Easy Spiced Eggnog Waffles: Your Ultimate Holiday Breakfast Treat

There’s a certain magic that fills the air during the holiday season, and much of it revolves around cherished traditions and comforting flavors. Among these, eggnog stands out as a creamy, nostalgic, and undeniably festive drink. But have you ever considered transforming this beloved yuletide beverage into a warm, fluffy, and utterly delightful breakfast? Welcome to the world of Easy Spiced Eggnog Waffles, where the rich, spiced notes of eggnog elevate a classic morning meal into a holiday masterpiece.

Forget complicated recipes and long ingredient lists. These easy-to-make eggnog waffles are designed for holiday convenience, utilizing readily available store-bought eggnog. Each bite delivers a delightful blend of warm cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg, creating an aroma that will instantly fill your kitchen with the spirit of the season. As Christmas and New Year approach, eggnog is undoubtedly making its appearance on holiday tables. Why not add a unique, festive spin to your breakfast or brunch menu with these incredible spiced eggnog waffles?

Our recipe ensures a mild yet distinct eggnog flavor, perfectly complemented by those quintessential holiday spices. Rest assured, these waffles are made with non-alcoholic eggnog, making them suitable for everyone to enjoy. They are designed to be light, airy, and wonderfully crisp, creating the ideal canvas for a generous pour of warm maple syrup and a dollop of softened butter. Get ready to elevate your holiday breakfast game with this simple, yet remarkably flavorful recipe!

Why This Easy Eggnog Waffle Recipe Works Wonders

This recipe isn’t just another waffle recipe; it’s a carefully crafted method to bring the magic of eggnog to your breakfast plate with minimal fuss and maximum flavor. Here’s why these spiced eggnog waffles will become your new holiday favorite:

• Effortless Preparation: This recipe is incredibly simple to follow, designed for busy holiday mornings when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen. The straightforward steps mean even novice bakers can achieve perfect results.
• Utilizes Store-Bought Eggnog: No need to make eggnog from scratch! Using store-bought eggnog saves significant time and effort, allowing you to enjoy that classic flavor profile instantly. It makes this recipe accessible to everyone during the bustling holiday season.
• Subtle, Warming Flavor: The waffles boast a delicate eggnog taste, enriched with just the right amount of warm holiday spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The flavor is comforting and festive without being overpowering, appealing to a wide range of palates.
• Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You won’t find any exotic items here. All ingredients are common pantry staples or easily found at any local grocery store, ensuring you can whip up a batch whenever the craving strikes.
• Excellent for Storage and Freezing: These waffles are perfect for meal prepping! Cook a large batch, and you can store them in the refrigerator or freezer, ensuring a delicious and quick breakfast is always within reach.
• Convenient Reheating: Reheating is a breeze. Pop frozen waffles directly into a toaster, and they’ll emerge perfectly crisp and warm, just like freshly made. This makes them ideal for quick weekday breakfasts or unexpected guests.

Key Ingredients for Festive Eggnog Waffles

Crafting these delectable eggnog waffles requires a few simple ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create this festive holiday breakfast:

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our waffles, providing structure and body. Measure it correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off to avoid dense waffles.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leavening agents are crucial for achieving that desirable light and fluffy interior. Baking powder reacts when wet and with heat, while baking soda needs an acidic ingredient (like eggnog, which can be slightly acidic depending on the brand) to activate.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors, balancing the sweetness and making the spices truly shine. Don’t skip it!
• Cinnamon: The quintessential holiday spice, adding warmth and a comforting aroma. For best results, ensure your cinnamon is fresh and fragrant.
• Nutmeg: Freshly grated nutmeg makes a world of difference compared to pre-ground. Its pungent, sweet, and slightly woody notes are a hallmark of eggnog and truly elevate these waffles. A microplane grater makes this task easy.
• Egg: A large egg binds the ingredients together, adds richness, and contributes to the overall structure and tenderness of the waffles. Lightly beaten, it integrates smoothly into the wet mixture.
• Granulated Sugar: Just enough sugar to complement the natural sweetness of the eggnog and help with browning, creating a lovely golden crust on your waffles.
• Unsalted Butter (Melted): Butter adds a delicious richness and contributes to the crispy exterior of the waffles. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the recipe. Ensure it’s melted and slightly cooled before adding to the wet ingredients to avoid scrambling the egg.
• Store-Bought Eggnog: The star ingredient! Look for fresh, high-quality eggnog, preferably without any added alcohol or excessive additives, to ensure the purest flavor. Many brands offer excellent non-alcoholic versions that are perfect for baking. If you have extra eggnog, consider using it for a creamy chai eggnog latte!

Refer to the full recipe card below for exact quantities and detailed instructions.

Essential Equipment for Perfect Waffles

To create these glorious eggnog waffles, the most crucial piece of equipment you’ll need is, of course, a reliable waffle maker. The type of waffle maker can influence the texture and appearance of your waffles, so choose one that suits your preference.

I personally love and recommend a Belgian waffle maker. These typically produce thicker, deeper-pocketed waffles that are wonderfully fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside, perfect for holding generous amounts of syrup and toppings. However, any classic waffle iron with shallower grids will also work beautifully, yielding thinner, crispier waffles that are equally delicious. Ensure your waffle maker is clean and properly preheated according to the manufacturer’s instructions before you start pouring the batter to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Easy Step-by-Step Guide to Making Eggnog Waffles

Making these easy eggnog waffles is a straightforward process, ensuring you’ll have a festive breakfast on the table in no time. Follow these visual and descriptive steps for perfect results every time:

💡Top Tip for Waffle Perfection

No Eggnog? No Problem! Easy Substitutions

While eggnog is the star of this recipe, don’t let a lack of it stop you from enjoying a delicious batch of spiced waffles. There are a few excellent substitutes you can use to capture a similar creamy, festive flavor profile:

The simplest alternative is to combine milk and cream. Use a mixture of half whole milk and half heavy cream to achieve a similar richness and consistency to traditional eggnog. If you have it, half-and-half works perfectly as well.

To really bring home that signature eggnog flavor profile, you’ll want to bump up the spices and sweetness. Increase the amounts of cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg, and add a touch more sugar to your batter. You might also consider adding a tiny dash of vanilla extract or a pinch of allspice or cardamom for an even deeper, more complex festive flavor.

For those looking for a dairy-free or specific dietary option, many supermarkets now carry excellent store-bought non-dairy eggnog alternatives made from almond, oat, or soy milk. These can be a fantastic one-to-one substitute, often already containing the right balance of spices. Just be sure to check the ingredient list to ensure it’s non-alcoholic and suitable for your needs.

With these simple adjustments, you can still enjoy a wonderfully spiced and creamy waffle experience, even without traditional eggnog.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Spiced Eggnog Waffles

These spiced eggnog waffles are delicious on their own, but they truly shine when paired with the right toppings and accompaniments. Whether you’re aiming for a lavish holiday brunch or a simple, comforting breakfast, these suggestions will help you create an unforgettable experience:

• Pure Maple Syrup: A classic for a reason! The rich, caramel notes of pure maple syrup beautifully complement the warm spices in the waffles. Warm it slightly before serving for an extra decadent touch.
• Warmed Butter: A simple pat of warmed butter melting into the waffle’s pockets adds another layer of richness and a satisfying savory element.
• Whipped Cream: Light, airy, and creamy whipped cream provides a lovely contrast to the dense waffle. You can even infuse it with a hint of vanilla or a dash of nutmeg for extra festive flavor.
• Fresh Fruit: Seasonal fruits add freshness and a pop of color. Tart cranberries, juicy pomegranate arils, or sliced oranges are perfect holiday choices that cut through the richness of the waffles.
• Powdered Sugar: A delicate dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of sweetness and an elegant finish, making your waffles look as good as they taste.
• Cranberry Sauce: Don’t let that leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner go to waste! Its sweet and tangy profile is surprisingly delightful when drizzled over these spiced waffles, adding a complex fruity note.
• Ice Cream: For an indulgent dessert-for-breakfast experience (or a festive dessert!), top your warm eggnog waffles with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or, for the ultimate treat, try a scoop of eggnog ice cream. The warm and cold contrast is simply irresistible.

Feel free to mix and match these suggestions based on your preferences and what you have on hand. Create a festive breakfast or brunch spread that will delight your family and guests during the holidays and beyond!

Storing Your Eggnog Waffles for Later Enjoyment

One of the best things about these easy spiced eggnog waffles is how well they store, making them perfect for meal prepping or enjoying a quick breakfast throughout the week. You can easily make a double batch and save some for later!

Refrigeration: Once your waffles have completely cooled, stack them with a piece of parchment paper between each waffle to prevent sticking. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. Stored this way, they will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This is great for those busy mornings when you want a delicious breakfast without the fuss of cooking from scratch.

Freezing: For longer storage, waffles freeze beautifully. After they are fully cooled, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for about 15-30 minutes until solid. This prevents them from sticking together. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, again separating layers with parchment paper if stacking. Frozen eggnog waffles can be stored for up to 3 months without losing much of their quality.

Reheating: The best way to reheat both refrigerated and frozen waffles is in a toaster or toaster oven. This method helps them regain their crisp exterior while warming the interior. For frozen waffles, you might need to toast them on a slightly higher setting or for a bit longer than refrigerated ones, typically until they are heated through and the edges are crispy. Avoid using a microwave, as it can make waffles soft and rubbery.

With proper storage, you can enjoy the comforting flavors of spiced eggnog waffles long after the holiday season has passed!

Frequently Asked Questions About Eggnog and Waffles

Here are some common questions you might have about making these delightful eggnog waffles:

More Delicious Recipes to Pair with Your Waffles!

Waffles are a fantastic canvas for a wide range of flavors and can be the star of any brunch spread. If you’re looking to complete your holiday breakfast or extend your menu, consider these delightful pairings:

Did you make this recipe? I would love to hear about it! Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating with a comment right below the recipe card. If you snap a photo of your creation, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @brunchandbatter.

📖Recipe