Chocolate Chip Einkorn Belgian Waffles

When operating a waffle iron, you hold the power. And wielding such power tastes so good when it results in chocolate chip einkorn Belgian waffles!

Making waffles is a heavily nostalgic process – using a waffle iron is something I know I looked forward to as a kid when staying at a hotel that offered complimentary breakfast, as I’m sure many kids do.

While my brothers and I were always mesmerized by the rows of self-serve cereals, thrilled to see the array of mini yogurt cups, and awestruck by big baskets of mini muffins and doughnuts, the biggest source of excitement – the Holy Grail of hotel hospitality – was inarguably the waffle maker.

This appliance was a symbol of independence and maturity – totally allowable by both the cautious parent and hotel manager alike, mere children had control in those few moments of culinary dexterity while operating that piece of kitchen machinery.

Carefully following the directions, we knew that every step needed precision and confidence:

Pouring the batter into a cup with the correct measurement, transferring it from the cup to the very center of the hot iron, swiftly closing and turning the iron, and patiently waiting the appropriate amount of time to cook it until the timer went off.

The end result of a beautiful waffle was immediately followed by a strong sense of pride and accomplishment.

And after showing off our work to siblings and parents with the biggest grin imaginable, we feasted on our creation.

If you now own a cool waffle maker of your very own as an adult, you can recreate that nostalgic memory right at home with my einkorn flour chocolate chip version, without no weekend stay at a hotel required!

Making a perfect waffle that’s crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside is easy to do with a few important ingredients and smart tricks up your sleeve.

All-purpose flour made from einkorn, an ancient species of wheat, brings a nutty aroma and taste. Compared to other types of processed all-purpose white flour, it’s also said to be easier to digest for some individuals with gluten sensitivities.

Baking powder is this recipe’s best friend, providing a burst of leavening power. For even more fluffiness and lightness, I separate the eggs and whip the whites to form soft peaks, folding the cloudlike protein gently into the batter.

And as another ode to childhood, semi-sweet chocolate chips bring fun and sweetness, caramelizing slightly where they come in contact with the iron and melting slowly on the inside as the batter cooks and sizzles!

Invite your family and friends over for breakfast, and share the joy when you serve a fluffy stack with maple syrup. They’ll make the perfect pairing with the smile on your face that’s just as big as the childhood grin in your memory, which appeared after making your very first waffle!

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Cooking by the Numbers…

Step 1 – Prep

Measure and melt the unsalted butter – you can use either a heatproof bowl in the microwave or a small pot on the stovetop.

Make sure you allow the melted butter to cool to room temperature! The butter will not combine properly with the colder liquid ingredients if it is too hot, since the butterfat will resolidify and it won’t mix homogeneously.

Melting the butter first before doing the remaining prep is the way to go here, to give it enough time to cool.

Preheat your oven to 200°F. A warm oven held at a low temperature will keep the completed waffles hot and crisp as you continue cooking the remaining batter.

Preheat your iron.

Get out two heatproof cooling racks and place each one on top of a rimmed baking sheet. Set aside.

Measure the einkorn flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and salt into a large mixing bowl.

Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites into two separate medium bowls. Set aside the egg whites for now.

Measure the whole milk and vanilla extract into the bowl with the yolks.

Measure out the chocolate chips, and set aside your preferred maple syrup for serving. You can also use a sweet and tasty berry syrup instead, if you are still working through your last homemade batch of strawberry syrup!

Step 2 – Whisk Ingredients Together

Whisk together the dry ingredients in the large bowl until fully combined.

Whisk together the wet ingredients in the medium bowl until fully combined and a smooth, homogeneous mixture forms.

Pour the milk mixture into the dry mixture, and whisk just until a thick, yet runny batter forms. The mixture should be smooth, but it’s important to avoid overmixing here, to ensure tender results.

Does the batter seem very stiff? It’s it’s too thick to pour into your iron, whisk in more milk in small increments of 1/8 cup at a time to thin the batter.

Step 3 – Whip Egg Whites

Using a clean whisk, beat the egg whites vigorously by hand until soft peaks form, for about 4 to 5 minutes. You could also opt to do this in your stand mixer with the whisk attachment, if you prefer.

Don’t go too hard with the peaks! They’ll be more difficult to incorporate if you overmix and create stiff peaks instead.

Step 4 – Fold Egg Whites into Batter

Very gently fold the egg whites into the batter with a spatula until just a few steaks remain.

Don’t completely incorporate them – you’ll continue to mix them after adding the chocolate.

Step 5 – Fold Chocolate Chips into Batter

Gently fold in the chocolate chips, continuing with slow and careful turns of the spatula to maintain the aerated structure of the batter.

Step 6 – Cook the Batter

Coat the surface of both sides of the iron with a thin film of nonstick cooking spray.

Pour about 3/4 cup of batter into the very center of the iron. This amount is best for an appliance that produces round waffles that are 7 inches in diameter and about 1 inch tall.

Use the appropriate amount of batter as recommended for your appliance. If using less batter per round, you will have a bigger yield.

Once you pour in the batter, close the = iron, rotating it if necessary, and cook until the batter is cooked and is fluffy and golden brown. This will generally take about 3 to 5 minutes.

The cooking time also depends on your appliance, which may have pre-set or timed programs.

Step 7 – Keep Warm

Open the appliance and carefully remove the waffle. Transfer to a cooling rack on one of the baking sheets.

Place the baking sheet in the oven to keep it warm and crisp, and repeat the cooking process with the remaining batter.

When you place them on the baking sheet, be sure to position them in one single layer and use both baking sheets to avoid stacking.

Step 8 – Serve

Remove the baking sheets from the oven, and place one or two waffles on each plate.

Serve with maple syrup while they’re still warm. Or try a healthy topping like aronia berries with your waffles. Enjoy!