The Best Yeasted Belgian Waffles

These yeasted Belgian waffles (Brussels waffles) make the best waffles that are crispy on the outside with a light and fluffy interior.

Before we dive into this yeasted Belgian waffles recipe, know that you can find two main waffles in Belgium – Brussels Waffles and Liege Waffles. This crispy waffle recipe is for making light and airy Brussels waffles. If you haven’t tried a yeast-based waffle before, you’re in for a treat.

The batter for these yeasted waffles is best prepared the evening before and placed in the refrigerator overnight. This long, cool ferment lets the batter rise slowly and increases the flavor the following day. It also means that making waffles for breakfast the next day is nice and easy since the work of preparing the batter has been done the night before. 

Difference between Brussels and Liege waffles 

Brussels waffles (known as Brusselse wafels) are amazing waffles named after the capital of Belgium. They’re super light and airy inside, with a crispy outside.

They use a yeast-leavened batter, are traditionally rectangles, and feature deep wells to hold powdered sugar and other fillings. There are so many waffle shops and street vendors in Belgium selling Brussels waffles; they are such a popular street food.

The batter for this waffle is like a pourable cake batter that fills up all the grooves in the waffle iron. Many waffle recipes claim to be Belgian, but they’re often made with baking powder or soda, which will never give the same flavor.

Liège waffles

A Liège waffle (Luikse wafels) is very different. It is also known as a sugar waffle. Though they have a similar grid waffle pattern to Brussels waffles, Liege waffles are denser and very sweet, almost like sweet pastry or bread.

They often have chunks of pearl sugar throughout the waffle for a sweet crunch. The batter for liege waffles is more like a sticky dough that is pressed into the waffle iron. Liege waffles aren’t even rectangles like Brussels waffles are. They are shaped rustically when the dough ball is pressed into the waffle iron.

The method

1. In a saucepan combine the milk and cubes of butter. Warm it over medium-low heat until the butter has melted. Take it off the heat and stir the milk and melted butter to let it cool slightly, then pour it into a large bowl.
2. To the warm milk mixture add the yeast, sugar, salt, all-purpose flour, and eggs and whisk them together until combined. It will be a bit lumpy and that is fine. Cover the bowl with a lid or a plate and place it in the refrigerator for an overnight rise.

For same-day waffles, let the waffle batter rest on the bench at room temperature instead, for 2 hours or until doubled. This way is much quicker but they won’t be as flavorful.

The next morning

1. Take the batter from the refrigerator and stir it with a fork to deflate it. It will be very thick. Add 2-4 tablespoons more milk to the waffle mix to create a pourable cake batter consistency.

1. Preheat the Belgian waffle iron. Once hot, pour in approximately ½ cup of batter per waffle, though this will depend on the size of your waffle maker and the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Bake them for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Serving and storing

To keep your homemade waffles crispy, serve them the moment they come from the hot waffle iron. If they sit and cool down they will lose their crispiness. You can get them crispy again by placing them back in the waffle iron on low heat.

Leftover waffles can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Waffles can also be frozen and reheated in the toaster.

Serve the yeast waffle with your favorite toppings. Brussels waffles are often served purely with icing sugar and eaten by hand, however, you can add many more toppings such as: 

• Chopped berries or strawberry compote
• A scoop of ice cream
• Chocolate sauce
• Maple syrup or apple syrup
• Whipped cream
• Creme fraiche
• Brown sugar or vanilla sugar
• Fresh strawberries or other fruit.

What waffle maker is best for Belgian waffles 

You do need a special Belgian waffle maker to make the classic ones. Choose a rectangle waffle maker with deeper pockets. This will make the most traditional and airy waffles. If you have one that can flip upside down, this will create a much more even bake.

Pour the waffle batter in, close the machine, and flip it upside down for a minute before flipping it back the right way round and continuing baking. This allows the batter to coat the top of the machine evenly. 

Related recipes

Love waffles? Why not try sourdough waffles too? Or for another yeasty sweet treat try these buttermilk donuts or brioche donuts.

If you’re in the mood for pancakes instead, these sweet cream pancakes are so fluffy!

The Best Belgian Waffles with Yeast

Elien

These are Belgian waffles leavened with yeast that are crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside.

4.95 from 53 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Additional Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 35 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine Belgian

Servings 10 Waffles

Calories 195 kcal

Equipment

• Belgian Waffle Iron Maker Machine

Ingredients

 

MetricUS Customary

 

1x2x3x

• 360 g whole milk plus another 2-4 Tbsp later on
• 80 g unsalted butter, cubed
• 250 g all-purpose flour
• 30 g granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ tsp instant or active dried yeast
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

 

• In a saucepan, add 360g of the milk. Add the butter cubes and warm them over low-medium heat until the butter has melted. Leave it to cool down to lukewarm, then pour it into a large bowl.
• Add the yeast, sugar, salt, flour, and eggs and whisk them together until combined. It will be a bit lumpy, but that is fine. Cover the bowl with a lid or a plate and place it in the refrigerator overnight. For faster waffles, the waffle batter can also ferment on the bench for 2 hours or until doubled, though they won't be as flavorful.
• Once fermented, stir the batter with a fork to deflate it. Add 2-4 Tbsp of milk to create a pourable cake batter consistency.
• Heat the waffle iron. Once it is hot, pour in approximately ¼- ½ cup of batter per waffle; this will depend on the size of your waffle maker. Bake them for 3-4 minutes until deep golden brown and crispy.
• Serve the waffles immediately to retain their crispiness.
• The baked waffles can be frozen for future use and reheated in the toaster.

Notes

*The cup sizes given are for US cups. Note that these are smaller than metric cup sizes. For best results, use grams.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 5gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 143mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3g

Keyword Belgian waffle recipe, best belgian waffle recipe, Brussels Waffles, Leige Waffles, Luikse wafels

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