Why Waffle House Waffles Taste So Much Better Than Homemade

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For many a Southerner, Waffle House isn't just any old roadside diner — it's hallowed ground. Whether you're looking for a quick bite on a long roadtrip or a hot breakfast in the wee hours, Waffle House is the place to be. Plus, where else can you stop for waffle-themed tunes playing on a jukebox? But chief among the reasons to love the breakfast chain is its waffles. After all, Waffle House topped our ranking of restaurant waffles for a reason. It's a sponge for syrup and butter, a decadence to be stacked, covered in toppings, and enjoyed by the plateful. According to the Waffle House website, the key to the chain's deliciously rich titular dish is using half-and-half instead of milk. 

Since half and half has a higher fat content than milk, it adds more moisture and a richness than would otherwise be missing. Several Waffle House employees have also confirmed the use of half and half on TikTok, with some even posting how the waffle mix is prepared. According to the Waffle House-employed TikTokers, you mix beaten eggs with half-and-half before adding the Waffle House-branded waffle mix. Et voilà! You have the key to the soft, sweet cream goodness of a Waffle House Waffle.

Several purported ingredients lists for the waffle mix have been shared online via Reddit and X. It contains lots of stuff you expect to see in waffle batter, such as flour, sugar, salt, and leaveners like baking soda and baking powder. According to these posts, the waffle mix used by the diner chain also includes both buttermilk and palm oil. Fats like these contribute to a baked goods' tender texture. Additionally, the acidity in the buttermilk limits gluten development, so your waffles are less likely to become tough.

The bagged waffle mix also includes cornstarch. Cornstarch can serve many purposes in the kitchen, but in this case, it can be really helpful in lowering the protein content of the flour, which can help make waffles less dense. It can also contribute to a crispy surface without sacrificing a soft interior. 

If you want a taste of the chain's waffles, you can always buy the Waffle House-branded mix on Amazon or directly from the chain's website, though this might not be an exact replica. According to some "insiders' on the r/WaffleHouse subreddit (and the actual Waffle House mix box), one secret to perfecting a Waffle House waffle is to let the batter rest overnight. It helps contribute to a super-soft waffle. 

Of course, there is another aspect to waffle making to consider when trying to replicate a Waffle House waffle: the iron. Rather than using a Belgian-style waffle maker, which has deep, square divots, creating a more light and airy waffle, Waffle House uses an American-style iron with shallower, more numerous divots. This helps the waffles to cook quickly and allows you to use less batter per waffle. Its shallow build also contributes to a less airy, less fluffy texture. These denser waffles maintain a crisp surface. 

As with its waffle mix, however, Waffle House keeps its exact iron model and build under wraps. This doesn't mean you can find a good facsimile. Just look for a waffle iron with small, shallow divots. The Cuisinart round classic waffle iron is a popular pick on Amazon, or you can look for an "American waffle maker" or "classic waffle maker." Along with half-and-half, it might just be the secret to getting a Waffle House waffle without having to leave your own house.