Waffles Without Baking Powder

Everyone needs a waffle recipe in their culinary arsenal. This simple waffle recipe calls for only 6 ingredients and no leavening agent.

Waffles are a common dish for breakfast in most homes. Some like them served alone, some like them served with bacon and eggs, and some like them with syrup and berries.

History Of Waffles

Waffles have a long history. There is even evidence that Ancient Greeks cooked flatbread between two hot stones.

In Medieval ages, stone cooking was banished from the scene, and something similar to the waffle iron as we know it today was invented.

The people from that time used to cook the waffles between two pieces of rounded “plates” that were even decorated. As time passed, this became a popular dish across Europe and was often served to royalty.

The Pilgrims spent time in Holland before sailing to the Americas, and in 1620, the Dutch brought “waffles” with them on their voyage.

In 1735, the word waffle first appeared in print, and the first electric waffle iron was developed by General Electric in 1911.

By The 1930s, waffles had become a staple in American kitchens.

Crispy Waffle Recipe Ingredients

Now that you know waffles truly have a great history, let’s dive into how to make extra crispy waffles!

By the way, if your current waffle iron is getting a bit tired, I’ve recently picked up this one from Amazon and it’s completely changed things for me, I’m totally obsessed.

The original crispy waffle recipe was always water, flour, and eggs. In modern times, people started adding baking soda and baking powder along with some other leavening agents like yeast.

Nowadays, many waffle recipes call for a leavening agent. There is no issue with that, but some people really do not like the baking powder and the aftertaste it leaves.

Others cannot find aluminum-free baking powder, and if you fit into that third the group that does not have any baking powder at the moment in the pantry, then you are in the right place.

Making waffles without any leavening agent is possible. You will get waffles with a crisper finish rather than completely fluffy waffles.

We think waffles are even better with a bit of a crunch factor.

How To Substitute Baking Powder In Waffles

If you insist on making waffles with a leavening agent, here are what you can use and possible substitutions:

• Baking soda – the classic ingredient that makes any waffle light and fluffy
• Baking soda + lemon juice or vinegar – a mixture for waffles that creates a chemical reaction and expand the waffle making it airy and light
• Buttermilk – something you can use instead of the milk. The buttermilk with a higher percentage of fat will make the waffles smooth and tender. The buttermilk adds a certain tanginess that is quite lovely in this recipe.
• Sparkling water – the sparkling water is used for many recipes when people do not have any other leavening agent. You can just omit half the milk and add the sparkling water instead. It will act just like you added a leavening agent; create fizz and lift that waffle up.
• Use yeast – make the batter using yeast and let it rest in a fridge overnight.

So, how these waffles even rise at all? The key is in the eggs. The eggs in this recipe are not just a binder. The eggs act as a raising agent.

When making waffles, make sure you really whisk up the batter. The more you whisk it, the more it will become lighter and with more bubbles. These bubbles are what you are looking for.

As you can see, this is quite simple. Still, if you are someone who loves their waffles super fluffy, you can use one of the recommended substitutions.

What To Put On Waffles Besides Syrup

When serving waffles, you have multiple options besides syrup:

• Heavy cream or yogurt
• Berries (fresh or frozen)
• Grated or melted chocolate
• Bacon and eggs
• Ham and cheese
• Honey or agave nectar
• Nutella

The waffles we created contain only 1 tbsp sugar, so they are not too sweet, which means they will go well with savory toppings if that is your jam.

How to make heart-shaped waffles:

While I bought my heart-shaped waffle maker at a specialty store, my friend purchased this heart-shaped waffle maker on Amazon, and she absolutely loves it.

How To Make Waffles Without Baking Powder

Here are the step-by-step instructions for a great waffle-making experience!

Step 1: Gather your ingredients.

Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine flour and sugar.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, butter, milk, and vanilla.

Step 4: Fold in the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Let the batter rest for 2 minutes.

Step 5: Preheat your waffle iron. Pour 1/3 cup of the batter into the waffle iron and cook the waffles until golden brown, about 3 minutes.

Step 6: Serve warm with desired berries, syrup, or even chocolate. 

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