fashioned’ and comforting. You can easily find good quality vanilla extract in most supermarkets. For those who love to bake regularly, or simply appreciate a richer flavor, consider making your own vanilla extract. It’s a surprisingly simple process, typically involving vanilla beans steeped in alcohol for several weeks, and in the long run, it proves to be a significantly more economical choice, offering a pure, potent vanilla flavor that store-bought versions often can’t match.

If you find yourself without vanilla extract or prefer an alternative, don’t worry! You can substitute it with 2 teaspoons of vanilla sugar. This is a common ingredient in European baking and will provide a similar sweet vanilla note to your waffle batter, ensuring your waffles still have that delightful hint of flavor that everyone loves.

The Secret to Fluffy Waffles: Baking Powder

As mentioned, this recipe intentionally skips yeast for a quicker preparation time, making it ideal for busy mornings or spontaneous cravings. So, how do we achieve that wonderfully light and airy texture without the long proofing times of yeast? The secret lies in a generous amount of baking powder, specifically one tablespoon, added to the batter. Baking powder is a chemical leavening agent that reacts with the liquid in the batter, producing carbon dioxide bubbles. During the baking process, as the waffle iron heats, these trapped air bubbles expand rapidly, creating a light, fluffy interior that is characteristic of perfect waffles. This expansion also contributes significantly to the desirable crispy outer crust, giving you that perfect textural contrast in every single bite.

It’s important to note the difference if you’re considering using self-raising flour. Self-raising flour already contains a leavening agent, usually a combination of baking powder and a small amount of salt. However, it typically contains only about half the amount of baking powder needed for this particular recipe to achieve optimal fluffiness and lift. Therefore, if you opt for self-raising flour, remember to add an additional teaspoon of baking powder to ensure your waffles are as airy and light as they should be. Furthermore, baking soda is not a suitable direct substitute for baking powder in this recipe. While baking soda also creates air bubbles, it requires an acidic ingredient (like buttermilk, lemon juice, or vinegar) to activate properly and release its full leavening power. Since this specific waffle batter does not inherently contain enough acid, using baking soda alone would not yield the desired light and airy results, potentially leaving your waffles dense and flat.

Mastering the Art of Making Soft and Airy Dutch Waffles

Creating these delightful Dutch waffles is a straightforward and enjoyable process, ensuring a satisfying culinary experience even for novice bakers. The key is in understanding a few simple techniques that guarantee perfectly golden, crispy, and fluffy results every time. Below, you’ll find comprehensive step-by-step instructions, along with all the correct ingredient amounts, which you can also easily print from the recipe card located at the bottom of this blog post. Let’s dive into making your perfect batch of homemade Dutch waffles.

Start by taking a large mixing bowl. In it, quickly combine all the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, a pinch of salt, and sugar. Use a whisk or a fork to ensure they are thoroughly mixed and evenly distributed. This crucial step prevents lumps and ensures the leavening agent is spread throughout the batter, allowing for consistent rising. Next, gradually incorporate the wet ingredients – eggs, milk, sunflower oil (or melted butter), and vanilla extract. While stirring with a whisk, or ideally using a hand mixer on low speed, add these liquids to the dry mixture. Continue mixing just until you achieve a smooth, lump-free waffle batter. It’s important to avoid overmixing, as this can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough, rather than tender, waffles.

Before you begin baking, ensure your waffle iron is preheated to the correct temperature. A common indicator for readiness is when the appliance’s indicator light turns green or goes off, signaling it’s ready to use. Lightly brush the plates of the hot waffle iron with a little sunflower oil or use a non-stick cooking spray. This step is crucial for preventing sticking, facilitating easy removal, and achieving that desirable beautiful golden-brown, crispy crust. Now, pour a small amount of batter into the preheated waffle iron. The exact amount will depend on your specific waffle maker (refer to the tips below for guidance). Close the waffle iron and let it bake until the waffle is golden brown and cooked through. In my experience, using my particular appliance, this takes about 7 minutes, but cooking times can vary significantly. Once baked, carefully remove the waffle from the grid using a non-scratch utensil and place it on a wire rack to prevent it from becoming soggy. Continue this process with the remaining batter until you have a stack of delicious homemade Dutch waffles, ready to be enjoyed.

• How much batter to use? Determining the ideal amount of batter largely depends on the specific model and size of your waffle machine. This information is often provided in the appliance’s instruction manual. If you’re unsure, a good strategy for your very first waffle is to start by pouring a slightly smaller amount than you think you need. Close the iron, and if the batter doesn’t quite reach the edges, you can open it briefly and add a little more. This quick trial-and-error approach for the initial waffles will quickly help you gauge the perfect quantity, preventing both underfilled and messy, overflowing waffles. Remember, you don’t need to manually spread the batter; simply closing the waffle iron will distribute it evenly between the grids.
• What’s the optimal Baking Time? While my waffle iron takes approximately 7 minutes to achieve a beautifully golden-brown and crispy waffle, baking times can vary significantly between different waffle makers. Factors such as wattage, plate material, and even how full the iron is can all influence the cooking duration. Generally, you can expect the baking process to take anywhere from five to eight minutes. The best way to determine the precise timing for your appliance is to closely monitor the first waffle; check it after 5 minutes, and then every minute thereafter, until it reaches your desired color and crispness. Once you’ve achieved that, you’ll have a reliable benchmark for the rest of your batch, ensuring consistently perfect results.
• No Waffle Iron? No Problem! (Using a Sandwich Maker) Don’t own a dedicated waffle iron? No need to despair! Your everyday sandwich maker can be a surprisingly effective and convenient alternative. While you won’t get the distinctive deep grid pattern of a traditional waffle, you’ll still end up with a wonderfully delicious, warm, and comforting treat that captures the essence of a homemade waffle. Simply prepare the batter as instructed, preheat your sandwich maker, and bake the “waffles” until they are beautifully golden brown and cooked through. It’s a fantastic hack for enjoying homemade waffles even without specialized equipment.
• Why add oil to the batter? The addition of oil (or melted butter) to the waffle batter is a crucial step for achieving soft, tender waffles with a slightly moist crumb. Without this essential fat, waffles tend to become hard and dry, losing their appealing texture and enjoyable mouthfeel. The oil not only contributes to the richness of the waffle but also helps maintain its desired softness and pliability even after cooling slightly, ensuring every bite is a pleasure and the waffle doesn’t become brittle.
• Why is milk an essential ingredient? Milk is vital for several reasons in this Dutch waffle recipe. Primarily, its moisture content ensures that the waffles remain creamy and moist on the inside, preventing them from drying out during the baking process. It also contributes significantly to the batter’s overall consistency, allowing it to flow smoothly and spread evenly in the waffle iron, which is key for a uniform bake. For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, dairy milk can be easily substituted with plant-based alternatives such as soy milk, oat milk, or almond milk, without significantly compromising the taste or texture of the final product, allowing everyone to enjoy these delicious treats.

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.

Need more inspiration?

• You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel for visual guidance and more delicious ideas.
• And don’t forget to save these delightful recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time you’re craving a homemade treat!

Andréa