Start your day with a smile by making these easy Chocolate Waffles, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They strike the perfect balance between decadence and comfort, ideal for a little treat or a special Sunday brunch!
If you like sweet breakfast foods, try my 3-ingredient pancakes and delicious traditional sikwate drink.
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✔️ Why This Recipe is Great
Sunday Brunch Recipe: this is the perfect sweet treat to add to your breakfast repertoire, whether you're treating mom to a Mother's Day dessert or just adding to your list of favorite sweet breakfast recipes.
Use Up Cocoa Powder: whether you have natural cocoa powder or dutch cocoa powder, the only difference is that they're processed slightly differently. You can use either one for this chocolate waffle recipe and it will be equally delicious.
🥚 Ingredients
Cocoa Powder: you can use any type of cocoa powder you’d like, but for a more complex and rich flavor, I recommend using a fine cocoa powder like the one I use from Guittard.
Vanilla Extract - you can swap this for the same amount of vanilla paste for a richer vanilla flavor and aroma.
Eggs: it's difficult to find eggless waffle recipes, but there are a few decent substitutes for eggs that would taste good in these chocolate waffles - chief among them the greek yogurt and flax egg options.
Baking Powder: NOT to be confused with baking soda, this ingredient helps make fluffy chocolate waffles without impacting flavor.
See recipe card for exact ingredients and quantities.
🧇 How to Make Chocolate Waffles (Step-by-Step)
Step 1) Begin preheating your waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions (image 1).
Step 2) In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, white sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt (image 2 & 3).
Step 3) In another bowl, beat the milk, eggs, vegetable oil or melted butter, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined (image 4 - 8).
Step 4) Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just mixed. It's okay if there are a few lumps; you really don't want to overmix the batter (image 7 - 8). If you want to add chocolate chips, add them at the same time as the wet ingredients or drop them in once they're added ot your waffle maker.
Step 5) Grease the waffle iron with a little bit of oil or non-stick spray if it isn't non-stick, then ladle the batter onto the waffle iron and cook according to the iron's instructions, usually for about 3-5 minutes, until the waffles are golden brown and crisp (image 10 - 14).
Step 6) Carefully remove the waffles and serve immediately with your favorite toppings like whipped cream, fresh berries, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
❄️ Freezing and Reheating
These chocolate waffles are best enjoyed fresh, but they'll keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, and stay good in an airtight bag or container in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To reheat from room temperature or the fridge, I recommend serving them warm— about 30 seconds in the microwave per waffle will do the trick— with a cup of cacao tea or a strong latte. You could also reheat them from frozen in the microwave for about 45 to 60 seconds on half power.
To reheat chocolate waffles in the air fryer or toaster oven, set either of those to 300°F (150°C) without preheating and then place the waffle carefully inside, cooking for just 2-3 minutes in the air fryer or 4-5 minutes in the toaster oven.
👨🏻🍳 Expert Notes & Tips
Which Cocoa Powder: If you're a fan of dark chocolate, feel free to use Dutch-process cocoa powder for a deeper chocolate flavor. Just remember that Dutch-process cocoa is less acidic than natural unsweetened cocoa powder, so it pairs best with recipes calling for baking powder (like this one).
Trust the Process: Don't open the waffle iron too early, or you might tear the waffle. Be patient and wait for the indicator light, or when steam stops escaping from the sides as a sign that they're ready.
Adding Chocolate Chips: For an extra indulgent twist, fold in a handful of chocolate chips or your favorite chocolate chips substitute into the batter before cooking.
Freezing Waffles: These waffles freeze beautifully! Just let them cool completely, then store them in a zip-top bag with parchment paper between each waffle. Reheat in the toaster for a quick and delicious breakfast.
🍓 Waffle Topping Ideas
- Mixed Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, with larger berries halved as needed
- Passionfruit: Freshly-scooped passionfruit pulp or a drizzle of passion fruit syrup.
- Kiwi: Sliced kiwi fruit adds a tangy flavor, and is a more tropical topping pick.
- Mango: Fresh mango slices or cubes, or even freeze-dried mango powder.
- Pomegranate Seeds: These add a burst of color and a crunchy texture, along with a slightly tart flavor that pairs well with creamy toppings.
- Peach Slices: Fresh or grilled peach slices provide a sweet and juicy element, with grilled peaches adding a slight caramelized flavor.
- Lemon Curd: For a tart and creamy contrast - lemon curd desserts are a great summer treat.
- Whipped Cream: A classic choice to complement waffles, and practically a requirement for a summer breakfast.
- Chocolate Shavings: Dark or milk chocolate shavings are ideal for chocolate waffles.
- Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: Drizzle on some Nutella or even better, some gianduja, for a rich chocolatey flavor.
- Chopped Nuts: Almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts add a delightful crunch and a nutty flavor that contrasts nicely with the soft waffles.
- Coconut Flakes: Toasted or plain coconut flakes.
- Edible Flowers: For a decorative and edible touch.
- Homemade Jam: Any fruit jam, such as raspberry or strawberry, though guava jam with cream cheese ganache is a memorable combination.
- Caramel Sauce: A drizzle of homemade caramel sauce adds a rich, buttery sweetness that pairs perfectly with the airy meringue - try making sugar-free caramel sauce to lighten the dessert's overall glycemic impact.
- Banana Slices: Fresh or caramelized bananas add a soft texture and a sweet, mellow flavor that blends well with other toppings.
❓ Other Sweet Breakfast Ideas
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can modify regular waffle batter or waffle mix by adding cocoa powder and a tablespoon or two of extra sugar to make homemade chocolate waffles.
There are 3 things you can do to make fluffier chocolate waffles: ensure your ingredients are at room temperature, don’t overmix the batter, and let the batter rest for a few minutes before cooking to allow the baking powder to fully activate.
Popular toppings include whipped cream, fresh berries, sliced bananas, chocolate syrup, powdered sugar, and candied nuts (my favorites!).
Make sure to grease the waffle iron well with cooking spray or melted butter before adding the batter, otherwise they WILL stick to the iron.
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📖 Recipe
Fluffy Chocolate Waffles (in 15 Minutes)
Equipment
- waffle maker
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 190g
- ½ cup white sugar 100g
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 22g
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ⅔ cups milk 400ml
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter 120ml
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Begin preheating your waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, white sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the milk, eggs, vegetable oil or melted butter, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just mixed. It's okay if there are a few lumps; you really don't want to overmix the batter. If you want to add chocolate chips, add them at the same time as the wet ingredients or drop them in once they're added ot your waffle maker.
- Grease the waffle iron with a little bit of oil or non-stick spray if it isn't non-stick, then ladle the batter onto the waffle iron and cook according to the iron's instructions, usually for about 3-5 minutes, until the waffles are golden brown and crisp.
- Carefully remove the waffles and serve immediately with your favorite toppings like whipped cream, fresh berries, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Recipe makes 8 to 10 waffles.
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