About This Recipe

Gingerbread waffles are Christmas morning on a plate — crispy, golden waffles perfumed with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and molasses that fill the entire kitchen with holiday magic. The secret to both crispy exteriors AND fluffy interiors is beating the egg whites separately and folding them in — a small extra step that makes an enormous difference. Top with maple syrup and whipped cream for the ultimate festive breakfast.

Nutrition estimates based on USDA FoodData Central. Values are per serving and may vary.

Why You'll Love It

  • Crispy outside, fluffy inside — the perfect waffle texture
  • Deep, rich gingerbread flavor from real molasses and four spices
  • The most festive Christmas morning breakfast possible
  • Freezer-friendly — make extra and reheat in the toaster all December

Gingerbread Waffles (Crispy Holiday Breakfast)

Gingerbread Waffles (Crispy Holiday Breakfast)
10 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
30 min
Total
4
Servings
⭐ 4.8
Rating
340
Calories

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, separated
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
  • 3 tbsp molasses (not blackstrap)
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Maple syrup, whipped cream, and powdered sugar for serving

Instructions

  1. 1Preheat waffle iron Preheat your waffle iron to medium-high. A properly preheated iron is the secret to crispy waffles — if it's not hot eno...
  2. 2Separate the eggs Separate eggs — yolks go into a large bowl, whites into a clean medium bowl. Beat whites with a hand mixer until stiff p...
  3. 3Mix dry ingredients Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and brown sugar together....
  4. 4Mix wet ingredients Whisk egg yolks, buttermilk, molasses, melted butter, and vanilla until well combined. The molasses gives that deep ging...
  5. 5Combine and fold whites Stir wet into dry until just combined. Then gently fold in the beaten egg whites in two additions — this adds lightness ...
  6. 6Cook and serve Grease the waffle iron, pour in batter, and cook per your iron's instructions until deep golden brown and crispy. Serve ...

Ingredients

1.5 cups (190g) all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp ground ginger 1.5 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp salt 3 tbsp brown sugar 2 large eggs, separated 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk 3 tbsp molasses (not blackstrap) 3 tbsp melted butter 1 tsp vanilla extract Maple syrup, whipped cream, and powdered sugar for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat waffle iron

    Preheat your waffle iron to medium-high. A properly preheated iron is the secret to crispy waffles — if it's not hot enough, waffles steam instead of crisp.

  2. 2

    Separate the eggs

    Separate eggs — yolks go into a large bowl, whites into a clean medium bowl. Beat whites with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. This is the key to super fluffy waffles.

  3. 3

    Mix dry ingredients

    Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and brown sugar together.

  4. 4

    Mix wet ingredients

    Whisk egg yolks, buttermilk, molasses, melted butter, and vanilla until well combined. The molasses gives that deep gingerbread color and flavor.

  5. 5

    Combine and fold whites

    Stir wet into dry until just combined. Then gently fold in the beaten egg whites in two additions — this adds lightness and fluffiness.

  6. 6

    Cook and serve

    Grease the waffle iron, pour in batter, and cook per your iron's instructions until deep golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately with maple syrup and whipped cream.

Pro Tips

🏆 Chef Tips
  • Beating the egg whites separately and folding them in is the secret to waffles that are both crispy outside AND fluffy inside.
  • Don't open the waffle iron early — steam needs to escape fully before the waffle is done.
  • Use regular molasses, not blackstrap — blackstrap is too bitter for baking.
  • Keep waffles warm and crispy in a 200°F oven directly on the rack (not stacked) while finishing the batch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mix dry and wet separately the night before. Combine in the morning — don't fold in egg whites until just before cooking.
You can substitute 1.5 cups pancake mix for the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the spices and molasses to the wet ingredients.
Reheat in a toaster or at 350°F on a wire rack in the oven for 5 minutes. Never microwave — it makes them soft and rubbery.
Yes — cool completely, freeze in a single layer, then store in bags. Reheat in toaster from frozen — they come out perfectly crispy.

Nutrition Per Serving

340
Calories
9g
Protein
52g
Carbs
11g
Fat
1g
Fiber
14g
Sugar
420mg
Sodium
6g
Sat. Fat