We’re talking about Build Your Own Food Bar ideas this month at Plan to Eat. What a fun and interactive way to celebrate an occasion or entertain! We’ve hosted build your own pizza, burger and taco parties, and friends have loved experimenting or making dishes just the way they like.
My next brunch gathering is definitely going to feature a waffle bar! The beauty lies in its versatility— from sweet to savory, simple to extravagant, there’s something to please every palate. If this idea has you pumped, here are a few waffle bar themes to set your creative juices in motion.
{Try one of these waffle recipes for the breakfast-for-dinner theme: Corned Beef Hash Waffles or Pepper Jack Cornbread Waffle Club Sandwiches!}
A Crispy Airy Waffle Recipe
This recipe combines a couple of different waffle techniques to get waffles that are feather-light, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and just sweet enough to be enjoyed on their own.
It uses simple ingredients, including one that isn’t typical of standard waffle recipes: cornstarch. Replacing some of the flour with cornstarch helps achieve that crispy exterior. It gives the waffles a satisfying crunch without being hard or dense.
Steps to Make This Recipe
Step 1. Crack and separate the egg whites into a mixing bowl and set aside. Place the yolks into another bowl and whisk in the milk and oil.
Step 2. Whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. Add the egg yolk mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until it is just combined.
It should be a little lumpy with small pockets of flour.
Step 3. Add sugar to the egg whites and beat until they are glossy and stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter.
It will not incorporate into a homogenous batter. It is okay to see patches of egg white throughout. This will keep the batter airy and light.
Step 4. Preheat your waffle maker and lightly grease the grid. Follow the instructions that came with your waffle maker to know how much batter to use and how long to cook the waffles.
Tips for Recipe Success
Here are a few tips for making and enjoying these waffles:
- You can whip the egg whites in a bowl with a handheld electric mixer, or use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment.
- These waffles have a touch of sweetness. For waffles that are less sweet, omit the sugar and whip the egg whites alone.
- The egg whites and baking powder help to give lift to the waffles, but it’s also important to not over-mix the batter at any stage. Resist the urge to stir the batter between making batches of waffles. The less you disturb the batter, the better.
- These are at their absolute best right out of the waffle maker. However, to keep them warm and crisp to serve all at once, place waffles in a single layer on a wire rack set inside a sheet pan. Place the pan in an oven set at 200 to 225°F.
- Refrigerate cooled, leftover waffles for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Freeze cooled waffles, separated by wax or parchment paper in an airtight container for a couple of months.
- Reheat waffles, from refrigerator or freezer, in a toaster, toaster oven or standard oven. Use a low setting to warm them through without burning the outside.
Hosting a waffle bar brunch party or gathering is not just about serving delicious food—it’s about creating a memorable, engaging and interactive experience with friends and family.
I hope you enjoy this crispy, airy waffle recipe whether its for a quick weekday breakfast or part of your own creative waffle bar party!
Linda Feller has been a Plan to Eat superfan since 2013 and will gush about the app with anyone who expresses the least bit of interest. She is a recipe developer, food photographer and the gal behind Sip + Sanity, recipes for entertaining and celebrating.
FB | Instagram | Pinterest: @sipandsanity
Crispy Airy Waffle Recipe
The number of servings and cook time will vary based on the size and make of your waffle maker.
Source: Sip + Sanity | Linda Feller for Plan to Eat
Course: Breakfast
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Total Time: 30 min
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1-1⁄2 cups milk I use 2%
- 4 tbsp neutral oil plus more for greasing the waffle maker
- 1-1⁄4 cups all purpose flour
- 1⁄2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1⁄2 tsp kosher salt
- 1-1⁄2 tbsp sugar
Directions
- Crack the eggs and separate the egg whites into a mixing bowl (or stand mixer bowl). Set aside. Place the egg yolks into another bowl along with milk and oil; whisk together.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt. Add the egg yolk mixture to the flour mixture and stir until it is just combined. It should be a little lumpy.
- Add the sugar to the egg whites and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter. Do not over mix; it's okay to see areas of beaten egg white.
- Preheat a waffle maker. Lightly grease the grid (I like using a pastry brush dipped in oil), add some batter and close the lid. (Follow the instructions that came with your waffle maker for the amount of batter and cook time.) When done, lift the waffle out and repeat with the remaining batter.
- NOTE: resist the urge to stir the batter between waffles so it stays as fluffy as possible.
- Serve right away, or to keep warm and crisp, arrange in a single layer on a wire rack set inside a sheet pan. Place the pan in a 200 to 225°F oven.
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