Cast Iron Waffles Recipe

Do you love waffles as much as I love waffles? They are my favorite things to make for a special family breakfast or brunch — because everyone loves them. Enjoy these cast iron waffles today!

While these are probably my favorite waffles, I do have a dairy-free recipe here if you so choose.

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Cast Iron Waffle Ingredients

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour (leveled)
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 4 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 3/4 cups of whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 8 tablespoons of butter (1/2 a cup), melted
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

• a large mixing bowl
• a metal whisk
• a pastry brush for greasing the waffle iron
• a cast iron waffle iron
• pot holders for flipping the hot waffle iron

How to Make Cast Iron Waffles on the Stove

Step 1. First, combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl: flour, sugar, baking powder, and sea salt.

Step 2. Next, whisk in the wet ingredients: milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.

Step 3. Lightly coat the waffle iron in cooking oil before heating it on medium heat. I like to brush on the oil to ensure that all the bumps and crevasses get lightly greased. Flip the iron once as it preheats.

Step 4. Once the waffle iron is sizzling hot, pour in the batter. I use about a cup of batter per waffle, but that largely depends on the size of your waffle iron.

Step 5. Close the iron and flip the waffle iron immediately.

Pro tip: With a hot waffle iron over a gas flame, the first side is done rather quickly!

Step 6. For an electric stovetop, cook for 3 minutes, before flipping over to cook an additional 3 minutes.

Carefully separate the two halves of your iron, and use a fork to pop the waffle out. It should open easily if the waffle has finished cooking.

Step 7. Lightly re-grease before continuing with the remaining batter. This recipe serves 6.

Tips for stovetop waffles

• Wear oven mitts, as the handle will be piping hot!
• If you are cooking on a glass top, you need to cook for about 3 minutes on each side. Gas stoves are faster: You flip as soon as you have the batter loaded and the lid closed, and the second side takes but a minute.
• Don’t use too much oil — when you flip the waffle iron; excess oil may leak out the sides!
• Your waffle iron must be piping hot before adding batter so it doesn’t stick.
• Thin cast iron waffle irons do not work as well as thick ones. Thick ones hold their heat better, so the waffle cooks more evenly.
• Be ready to adjust cook times for your specific stove top type and waffle iron weight.

This golden waffle with butter and maple syrup is just waiting to be eaten! So let’s get started, so you can try it, too.

Why cast iron? why stovetop?

Well, it’s just all round better, that’s why! I’ve tried many types of waffle irons, and for me, you can’t beat well-seasoned cast iron.

Waffle makers with non-stick coating never seem to work for long before the sticking begins. And I have to wonder what those coatings are leaving in the food as they wear off.

Once you invest in a quality cast iron waffle maker, you can expect to use it for many years to come. Of course, you have to take care of your cast iron. But if you do, it’s a forever item.

And even a neglected cast iron waffle iron can be revived with a good scrubbing and re-seasoning process.

The control I have with the stovetop cooking is great too. And while gas stoves are optimal for cast iron waffles, an electric stove will work as well.

I have gotten away with an electric stove my whole life, and to be honest, this is one instance a gas stove would be far superior.

And flipping a cast iron waffle iron? Well, it becomes part of my workout. I’m maintaining muscles as I’m feeding my family, which I consider a double win!

Cast Iron Waffle FAQs

How do you keep waffles from sticking to cast iron? The simple answer is heat and grease! You need to make sure your waffle iron is plenty hot BEFORE you add the batter

And you have to lightly grease both sides of the waffle iron EVERY time. I like to use a pastry brush to get enough but not too much.

How do you use a cast iron waffle maker? A well-seasoned cast iron waffle maker should work well without sticking.

For the waffle-making process, you need to be strong enough to flip the hot waffle iron safely.

Each waffle needs a flip of the iron, so make sure you have a size you can handle easily. For example, a 7-inch iron weighs about 4 pounds.

What is the best oil for waffle irons? Personally, I like to use coconut oil. But you can use any oil recommended for medium heat. Sprays work well for the quick re-oiling between waffles.

Serving suggestions for cast iron waffles

Waffles are bread, essentially, and are just as versatile. If you’ve only ever served them for breakfast, you are missing some delicious opportunities.

Classic breakfast waffles: When I serve waffles for breakfast, I usually serve them with a dollop of butter and pure maple syrup.

That is by far my family’s favorite. When I have plain yogurt on hand, I add a spoonful and top it with maple syrup — the contrast between the tart and the sweet syrup adds a special something.

Dessert waffles: Waffles make a nice treat for dessert, as well. I heat up blueberry jam, which I serve over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The hot and cold mix makes it especially fun to eat.

When strawberries are in season, I serve waffles with fresh sliced strawberries, strawberry ice cream, and hot dark chocolate sauce.

Savory waffles: Have you ever turned waffles into a savory side dish? I cut the sugar in half and add finely chopped onion or chives, some pressed garlic, pepper, and herbs to suit the main dish.

If I’m serving with chicken soup with waffles, I’ll use thyme in the batter and top the waffles with grated cheese. You’ve got to try it!

Wrapping up

Stovetop waffles are easy to make once you get the hang of it.

After you get used to handling the waffle iron and learn how it responds to your type of stovetop, you will be making waffles to go with breakfast, lunch, and dessert!

On a gas stove, you will find the cooking process takes just one minute per side. The waffles have a pleasing combo of crispy edges and fully cooked centers.

You can make savory waffles for breakfast, too! Just top with a fried egg and serve with a side of bacon. I love using these waffles when making omelet sandwiches!

So what kind will you make? Sweet or savory? Breakfast or dessert? I’m interested to hear how this recipe turned out for you and what you served with it, so drop me a comment below.

If you are looking for more great breakfast recipes, try one of these next:

• Quick and delicious chocolate chip bagels
• Sourdough french toast casserole
• Fried cinnamon sugar donuts
• Dutch baby pancakes
• Protein cinnamon rolls