Belgian Vs Classic Waffle Maker

There is no doubt about it; there are many choices when it comes to what you can have for breakfast. There are the quick and easy choices like cereal and the old classics like bacon and eggs. Sometimes it’s hard to decide what you want. Many times people will want something a little different like fresh baked homemade waffles. Sounds good to you? Not so fast because now you have to choose which type of waffles you like. Will it be classic thin style or lighter but bigger Belgian style waffles? Perhaps we can help you make a decision by telling you more about each style waffle and how the equipment works that bakes each one.

There are two main considerations when making either Belgian or classic style waffles. These are the type of batter that is used in making them and the differences in each type of waffle maker. Let’s take a closer look at these as they pertain to classic style waffles and Belgian style waffles.

Classic (American) Style Waffles and Cooking Equipment

Here is a little more detail about classic style waffles (sometimes referred to as American style waffles) and the type of waffle maker they are made with.

A. Classic Waffle Batter

Classic waffles tend to be much crispier all the way through and also much thinner than Belgian style waffles are. They don’t get soft until they soak up lots of the maple syrup that is commonly poured on them and that is part of the fun of eating them. Unlike Belgian style waffles, people do not use a large variety of toppings and batter mixes when making classic style waffles.
Here are the ingredients in a common classic waffle batter recipe:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups warm milk
• 1/3 cup butter melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

The key ingredient that is different in classic style waffle batter as opposed to Belgian style waffles is the amount of baking soda added. Classic style waffles bake more like a cookie than they do bread.

B. Classic Waffle Makers

There are many similarities between classic style waffle makers and Belgian style waffle makers. Each cooks at a very high temperature and must be properly preheated. They also each tend to brown the entire surface of the waffle wherever it comes into contact with the cooking plate. But there are some big differences between classic style and Belgian style waffle makers too.
Here are some of the characteristics of a classic style waffle maker that are usually different from a Belgian style waffle maker:
• Smaller size cooking grids
• Smaller batter portions
• Thin cooking plates
• One cooking setting
• Few have rotating batter plates
• Most fold up for convenient storage
So if you prefer a more crispy style waffle that is cooked all the way through then it is definitely a classic style waffle maker that you would want to own.

Belgian Style Waffles and Cooking Equipment

Here is a little more detail about classic style waffles (sometimes referred to as American style waffles) and the type of waffle maker they are made with.

A. Belgian Waffle Batter

Unlike classic style waffles, Belgian waffles tend to be much thicker and much larger overall. While they are crispy on the outside like classic waffles, they are much softer and fluffier on the inside. They bake more like cake or bread than do Classic style waffles. Belgian style waffles also have much deeper squares in them than do classic style waffles.
Many times you will see Belgian style waffles with many different types of toppings on them because the squares in the waffle are so big. It is not uncommon to see them served with ice cream, fresh fruit, maple syrup, whip cream and many other delicious toppings.
Another characteristic that Belgian waffles have that classic style waffles don’t is that people often try different tasting batter mixes in them. Belgian waffle batter can be regular style, made with pumpkin flour or even have the same ingredients as sourdough bread.
Here are the ingredients for a popular Belgian Waffle batter mix:

• 2 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs, separated
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups milk

What is the big difference between classic style waffle batter and Belgian style waffle batter? Here you will see the recipe calls for 4 large eggs separated. The egg yolks go into the batter mix normally, but the egg whites are mixed separately. This is what makes Belgian style waffles thicker and fluffier that classic style waffles. Sometimes yeast is added to the Belgian waffle mix for the same effect as the egg whites. So Belgian waffles cook more like bread, and that is why they are softer on the inside than classic waffles.

B. Belgian Waffle Makers

As we stated before Belgian and Classic waffle makers have a lot of similarities but there are some big differences in each too.
Here are a few characteristics that Belgian waffle makers often have that classic waffle makers don’t:
• Larger size cooking grids
• large batter portions
• Thick cooking plates
• Several browning settings
• Many have rotating batter plates, so the entire cooking surface gets filled with batter
• Do not store as easily as classic waffle makers in most instances
• Have flexible hinges to allow for batter expansion
• Many have ready light indicators that tell you when the waffle is cooked

In general, it takes a little more effort to prepare and cook Belgian waffles than it does their classic counterpart.

Which One is Best? Classic or Belgian Waffles?

Only individual preference can help you decide which type of waffle is better. If you like your waffles thin and crispy, then buy a classic waffle maker. If you like your waffles light and fluffy on the inside, then a Belgian waffle maker is right for you. If you like them both, there is no reason you can’t buy one of each to satisfy whatever type of waffle craving you have at the time.