Belgian waffles are an essential part of any breakfast, lunch, or dinner experience. They are larger, lighter and fluffier than regular waffles. But how do you know when you’re getting the real deal? What makes Belgian waffles different from their American counterparts? And what distinguishes them from one another? This article explores all of this and more, so you can make sure that your breakfast experience includes only the most authentic waffles available. Read on
What is a Belgian waffle?
Belgian waffles are a variation of the traditional American waffles. Belgian waffles are made of yeast-leavened batter that makes them light and extra crispy, and pearl sugar. In cases where you are out of yeast, baking powder or baking soda can be used as a substitute.
Belgian waffles are larger than traditional waffles and have deeper pockets, which give them their signature look. These pockets can be filled with maple, syrup, or jam. Their preparation can also include egg whites that give them a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
Belgian waffles originated in ancient Greece as flat cakes and around the 15th and 16th century, the makers used the famous grid pattern that differentiates them from other waffles. They first got famous at the 1964-65 World’s fair when Maurice Vermersch doled them to the visitors.
Belgian waffles are now all over Europe today: Belgium, France, Netherlands, and Germany to name a few!
What is a regular waffle?
Regular waffles are made of flour, baking powder, eggs, buttermilk, and butter. They are a little crispier on the outside than Belgian waffles because they are denser than airy. Regular waffles are easier to make because they don’t require yeast and can be made with any type of flour (rice flour, all-purpose flour).
However, regular waffles lack the unique texture and flavor that Belgian waffles have. Regular waffles are denser and more cake-like because they don’t use yeast but instead rely on baking powder to make them rise.
Are Belgian waffles healthy?
Belgian waffles are undoubtedly delicious, but they are not healthy. This is because they are loaded with butter, flour, and sugar. They have more sugar than regular waffles. In other words, they’re pretty high in calories, fat, and cholesterol.
Difference between waffles and Belgian waffles
While Belgian waffles can be confused with regular ones, they are actually two different things.
History
These waffles have different origins. The regular waffle was invented in ancient Greece. Archaeologists have found waffle irons that looked like two plates with handles. The waffles were known as obelios in medieval Europe but later took the name wafel. They had a savory than sweet flavor but the recipe evolved to add some spices for flavor.
The Belgian waffle on the other hand, comes from Belgium. The first taste of the Belgian waffle was at the 1962 world’s fair. It later became a phenomenon in the 1964-65 world fair where it was sold in two versions; the plain and the other topped with strawberries and whipped cream.
Appearance
Belgian waffles are thicker and fluffier than the regular waffles that are thinner and denser. Unlike regular waffles that have smaller pockets, the Belgian waffles also have deeper pockets that allow more topping.
Size
The first difference you can tell by just looking at them is that Belgian waffles are significantly larger in size, with deep pockets.
Batter
The dough for Belgian waffles is yeast based which give it a light and airy texture. Regular waffles, on the other hand, use baking powder for leavening, which makes them crispier and denser.
Serving
Another difference between the two is how you serve them. Belgian waffles are typically served whole or topped with berries. Regular waffles are topped with bananas or eaten with eggs, cheese or syrup.
What makes waffles Belgian?
Belgian waffles are typically made with yeast, which makes them puffier and lighter. They also have a sweeter taste because they’re topped with pearl sugar. The dough is also mixed up and then poured onto the griddle or into the iron, rather than being stirred like in traditional yeast-risen recipes. The texture of both is crispy outside, and soft inside-though Belgian waffles tend to be a little chewier due to the pearl sugar. They are also known for their extra-large pockets that hold syrup well.
What to serve with Belgian waffles?
Belgian waffles are great with whipped cream and maple syrup, but you can also serve them with fresh berries, chocolate sauce, chocolate syrup, or ice cream. Some other sweet toppings that you can use are:
- Caramelized bananas
- Nutella sauce
- Melted butter
- Cinnamon roll icing
If you love savory ideas, then you have not been left out. Bacon, eggs (fried, scrambled, boiled), grilled tomatoes, and sautéed green beans are some of the best ways to enjoy your Belgian waffles.
What to serve with regular waffles?
There are a few ways to make regular waffles more appealing. Sweet toppings like maple syrup and cream cheese, peanut butter, cinnamon sugar, and honey butter, are often served with Belgian waffles.
Savory options like cheddar cheese, sour cream topping, garlic powder, or your favorite toppings of pizza would also work well. Waffles can also be served with fried chicken, sausage, sweet potatoes, or bacon.
Belgian waffle ingredients
The Belgian waffle is a specialty item, typically served in restaurants and cafes. If you want to make your own, the Belgian waffle recipe is simple: You will need; flour, yeast, crunchy pearl sugar, and egg whites. Whisk the ingredients together till you have a smooth batter.
Pour the mixture into a hot, lightly-oiled waffle baker and cook for about two minutes on each side. Unlike most other waffles, Belgian waffles are made without butter or syrup. They are also made with yeast which causes them to rise up more than traditional American ones.
What are waffles made of?
Waffles are made of a batter that is poured onto a hot surface and then cooked. If they are thick, they are called Belgian waffles and if they are thinner, they are called regular waffles. Both types of batters contain eggs, butter, and flour but Belgian ones include yeast for a lighter texture. They also contain milk in place of water because it gives them a slightly richer flavor than their counterparts.
Waffle makers can be either electric or stovetop. The Belgian waffle makers use deeper grids which allow the batter to spread into thin layers for crispier, more delicate results. Regular waffle makers have thinner grids and produce chewier, heartier waffles.
Types of Belgian waffles
There are different types of waffles. The majority of them originated in specific regions where they take their name. Some common types of Belgian waffles include Liege waffles and Brussels waffles.
A Liege waffle
A Liege waffle is a popular waffle in Belgium. It takes its name from Liege, a city in the province of Liege. It is an oval-shaped waffle that has a sweet flavor and is crispy outside while soft and chewy inside. During baking, the pearl sugar melts and gives the waffle a nice caramel flavor.
Brussels waffle
Brussels waffle is rectangular-shaped and made with egg whites and yeasted batter. It has a crispy exterior and a moist interior. The Brussels style of Belgium originates from the city of Brussels, the capital of Belgium hence the name.
For the dough, both styles are made with a yeast dough that is mixed together with butter, eggs, and milk or water. They are then cooked in a hot waffle iron. After cooking, they can be eaten plain or topped with whipped cream, fresh fruit, and maple syrup.
A simple way to tell which type you are eating is by looking at its shape; if it’s shaped like a rectangle, then you’re eating a Brussels waffle.
Belgian waffles nutrition facts
Belgian waffles have a higher calorie count than their counterparts and also have a higher fat content. One serving(75g) of Belgian waffles contains:
| Ingredients | Qty |
| -Calories | 218g |
| -Total fat | 11g |
| -Cholesterol | 52mg |
| -Sodium | 83mg |
| -Potassium | 119mg |
| -Carbohydrates | 25g |
| -Protein | 5.9g |
| -Vitamin A | 3.4% |
| -Vitamin C | 0.5% |
| -Calcium | 15% |
| -Iron | 9.6% |
Regular waffles nutrition facts
Regular waffles nutrition facts show that the typical serving size for one regular waffle(85g) is:
| Ingredients | Qty |
| -Calories | 247g |
| -Total fat | 12g |
| -Cholesterol | 59mg |
| -Sodium | 435mg |
| -Potassium | 135mg |
| -Carbohydrates | 28g |
| -Protein | 6.7g |
| -Vitamin A | 3.9% |
| -Vitamin C | 0.6% |
| -Calcium | 17% |
| -Iron | 11% |
FAQ (Belgian Waffles Vs Regular Waffles)
Can you use regular waffle mix for Belgian waffles?
No, regular waffle mix won’t work. This recipe uses Belgian pearl sugar and they’re cooked in a special waffle iron. The sugar melts and caramelizes on the outside of the waffles to give them their signature crunchy texture.
Can you make Belgian waffles in a regular waffle iron?
Belgian waffles require two irons, one for the batter and the other for the waffle itself. This can make them a bit more difficult to make than regular waffles. It might work but not as well.
Can you make Belgian waffles in a regular waffle maker?
It is possible to make Belgian waffles in a regular waffle maker. However, your Belgian waffles won’t have the larger pockets but will still be fluffy.
Are Belgian waffles healthy?
Belgian waffles are not necessarily healthier than regular ones, but they do have more fiber and protein than their thinner counterparts.
Final words
Goodness, there is a lot to talk about when it comes to these delicious treats! While many people consider them similar, they have differences. Belgian waffles are thicker and larger whereas regular ones are thinner. The key difference between the two is the batter – Belgian ones use yeast to give them that signature fluffy texture while regular ones use baking powder.