Sunday morning, Emma wandered into the kitchen asking for something "chocolatey but also breakfast-y" which seemed like an impossible request until I remembered the waffle maker sitting in our cabinet. What if we made Brownie Waffles in it? That wild idea turned into these brownie waffles, and now they're our most requested weekend breakfast treat.The crispy edges combined with that gooey chocolate center creates the perfect texture that regular brownies or plain waffles can't match.
Why You'll Love This Brownie Waffles
These fudgy brownie waffles have rescued countless "I don't know what to make" mornings in our house. You can use boxed brownie mix for ultimate convenience or make them from scratch when you're feeling ambitious, and both versions disappear just as quickly from the breakfast table. I love that they cook in about five minutes per waffle, which means you're eating warm chocolate heaven while others are still waiting for their oven brownies to bake. The waffle iron creates crispy, caramelized edges that contrast beautifully with the soft, fudgy interior – a texture combination impossible to achieve with traditional brownie baking methods.
What really wins me over is how these brownie batter waffles transform into whatever meal you need them to be with simple toppings and timing adjustments. Serve them for breakfast with fresh berries and whipped cream, and they feel wholesome and special. Add ice cream and chocolate sauce for dessert, and suddenly you've created an impressive treat that looks like you worked way harder than you did. These waffle iron brownies stay warm longer than regular waffles because they're denser, which means you can make several batches without the first ones getting cold and sad while you finish cooking.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Brownie Waffles
- Ingredients You'll Need For Brownie Waffles
- How To Make Brownie Waffles Step By Step
- Smart Swaps for Your Brownie Waffles
- Brownie Waffles Variations
- Equipment For Brownie Waffles
- Storing Your Brownie Waffles
- Top Tip
- FAQ
- Chocolate Breakfast Made Easy!
- Related
- Pairing
- Brownie Waffles
Ingredients You'll Need For Brownie Waffles
From Scratch:
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup chocolate chips
From Boxed Mix:
- 1 box brownie mix
- Eggs, oil, and water per box instructions
- Extra ¼ cup chocolate chips
For Serving:
- Whipped cream
- Fresh strawberries or raspberries
- Chocolate syrup
- Vanilla ice cream
- Powdered sugar
Optional Add-ins:
- Mini marshmallows
- Chopped nuts
- White chocolate chips
- Peanut butter chips
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Brownie Waffles Step By Step
Prepare Your Batter:
If making from scratch, start by melting butter and letting it cool slightly. In a large bowl, whisk the butter with sugar until smooth and slightly lightened in color. Add eggs one at a time, whisking until glossy and emulsified, then stir in vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, sift cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder, then fold the dry ingredients into the wet just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the brownies tender. Finally, fold in chocolate chips for pockets of melted chocolate, or add them to prepared brownie mix for extra indulgence.
Preheat Your Waffle Iron:
Preheat your waffle maker to medium-high until the indicator light shows it’s ready, usually about 5 minutes. This ensures the waffles develop crispy edges instead of staying pale and soft. Generously spray the entire surface with non-stick cooking spray, covering all grooves and corners to prevent sticking. Even if your waffle maker is non-stick, the high sugar in brownie batter can make it stick, so don’t skip this step. Re-spray between batches if making multiple waffles. Test the heat by dropping a little water if it sizzles and evaporates immediately, the iron is perfectly hot.
Cook the Waffles:
Scoop ½ to ¾ cup of brownie batter onto the center of your preheated waffle iron, using slightly less than for regular waffles since brownie batter spreads less. Close the lid gently and resist peeking for at least 3 minutes to allow proper crisping. Cook 4–5 minutes total, watching for steam to stop escaping, which signals the waffle is nearly done. Timing depends on your waffle maker and desired texture shorter for gooey centers, longer for crispier waffles.
Check for Doneness:
Unlike regular waffles, these brownie waffles should be dense and fudgy with crispy, caramelized edges. When you lift the lid, the waffle should be dark brown, with some nearly black spots from the caramelized sugar just like the corner pieces of a brownie. The center should jiggle slightly, signaling a gooey, chocolatey interior. Use a fork or thin spatula to carefully lift the waffle, starting around the edges if it sticks. Let it cool on a wire rack for about 30 seconds; it will firm up slightly while maintaining that perfect fudgy texture.
Serve Immediately:
Transfer your freshly cooked brownie waffle to a serving plate and top it immediately while still hot so toppings melt into the chocolatey center. For breakfast, add whipped cream and fresh berries to balance the richness. For dessert, pile on vanilla ice cream, drizzle with chocolate syrup, and sprinkle chopped nuts for texture. Dust with powdered sugar for a bakery-style presentation. Waffles taste best within 5 minutes of cooking, with crispy edges and a warm, gooey center, though they’re still enjoyable at room temperature.
Make Multiple Batches:
Repeat the process with the remaining batter, re-spraying the waffle iron between each waffle to keep it non-stick. You should get 4–6 waffles, depending on your waffle maker and portion size. The batter can sit at room temperature while cooking multiple batches, but give it a gentle stir if the chocolate chips settle. These chocolatey breakfast waffles are best served fresh and warm, though you can make them ahead and reheat in a toaster or oven. Reheated waffles won’t be quite as crispy, but they’ll still be rich, fudgy, and delicious.
Smart Swaps for Your Brownie Waffles
Different Chocolates:
- Dark chocolate chips → Semi-sweet chips
- White chocolate chips → Regular chips
- Milk chocolate chunks → Chips
- Cocoa nibs → Chocolate chips
Mix Alternatives:
- Ghirardelli mix → Any brownie mix
- Gluten-free mix → Regular mix
- Sugar-free mix → Regular mix
- Keto brownie mix → Regular mix
Dietary Swaps:
- Coconut sugar → White sugar
- Almond flour → Part of flour (gluten-free)
- Coconut oil → Butter
- Flax eggs → Regular eggs (vegan)
Brownie Waffles Variations
Peanut Butter Swirl:
- Add peanut butter dollops to batter
- Swirl before closing iron
- Rich, nutty flavor
- Perfect combination
S'mores Style:
- Add mini marshmallows
- Graham cracker pieces
- Top with chocolate sauce
- Campfire nostalgia
Mint Chocolate:
- Add peppermint extract
- Use mint chocolate chips
- Green food coloring optional
- Refreshing twist
Cookies and Cream:
- Crush Oreos into batter
- White chocolate chips
- Cookies and cream ice cream topping
- Kids go crazy
Equipment For Brownie Waffles
- Waffle iron or Belgian waffle maker
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Non-stick cooking spray
Storing Your Brownie Waffles
Room Temperature (1-2 days):
- Store in airtight container
- Layer with parchment paper
- Lose some crispness
- Still delicious
Refrigerator (5 days):
- Sealed container or zip-top bag
- Reheat before serving
- Texture stays fudgy
- Microwave 20 seconds
Freezer (2 months):
- Perfect for meal prep
- Wrap individually in plastic
- Stack in freezer bag
- Thaw and toast to reheat
Top Tip
- Master Your Waffle Iron Temperature Getting the temperature right makes the difference between perfect crispy-fudgy waffles and disappointing results. Medium-high heat works for most waffle makers, creating that sizzle when batter hits the iron without burning the outside before the inside cooks. The batter should steam steadily during cooking, and you'll know it's ready when the steam slows down significantly.
- Don't Overfill Your Waffle Iron Brownie batter is thicker than regular waffle batter but still expands during cooking as air pockets form and steam escapes. Start with about ½ cup for standard waffle makers and adjust based on your specific iron's size and depth. Overfilling causes messy overflow that burns onto the outside of your waffle maker and creates cleanup nightmares.
- Time It Right for Your Preferred Texture Control the final texture by adjusting cooking time to match your preferences. For maximum fudginess with slightly crispy edges, cook for 4 minutes. For balanced crispy-gooey texture, aim for 5 minutes. For crispy throughout with less gooey center, go for 6 minutes. Your waffle maker, batter thickness, and personal taste all affect ideal timing, so take notes on what works best.
FAQ
What is a Brownie Waffles?
A brownie waffle is brownie batter cooked in a waffle iron instead of baked in a traditional oven pan. This cooking method creates unique texture that combines the best qualities of both brownies and waffles – crispy, caramelized edges with a soft, fudgy center. The waffle iron's grid pattern creates more surface area for crispy bits than regular brownies could ever achieve, while the interior stays gooey and rich.
Is pancake batter the same as waffle batter?
No, pancake and waffle batters are different. Waffle batter typically contains more fat (butter or oil) and sometimes eggs, which creates a crispier exterior when cooked. Pancake batter is thinner and creates fluffy, soft texture instead of crispy. However, for brownie waffles, you're using brownie batter which is completely different from either pancake or regular waffle batter. Brownie batter is much thicker, richer in chocolate and sugar, and designed to create fudgy texture rather than light and fluffy results.
What's the difference between a waffle and a Belgian waffle?
Belgian waffles are thicker with deeper pockets than regular waffles, created by Belgian waffle irons that have larger, deeper grid patterns. Belgian waffles typically use yeast or extra baking powder for lighter texture and deeper wells that hold more toppings. Regular waffles are thinner and denser with shallower pockets. For brownie waffles, a Belgian waffle maker creates more dramatic texture contrast with deeper pockets of gooey center and more crispy surface area.
What kind of chocolate is best in waffles?
For brownie waffles, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips work best because they balance the sweetness of the batter without making it cloying. Milk chocolate chips can make the waffles too sweet and lack complexity. High-quality chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content provides rich flavor that stands up to cooking heat without burning or becoming bitter. Chocolate chunks create pockets of melted chocolate throughout, while chips distribute more evenly.
Chocolate Breakfast Made Easy!
Now you have all the secrets to creating these incredible brownie waffles that turn breakfast into the most anticipated meal of the day. From our cold-start technique to the espresso powder trick, this recipe proves that chocolate for breakfast is not only acceptable but absolutely necessary.These brownie batter waffles combine the best of both worlds – crispy caramelized edges and that signature fudgy brownie center, all ready in five minutes per waffle. No waiting for the oven to preheat or watching brownies bake for 30 minutes when you're already hungry.
Want more waffle magic? Our Best Blueberry Donuts Recipe Baked In 25 Minutes deliver cinnamon-sugar perfection that tastes like the carnival. Try our The Best Cottage Cheese Eggs Recipe for another chocolate twist with cream cheese frosting. For classic weekend comfort, our The Best Chocolate Pancakes Recipe create fluffy perfection every time.
Made these brownie waffles? We love seeing your chocolate creations and creative toppings.
Rate this Brownie Waffles! Your ratings help others discover these breakfast game-changers that make weekends special.
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Brownie Waffles
Brownie Waffles
Equipment
- 1 Waffle iron or Belgian waffle maker (Medium-high heat recommended)
- 2 Mixing bowls (Wet + dry)
- 1 Whisk or electric mixer
- 1set Measuring cups & spoons
- 1 Non-stick cooking spray (Essential for brownie batter)
Ingredients
From Scratch
- ½ cup butter melted - cooled slightly
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs - room temperature preferred
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder - sifted
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup chocolate chips - fold in
From Brownie Mix
- 1 box brownie mix - any brand
- — — eggs oil & water - per box instructions
- ¼ cup chocolate chips - optional but recommended
For Serving
- — — whipped cream
- — — fresh strawberries or raspberries
- — — chocolate syrup
- — — vanilla ice cream - dessert option
- — — powdered sugar - dusting
Optional Add-ins
- — — mini marshmallows - for s’mores version
- — — chopped nuts - walnuts/pecans
- — — white chocolate chips
- — — peanut butter chips
Instructions
- Melt the butter and whisk with sugar until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, then fold in the dry ingredients and chocolate chips (or prepare boxed brownie mix with added chips).
- Preheat the waffle iron to medium-high heat for about 5 minutes and spray thoroughly with non-stick spray.
- Add ½–¾ cup batter to the hot iron, close the lid, and cook 4–5 minutes until steam slows down.
- Open the waffle iron, check for crispy edges and a fudgy center, and carefully lift the waffle out to cool for 30 seconds.
- Add toppings and serve immediately. Re-spray the iron and repeat with remaining batter.
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