The best Belgian waffle toppings

What are the most popular Belgian waffle toppings?

1. Melted butter or margarine and Maple Syrup
2. Nutella or Chocolate sauce
3. Powdered Sugar
4. Ice Cream
5. Caramelized Bananas
6. Strawberries
7. Whipped cream with sprinkles
8. Cinnamon Roll Icing

Let’s discover how to use them!

The best Belgian waffle toppings to add flair to your waffle dishes.

Belgian waffles have long been a delicacy across Europe and North America. Commonly sold as street food, the Belgian waffle has become a staple in American diners and home kitchens. Belgian waffles are made by pouring the raw batter into a waffle press (or iron) and closing the top half of the press to form its distinctly over-sized waffle shape. Unlike other waffles, the Belgian is made with yeast and whipped egg whites, which adds volume and a slightly tangy taste as the yeast ferments during the cooking process. The egg whites also allow for a crispy outer crust, while preserving the soft fluffy interior. The Belgian waffle is filling and delicious, and therefore perfect for breakfast, dessert, or snacking. Their characteristic large size, fluffy batter, and deep square reservoirs make them perfect for a variety of popular topping styles, each of which creates a unique and tasty dish. Unsure of how to top your waffle? Don’t fret! Here are eight of the most popular Belgian waffle toppings to add flair to your waffle dishes.

1.) Melted butter or margarine and Maple Syrup

The combination of butter and maple syrup is the most popular Belgian waffle topping in the U.S. and provides a sweet start to your day like a hearty breakfast. A small amount of butter is first melted over the top of a warm waffle (to taste), then glazed with maple syrup. The crispy crust of the Belgian waffle means that it holds up well to syrups without getting soggy. The richness of the butter and deep woody sweetness of the maple syrup gather in the waffle pockets, ensuring pure flavor in each bite.

2.) Nutella or Chocolate sauce

For European flair, simply add a light layer of hazelnut chocolate spread over the waffle. The nutty taste of the spread works well with the crunch of the waffle’s outer layer and accentuates the fluffy tanginess of the inside. As a crowd favorite, Nutella adds the rich, creamy flavor of chocolate hazelnut without compromising flavor. For a deeper, more pared-down chocolate flavor, substitute hazelnut spread with chocolate sauce, which can easily be drizzled over the top of your delicacy. The slight crunch of the waffle complements the rich taste of chocolate, making a perfect sweet snack or dessert. Mixing chocolate with the Belgian waffle pays homage to these two famous Belgian specialties.

3.) Powdered Sugar

Why mess with a good thing? As a simple solution to topping, sprinkle powdered sugar on your waffle to accentuate the natural flavor palette of the waffle. This option is ideal for guests with less of a sweet tooth and can be adjusted easily by adding more or less sugar. This option is traditionally sold as street food and is a slightly healthier alternative to deep-fried funnel cake.

4.) Ice Cream

As a dessert, simply top your waffle with a few scoops of your favorite ice cream flavor. The deep reservoir of the waffle will catch the ice cream as it melts, making this a delicious solution to your after-dinner sweet tooth. You can easily combine your ice cream with other toppings, or–if you want to show off–make a banana split atop your waffle.

5.) Caramelized Bananas

This topping is made by melting brown sugar and butter in a saucepan, then adding one banana (sliced) and cooking on low until caramelized. The rich sugary tones enrich the banana slices, while the banana flavor is released into the caramelized sauce. Pour the warm banana topping over your waffle and enjoy it!

6.) Strawberries

As another popular fruit topping for Belgian waffles, strawberries are usually freshly sliced or served in a simple syrup. The freshness and slight tart of the berry work well with the waffle and adds a beautiful pop of red to the plating of your dish.

7.) Whipped cream with sprinkles

Festive, fun to eat, and easy to prepare, Belgian waffles with whipped cream and sprinkles are a great way to jazz up your breakfast or dessert. Use your whipped cream canister to make shapes, or do a traditional swirl; add your favorite colored sprinkles, and voila! It’s a work of art every time and tastes as good as it looks.

8.) Cinnamon Roll Icing

This Belgian waffle topping is two sauces combined to replicate the delicious taste of a cinnamon roll, and there is a great recipe for this sauce on the Frugal Foodie Mama website. First, the vanilla icing base is made with 1/2 stick of softened butter, 2 oz of cream cheese, 3/4 cup of powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla, and 2-3 tbsp milk, which is mixed and drizzled over the Belgian waffle. Next, the cinnamon sauce is made by combining 1/2 tbsp cinnamon, 1/2 stick of melted butter, and 3/4 cup brown sugar, which is then drizzled over the vanilla sauce. These two flavor notes combine to turn your waffle into an all-time breakfast favorite.

The Belgian Waffle as your canvas for great toppings!

The Belgian waffle is hearty and well-designed to suit a variety of toppings and plate designs. As your canvas, the Belgian waffle provides plenty of opportunity for creative food pairings and adventurous topping experiments. Mix and match the ideas above to find your new favorite topping to share with the ones you love, or develop your signature waffle topping style. Bring a piece of Europe home with you by creating decadent Belgian-inspired combinations, such as chocolate and whipped cream, or add modern flair by adapting your topping style to an American flavor palette. Either way, the topped Belgian waffle is an ideal treat and will impress your friends and family with its rich ingredients and stunning visual presentation. This dish is a great way to start your day or a fabulous way to end it.