Make the best homemade Buttermilk Waffles with this recipe! These thick and fluffy waffles are perfect for a weekend breakfast or brunch. Makes a big batch of Southern style waffles.
Waffles were a weekend breakfast staple I remember my mom making often while growing up. I asked my mom for her classic waffle recipe, and after a few rounds of testing, this is it. These make a thick, fluffy waffle that uses real buttermilk and a specific blend of ingredients to get that "just right" texture every time.
Why you'll love these fluffy homemade waffles:
- Thick, fluffy, soft texture with slightly crisp edges.
- Rich, buttery flavor.
- No need to whip the egg whites separately.
- Makes a big batch of waffles, perfect for families or freezing!
Jump to:
Ingredients
- All-Purpose and White Whole Wheat Flour - A little bit of white whole wheat flour lends a hearty and nutty taste to the waffles while the AP flour provides the structure.
- Baking Soda and Cream of Tartar - These two ingredients combine with the buttermilk to get a rise, without the hassle of whipping egg whites.
- Granulated Sugar - These waffles use just a little bit of sugar to add flavor, enhance the browning reaction, and achieve a crispier edge
- Full-Fat Buttermilk - I prefer to use Borden Buttermilk. This helps add that tang essential to Southern style waffles and pancakes. It is also important in the rise.
- Vanilla Extract and Table salt - These two ingredients are flavor enhancers. I have used Vanilla Bean Paste with success.
- Butter and Oil - The combination provides the best texture and flavor. Butter lends to that buttery waffle flavor, while the oil helps provide a crisper texture.
How to Make Buttermilk Waffles from Scratch
A brief visual step-by-step guide to making these breakfast waffles. For the full ingredients measurements and printable instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift together your all-purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar into a large bowl. This ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed for perfectly fluffy buttermilk waffles. Whisk in sugar.
- Whisk the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until they are lemon-colored and bubbly. Stir in the real buttermilk and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine: Create a well in the center of your flour mixture and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir gently until the mixture is almost combined.
- Incorporate the Fats: Slowly pour the melted butter and oil into the batter. Gently fold them in just until the fats are incorporated. Pro-Tip: Letting your homemade waffle batter rest for 10 minutes now is the secret to a better rise.
- Fill the Waffle Iron: Pour your rested batter into a fully preheated waffle iron.
- Cook Until Golden: Close the lid and cook according to your manufacturer's instructions, or until the steam stops rising from the sides. Remove the golden brown, crispy waffles and serve them warm with your favorite toppings.
Substitutions & Variations
- White Whole Wheat Flour: If you don't have any white whole wheat flour on hand, you can use All-Purpose flour for a lighter texture.
- Add some Greek Yogurt: Substitute ½ cup of plain yogurt for ½ cup of the buttermilk.
- Neutral Oil: You can use canola, vegetable, grapeseed or avocado oil. Avoid strong-flavored oils, like olive oil for waffles. I always use canola oil.
- Vanilla Extract: This can be replaced with vanilla bean paste, almond extract or a splash of bourbon.
- All Butter: If you use all butter in the recipe, the waffles will be softer than if you use the combination of fats.
- Fun Waffle Variations: Stir in mini chocolate chips, blueberries or sprinkles for flavored waffles.
Recipe Tips
- Sift your dry ingredients for even mixing.
- Use real buttermilk for best results.
- There is a reason butter and oil are added last, follow the recipe steps for best waffle texture.
- Always let your homemade waffle batter rest at least 10 minutes before cooking.
- Fully preheat your waffle iron before adding the batter. A hot iron is needed to get those perfectly crisp edges.
Waffle Toppings and Serving Suggestions
Topping ideas for these thick buttermilk waffles include maple syrup, peanut butter, fresh peaches or strawberries, and candied pecans.
Serve with a protein side such as scrambled or fried eggs, a slice of bacon, sausage patty, or a scoop of cottage cheese.
Storage, Freezing, Reheating
Storage: Store cooled waffles in an airtight container at room temperature. Best if eaten within 3 days.
Freezing: To freeze waffles, place a piece of wax or parchment paper between waffles. Stack in an airtight freezer-safe Ziploc bag and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Waffles may be reheated in the microwave at 30 second intervals or in the toaster for a crisper waffle.
📖 Recipe
Buttermilk Waffles (Thick & Fluffy Recipe)
Equipment
- 1 Waffle Iron
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 ½ cups full-fat buttermilk
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup neutral flavored oil like canola oil
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift together flours, salt, baking soda and cream of tartar into a large mixing bowl. Whisk in sugar.
- Wet Ingredients: Beat eggs until lemon-colored and bubbly. Stir in buttermilk and vanilla extract.
- Combine: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, pour in the egg and buttermilk mixture. Gently stir until mixture is almost combined.
- Add oil and butter: When the batter is almost formed, slowly pour in the oil and butter. Gently stir until the fats are incorporated.
- Rest: Let the batter rest for 10 minutes.
- Cook: Pour your homemade waffle batter into a fully preheated waffle iron and cook according to your waffle iron's instructions, or until the steam stops rising from the sides of the waffle iron. Avoid opening the lid too early. Remove waffle from iron and serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
If you're looking for a cozy, filling, nostalgic breakfast, these buttermilk waffles hit the spot. Perfect for weekends or brunch. I like to make these on game days for my kids with scrambled eggs and bacon for a hearty breakfast.
Cheers,
Alaine
FAQ
How do I make waffles crispier? For crispy buttermilk waffles, look for a recipe that contains some oil, which helps the exterior crisp up. Second, try cooking them just a little bit longer in the waffle maker.
Can I make the batter the night before? I don't recommend making homemade waffle batter the night before. The leavening agents and buttermilk react immediately, so if you make it too far in advance, the batter will lose its lift.
Can I freeze leftover waffles? Yes! These fluffy homemade waffles freeze beautifully. A pro-tip is to put a piece of parchment or wax paper between the layers so they don't stick together in the freezer bag.
More breakfast recipes you may enjoy:
Alaine says
A great classic flavor and recipe. Feel free to use all-purpose flour if you don't have 1/2 cup of WW flour.
Laura Nelson says
Wonderful! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️