There are only a handful of dishes that can evoke a consistently drool-worthy response while being unassumingly practical, and one of these is a classic breakfast bite that can also be made into a healthy meal or an over-the-top super-indulgent dessert; it can turn a rough day around or celebrate the best of times. Today, we have zeroed in on the scrumptious waffle.
What is a waffle made up of?
A waffle is basically made of leavened, runny batter, poured and baked in a toaster (grill or pan) to produce a grid-like chequered, fluffy, yet crispy bread. The main ingredients in the batter consisting of flour, milk, butter, eggs (optional), and sugar.
They are broadly categorised as ‘quick bread' in which the batter has been leavened with baking powder or soda. Their crumbly exterior and gooey core make them a perfect canvas for a variety of toppings, from simple butter and syrup to more decadent options like fresh berries, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce. What is more, waffles may be paired as a sweet or savoury accompaniment.
How waffles came to be
The earliest records of waffles date back to ancient Greece, where they were known as 'obleios'. These were flat cakes made of grains and cooked between two metal plates. The Greeks would then top them with honey and sesame seeds. This cooking method was later adopted by the Romans and dubbed as ‘gaufres’. They were a popular snack food in medieval Europe, where they were often served at religious festivals and fairs.
During the Middle Ages, waffles were commonly made using wafer irons, which were hinged plates that were pressed together to form a pattern on the cake. The wafers were often thin and crispy and were sometimes filled with a variety of ingredients like cheese, fruit, or meat. The pattern on the waffles often depicted religious scenes, and they were often sold as souvenirs at church fairs and pilgrimages.
In the 16th century, Dutch bakers began to make a type of waffle called the "stroopwafel", which was made by pressing two thin waffles together with a layer of caramel syrup in between. Stroopwafel quickly became a popular snack food in the Netherlands, and it is still popular today.
Soon, the popularity and admiration for this baked wonder saw the creation of various iconic recipes from Belgium, Germany, and France.
The modern waffle as we know it today was invented in the late 18th century in America. Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, is often credited with bringing the waffle iron to America from France. The waffle iron allowed for waffles to be cooked quickly and easily, and it wasn’t long before they became a popular breakfast food.
In 1869, Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York, patented the first waffle iron. It was designed to be used on a stove and had two plates that could be flipped to cook both sides of the waffle evenly. The waffle iron became a popular household appliance, and by the 1920s, electric waffle irons had become widely available.
Types of waffles across the globe
During the 20th century, waffles continued to evolve. Belgian waffles, which are thick and fluffy, became popular in the 1950s and were often served with whipped cream and fruit. In the 1960s, frozen waffles were introduced, making it easier than ever to enjoy waffles at home. In the 1980s, waffle cones were invented, providing a delicious way to enjoy ice cream. Today, waffles are enjoyed all over the world and come in many different varieties—varieties based on recipe and ingredients, like the bread and fillings used; on form, design, and style, like rolled waffles, waffle cookies, and hotdog waffles; and even varieties from different geographies, which include iconic versions like Belgian waffles, Liege waffles, Brussels waffles, galettes campinoises, Bergische waffles, Hong Kong style waffles, Vietnamese Pandan waffles, and Scandinavian style waffles and Italian Gofri. Keeping up with the times, waffle recipes have been adapted to include eggless and vegan versions!
In recent years, India too has hopped on the waffle train, with restaurants and food trucks serving creative and innovative takes on the classic dish. Some restaurants serve waffles with savoury toppings like fried chicken and gravy, while others offer waffles as a dessert with classic choices such as ice cream and chocolate sauce.
Healthy adaptations of the waffle
Making health a priority, the recipes available today use many new, ingenious formulations in their batter. Combinations of nutritious grains and ingredients, like banana oats and cottage cheese or gluten-free almond flour and almond milk, are popular ways waffles are made to fit into modern lifestyles. And the sky is the limit when choosing toppings to pair—with options like honey, fresh berries, ice cream, chocolate spread, butter, jam, nuts, powdered sugar, or even savoury options using various meat selections. Belgian waffles remain a popular choice, and they are often served with a variety of toppings like fresh fruit, whipped cream, and syrup.
The time has come to broaden our horizons and see the many versions of waffles on the spectrum. "Play a game of tic-tac-toe on the chequered delight to see who wins the biggest bite!" Share in on your waffle journey, your choice of topping, and the discovery of good, healthy batter recipes that can make devouring this delight a truly rewarding undertaking.