Why Making Yeasted Waffles Is Worth The Effort

Waffles are usually reserved as fare for weekend brunch more than the average workday morning. Hauling out the waffle iron and mixing up batter before a morning commute can seem like a lot of effort. But wouldn't it be spectacular to start every day like Leslie Knope? Waffles are the perfect sweet template for any breakfast, and there's an easier way to have them ready any day of the week.

The secret ingredient that helps take the work out of waffles is yeast. The Spruce Eats explains that yeast is a single-celled organism. It gives flavor to bread, beers, and kombucha. It can also add a ton of flavor to your waffles. Epicurious notes that using a yeasted dough will make for a crispier waffle and can also cut down on morning prep time, as it needs to rest overnight. With this method of preparing the beloved breakfast item, the waffle iron might become a regular feature on your kitchen countertop.

Yeasted waffles are often referred to as Belgian Waffles, according to Greatist. The yeast in the batter is considered one of the dividing lines between a classic Belgian Waffle — which evolved from the Liege waffle and debuted in the U.S. at the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle (via HuffPost) — and the more dense American waffle. A proper Belgian Waffle is far lighter and crispier than the American version, thanks to yeast as a leavening agent instead of baking soda or powder. According to Greatist, the addition of yeast will make for a soft, chewy interior, a crispy exterior, and a more complex tang.

Epicurious features a recipe for raised waffles that calls for mixing together all the ingredients except the eggs and baking soda together the night before in a large mixing bowl. Then, you'll let the bowl sit out to rise overnight, and add the final ingredients in the morning while your waffle iron heats up. This process will almost guarantee crisp, light waffles before your morning coffee finishes brewing.