As a chef and waffle connoisseur, I’ve spent years searching for the perfect Belgian waffle recipe. After tasting the signature waffles at First Watch restaurants, I became determined to crack the code on recreating their perfectly crispy yet fluffy interior Belgian-style waffles at home. They strike the ideal balance between rich, custardy flavor and airy, vanilla-kissed texture.
After much trial and error, I’m thrilled to share my homemade hack for enjoying First Watch Belgian Waffle Recipe in your own kitchen whenever a craving strikes.
Read on for my tips, tasty add-ins, storage tricks, and troubleshooting to help you make Belgian waffle magic happen.
Regular Waffles VS Belgian Waffles
Regular Waffles
Make a simple batter of flour, milk, eggs, leavening agents like baking powder or soda, sugar, oil or melted butter, and spices. Cooked in a standard flat waffle iron that makes round, shallow-indented waffles.
Belgian Waffles
Features a richer, yeasted batter with whipped egg whites folded in to make them extra fluffy and light-textured. Baked in a specialty deep-pocketed Belgian waffle iron, they are square-shaped with deeper indentations to hold more toppings. Belgian waffles are crisper, larger, sweeter, and more buttery-flavored than regular waffles.
Why You’ll Love This Belgian Waffle Recipe?
This homemade version of the First Watch Belgian waffles is irresistibly delicious and fun to customize however you like. It has everything you want in an exceptional waffle:
- Crispy, golden brown exterior with a soft, fluffy interior
- Great flavor from vanilla and hint of sweetness
- Light and airy texture from whipped egg whites
- Easy to make with common ingredients
- Delicious any time of day – breakfast, brunch, or dessert
- Kid-friendly recipe
- Makes the house smell amazing while cooking
- Great for feeding a crowd at your next brunch
How to Make First-Watch Belgian Waffles?
Making these delicious First Watch-style Belgian waffles at home is simple, with just ingredients and a few kitchen tools. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – The basis of the waffles, providing structure
- 1 tablespoon baking powder – Helps waffles rise and achieve airiness
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt – Enhances overall flavor
- 1/4 cup white sugar – Adds sweetness to balance with syrup
- 2 medium-sized free-range eggs – Structure and air pockets from whites
- 1⁄3 cup of neutral oil (vegetable, canola) – Adds moisture and richness
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Extra depth of flavor and aroma
- 2 cups milk – Bind ingredients, keeps waffles moist and tender
For Toppings:
- Freshly whipped cream – Rich, cooling contrast to the hot waffle
- Berries (your choice) – Tangy sweetness and color
- Maple syrup– Sweet, sticky classic topping with distinctive flavor
Optional:
- Bacon, banana, yogurt, chocolate, ice cream
Kitchen Tools
- Mixing bowls
- Sieve
- Whisk
- Measuring cups
- Hand mixer or Whisk (optional)
- Belgian waffle iron
- Tongs
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Step 1. Mix dry ingredients:
First, in a large mixing bowl, put the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Sieve the mixture to ensure an even distribution. Combine with the whisk.
Step 2. Mix the wet ingredients:
Add the neutral oil, vanilla extract, and whole milk to the large mixing bowl. Use a whisk to mix the batter until just combined—stop when there are no dry flour particles.
Step 3. Whipping Egg Whites:
After that, separate the egg whites and yolks, placing the whites in a clean bowl.
Use a hand mixer or whisk to whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form. This will take 2-3 minutes with a mixer or 5 minutes by hand.
Step 4. Folding Egg Whites into Batter:
Now, fold the whipped egg whites into the waffle batter with a wooden spoon until well incorporated.
Step 5. Preparing Waffle Iron:
Heat a Belgian waffle iron and spray with non-stick spray or brush with melted butter.
Step 6. Cook waffles:
Scoop batter into the waffle iron, close the lid, and cook for 5–10 minutes, until waffles are crispy and golden brown.
Repeat the process for the remaining batter, adjusting the amount based on your waffle iron’s size.
Step 7. Serving the waffles:
Serve waffles hot with freshly whipped cream, a dusting of icing sugar, berries, and maple syrup. Customize with your favorite toppings.
Special Notes
- For best results, use a Belgian waffle maker with deep grids for extra crispy edges and fluffy centers. Regular waffle makers may not perform the same way.
- Make sure egg whites reach stiff peaks before gently folding them into the batter to get the signature light and airy texture. Overmixing once added to the batter can deflate them.
- When folding in whipped egg whites, avoid overmixing to prevent deflating. Gently fold just until there are no more visible white streaks.
- Use neutral oil instead of butter or olive oil so as not to compete with the sweet flavor of the waffles. Canola, vegetable, sunflower, or grapeseed oil all work well.
- Cook times can vary based on waffle iron. Watch closely, erring on the side of slightly underdone since they’ll continue cooking off heat.
Recipe Variations
There are so many delicious ways to customize this classic First Watch Belgian waffle base recipe:
Savory Options:
- Add cheddar cheese, bacon bits, sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions to batter or as toppings
Fruit Variations:
- Fold fresh blueberries, raspberries, diced apples or bananas into basic batter
- Use as bases for fruit parfaits topped with sweetened Greek yogurt & more fruit
Sweet Versions:
- Add mini chocolate chips, M&Ms, butterscotch or peanut butter chips into batter or as toppings
- Make s’mores waffles with marshmallow & chocolate toppings
- Add cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice mix to batter for more warmth
Dressed Up Toppings:
- Pile high with sliced fruit, sweetened whipped cream, butter, nuts and sticky syrup
- Add a scoop of ice cream and drizzle with hot fudge & whipped cream
Storing & Reheating
Properly stored, leftover First Watch Belgian waffles stay fresh for optimal enjoyment:
At Room Temperature:
- Leave cooled, completely cooked waffles out at room temperature uncovered for up to 2 days. Reheat one at a time directly in the toaster.
In Refrigerator:
- Place completely cooled waffles in a sealed container or resealable plastic bag for 3-5 days. Again, reheat straight from fridge in countertop toaster.
Freezing:
- Freeze any excess, cooled Belgian waffles up to 2-3 months for longer term storage. Arrange waffles in a single layer on sheet tray and place in freezer until hard. Then transfer to air-tight container or bag. Reheat frozen waffles directly in toaster.
FAQs About First Watch Belgian Waffle Recipe
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making First Watch restaurant-style Belgian waffles at home:
Why are my waffles not crispy enough?
Try cooking them for slightly longer next batch. Check your waffle iron is hot enough before adding batter.
My waffles are undercooked inside, burnt outside?
Turn down heat slightly and cook a minute or so longer next batch. Check batter consistency.
Why are my waffles dense and heavy?
You likely overmixed the batter, deflating air bubbles. Try folding wet and egg whites more gently next time.
Why are Belgian waffle batters made with yeast or whipped egg whites?
The air pockets created by the yeast or whipping action results in the signature light, airy, fluffy texture.
Can I use regular all-purpose flour instead of cake or bread flour?
Yes, all-purpose flour works well to keep it simple. Using cake or bread flour results in a slightly crisper exterior texture.
What’s the difference between Belgian waffles and regular waffles?
Belgian waffles use deeper grid plates to make bigger pockets, resulting in crispier edges and fluffier middles. The light, airy batter also sets them apart.
How do I prevent Belgian waffles from sticking?
Brushing the hot plates with oil or butter helps prevent sticking. Overfilling the grids with too much batter can also cause them to stick.
Do I need a Belgian waffle maker or can I use a regular waffle iron?
You really need the deep grids of a Belgian waffle maker to achieve the right texture. If you only have a regular waffle maker, the waffles will still taste great but won’t have quite the same restaurant qualities.
First Watch Belgian Waffle Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 2 medium-sized free-range eggs
- 1⁄3 cup of neutral oil (vegetable, canola)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups milk
Toppings:
- Freshly whipped cream
- Berries (your choice)
- Maple syrup
Optional:
- Bacon, banana, yogurt, chocolate, ice cream
Instructions
1. Mix dry ingredients:
First, in a large mixing bowl, put the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Sieve the mixture to ensure an even distribution. Combine with the whisk.
2. Mix the wet ingredients:
Add the neutral oil, vanilla extract, and whole milk to the large mixing bowl. Use a whisk to mix the batter until just combined—stop when there are no dry flour particles.
3. Whipping Egg Whites:
After that, separate the egg whites and yolks, placing the whites in a clean bowl.
Use a hand mixer or whisk to whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form. This will take 2-3 minutes with a mixer or 5 minutes by hand.
4. Folding Egg Whites into Batter:
Now, fold the whipped egg whites into the waffle batter with a wooden spoon until well incorporated.
5. Preparing Waffle Iron:
Heat a Belgian waffle iron and spray with non-stick spray or brush with melted butter.
6. Cook waffles:
Scoop batter into the waffle iron, close the lid, and cook for 5–10 minutes, until waffles are crispy and golden brown.
Repeat the process for the remaining batter, adjusting the amount based on your waffle iron's size.
7. Serving the waffles:
Serve waffles hot with freshly whipped cream, a dusting of icing sugar, berries, and maple syrup. Customize with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 330Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2.5gSodium: 450mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 7g
Conclusion
With this easy First Watch Belgian Waffle Recipe and guide for recreating the legendary First Watch Belgian waffles at home, you can enjoy one of the restaurant’s most iconic menu items any time a craving strikes.
The next time you find yourself longing for the familiar crunch of a First Watch waffle, just head to your kitchen and whip up this homemade version loaded with all your favorite fruits, nuts, sauces and more. It makes the perfect comforting weekend breakfast or sweet dessert to share.
