Get a taste of Waffle House waffles at home with this copycat recipe!
Making waffles doesn’t have to be like reinventing the wheel. If someone has already done a good job with a recipe, there’s no reason to do anything differently. Believe it or not, that was the attitude of Waffle House co-founder Joe Rogers. Before starting the successful and widespread chain, Rogers worked as a senior official at another restaurant called Toddle House. When he and partner Tom Forkner opened Waffle House in 1955, he implemented what he had learned about running a successful restaurant from his former employer—including the waffle recipe.
That’s the point of these copycat Waffle House waffles. By replicating this recipe, you can get the same caliber of waffles you might find at any Waffle House or diner. Of course, they’ll taste even better because you made them yourself from the comfort of your own home without having to go anywhere. They’ll be so light and fluffy that you’ll think you’ve been transported to your favorite breakfast place.
Are Copycat Waffle House Waffles Healthy?
It should come as no surprise that waffles from Waffle House are all about enjoying a treat rather than providing a healthy breakfast. A recipe heavily based around all-purpose flour, butter, shortening, sugar, and various other dairy products will naturally contain a lot of calories and fat and offer little nutritional value (save for the calcium in the milk products). So, consider these waffles as the perfect food for an occasional indulgence or fun breakfast rather than an everyday staple.
Let It Rest And Relax
When making waffles, one pro tip is to actually let the batter rest for about 10-15 minutes before you start cooking. This can help you achieve the best texture and flavor. During the resting period, the flour has time to fully hydrate—in other words, all the liquid gets absorbed into the dry ingredients. This helps create a smooth texture and also allows the gluten to relax, which will yield more tender waffles.
A rest period also gives the leavening agents (baking powder and baking soda, in this case) time to fully activate. They create gas bubbles that help the waffles rise. Skipping this step might lead to denser, heavier waffles, so your patience will truly pay off.
How To Make Ahead And Store
Leftover waffles can be kept in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in the fridge, where they’ll last for 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them by laying them flat on a baking sheet until solid, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen waffles can be stored for up to 3 months. Reheat your leftover waffles in a toaster, oven, or toaster oven to restore their crispness. Avoid reheating in the microwave, as this can make them soggy.
Serving Suggestions
Waffles on their own are a great breakfast, but they can also go well with any other breakfast food. For instance, there’s nothing wrong with waffles and a side of Microwave Bacon or Air-Fryer Breakfast Sausage. Smoothies can also be a great complement to waffles in the morning. This can include a delightful Banana Smoothie or possibly a Coffee Smoothie. You can also try a Green Smoothie to get a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables. Finally, if you want to settle the waffle vs. pancakes debate, make these Waffle House copycat waffles at the same time as these Pancakes and judge for yourself which one is better.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening softened
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup low-fat milk
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. In a separate bowl, mix the egg, sugar, butter, shortening, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually incorporate the milk, half-and-half, and buttermilk into the wet mixture. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined, leaving a few lumps.
- Preheat your waffle iron and coat it with cooking spray.
- Pour about 1/2 cup of the batter into the iron and cook until the waffles are golden and crispy, roughly 4-6 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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