Nothing beats the smell of fresh waffles cooking on a quiet morning. IHOP has made their Belgian waffles famous around the world. These golden treats are thick, crispy outside, and soft inside.

Many people love eating them at IHOP restaurants. Now you can make this easy copycat IHOP Belgian Waffle recipe right in your own kitchen.

My family loves weekend breakfast together. We used to go out for waffles every Sunday. But gas prices went up, and eating out got costly. That’s when I decided to learn how to make restaurant-style waffles at home.

After trying many recipes, I found the secret to making perfect IHOP-style Belgian waffles. The trick is using the right mix of ingredients and cooking them just right.

These waffles taste just like the ones from IHOP. Your family will be so happy when they smell these cooking.

Why Do IHOP Belgian Waffles Taste Better?

IHOP Belgian waffles have a special flavor and texture that make them a breakfast favorite. Here’s why they taste so good:

  1. Perfect Crunch and Softness: The waffles are crispy on the outside but fluffy inside. This comes from using the right mix of ingredients, like cornstarch and vegetable oil, which keep the texture just right.
  2. Balanced Sweetness: A small amount of sugar adds a light sweetness without making the waffles too heavy. It pairs well with toppings like syrup or fruit.
  3. Buttermilk Magic: Buttermilk gives a slight tangy flavor and helps make the waffles airy. It works with baking soda to create a light, fluffy bite.
  4. Simple Ingredients: IHOP uses everyday ingredients in a smart way, so the waffles taste homemade but with a diner-quality twist.

IHOP Belgian Waffle Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour (2½ cups): This is the base of your waffle. It gives structure and helps create that perfect texture. You can use whole wheat flour, but your waffles will be denser. Stick with all-purpose for the fluffiest results.
  • Baking powder (2 teaspoons): This helps your waffles rise and become fluffy. Make sure yours is fresh – old baking powder won’t work well. You can test it by adding a pinch to hot water. It should bubble up.
  • Baking soda (½ teaspoon): This works with the buttermilk to create extra lift. The acid in buttermilk reacts with baking soda to make bubbles. These bubbles make your waffles airy and light.
  • Cornstarch (¼ cup): This secret ingredient makes waffles extra crispy outside. It also helps absorb moisture so your waffles don’t get soggy. You can skip this if you don’t have it, but the texture won’t be as good.
  • Salt (½ teaspoon): Regular table salt works fine. This brings out all the other flavors in your waffle. Don’t skip it – even sweet foods need a little salt.
  • Nutmeg (¼ teaspoon): This adds a warm, cozy flavor that makes these waffles special. You can use ground cinnamon instead if you prefer that taste.
  • White sugar (¼ cup): This makes your waffles golden brown and adds just enough sweetness. You can use brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
  • Large eggs (3): These add richness and help bind everything together. Three eggs make fluffier waffles than just two. Room temperature eggs mix better than cold ones.
  • Vegetable oil (½ cup): This keeps your waffles from sticking and makes them crispy. Don’t use butter – it has too much water and makes soggy waffles. Canola oil works great too.
  • Buttermilk (2¼ cups): This tangy milk makes the best waffles. You can make your own by adding 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
  • Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Pure vanilla tastes better than artificial, but both work fine. This adds that bakery smell and taste we all love.

Must-Have Kitchen Appliances

  • Belgian waffle maker – Deep pockets for syrup
  • Large mixing bowl – Room for all ingredients
  • Whisk – For dry ingredients only
  • Wooden spoon – Gentle batter mixing
  • Measuring cups – Accurate ingredient amounts
  • Cooking spray – Prevents waffle sticking
  • Ladle or large spoon – Even batter distribution

How To Make IHOP Belgian Waffle at Home

Step 1 | Mix Dry Ingredients

Start by getting a large mixing bowl. Add 2½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ cup cornstarch, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ cup white sugar.

Use a whisk to mix all these dry ingredients together. Make sure everything is mixed well with no lumps.

Step 2 | Prepare Wet Ingredients

Crack 3 large eggs into the bowl with dry ingredients. Use your whisk to break up the egg yolks. This makes mixing easier later. Add ½ cup vegetable oil, 2¼ cups buttermilk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the bowl.

Step 3 | Combine Everything

Switch from your whisk to a wooden spoon. Stir all ingredients together slowly. Don’t mix too hard or too long. Stop when you can’t see any dry flour.

The batter will be thick and may have small lumps. This is normal. The lumps will smooth out when cooking.

Step 4 | Heat Your Waffle Iron

Spray your waffle iron with cooking spray. Make sure you coat both the top and bottom plates. Close the waffle iron and turn it on.

Set the temperature to medium-high (usually setting 4). Wait for the green light or beep that tells you it’s ready.

Step 5 | Cook the Waffles

Open your waffle iron. Pour about ¾ cup of batter onto the bottom plate. The batter is thick, so use your spoon to spread it around evenly.

Make sure the batter reaches all the squares. Close the waffle iron and wait for the green light or beep.

Step 6 | Serve and Enjoy

Carefully remove the hot waffle with a fork. Put it on a plate. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy your amazing homemade breakfast!

Tips & Tricks for Making Best Waffles

  • Keep Waffles Warm: To keep waffles crispy while you cook the rest, place them on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven.
  • Batter Thickness: This batter is thick. Do not add more liquid. The thickness helps create fluffy waffles.
  • No Buttermilk: Make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
  • Avoid Overmixing: A few small lumps in the batter are fine. Overmixing makes waffles tough.

How to Serve IHOP Belgian Waffle

IHOP usually serves their Belgian waffles hot, golden, and crispy, with classic toppings such as butter and maple syrup. Sometimes, they add whipped cream and fresh fruit for extra flavor.

You can serve these waffles stacked high or alone as a perfect breakfast treat. For a cozy meal, add side options like eggs or bacon.

These waffles pair well with sweet syrups, honey, or jams. For a special touch, try toppings like berries, nuts, or even a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

Serve immediately while they’re warm to enjoy their full flavor and crispness.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: You can mix the dry ingredients in a bowl the night before. In the morning, just add the wet ingredients and you are ready to cook.

How to Store: Let leftover waffles cool down completely. Place them in a plastic bag or an airtight container. You can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How to Reheat: For crispy waffles, reheat in a toaster or a 350°F oven for 5–6 minutes. To freeze, place cooled waffles in a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between each. Reheat straight from frozen in a toaster or oven.

IHOP Belgian Waffle Recipe FAQs

1. Why is my waffle not crispy?

The most common reason is not enough heat on your waffle iron. Make sure you let it get fully hot before adding the batter. Also, using oil instead of butter helps make a crispier waffle.

Finally, do not stack the cooked waffles on top of each other right away. This traps steam and makes them soft.

2. Can I make the batter the night before?

It is not a good idea. The baking powder and baking soda start working as soon as they get wet. If you let the batter sit all night, it will become flat. Your waffles will not be fluffy.

For a faster morning, mix the dry ingredients the night before. Then, in the morning, you just quickly mix in the wet ingredients.

3. Can I add flavors to the batter?

Fold in chocolate chips or blueberries right before cooking for bursts of taste. Cinnamon or cocoa powder mixes into dry for variety. Keep additions light to not weigh down rise.

For savory, skip sugar and add cheese or herbs. This customizes the base while holding IHOP’s core fluff. Experiment small first to balance flavors.

4. What is the difference between a regular waffle and a Belgian waffle?

Belgian waffles are thicker and have deeper, larger squares than regular waffles. They are also made with a lighter batter. A Belgian waffle iron has a deeper grid pattern, which is what creates that classic look and perfect syrup pocket.

5. Why did my waffle batter turn out too thick or too thin?

Batter thickness depends on accurate measuring and ingredient temperature. If your batter is too thick, add buttermilk one tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency. If it’s too thin, add flour one tablespoon at a time.

Cold ingredients can make batter thicker, while very warm ingredients make it thinner. Room temperature ingredients work best for consistent results every time.

[mv_create key=”63″ type=”recipe” title=”IHOP Belgian Waffle Recipe” thumbnail=”http://simplygoodcooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IHOP-Belgian-Waffle-Recipe.jpg”]

This IHOP Belgian Waffle Recipe is an easy copycat version that brings the comfort of diner-style waffles right to your kitchen.

With a crisp outside and soft, fluffy inside, these waffles are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert.