Belgian Waffle Recipe (Liege Waffles) (2024)

An authentic Belgian waffle recipe is a yeast-raised dough studded with pearl sugar versus a pourable waffle batter. This traditional Liege waffle recipe has a delightful fluffy interior and caramelized bits of sugar that are indicative of waffle truck waffles.

I am going to be adding this recipe to my list of Christmas breakfast ideas. Be sure to make keto chaffles for your low-carb friends. Everyone should have a waffle they can eat and enjoy.

✨ Here is why this recipe is amazing:

• This recipe brings back memories of when my husband and I were dating and we would get waffles from the Liege waffle truck after going to the movies. Don't you love food memories?
• The deep wells in the waffle are perfect places for melted butter and syrup to pool.
• Make them ahead and you have the perfect grab and go breakfast treat.

🧈 Ingredients needed:

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.

📝 Ingredient notes:

• Butter - allow the temperature to come to room temperature
• Pearl Sugar - chunks which resemble irregular pieces of white sugar cubes. These are more compressed than traditional sugar cubes and they melt inside the waffles but still remain a bit crunchy.

• Belgian Waffle Iron - Browning control knob adjusts to 6 settings for custom cooking from light to dark

🧇 Belgian Waffle Recipe, basic instructions

1. Warm milk to 110 add the sugar and bloom the instant yeast in the mixture.
2. In your mixer add the flour, salt, and softened butter.
3. Add the warm milk mixture, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mixer and let it mix for about 3-5 minutes.
4. Add pearl sugar and fold into the dough.
5. Allow dough to rise for 1 hour.
6. Divide the dough into 12 even balls and allow them to proof for 40 minutes.
7. Cook in a preheated waffle iron for 3-5 minutes.

📷 Making Liege Waffles, photo instructions

1. Start by warming up the milk until lukewarm. The best temperature is around 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Then add the granulated sugar and instant yeast.
   
2. Let sit for about 5 minutes, until it starts to get foamy and doubles in size.
3. In your mixer add the flour, salt, and softened butter. Mix for a few minutes.
   
4. Add the warm milk mixture, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mixer and let it mix for about 3-5 minutes. Dough should not stick to the side of the bowl anymore.
5. Then add your pearl sugar and fold into the dough.
6. Cover the mixer bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise for 1 hour.
   
7. Remove the dough from the mixer bowl and divide in 12 even balls. Put them on a silicone bake tray or parchment paper, so it doesn’t stick and let them rise for another 40 minutes.
8. Warm your waffle maker to medium heat and add them one by one, or two by two, depending on how large your waffle maker is.
9. Spray with non-stick butter spray. And put each dough ball in the preheated waffle iron for about 3-5 minutes or until golden brown.
   
10. Serve warm with confectioners’ sugar, or chocolate syrup.

🌌 Overnight Belgian Waffle Recipe

For the absolute best flavor profile of your Belgian waffle, the dough needs to cold ferment overnight.

1. Start by warming up the milk until lukewarm. The best temperature is around 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Then add the granulated sugar and instant yeast.
2. In your mixer add the flour, salt, and softened butter. Mix for a few minutes.
3. Add the warm milk mixture, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mixer and let it mix for about 3-5 minutes. Dough should not stick to the side of the bowl anymore.
4. Cover and let rise in a warm place until the dough doubles in size, around 2 hours.
5. Punch down the dough and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
6. Allow the dough to slow ferment in the refrigerator overnight, 8-24 hours. The longer the rest the more complex the flavors will become.
7. When ready to make waffles, allow the dough come to room temp, about an hour.
8. Roll out the dough to a 12 inch circle, sprinkle the pearl sugar over the dough, fold over the edges to cover the sugar. Roll and fold the dough until the sugar is incorporated.
9. Divide the dough into 12 pieces of equal size.
10. Spray with non-stick butter spray. And put each dough ball in the preheated waffle iron for about 3-5 minutes or until golden brown.

Storage Tips

• Allow the waffles to cool completely before storing in an air tight container or zip top bag. For best results, store the waffles in the refrigerator.
• These waffles can be frozen in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. For For grab-and-go convenience, wrap each cooled waffle individually in foil or plastic wrap and freeze them in a freezer bag.

🍓 Toppings For Waffles

• Confectioners’ sugar - a heavy shake of powdered sugar is always good on waffles
• Chocolate sauce - make your own or pour from the can. Who doesn't love chocolate sauce on a warm waffle?
• Whipped cream - I am a fan of making your own fresh whipped cream! Follow the instructions for my keto whipped cream recipe but switch out the keto sweetner for powdered sugar.
• Warm maple syrup - these liege waffles are special enough for authentic maple syrup!
• Fresh fruit - fresh cut strawberries come to mind but also a strawberry topping would be delicous.
• Peanut butter - don't laugh! Peanut butter is ah-mazing spread on warm waffles.

♨️ Reheating Instructions

Reheat in a toaster or toaster oven until heated through. If you keep your waffle maker on the counter you can warm them up in the waffle iron.

🍽️ Ways To Serve Belgian Waffles

• Brunch board – make them ahead and serve on a brunch board with fruit, syrups and spreads.
• Sandwiches – slice in half, like a bagel and use in place of sandwich bread
• Chicken and waffles - serve your favorite piece of fried chicken on top of a warm waffle and drizzle with hot honey.
• Fruit Taco - Fold a large waffle like a taco shell and fill with chopped strawberries and whipped cream or ice cream.

📝 Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:

Chef Tip

It can be a tricky dance to get your waffle iron hot enough to caramelize the sugar but not so hot that it will burn the sugar. Each waffle iron has its own settings and 'personality'. Start on a lower heat setting and gradually increase the temperature until you find the perfect heat setting that caramelizes the sugar. The first few probably won't be picture-perfect, but they will still be delicious!

👩🏻‍🍳 Sarah Mock

CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger

Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 13 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.

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