Light and Crisp Waffles

There’s nothing more disappointing than a soggy, bland waffle. As a kid, I grew up eating frozen waffles, but they are a far cry from the homemade variety. These homemade waffles are light and airy, with a perfectly crisp exterior that makes all the difference.

THE SECRET TO LIGHT AND CRISP WAFFLES

#1 Egg Whites: Whipped egg whites are key to achieving light, airy waffles. Be sure to whip them only to soft peaks. Over-whipping can make it difficult to fold them into the batter, while under-whipping will result in a runny batter that doesn’t rise properly.

#2 Cornstarch: I add cornstarch in place of some of the flour for extra crispiness. Cornstarch crisps up beautifully in batters, giving the waffles that perfect crunch on the outside.

#3 Combination of Milk and Buttermilk: Using a mix of buttermilk and milk helps prevent the batter from becoming too dense. Buttermilk tenderizes the batter, but it can also make it heavy, so balancing it with milk keeps the waffles light and fluffy.

#4 resting. Just like with pancakes, resting the waffles batter will allow the gluten to relax, preventing tough, dense waffles.

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Light and Crisp Waffles

Prep Time:

20 mins

Cook Time:

10 mins

Resting Time

30 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

 

Course: Breakfast

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (103g)
• 1/4 cup cornstarch (32g)
• 1 tsp baking powder (4g)
• 1/4 tsp baking soda (1g)
• 1/2 tsp salt (2g)
• 1/3 cup canola oil (60g)
• 1 large egg, separated
• 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g)
• 1/2 cup full-fat buttermilk (118g)
• 1/4 cup full-fat milk (57g)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5g)

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the dry ingredients until combined.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients until combined.
3. Whip egg whites with cream of tartar and salt until it holds a soft peak.
4. Gradually add in sugar and whisk until whites hold a stiff peak.
5. Fold in dry ingredients until just combined.
6. Lastly, fold in egg whites until barely combined.
7. Rest batter for 30 minutes or longer.
8. Pour enough batter to coat the waffle maker and cook until golden brown.
9. Place in a 250°F oven to keep warm.
10. Enjoy!