Waffles: who doesn’t love them? They’re a breakfast and brunch staple, and their versatility means you can top them with just about anything. From savory fried chicken to sweet whipped cream, waffles are always a crowd-pleaser.
But if you really want to take your waffles to the next level, you’ve got to try them with strawberries. The sweet and slightly tart flavor of fresh strawberries is the perfect complement to a crispy, golden-brown waffle.
And while you can certainly order strawberry waffles at a restaurant, there’s nothing quite like making them from scratch at home. The satisfaction of creating your own delicious breakfast is hard to beat, and you get to control exactly what goes into them.
So, if you’re ready to learn how to make the best waffles with strawberries you’ve ever tasted, keep reading!
Gathering Your Ingredients
Before you begin, make sure you have all the ingredients you’ll need to make the waffles and assemble the strawberry topping.
Dry Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: provides the structure for the waffle
- Whole wheat flour: adds a nutty flavor and a bit of extra fiber
- Baking powder: gives the waffles a light, airy texture
- Salt: enhances the other flavors
- Rolled oats: add texture and even more fiber
Wet Ingredients
- Buttermilk: adds a slight tang and tenderizes the waffles
- Eggs: bind the ingredients and add richness
- Melted butter: adds flavor and moisture
- Vanilla extract: enhances the other flavors
- Milk: provides moisture
- Greek yogurt: adds moisture and a bit of tang
Strawberry Component
- Fresh strawberries: for the best flavor and texture, use fresh strawberries
- Strawberries, water, and sugar: if you want to make your own strawberry syrup
Prepping the waffle batter
Here’s how to make a batter that results in light, fluffy waffles:
First, combine the dry ingredients
In a mixing bowl, sift together all the dry ingredients. This way, ingredients like baking powder and salt will be evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Next, combine the wet ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients, making sure the eggs are well beaten.
Combine the wet and dry
Slowly add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or you’ll end up with tough waffles. Gently fold in your chopped strawberries.
Now, let the batter sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Letting it rest gives the flour time to absorb the liquid, which is another key to light, fluffy waffles.
Cooking the Waffles
Now for the fun part: making the waffles!
Prepping the waffle iron
Turn on and preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s directions. This is super important, because a hot iron is essential for even cooking.
Once it’s heated up, lightly grease the iron. This keeps the waffles from sticking and tearing when you take them out.
Cooking the waffles
Pour the batter onto the preheated waffle iron. How much batter you use will depend on the size of your waffle maker. Most standard-size waffle makers need about ¾ cup of batter per waffle.
Close the lid and cook until the waffle is golden brown and crispy. Cooking times vary depending on your waffle iron, but 4-6 minutes is usually about right.
Serving suggestions
For the best taste and texture, serve your waffles immediately. If you’re making a big batch, you can keep the cooked waffles warm in a preheated oven at 200°F until you’re ready to serve them.
How to make strawberry syrup at home
Strawberry syrup from the store can be expensive, and it’s often packed with artificial flavors and colors. Here’s a simple way to make your own:
- Combine chopped strawberries and a little bit of water in a saucepan.
- Simmer the strawberries and water for 15 to 20 minutes, until the strawberries are soft.
- Reduce the liquid by about half (you should have roughly ½ cup left).
- Add sugar and simmer for another 3 to 5 minutes, until the syrup thickens.
- Store your syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Tips for Waffle Success
Want the best possible waffle experience? Here are a few tips:
- Use room temperature ingredients. Just like I always say when I’m baking muffins, take your eggs, yogurt, and milk out of the fridge at least 15 minutes before you get started.
- Don’t overmix. If you stir the batter too much, you’ll develop the gluten and end up with tough waffles.
- Preheat your waffle iron. Make sure it’s good and hot before you pour in the batter. That way, your waffles will cook evenly and turn out nice and crispy.
- Adjust the sweetness. If your strawberries aren’t very sweet, add a tablespoon or two of maple syrup, honey, or date syrup to the batter. Or, skip it altogether and just use sweet toppings!
- Use a kitchen scale. For the most accurate measurements, weigh your ingredients instead of using measuring cups.
How to Store and Reheat Waffles
Got leftovers? Store your cooled waffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.
To reheat, your best bet is a toaster or toaster oven. You can also use a regular oven. Just lay the waffles on a baking sheet (ideally with a rack for air circulation) and bake at 350°F for 5-10 minutes, or until they’re heated through. The rack helps keep them from getting soggy!
Final Thoughts
Strawberry waffles are delicious and versatile enough for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert! We hope you’ll try our recipe and make it your own. Once you do, we’d love to hear about your waffle creations. Share your photos and tell us how they turned out!