Can You Make Regular Waffles In A Belgian Waffle Maker?

Waffle enthusiasts and breakfast connoisseurs alike are familiar with the delightful taste and fluffy texture of both regular waffles and Belgian waffles.

Each type has its unique charm, with regular waffles boasting a thinner, crispier profile, while Belgian waffles captivate with their deep pockets and airy interiors.

But what if we could merge the best of both worlds? Have you ever wondered whether you could make regular waffles using a Belgian waffle maker?

You certainly can! You may need to increase the leavening power in your recipes to adjust the texture, since regular waffles are denser than Belgian ones.

You can make the finished product thicker by skipping the step of beating the egg white separately.

American waffles are typically thinner than Belgian waffles. Yeasted batter and crunchy pearl sugar are the key ingredients in these Belgian beauties.

It is best to fill Belgian waffles with butter, jam, maple syrup, or whipped cream because they have extra-deep pockets.

In order to achieve their signature crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside texture, they’re sometimes made with egg white. There is an airy interior beneath a golden exterior.

What About Regular Waffles?

There is a denser texture to the regular waffle (typically an American waffle). Buttermilk is often used in traditional waffles, giving them a richer flavor than the light Belgian waffle.

It is typical for American waffles to be made with a smaller waffle iron that doesn’t make pockets as deep as Belgian waffle makers. The thinner size of the waffles makes them cook faster.

Can You Make Belgian Waffles In A Regular Waffle Maker?

It’s technically possible, but it might not look great. Additionally, your waffle will not be what you intended it to be. You may end up with a Belgian waffle that looks like a regular waffle or vice versa. 

When making Belgian waffles, you should always use a waffle maker that has been specifically designed for making them. For regular waffles, the same applies.

Making Regular Waffles in a Belgian Waffle Maker

The thought of making regular waffles using your Belgian waffle maker might leave you feeling a bit uncertain. Belgian waffles are thicker, fluffier, and lighter than their American counterparts.

Since Belgian waffles use yeast and beaten egg whites, Belgian waffle irons have deeper pockets. As a result, it will be necessary to add more regular batter and cook the waffles for a longer period of time.

However, if you have the determination (and hunger) to achieve your goal, you can succeed. Let’s discuss how!

What Is a Belgian Waffle Maker?

As its name suggests, Belgian waffle makers are designed specifically for making Belgian waffles. What exactly is a Belgian waffle? Apparently, they originated in Belgium, where they are preferred over regular waffles.

Waffles from Belgium are usually deep, thick, and well-pocketed so lots of syrupy goodness can be trapped inside. Some of the recipes use yeast, which gives them a lovely crispness, while others use beaten egg whites to give them a fluffy texture.

Overnight rising of Belgian waffle batter maximizes its fluffiness and allows it to leaven thoroughly.

This sort of batter is designed for Belgian waffle makers – batter that rises fast and fluffs up well. Traditional waffle irons can’t cook Belgian waffles well because the batter doesn’t have enough room to rise.

Besides being larger in diameter than American waffles, Belgian waffles need a specially designed waffle iron to cook properly.

It is also more common for Belgian waffles to be round than square, although square Belgian waffle makers can also be bought.

Since Belgian waffle irons have deeper grooves, they tend to take longer to heat up properly. Additionally, they are typically larger, which is more space-consuming, and consequently, more expensive.

Difference Between Belgian and American Waffles

Egg whites or yeast are usually used in Belgian waffles, which give them a lovely fluffy texture. Baking powder is often used to make regular waffles; however, they are not quite as light and fluffy as Belgian waffles.

Because of this, Belgian waffle batter usually takes longer to make, and it also costs more per batch. You must allow yeast to fully rise before cooking the waffles if you are using yeast.

You can, however, put the batter in a bowl in the refrigerator the night before, and when you wake up, it will be waiting for you.

With Belgian waffles, you can heap on liquid toppings, such as syrup, because they have deeper grooves. Their trap is fantastic for them. The batter-to-topping ratio on regular waffles is better; due to their density, they make a more filling breakfast.

There’s basically no limit to what you can top these waffles with, and the different types are on par with each other in terms of what to eat with them. With either kind of waffle, you can pile up your favorite toppings and dig in.

Belgian Waffle Makers vs. Regular Waffle Makers

There are some differences between the two varieties of waffle makers, even though they can be made in different shapes.

In order to accommodate the rise in the batter during the making of Belgian waffles, the maker must have deep grooves.

Waffles with regular grooves, however, don’t suffer from this problem. Belgian waffle irons heat up much faster than regular waffle irons because of this difference in grooves. 

You will also cook your waffle faster in a regular waffle maker than in a Belgian waffle maker. Different types and sizes of waffle irons are available. There are square ones, rectangular ones, wedgy ones, and even circular ones. 

The shape of your waffles is up to your preference. The waffle maker can even produce waffles that resemble cartoon characters or movie characters.

Belgian waffle makers, however, are harder to produce because of their larger grooves and sizes. You have fewer choices of shapes when it comes to choosing a Belgian waffle maker than with a regular waffle maker.

How to Get the Best Regular Waffles by Using a Belgian Waffle Maker

The results may not be as spectacular as you’d expect when you cook regular waffles in a Belgian waffle maker. 

It’s worth trying if you’re desperate for some regular waffles, and it’s all you have! You can maximize your success by doing a few things.

Don’t Under-Fill The Holes

While it might be tempting to simply add less batter to compensate for the deeper grooves, that may not work very well.

The amount of batter you add should be the right amount to ensure proper heat distribution, but if you add too much, you’ll get weird results.

Don’t Rush The Cooking Time

The heat must get through all the extra batter in those deep grooves, which also lengthens the cooking time. You need to cook regular waffles for a longer period of time since they aren’t as light as Belgian waffles.

Ensure The Iron Is Really Hot

You must be patient when using Belgian waffle irons because they take longer to heat than regular ones. To get a good, crispy texture, you need a hot iron.

Experiment A Bit

If you want regular waffles, try the batter out in a few different ways and see what happens. Waffle irons are fussy, so you might not be able to get regular waffles to work well.

Final Words

There is almost universal love for waffles. Known as the best breakfast food in the world, they come from all over the world. Kids can also participate in the mixing if they want to, as they are relatively quick and easy to make.

You’ll get the best results whether you make Belgian waffles or regular waffles with a dedicated waffle iron.

It might take a few practice waffles to learn the timing of the Belgian waffle iron, but you can certainly cook regular waffles in it; they will work, but may not taste as good.

Don’t undercook your waffles. They should be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, no matter how you choose to eat them.