Imagine a Sunday morning – you get up lazily from your bed, still half asleep. Not really wanting to do anything, but suddenly your nostrils are hit by a lovely smell from the kitchen downstairs. Your eyes shot open as you realize what is cooking – waffles! One cannot merely ignore the sweet aroma of waffles. You ought to dig straight in!
Waffles is a popular breakfast dish made out of leavened batter cooked between two hot plates with patterns. A cooked waffle has signature impressions and engravings on it, depending on the type of iron used.
Where Did Waffles Come From?
Culinary historians believe that ancient Greeks’ first made waffles around the 1200s. They would pour batter between metal plates that had wooden handles. In Greek, they were called obelios. A similar batter was used among Catholic Church but with grain flour in Medieval Europe many years later.
They were known as wafel, made with rectangular plates with patterns in Dutch. Some say that the designs were made to reduce batter usage over a greater surface area. In the US, Dutch were responsible for the introduction of waffles. But it would take some years for people to start making waffles on the waffle iron. The first waffle iron was patented in 1869 in New York.
How are Waffles Different from Pancakes?
Waffles and pancakes are two of the most popular dishes for breakfast. Choosing from either of them can be difficult as they are both delicious in their way. But what exactly are the differences between them because the batter looks almost the same?
A perfectly made pancake should have nice golden edges with a fluff center. It is no easy feat to master making pancakes, though; the consistency is hard to achieve. On the other hand, waffles have a consistent golden color, and they are crisp when eaten. The center is chewy, so they go well with maple syrup.
The difference in the batter is more about the quantity of essential ingredients. The main components remain the same in both batters – eggs, milk, butter, and flour. A batter for waffles takes more sugar and fats. The extra fat helps it to get crispy outside. The sugar ensures better caramelization and hence a lovely golden color.
How to Make Waffles without a Waffle Iron
Traditionally, you need a waffle iron to make waffles. The machine consists of two metal plates with small squares engraved in each one. The plates heat up electrically, and when the batter is poured, the plates are closed until the waffles are done. But what to do when you crave homemade waffles, and you don’t have a waffle maker?
It is becoming increasingly common to make waffles at home using different techniques, which may involve regular utensils and no hassle of owning a waffle maker.
By now, you must be wondering what could be the best recipes to follow to make waffles. Look no further because we bring you two easy and delicious recipes to make waffles without a waffle iron.
Waffles on a Grill Pan
A regular grill pan has linear ridges on it that are used to make grilled chicken or similar dishes. The same pan can be used to make waffles as well. Of course, the waffles won’t have square-shaped patterns, but the new shape won’t be bad at all. The grill pan will make your waffles more crisp and fluffy, while the ridges can be used to hold syrup and butter.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp. melted butter
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 ¾ cups whole purpose flour
- ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 ½ cup milk
- Cooking spray
- Maple syrup for serving
- Soft butter for serving
Method
- In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients.
- In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients along with vanilla.
- Add the wet mixture into the dry one and fold. Make sure not to overmix it.
- Heat your grill pan on medium heat. Pour half cup of batter and let it cook.
- Once the bubbles start to form and waffles can be easily flipped, flip it over and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Repeat the same with the remaining batter.
- Serve warm waffles with butter and maple syrup.
Waffles in Silicone Mold
Silicone molds come in various shapes and sizes and are very common among bakers. They are readily available in supermarkets, and their prices vary with types. For waffle making, special silicon molds are easily used for baking waffles. The batter remains the same, but the cooking time, however, is different.
Ingredients
- 300 ml milk
- 250 grams all-purpose flour
- 75 grams melted butter
- 40 grams sugar
- 4 grams baking powder
- 4 grams baking soda
- 3 medium eggs
- 1 vanilla bean
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200° C.
- Sift your dry ingredients together and keep them aside.
- Beat together eggs, sugar, and melted butter till they are light and fluffy.
- Slit the vanilla bean and add the extract to the egg mixture.
- Add the dry mixture to the wet one and beat till it is mixed.
- Pour the mixture into a silicone mold and put it in the oven.
- Let it bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Enjoy your baked waffles with your choice of fruit and maple syrup.
Tips To Make the Best Waffles
Waffles may sound easy to make but to get the perfect texture and taste, there are some things that you can try.
1. Add Stiff Egg Whites
Separately beat the egg whites until they start to make stiff peaks. These peaks hold a lot of air in them. Incorporating them in the batter will ensure that your waffles will be light and fluffy and not dense and thick.
2. Use Almond or Vanilla Extract
Though vanilla beans and extracts are common, all extracts are not popular. They give a very distinct aroma and flavor to the whole dish. Even if you don’t have almond extract, adding vanilla should be a must.
3. Use Buttermilk
Try using store-bought buttermilk in your next waffle recipe. It will give your waffles an enjoyable flavor.
4. Use Good Quality Utensils
If you are not using a waffle-maker, then you must use a clean and non-rusty grill pan. If the sides of your pan are not even, your waffles will eventually be cruddy and not good-looking. Due to unequal heat, some parts may burn while others remain undercooked.
5. Finish them off in the Oven
If you are not satisfied with the level of crispness in your waffles, try putting them in an oven for a few minutes. Five minutes at 250 degrees is just fine. Your waffles will turn out perfectly crisp and golden.
Waffles – A Simple Dish to Enjoy Any day
Waffles may have been originally created between two metal plates in a waffle market, now you do not have to worry about owning one. These are simple things to enjoy in life. No need to wait for the next sale to buy a waffle iron when you can simply make them using your regular utensils.
Be creative, and you’ll eventually master making waffles without even having a waffle iron.