These Homemade Waffles taste like a combination of breakfast or brunch and dessert! The homemade waffle recipe is great by itself but topped with easy Bananas Foster topping of caramelized bananas, pecans and optional rum and they are a decadent treat!
Lightly sweet cinnamon-y waffle mix has a cozy, homey flavor perfect for a weekend morning. Start your Saturday morning or Sunday morning with this crispy waffle recipe for a hot breakfast the whole family will love.
Make a double batch and freeze extra waffles for a quick breakfast another day! Try our Buttermilk Pancakes and Breakfast Casserole too!
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Best Homemade Waffles
This easy recipe makes the best waffles with a crisp exterior and fluffy interior texture. They are made with simple ingredients with no electric mixer or separate steps to beat egg whites into stiff peaks.
You can use the batter to make Belgian waffles which have deeper pockets or classic waffles which are flatter. Any waffle iron can be used.
If you aren’t familiar with Bananas Foster it’s a classic southern dessert of bananas flambeed in a butter and brown sugar sauce. It usually contains rum which is optional in our easy homemade waffles recipe. We suggest adding the salted pecans which makes the topping absolutely delicious!
The topping does not replace the need for syrup so add some real maple syrup or buttermilk syrup before adding the topping on the easy waffles recipe.
Recipe Ingredients Notes
Whole Milk. Whole milk was used to make the waffles for a richer flavor and texture. Any milk could be used.
Unsalted butter. Used for both the homemade waffles and the topping. You’ll need 7 tablespoons total. The butter will be melted before making the waffles.
All purpose flour. Regular or measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend can be used. We’ve tested these with both regular flour and Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour with great results!
Light brown sugar. This is used each in the waffles and in the topping. If preferred granulated sugar can be used for the delicious waffle recipe but brown sugar needs to be used for the topping.
Bananas. Use fully ripe but firm bananas. Save the over ripe banana for banana bread!
Roasted salted pecans. These are optional but really make the topping amazingly good!
Dark rum (optional). In keeping with classic bananas foster ingredients you can add a final step of flambeeing the topping (off the heat) with rum. You can also skip this step and it’s all still wonderfully delicious. Another option is to add a bit of rum extract to the topping for the classic flavor without the liquor or flambeeing.
How to make Homemade Waffles
STEP 1. Preheat
Preheat a waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions– these waffles can be made in either a standard waffle maker or Belgian waffle maker.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. This is to keep the waffles warm while making the topping.
STEP 2. Make waffle batter
Combine the milk, large eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a large bowl (photo 1). Whisk to combine.
Add the dry ingredients: flour, brown sugar, baking powder and cinnamon (photo 2). Whisk into the wet ingredients just until no large lumps remain; do not overmix.
STEP 3. Cook waffles
Grease the preheated waffle iron with butter or nonstick cooking spray. Add about ½ cup of batter to the center of the hot waffle iron (or as needed to fill your particular waffle maker).
Cook the waffle for 2-3 minutes, or until it is crisp and golden brown. Repeat with the remaining waffle batter.
Layer waffles between layers of paper towels to absorb any excess moisture while making the remaining waffles.
Make the Bananas Foster topping
Add the butter to a large skillet set over medium-high heat (photo 3). When the butter is melted, add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Whisk to combine. Allow the butter-sugar mixture to cook for 1 minute, or until it is thick and dark brown in color.
Add the bananas and pecans (if using) (photo 4). Stir and ensure that all of the bananas are fully coated in the caramel sauce.
To add rum (optional):
Remove the pan from the heat and pour the dark rum over the top of the bananas (but don’t stir it in). Very carefully use a long fireplace match or electric utility lighter to ignite the rum and gently shake the pan until the flame disappears (about 10 seconds). When the flame is gone, stir the bananas and serve immediately.
Expert Tips
Keep waffles warm. The waffles can be kept warm on a baking sheet in a 200F oven for up to 30 minutes.
Serve immediately when topping is done. The bananas will get mushy as they sit so I recommend serving them immediately after they are prepared.
Yield. The recipe will make four servings about 2 waffles and 1/2 cup topping per serving. The type of waffle maker used (Belgian or classic waffle) and the size of the waffle cavities can change the yield.
Flambeeing. If you plan to add rum and flambé the mixture, be sure to take it off the heat first! You don’t want to risk starting a kitchen fire.
How to Store
Leftover waffles can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Or place cooled waffles in freezer bags and pop in the toaster when you want to eat them in the future.
Store waffles without the topping and make the topping fresh when serving. These are a perfect waffle without the topping too!
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Recipe
Homemade Waffles with Bananas Foster Topping
Equipment
Ingredients
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Waffles
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Bananas Foster Topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 large ripe yet firm bananas sliced into ½” thick coins
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted salted pecans optional
- 2 tablespoons dark rum optional
Instructions
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Waffles
- Preheat a waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions (these waffles can be made in either a standard or Belgian waffle iron).Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (to keep waffles warm until serving).
- Combine the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder and cinnamon. Whisk just until no large lumps remain– do not overmix.
- Prepare the waffle iron by brushing on some melted butter or spraying with nonstick cooking spray. Add about ½ cup of batter to the center of the iron (or the amount appropriate for your waffle iron). Cook the waffle for 2-3 minutes, or until it is crisp and golden brown. Repeat with the remaining waffle batter.
- Layer waffles between sheets of paper towels (to absorb excess moisture from cooking) and place in the oven to stay warm while making the topping.
Bananas Foster Topping
- Add the butter to a large high sided skillet set over medium-high heat. When the butter is melted, add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Whisk to combine. Allow the butter-sugar mixture to cook for 1 minute, or until it is thick and dark brown in color.
- Add the bananas and pecans (if using). Stir and ensure that all of the bananas are fully coated in the caramel sauce.
- (Optional) Remove the pan from the heat and pour the dark rum over the top of the bananas (but don’t stir it in). Very carefully use a long fireplace match or utility lighter to ignite the rum and gently shake the pan until the flame disappears (about 10 seconds). When the flame is gone, stir the bananas..
- Serve immediately on top of waffles with syrup.
Jenifer says
So delicious! I love the crispy edges!
wilhelmina says
The topping on the pancakes is everything!!! This was like eating a fancy restaurant brunch in the comfort of my own kitchen!
Kristyn says
Such a delicious way to use up bananas!! They made these waffles even better!! My kids love them!
Kara says
So yummy! That banana topping is the bomb! I can’t wait to try it over pancakes and french toast as well.
Jess says
Wow, wow, wow! I cannot say enough good things about these homemade waffles. Yum!
Sara Welch says
Enjoyed this for breakfast this morning and it did not disappoint! So fluffy and delicious; easily, the best way to start my day!
Anita says
The bananas foster topping is the best! It’s so good and makes the waffles so delicious. Perfect brunch menu.
kush says
Waffles are one of our favorites and that topping is fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
Chantry says
I am convinced now that this is the best way to eat waffles! The waffles themselves were delicious but the banana foster topping was such a fun and delicious addition!
Suja MD says
We really like this recipe. Never knew it was this easy to make. Will be trying without further delay!