Clean Eating Belgian Waffles Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are Belgian waffles healthy? ›

Let's be honest: Waffles may be delicious, but they aren't exactly good for you. They're usually made with ingredients that nutritionists say to limit, such as white flour, butter, and lots of sugar. A Belgian waffle from IHOP, for example, has 590 calories, 29 grams of fat, and 17 grams of sugars.

Many Belgians are waffle purists, enjoying them with nothing but a dusting of powdered sugar. We recommend trying a waffle or two this way to have the experience in its unadulterated form…but don't skip chocolate, caramel, Nutella, all sorts of fresh fruits, and whipped cream if that's your thing.

The Difference Between Belgian Waffles and Regular Waffles

Belgian waffles have extra-deep pockets—the better for filling with butter, jam, maple syrup, or whipped cream. They're sometimes made with egg whites to give them their signature crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside texture.

For one, waffle batter has a little bit more sugar, butter, and eggs than pancake batter. This helps make the waffles richer because they'll have a higher fat content. Alternatively, the pancake mix is thinner and easy to pour. The texture is another part of the equation.

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.

A traditional waffle is made of refined grains and is low in fiber. Also, the total fat and saturated fat content in both frozen waffles and homemade waffles are high. Plus, waffles have a high sodium content.

Waffles are not breakfast food in Belgium but rather eaten in the afternoon as a snack. Some eat the waffle hot or cold depending on where you go.

Yeast-leavened batter: Belgian waffles are made with a yeast-leavened batter, which makes them rise and gives them a light and airy texture. The yeast also adds a slightly tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the waffles.

A Belgian waffle in the United States is called a Brussels waffle in Belgium. This waffle is lighter and crisper than the Liège waffle (see below), has deep pockets, and is typically served for dessert. Brussels waffles are rectangular or square and much larger than American waffles.

Kellogg's® Eggo® Buttery Maple Belgian Style Street Waffles are inspired by classic street food from Liege, Belgium. These ready-to-eat waffles are full of baked-in flavor and made with sweet brioche dough, real butter, and no artificial flavors or colors.

What are the two types of Belgian waffles? ›

We have two types of waffles in Belgium: the Liege waffle and the Brussels waffle. And you should know that the difference is very important for all true waffle lovers. They are both yeast waffles, but that is really where the similarities end.

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.

Belgian waffles start with a yeasted batter, require a leavening agent and tend to include more butter, milk and sugar. If you try to make the Liege style, larger sugar granules are added for more crunch. Traditional or American waffles often substitute yeast with baking powder and do not sit overnight.

If you don't have a Belgian waffle maker, you can use a regular waffle maker. It likely won't create the larger, thicker, deeper grooves, but you may still end up with fluffier waffles. Keep in mind that the time it takes to make Belgian waffles may vary depending on serving size.

Which Is the Better Choice? Without any altercations to the typical recipe, pancakes have 20% less calories than waffles due to their small nature. Because pancakes are individually cooked on a grilled or skillet, one is able to control the size of a pancake.

On average waffles are 14% fat, versus pancakes, which are 10%. Waffles contain less sugar at 2%, while pancakes press it up with 15%. Waffles are in the lead over pancakes with higher calorie, cholesterol, and salt figures. So, waffles are more likely to kill you, and that gives them an extra point.

A restaurant serving of Belgian waffles topped with whipped cream and syrup can have as many as 530 calories. A single large Belgian waffle made using a baking-powder batter and regular all-purpose flour has about 304 calories before you even add any toppings.