This buttermilk waffles recipe creates the perfect fluffy and crisp waffles every single time. Serve the waffles with butter (maybe try Strawberry Butter?) and maple syrup or with whipped cream and fresh fruit for the perfect breakfast.

If you’ve been on my website before, you’ve probably gathered that I’m a big breakfast lover. Especially waffles! I’m pretty sure I have a waffle recipe for every season. Try my red velvet waffles for Valentine’s Day, the Fourth of July or Christmas; plus don’t forget another Christmas waffles favorite — my gingerbread waffles! And before you think I skipped over it, don’t worry, I didn’t forget my delicious fall waffles — pumpkin waffles!

Three buttermilk waffles with three forks to the side.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Having a solid waffle recipe you can turn to is really important! While waffle mix can be helpful when you’re in a pinch, there is nothing quite like a homemade waffle recipe. This recipe creates light-and-fluffy-on-the-inside and crispy-on-the-outside waffles, something a box mix won’t always guarantee. 
  • Three words for you: buttermilk & egg whites. These two ingredients are the game changers in homemade waffles. It’s all about the lift and bubble in the batter. Not only does the buttermilk provide immense flavor it also reacts to the baking soda, creating bubbles and adding lift to the batter. Then, on top of that, we add beaten egg whites which give us additional lift. Thanks to these two things, these buttermilk waffles are fluffy and light every time.

Ingredients

Ingredients used to make crispy buttermilk waffles.
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch is a key ingredient to making waffles crispy on the outside yet soft on the inside.
  • Baking Soda: As I mentioned above, the baking soda reacts with the buttermilk, giving us a nice lift to the waffles
  • Butter: Melting the butter really disperses the buttery flavor throughout the batter. 
  • Buttermilk: The thickness and acidity of buttermilk helps not only with texture but with flavor too. Eggs: Separate the whites and yolks. Whipping the whites to peaks will be a game changer in making fluffy buttermilk waffles. (The whipped egg whites help make them tender, light and fluffy inside.)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. 
The dry ingredients for buttermilk waffles in a glass bowl.
  1. In a different bowl, combine the butter, buttermilk, vanilla, and egg yolks. Whisk until fully combined. 
The wet ingredients for making buttermilk waffles in a glass bowl.
  1. Combine all the ingredients together. Using a fork, stir until just combined!
A glass bowl with the dry and wet ingredients combined.
  1. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until you get soft peaks. Then add the sugar and beat on medium/high speed until the sugar is fully mixed in.
  2. Fold the egg whites into the batter. Do not overmix.
Buttermilk waffle batter with whipped egg whites added to the mix.
  1. Preheat the waffle iron. Grease with butter or cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Every waffle iron will differ so keep an eye on yours and remove the waffles when they are golden brown.
Buttermilk waffle on a plate with a bowl of strawberries in the background.

Recipe Tips

When folding the egg whites into the batter, don’t over do it. If you can see streaks of white in the batter, you’re doing it right!

Make sure you preheat your waffle iron. A hot waffle iron prevents soggy waffles. I love the analogy the Kitchn makes about getting crisp waffles, “You wouldn’t make a cake in an oven that wasn’t preheated, nor would you fry an egg in cold oil. Getting the waffle iron nice and hot means the batter will crisp up as soon as it hits the surface.”

To keep waffles warm and to add extra crispiness, preheat the oven to 200°F. After each waffle is finished cooking in the waffle iron, remove it and place it in the oven to stay warm. This step crisps up the waffle and keeps it warm before serving to guests!

Do NOT put your perfect, crispy waffles in a container with a lid, a ziplock bag or a covered plate or else the heat from the waffles will create condensation in the closed or covered container and your waffles will turn soft!

Do you love chocolate chips? Me too! Be sure to check out our chocolate chip waffles recipe!

Waffle Toppings

A buttermilk waffle with whipped cream and chopped strawberries on top.

Recipe FAQs

What’s the difference between pancake batter and waffle batter?

One key difference between waffle batter and pancake batter is the amount of sugar used. Buttermilk waffles have a touch more sugar, not only to add flavor but it helps aid in the browning and caramelization of the exterior. Waffles also contain more fat than pancake batter. In our case, butter. As this waffle recipe uses butter as the fat source. This higher fat content also aids in a crisp exterior.

How do I get crisp waffles?

For light and crisp buttermilk waffles, separate the egg yolks and egg whites. As mentioned above, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form to aid in the ultimate waffle texture! Whipping the egg whites will create tiny air pockets that make for a fluffy and delicious waffle! Hence the reason for folding egg whites into the batter. You do so gently because you don’t want to deflate the air pockets you created by whipping the whites.

Why add cornstarch to a waffle recipe?

Mixed with flour, cornstarch is a key ingredient to making waffles that are crisp on the outside yet soft and tender on the inside.

Can you freeze waffles?

Yes. Simply line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the waffles on the baking sheet, do not stack them. Place in the freezer for 3-4 hours or until the waffles are completely frozen. Remove from the freezer and place the frozen waffles in a zip top bag. Eat within 3-4 months of freezing. Reheat using a toaster, toaster oven, or oven.

Overhead view of two buttermilk waffles topped with cream and strawberries.

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Three buttermilk waffles with three forks to the side.
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5 from 16 votes

Buttermilk Waffles

These buttermilk waffles are crisp on the outside and fluffy and tender in the middle! They have a delicious buttery flavor and are a perfect way to start your day!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 4 waffles

Ingredients
 

  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter - melted and slightly cooled to room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk - room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs - white and yolks separated
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • In large bowl whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and baking soda, and salt. Set aside. 
  • In a medium bowl combine butter, buttermilk, vanilla, and egg yolks. Whisk until fully combined. 
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, gently whisking (or use a fork) until just combined!
  • In a separate bowl add the egg whites. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Then add the sugar to the egg whites and beat on medium/high speed until sugar has been fully mixed in.
  • Using a spatula, fold the egg whites into the batter. Do not overmix.
  • Preheat the waffle iron. Grease with butter or cooking spray. When ready, scoop 1 cup of batter onto the waffle iron… waffle irons differ in size so you may need more or less batter. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes and 30 seconds. 
  • To keep waffles warm, place waffles in an oven preheated at 200°F. *

Notes

When folding the egg whites into the batter, don’t over do it. If you can see streaks of white in the batter, you’re doing it right!
Make sure you preheat your waffle iron. A hot waffle iron prevents soggy waffles. I love the analogy the Kitchn makes about getting crisp waffles, “You wouldn’t make a cake in an oven that wasn’t preheated, nor would you fry an egg in cold oil. Getting the waffle iron nice and hot means the batter will crisp up as soon as it hits the surface.”
To keep waffles warm and to add extra crispiness, preheat the oven to 200°F. After each waffle is finished cooking in the waffle iron, remove it and place it in the oven to stay warm. This step crisps up the waffle and keeps it warm before serving to guests!
Do NOT put your perfect, crispy waffles in a container with a lid, a ziplock bag or a covered plate or else the heat from the waffles will create condensation in the closed or covered container and your waffles will turn soft!
Waffle Toppings:

Nutrition

Calories: 535kcal (27%)Carbohydrates: 60g (20%)Protein: 10g (20%)Fat: 28g (43%)Saturated Fat: 16g (80%)Cholesterol: 151mg (50%)Sodium: 812mg (34%)Potassium: 383mg (11%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 16g (18%)Vitamin A: 950IU (19%)Calcium: 199mg (20%)Iron: 2.7mg (15%)
author: Whitney Wright
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
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