This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This is the best Chocolate Waffles recipe! Crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and filled with rich chocolate flavor. Enjoy them for breakfast or even as a fun dessert!
My easy chocolate waffle recipe is always a hit! With a perfectly crisp exterior and tender interior, these homemade waffles are a delightful twist on a classic. They’re not too sweet, so you can load them in your favorite waffle toppings, and yet they have plenty of deep chocolate flavor all on their own.
You can keep it classic with toppings like butter, maple syrup, and fresh berries, or lean into the dessert side and top the waffles with chocolate ganache, caramel sauce, or a scoop of ice cream! I have lots of topping ideas for you in the post. And for more waffle recipes, try my Belgian waffles, banana waffles, or sourdough waffles next!
Ingredients
Flour — you just need all-purpose flour for the chocolate waffles.
Cocoa powder — I use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for the richest, deepest chocolate flavor. But natural unsweetened cocoa powder works as well.
Sugar — granulated sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness to the waffles and helps the outside turn crispy.
Leavening — baking powder and baking soda ensure the waffles are perfectly tender and fluffy on the inside.
Milk — I use whole milk, but 2% milk is a good option, too.
Butter — melt and slightly cool unsalted butter to add richness to the chocolate waffles.
Eggs — eggs help to bind the waffle batter to cook fluffy waffles that won’t easily break apart.
Vanilla — use good vanilla extract for the best results.
How To Make Chocolate Waffles
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
2. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.
3. Preheat the waffle iron. Brush with melted butter or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
4. Depending on the size and shape of your waffle iron, add ¼ to ⅓ cup of batter to each cavity of the hot waffle iron. Cook each waffle for 3 to 4 minutes or until steaming and darker brown in color. Place on a wire rack until ready to serve.
Tips for Crispy Waffles
- Preheat the waffle iron. A hot waffle iron is a must for crispy waffles. In addition, let the waffle iron reheat for about 30 seconds between cooking each waffle.
- Cook long enough. The outside should be firm and crisp when tapped, not soft. You should see a good amount of steam coming out of the side of the waffle maker during cooking. When that steam starts to decrease, the waffle is probably done or close to it.
- Place on a wire rack. Placing the cooked waffles in a single layer on a wire rack keeps them crisp. If you pile them on a platter, they will release steam and soften. You can keep waffles warm on the wire rack in a 200°F oven.
Topping Ideas
There are so many possibilities for topping and serving these chocolate waffles!
- Add a dollop of whipped cream and top with fresh berries or other fresh fruit like sliced banana.
- Caramel, chocolate syrup, chocolate sauce, or even warm chocolate ganache are great replacements for maple syrup.
- Go simple with a dusting of powdered sugar and the classic combo of butter and pure maple syrup.
- Spread them with peanut butter or Nutella!
- Top with a sprinkling of chocolate chips, candied pecans, or toasted walnuts.
- Make a fun ice cream sundae by topping a waffle with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, and sprinkles!
How To Store
Refrigerating: Once completely cool, store leftover waffles in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Place cooled waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container, with parchment paper between layers of waffles to prevent them from sticking. They will freeze well for up to 2 months.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- Use room temperature ingredients if possible. If you have time, set the eggs and milk out about 30 minutes to 1 hour before you start on the homemade waffles. They will still be delicious if you don’t have the time!
- Weigh the flour. A kitchen scale is the most accurate way to measure flour. If you don’t have one, fluff the flour in its container, spoon it into your measuring cup, and use a knife to level off the top.
- Don’t over-mix the batter. A few lumps are okay and will actually encourage a fluffier waffle. Mixing it too much will deflate the batter and cause more gluten to develop, creating dense and chewy waffles.
- The number of waffles will depend on the size of your waffle maker. My waffle maker yields 10 chocolate waffles with this recipe, but yours may yield fewer or more depending on the size of your waffle maker.
- For the ultimate chocolaty breakfast, fold ½ cup of mini chocolate chips into the batter.
Frequently Asked Questions
A toaster is the best way to reheat waffles to refresh their crispness. But you can also reheat them in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes.
I don’t recommend completely prepping the batter. But you can mix the dry ingredients together in advance, cover or store them in an airtight container, and then add the wet ingredients when you’re ready to cook the waffles.
My easy chocolate waffles recipe is specifically created to use cocoa powder, but you should try my classic waffle recipe instead!
If you’ve tried this chocolate waffles recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Chocolate Waffles Recipe
Equipment
- Waffle Maker
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour (210g)
- ½ cup cocoa powder (50g)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1¾ cups milk (420ml)
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly (113g)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined.
- Preheat the waffle iron. Brush the iron with more melted butter or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add ¼ to ⅓ cup of batter to each cavity of the hot waffle iron. (The amount will depend on the size and shape of your waffle maker- you may need to adjust the amount per cavity.)
- Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until steaming and darker brown in color. Place on a wire rack until ready to serve. Serve hot with berries, maple syrup, and butter or your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients if possible. If you have time, set the eggs and milk out about 30 minutes to 1 hour before you start on the homemade waffles. They will still be delicious if you don’t have the time!
- Weigh the flour. A kitchen scale is the most accurate way to measure flour. If you don’t have one, fluff the flour in its container, spoon it into your measuring cup, and use a knife to level off the top.
- Don’t over-mix the batter. A few lumps are okay and will actually encourage a fluffier waffle. Mixing it too much will deflate the batter and cause more gluten to develop, creating dense and chewy waffles.
- The number of waffles will depend on the size of your waffle maker. My waffle maker yields 10 chocolate waffles with this recipe, but yours may yield fewer or more depending on the size of your waffle maker.
- For the ultimate chocolaty breakfast, fold ½ cup of mini chocolate chips into the batter.
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe? Tag me today!
Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!
