Waffle

One of the easiest ways to use leftover sourdough starter is to make waffles. Crispy on the outside and light and fluffy in the middle, these cinnamon sugar waffles are incredible.

This classic recipe from the Gourmet archives is waffle perfection. Make them for Father’s Day so Dad can fill each crevice with butter and syrup, cream and berries, or—if he’s that kind of dad—barbecue sauce and bacon.

With this pancake and waffle dry mix on hand, all you need to do is whisk in eggs and milk for a complete batter ready for any busy morning.

Stir the last few kernels of fresh corn into these sweet-and-savory waffles. No fresh strawberries where you are? Frozen, or even sliced plums, work just as well.

Get an extra jolt from your breakfast by putting espresso powder in the waffle batter.

Resting yeast-raised waffle batter overnight enhances their flavor and makes their texture wonderfully crisp and fluffy.

Elvis famously loved peanut butter and banana sandwiches, often with bacon. It was that delicious combo that led to these family-friendly waffles.

These stuffed waffles couldn't be easier; you don't even have to make batter! They combine the flakiness and flexibility of puff pastry with the golden brown, crispy exterior of a waffle. Use one of the suggested sweet or savory fillings below, or experiment with your favorite flavor combinations to make the puffles of your dreams.

Top these tender whole-wheat waffles with fresh fruit and slivered almonds for a restaurant-worthy breakfast.

Make ahead: Store in a sealed, airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 months.

With this recipe in your repertoire, you’ll be tempted to start a weekend tradition of serving waffles for a special breakfast treat. Double the recipe when you have guests or so you’ll have waffles to freeze for quick breakfasts later on.

WITH A HANDFUL OF RICH HAZELNUTS and diced apples, these Pacific Northwest waffles make a hearty and tasty weekend breakfast dish. The whole wheat flour adds a deeper flavor and bonus nutrients. Once you taste these waffles, you’ll never use a waffle mix again.

Nutty cracked wheat (okay, it’s technically bulgur) adds a welcome touch of texture to these waffles. Made with whole wheat flour, the waffles are a bit healthier and heartier than standard ones without being the least bit leaden. Spicy cinnamon and complex allspice lend their flavors to the creamy butter. A sweet blueberry syrup drizzled—or ladled—over the waffles makes the whole dish special. I wouldn’t recommend making the syrup with frozen berries as they are too wet to burst as the fresh berries do. If you have extra berries left over, sprinkle them on top before serving.

These golden, delicious-smelling waffles are an autumn treat, and they are even better when topped with a fall-fresh Cinnamon Pear Compote (page 277). They’re tender and especially aromatic, thanks to the various spices. Buy plain canned pumpkin purée, not the prepared pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and added spices. Serve with Fresh Cranberry Juice (page 240).

The yeast, in addition to letting the batter sit for at least six hours, gives these waffles a chewy consistency and a slightly pungent flavor. One note on preparation: Since this batter needs to stand overnight, be sure to prepare it a day in advance. You can freeze these waffles, well wrapped, for up to a month. Simply heat them until nice and crispy in a preheated 350°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes.

As long as there is starter on your counter, you can make sourdough waffles. These are an admirable way to start the day. Sourdough waffles are extremely light and crisp. They tend to soak up that butter and maple syrup as though they were meant for each other, while their distinctive tang helps balance the sugar and fat. Adding some crunchy bacon bits to the batter takes them up another notch. They make a wonderful base for fruit and ice cream sundaes, topped with chunks of fresh strawberries and bananas and creamy vanilla ice cream. If you want to try something different, serve sourdough waffles under poached eggs, crisp bacon, and hollandaise—it’s the breakfast of champions in our house.

Keep in mind that these waffles will cook a little bit faster than a flour waffle because of the honey in the batter. If you don't have a waffle iron, try using the batter for pancakes.

Elevate your brunch with these cardamom-scented waffles, topped with lingonberry preserves.