Name: Southern Buttermilk Waffles Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups flour (all-purpose or cake flour); 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon sugar; 3 eggs (yolks and whites separated, room temperature); 1/3 cup melted butter; 1-1/2 cups buttermilk (room temperature or slightly warm; check the notes for how to substitute regular milk. ); 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

This simple buttermilk waffles recipe has been our favorite for decades. They are golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender and slightly sweet on the inside. When they're topped with melting butter, syrup, or fruit it's a special weekend meal that calls the whole family to the table.

Total time 30 minutes

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This classic recipe can be made with buttermilk or regular milk. Be sure to read the tips for the lightest, crispiest waffles you've ever tasted.

Try the blue cornmeal version with fruit for summer holidays!

A plate of waffles with strawberries and syrup.

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🔪 Instructions
💭Tips
FAQs
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Nothing surprising here! I like to add a little vanilla to my waffle batter but you can omit it if you wish. If you don't have buttermilk be sure to read the tips for using plain milk instead.

Ingredients for buttermilk waffles with labels.

🔪 Instructions

There isn't anything difficult about this classic buttermilk waffles recipe. Separating the eggs and beating the egg whites until stiff is the step that most people leave out but it's the secret to the crispy exterior and fluffy interior.

Separate the eggs.
Add the whites to a mixer and beat.
Beat until stiff peaks are formed. Set aside.
Add the sugar to the flour.
Add in the baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Mix the buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter.
Stir into the dry ingredients.
Fold in the egg whites. Let the waffle batter rest for 10 minutes if you have time.
Bake on the waffle iron according to manufacturers' instructions.

💭Tips

Homemade waffles have a reputation for being tricky to make but with these tips you'll be making them like an expert in no time!

Use room temperature eggs - if you're in a hurry just put the unbroken eggs in a bowl of hot water for about 5 minutes.
Cake flour will make the waffles lighter.
Be sure to spray your waffle maker with non-stick cooking spray.
Make sure the iron is ready before adding the batter. Most will have a green light that comes on.
They're done when it stops steaming and the lid raises up easily.
Waffles are best as soon as they come off the waffle iron so have the family ready at the table if you can.
If you have to keep them waiting put them on a wire rack in a warm oven so they'll stay crispy.
You can freeze these by letting them cool then placing in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Heat them up in the toaster or in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes.
If you don't have buttermilk on hand you can use 1 teaspoon of vinegar to each cup of milk for a replacement. Buttermilk works best, though.
You can make buttermilk yourself a couple of different ways.
To use regular milk, or non dairy milks, just leave out the baking soda and substitute for the buttermilk.
You can use this recipe for pancakes but this buttermilk pancake batter is better.

A finished waffle on a pate with a stack of waffles in the background.

FAQs

Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.

Why aren't my waffles crispy?

Too much moisture. Here are some things to check --

Make sure that the waffle maker is completely preheated before adding the batter.
Try using plain milk and cake flour instead of buttermilk and all-purpose.
Leave the waffles in the baker until all the steam stops.
Keep them crispy on a rack in a 200F oven until you're ready to eat them.

What's the difference between this buttermilk waffles recipe and the Belgian type?

Not much. Belgian waffles are thicker because they are made in a waffle iron with deep grids. Technically you could say these are Belgian waffles but you could make them in a regular waffle iron and they'd but just waffles.

Honestly, I use a Belgian waffle maker because it makes them prettier for the pictures!

Should you let waffle batter rest?

I do. Letting the batter rest for 5 to 10 minutes allows the gluten to relax which makes the waffles more tender. You can skip this step if don't have time.

☕ Kaffeeklatch

Homemade waffles just welcome you to the weekend, you know?

They've never seemed like something you should eat quickly on your way out the door, but instead should be savored with plenty of hot coffee and great conversation. I mean, if you take the time to make homemade buttermilk waffles from scratch you should savor them, you know?

I think we do way too little of that these days. Everyone is heading out here and there like ants at a picnic. Maybe if we spent a little more time eating waffles and talking over the breakfast table we'd all be a lot happier.

This buttermilk waffles recipe is the one my mom used. I have no idea how old it is but it's always worked beautifully for me and I know it will for you, too. I prefer this cornmeal waffle recipe for chicken and waffles and other, more savory, dishes.

Try this baked pumpkin oatmeal, too.

Southern Buttermilk Waffles Recipe