Chocolate Waffles
Start your morning off sweet with Chocolate Waffles! They’re small batch chocolate waffles made with buttermilk and cocoa powder that are crispy on the outside while fluffy and tender on the inside. No whipping egg whites required!
Last year I was on a mission to add more breakfast recipes for two, which is why I made my waffles for two.
Then after making my small batch pancakes and chocolate pancakes, I started thinking.
It’s about time I added Chocolate Waffles to the list!
They’re two chocolate waffles made with buttermilk and cocoa powder that are crispy on the outside while fluffy and tender on the inside.
The complete opposite of my savory cheese waffles.
The cocoa flavor is subtle, which is why I also added chocolate chips to make them chocolate chocolate waffles (totally optional if you don’t want them super sweet).
The best part? No whipping egg whites required! Like who wants to do THAT when making breakfast?
It took me multiple tries, but I wanted to make sure this recipe for chocolate waffles was crispy.
Because I substituted cocoa powder for some of the flour, my cocoa waffles were turning out soft. That’s because my batter had too much moisture and not enough flour.
After reducing the buttermilk to compensate – voila! Crispy chocolate waffles.
Serve them with peanut butter whipped cream and fresh strawberries for a sweet morning.
Which waffle maker do you need?
Not all waffle makers are created equal! It took me several tries with different brands as the cheaper machines don’t get hot enough, leaving you with soft, floppy waffles.
Finally I landed on this round waffle maker that’s both affordable and leaves you with crispy, golden brown waffles on the highest setting.
Because there are so many shapes and sizes out there for waffle makers, your servings may vary.
This waffle recipe for two makes 1 cup waffle batter, which for my round waffle maker made 2 crispy chocolate waffles.
Ingredients For Chocolate Waffles
To make your chocolate waffle recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Flour: Helps thicken your batter so you can pour it into your waffle maker.
- Cocoa powder: Adds a rich cocoa flavor.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness plus helps caramelizing the waffles (aka making them golden brown)
- Baking powder and soda: Helps your waffles rise as well as making them fluffy. The baking soda reacts with the buttermilk.
- Salt: Seasons the batter (especially if using unsalted butter)
- Espresso powder: Optional but really brings out the chocolate flavor
- Buttermilk: Makes a pourable batter plus buttermilk adds a little bit of tang and fluffiness
- Vegetable oil or melted butter: Oil makes a crispier waffle while butter adds more flavor.
- Vanilla: Flavors the batter for more depth
- Mix-ins such as chocolate chips: Great way to add extra flavor!
Can I substitute regular milk for buttermilk in waffles?
Normally I’d be all for using whole milk instead of buttermilk. After all, who wants to run to the store for one item you don’t usually have on hand?
However, this cocoa waffle recipe is the one time you should use buttermilk. Not only is the texture fluffier, it tastes even better.
Once you’re done making your chocolate chocolate waffles, check out my 20+ recipes with buttermilk to use up the rest of the carton.
How To Make Chocolate Waffles
Ready to make your chocolate chocolate waffles? Here’s how to get started:
Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and espresso powder.
Whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients then stir together until blended and smooth. It’s ok to have a few lumps as you don’t want to overmix it. Stir in chocolate chips if using.
Rest batter for 5 minutes so it thickens and the gluten from the flour relaxes for a fluffy texture.
Pour batter into hot waffle maker then cook until toasted. Repeat with the remaining batter.
Waffles are best eaten soon after being made. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in a toaster or preheated 350F oven.
What To Serve With Chocolate Waffles
The best thing about this chocolate waffle recipe is they’re a blank canvas for dessert waffles!
You can do a play on chocolate covered strawberries with strawberry whipped cream, strawberry sauce, and chocolate chips.
If you really want to go all out with chocolate chocolate waffles, garnish with chocolate whipped cream then drizzle with hot fudge sauce.
Want something to balance the rich chocolate? Top your waffles with homemade whipped cream or cream cheese whipped cream.
And of course you can stay classic with butter and maple syrup (or even maple whipped cream).
Chocolate Waffles FAQ
I highly advise using buttermilk for taste and texture but if all you have is whole milk, add 1 teaspoon lemon juice and an extra 1/4 cup flour to your batter. Otherwise it’ll be too thin.
Some waffle makers don’t get hot enough. The machine I used only makes crispy waffles on the highest setting. I highly recommend getting to know your appliance so you can figure out its quirks and nuances.
Yes! Waffles freeze beautifully. Let them cool completely then transfer to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat leftover waffles in a toaster or preheated 350F oven.
Yes. Double the ingredients for 4 waffles.
More Breakfast For Two Recipes
Loved this cocoa waffle recipe? Here are more breakfast for two recipes for you to make:
- French Toast For Two
- Coconut Milk Pancakes
- Biscuits and Gravy for two
- Hash Brown Bowls with baked eggs
Chocolate Waffles
Start your morning off sweet with Chocolate Waffles! They’re small batch chocolate waffles made with buttermilk and cocoa powder that are crispy on the outside while fluffy and tender on the inside. No whipping egg whites required!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon espresso powder (optional but brings out the chocolate flavor)
- 1/3 cup whole-fat buttermilk, room temperature*
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter**
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour and cocoa powder then whisk in sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and espresso powder.
- In a large measuring cup or another mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, oil/melted butter, and vanilla.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients then stir together until well blended and smooth. A few lumps are ok as you do not want to overmix. However, there should be no dry bits of flour left.
- Stir in chocolate chips then rest batter 5 minutes to allow it to thicken and the gluten to relax. Do not skip this part!
- Preheat your waffle maker according to the machine's instructions. Lightly grease with cooking spray.
- Once hot, pour roughly 1/2 cup batter into your waffle maker. It should be thick but pourable (not thin and runny)***. Cook until crispy (time will vary by machine, but mine takes about 2-3 minutes). Repeat with the remaining batter.
Waffles are best eaten the day they're made. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to the 2 days and frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in toaster or preheated 350F oven.
Notes
- *These waffles are at their absolute best with whole-fat buttermilk. However, if you do decide to use whole milk you will need to add 1 teaspoon lemon juice to react with the baking soda and an additional 1/4 cup flour to thicken the batter.
- **Waffles will be crispier using oil but more flavorful using melted butter. Personally I prefer oil.
- ***This recipe makes 1 cup waffle batter. With my round waffle maker, I got 2 waffles. Your servings will heavily depend on your waffle maker.
- Enjoyed this recipe? Check out my Waffles For Two, Ham and Cheese Waffles, Small Batch Pancakes, Chocolate Pancakes, and French Toast For Two.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchase.