Homestyle Waffles Recipe | The Gracious Pantry (2024)

I’ve been making this homestyle waffles recipe since I was a kid.

On Saturday mornings, I would pull my grandmother’s big, yellow mixing bowl out of the cupboard, gather my ingredients and start mixing ingredients until I had the right consistency. I never measured anything until I went to share the recipe here! So now you have my childhood pancake and waffle recipe. Let me know what you think!

These whole wheat waffles have a heavier, more dense texture than the very light and fluffy ones you pop in a toaster these days. But they are tasty and very filling, and much higher in protein to boot. Make a big batch for a lazy brunch or busy mornings and you’ll be out the door in no time with a delicious breakfast in your belly!

What Are Homestyle Waffles?

Homestyle waffles are waffles that use milk instead of buttermilk. That is the only point of difference. Other waffles are made with buttermilk. It’s an either/or situation. You either have homestyle waffles, or you have buttermilk waffles.

Are Homemade Waffles Healthy?

These are! While the term “healthy” is subjective, for those that eat whole grains, these are perfectly healthy.

Waffle Mix Vs. Pancake Mix

Essentially, both mixes are made with the same ingredients. But waffles tend to have more egg and sweetener as well as butter in them.

That being said, this recipe does not call for any sweetener in the waffles. So you can enjoy these with either a sweet topping or a savory topping!

Are Homestyle Waffles Sweet?

Traditionally, they are made with sugar added, yes. So they would normally be at least a little sweet. If you want that here, you can certainly stir in a bit of honey or a dry sweetener such as Sucanat or coconut sugar. But I don’t find it to be necessary. Especially if your toppings will be sweet.

What To Add To Waffle Mix To Make It Better?

While “better” is relative, we do sometimes want a little something extra from our morning waffles. But first, let’s cover some fixes first.

If you want your waffles to be:

Richer: Add melted butter and an extra egg to the batter.

Crispier: Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the batter and use a flip waffle maker. You can also beat the egg whites until stiff and fold them into the batter.

Homestyle Waffles Recipe Variations

If you want to add different flavors, the best way to do this is with extracts and toppings.

Extract Ideas

• Extra vanilla extract
• Maple extract
• Mint extract (top with chocolate chips!)
• Rum extract

Ingredient Exchanges

Whole wheat pastry flour – sub with either white whole wheat flour or regular whole wheat flour

Milk – Use non-dairy milk or try buttermilk. Though you may have to use half milk and half buttermilk if the buttermilk is thick.

Eggs – You can use either a whole egg or egg whites. If you want to make these vegan, you can use an egg substitute or try a flax egg.

Vanilla extract – Substitute with a different extract for a different flavor, or omit completely.

Ground Cinnamon – You can try different spices, or simply leave it out completely if you’ll be putting savory toppings on your waffles.

Waffle Topping Ideas

As you can see, my favorite topping is blueberries. To me, nothing beats blueberry waffles! But there are lots of other options that are just as delicious. Toppings such as:

• Maple syrup
• Honey
• Fresh berries
• Peaches
• Chocolate chip
• Butter
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate syrup
• Nuts
• Ice cream
• Yogurt
• Cottage cheese
• Nut butter
• Jam
• Jelly
• Lemon curd
• Strawberry syrup
• Blueberry syrup
• Cinnamon sugar
• Fried egg and cheddar cheese
• Any spice you’d like to add to compliment sweet or savory toppings

Can I Make This Ahead?

You can make the batter ahead of time, but waffles taste best if served just after being cooked unless you intend on warming them up in a toaster.

How Long Does Waffle Batter Last In The Fridge?

Once mixed, this batter will stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days. You will need to whisk the batter again before using it after it has been sitting a while.

About The Ingredients

Whole wheat pastry flour – In some areas, this can still be pretty hard to find. You’ll find it most often at places like Whole Foods. But if you can’t find it, the next best thing is “White Whole Wheat Flour”. This is far more common and can be found in most areas. After that, the next option is regular whole wheat flour. The flavor will be the same, but the finished texture of the waffles will be a bit more dense and hearty.

Milk – non-dairy milk works fine too.

Egg whites – Or you can use 1 whole egg. If you changed the flour at all (see above), you’ll want to use 2 large eggs.

Vanilla extract – Use the real stuff, not flavoring.

Ground cinnamon – Just cinnamon, not cinnamon sugar.

Baking powder – Make sure this is fresh or newer. Old baking powder doesn’t work well.

Optional Ingredients

Salt – Just a tiny pinch of salt will help bring out and enhance any sweet or savory flavors. About a quarter teaspoon salt should be more than enough.

Sweetener – If you want your waffles sweet, add between 2-4 tablespoons sugar (unprocessed, of course!) to the batter. You can also use a liquid sweetener like honey or maple syrup.

How To Make This Homestyle Waffles Recipe

Preheat your waffle maker and spray it with oil if necessary. Whisk the flour in a large mixing bowl with the baking powder. Add your milk to the flour, then the egg whites.

Stir in the vanilla and cinnamon, and blend vigorously with a whisk until you have a nice, smooth batter. You can also use a high speed hand mixer or blender if you prefer.

Using a ladle, pour the mixture into your waffle maker, and cook until golden brown.

Top these waffles with nuts, fruit, honey, maple syrup, or anything your diet allows. They’re yummy and really filling.

How To Store Leftover Waffles

If packed well, these can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How To Freeze Homestyle Waffles

Wrap these well and store them in the fridge. Freezer bags are a good option here.If you are freezing them stacked, you may want to put small pieces of parchment between them, but for the most part, this is unnecessary unless there is somehow extra moisture in your freezer.

How To Reheat Homestyle Waffles

Whether these are out of the fridge or freezer, they can be reheated easily in a toaster. How toasting you make them is up to you. They can also be microwaved, but I find they get a little too soft that way. The toaster is best. Freeze for up to 4 months.

Recipe Supplies

For this recipe, you’ll need a whisk, a mixing bowl, and a standard waffle iron. To purchase any of these items off of Amazon, simply click the image to be taken to the product on the Amazon website. (affiliate links)

More Healthy Breakfast Recipes

• Clean Eating Buckwheat Crepes
• Clean Eating Belgian Waffles
• Clean Eating Brownie Waffles

Homestyle Waffles Recipe Card