Easy Vegan Belgian Waffles Recipe Four Ways | My Plant-Based Friend (2024)

FAQs

Why do my vegan waffles stick? ›

Try adding more oil to the grids–or add at least some oil if you didn't before, even with a nonstick coating. I find that already-pressurized spray cans of cooking oil work better than the self-fill-and-pump spray cans or applying oil with a paper towel or brush. It's important to have a thin, even coating.

The secret ingredient in Belgian waffles is the pearl sugar, which gives the waffles a unique texture and slight, satisfying crunch. Belgian waffles are also fantastically light, which adds to their perfection. Fun bonus fact: traditional Belgian waffles are usually eaten with your hands, not a fork and knife.

When you compare the two, one of the best ways to get the waffles to crisp up perfectly with a golden crust is to use oil instead of butter. Though butter tastes better, and you can always smear some on top to add flavor, oil will give you the best texture.

Belgian waffles are usually thicker than their American counterparts. These Belgian beauties are made with a recipe that includes yeasted batter and crunchy pearl sugar. Belgian waffles have extra-deep pockets—the better for filling with butter, jam, maple syrup, or whipped cream.

Not waiting until the iron heats up properly means your waffles will cook, but never achieve that satisfyingly crisp exterior. Overworking the batter will leave your waffles dense and chewy instead of light and airy.

If your waffle iron or pan has a nonstick surface, you should not use cooking spray. Cooking spray builds up on nonstick surfaces and eventually becomes tacky–rendering the non-stick coating useless.

Increase volume of oil in batter and/or brushed on the waffle iron. If there is a low amount of fat, you're essentially boiling and not frying the waffles making them crispy. Don't increase by a tablespoon but by a significant amount, like a quarter cup for a full batch of batter.

A 6-ounce waffle at Bob Evans “costs” 340 calories, while Denny's Belgian waffle platter will run you more than 600 calories — before adding syrup, butter or fruit. French toast, though, is typically the least healthy choice. Denny's French toast platter has more than 1,200 calories.

Generally you can switch oil for melted butter in a waffle recipe. This gives a slightly richer waffle, erring towards a Belgian-style waffle.

What can I substitute for butter in waffles? ›

Oil: You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or coconut oil as a substitute for butter. Simply use the same amount of oil as the recipe calls for butter. Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce can be used as a substitute for butter in pancake or waffle recipes.

Spreads: Whipped butter, peanut butter, Nutella, cream cheese, marshmallow fluff, whipped cream and yogurt. Sprinkler: Powdered sugar, granola, rainbow sprinkles, bacon crumbles and chopped nuts like macadamias, pecans, walnuts and pistachios.

In Belgium, popular waffle toppings include whipped cream, chocolate, strawberries, and powdered sugar.

Just like the French don't call their bread a French baguette, the Belgium people don't say Belgium waffles — just waffles, or more specifically the Liège and the Brussels waffles.

The Prince-Bishop's sweet tooth paid off for the rest of us, because Liege waffles have become a mainstay of Belgian cuisine. Liège waffles are largely made with a special sugar, known as pearl sugar, which creates a perfectly chewy level of caramelization when cooked!

Why are my waffles sticking to my waffle maker? Make sure to spray your waffle maker with cooking spray, even if your waffle maker is non-stick. This helps to ensure that your waffles don't stick to the waffle iron.

Nonstick waffle makers should only need a light coating of cooking oil before the first time they're used for the day (not before each waffle is made). It's better to use cooking oil either in a refillable spray bottle like a Misto or to brush it on with a pastry brush.