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    Home » Recipe Index » Entertaining

    How to Make an Easy Waffle Bar

    January 31, 2020 Updated April 8, 2024 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD Breakfast, Desserts, Entertaining

    Jump to Recipe
    chocolate waffle with whipped cream and blueberries on a plate for a DIY waffle bar
    waffles and toppings on a table with text overlay

    Create an easy waffle bar for your next brunch. It's an easy way to enjoy the best breakfast foods any time of the day. Make waffles ahead of time and keep them warm in the oven for a delicious, fun brunch.

    waffles, fruit, and sauces on plates

    [This recipe was originally posted in January 2019. It has been updated with cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • How to Make Ahead
    • How to Set Up your Waffle Bar
    • Make this Waffle Bar for One
    • Storage/Reheating Tips
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other Good Brunch Recipes
    • What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    This waffle bar is great any day of the week or weekend, DIY it for yourself or for a brunch with friends. It's a great set up for a celebration, shower, party, or simple brunch.

    It's also perfect for Galentine's Day, February 13th. I'm sharing my favorite waffle topping ideas that you and your guests will love, and you will too because they're so easy and delicious.

    Watch your favorite chick flick & make it a potluck for an even easier party. I usually make the waffles and ask guests to bring their favorite topping to get the best waffle toppings for everyone.

    Serve up this delicious waffle bar brunch with fun movies like: 9 to 5 (my personal fave!), Mean Girls, The Other Women, She's the Man, Booksmart, Barbie, and Now & Then.

    What are your favorite chick flick type movies?

    A waffle bar is a great brunch option, because you can make waffles and chop up some of the fruit ahead of time. Just keep the waffles warm in the oven before serving and you're good to go.

    Of course you don't have to just make it for brunch.

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the waffle bar recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick description of what's in this set up.

    • Pancake/Waffle mix
    • Cooking spray

    Toppings Ideas

    • Berries
    • Bananas
    • Fresh whipped cream
    • Yogurt
    • Peanut butter
    • Butter
    • Nutella
    • Chocolate chips
    • Nuts
    • Maple syrup
    • Chocolate syrup
    • Caramel syrup
    • Sprinkles

    Sides Ideas

    • Scrambled eggs
    • Bacon
    • Sausage
    • Frittata
    • Yogurt
    • Drinks

    Instructions

    Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

    bowls of batter with other ingredients around it

    Prepare your favorite waffles. Cook waffles according to waffle mix instructions.

    cooked waffle in waffle iron with plate next to it

    While waffles are cooking, heat up oven to 200 degrees, place a large baking pan in oven with a lid. Transfer cooked waffles to baking pan to keep them warm as the others cook.

    Plates of waffles and toppings in individual dishes on a table

    Cut up fruit and toppings, put toppings in serving bowls. Place bowls of toppings on a table, add waffles right before serving. Assemble your waffle bar and enjoy.

    PIN HERE to add to your recipe box. 

    How to Make Ahead

    You can definitely prepare the toppings and cook waffles ahead of time for your waffle bar. Chop fruit, except bananas, a day or a couple ahead of time. Cook waffles a couple days early too.

    To heat up waffles, just heat in a 200 degree F oven, covered. They'll probably need about 30 or so minutes to heat up. Rotate waffles a few times, and keep loosely covered to allow for reheating and crispy edges.

    Cut banana just prior to setting up to preserve the color.

    How to Set Up your Waffle Bar

    You can make it as simple or fancy as you want. I'd just set up some plates, silverware, and napkins. Then have a couple plates of waffles. Next comes fruit and chocolate toppings, and finally syrups.

    Place a jug of juice, water, mimosas or other drinks at the end with glasses. Label toppings and drinks if desired, but I like to keep things really simple and just explain anything that needs to be explained.

    chocolate waffle with whipped cream and blueberries on a plate for a DIY waffle bar

    Make this Waffle Bar for One

    Use this info to choose toppings for your special waffle and you can use this recipe to make Waffles for One or use your favorite premade waffle mix.

    Making a waffle bar for one will look different than waffles for a crowd, so choose a topping, or a couple and make Waffles for One instead of making all the options then storing them for later. Although that could be fun too. You do you!

    Storage/Reheating Tips

    Store leftover waffles and toppings in individual containers and bags. Fruit will last only a couple of days, waffles about a week, and leftover sauces or candy will last months.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • Use your favorite pancake/waffle mix OR make your own. Here's a great & easy recipe from The Stay at Home Chef.
    • If you want to make chocolate waffles, here's an easy recipe using plain pancake/waffle mix.
    • You can also make waffles ahead of time and refrigerate/freeze ahead of time. Then reheat in oven or toaster so they don't get soggy.
    • Serve with any of the following for variety: scrambled eggs or frittata, bacon, sausage, cocktails or mocktails.
    • Use strawberries, Nutella, peanut butter, bananas, yogurt, whipped cream, and chocolate chips as toppings!
    • Make about ¼ recipe more than the number of guests you anticipate, unless you've got a lot of protein foods. This will ensure you've got a few extra at your waffle bar if anyone wants seconds!
    • Freeze remaining waffles for a quick and exciting breakfast so you can enjoy your waffle bar for longer!

    FAQ

    How do you keep waffles warm on a waffle bar?

    Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and place the waffles on a cookie sheet (loosely covered with foil) to keep them warm & crisp for your waffle bar.

    What foods go with waffles?

    I'd recommend making eggs of some kind, scrambled are easiest, and you can keep them warm in the oven too!

    I'm also a huge fan of breakfast sausage &/or bacon. The meatiness and saltiness in these breakfast classics pair really well with sweet waffles & the other toppings. Again, you can keep them warm in the oven too!

    Waffles with strawberries and chocolate chips on a plate

    Other Good Brunch Recipes

    • Make Ahead Breakfast Sandwiches
    • Breakfast Sausage Casserole
    • PB Chia Pudding
    • Breakfast Tacos (turn it into a breakfast taco bar!)
    • Apple Omelet with Sharp Cheddar
    • Easy Yogurt Bowl (again, turn it into a yogurt bowl bar!)
    • Huevos Rancheros
    • And something delicious to drink with your waffle bar or other brunch

    What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.

    • Fruit: 5 Min Strawberry Sauce, Yogurt Bowls, Triple Berry Chia Pudding, Berry Popsicles, Turkey Sandwich with Blueberry Mustard, Sparkling Berry Lemonade, Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Dressing.
    • Chocolate: Edible Single Serving Cookie Dough, Chocolate Covered Popcorn, and Single Serving Brownie.
    • Nuts: Add to M&M Popcorn for One or Single Serve Banana Bread.
    • Pancake/waffle mix, syrup: freeze leftover waffles from. your waffle bar or make Bananas Foster Pancakes.

    Did you make this waffle bar? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    waffles and toppings on a table for DIY waffle bar

    How to Make an Easy Waffle Bar

    Create an easy waffle bar for your next brunch. It's an easy way to enjoy the best breakfast foods any time of the day. Make waffles ahead of time and keep them warm in the oven for a delicious, fun brunch.
    4.84 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Brunch, dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10 people
    Author: Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN

    Equipment

    • Waffle Iron
    • Mixing bowl
    • whisk
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • knife
    • cutting board

    Ingredients

    Waffle Ingredients

    • 2 cups Pancake/Waffle mix + additional ingredients it calls for

    Topping Ideas

    • 2 cups fresh berries sliced if needed
    • 1-2 whole bananas
    • 1 cup fresh whipped cream
    • ¼ cup peanut butter
    • ¼ cup nutella
    • 1 cup chocolate chips
    • ½ cup chopped nuts
    • maple syrup
    • ½ cup Yogurt
    • stick Butter
    • bottle Chocolate syrup
    • bottle Caramel syrup
    • ¼ cup Sprinkles

    Sides Ideas-choose amounts based on your group

    • Scrambled eggs
    • Bacon
    • Sausage
    • Frittata
    • Yogurt
    • Drinks

    Instructions

    • Mix waffle mix according to box directions. Heat up waffle iron, and spray waffle iron with cooking spray before pouring batter in. Cook waffles.
    • Cut up fruit and toppings, put toppings in serving bowls. 
    • Place bowls of toppings and sides on a table, add waffles right before serving. Serve and enjoy.
    • Prior to serving, heat up oven to 200 degrees, place a large baking pan in oven with a lid. Transfer cooked waffles to baking pan to keep them warm as the others cook. It might take about 30-40 minutes to heat up from cold.

    Notes

    • Use your favorite pancake/waffle mix OR make your own. Here's a great & easy recipe from The Stay at Home Chef.
    • If you want to make chocolate waffles, here's an easy recipe using plain pancake/waffle mix.
    • You can also make waffles ahead of time and refrigerate/freeze ahead of time. Then reheat in oven or toaster so they don't get soggy.
    • Serve with any of the following for variety: scrambled eggs or frittata, bacon, sausage, cocktails or mocktails.
    • Use strawberries, Nutella, peanut butter, bananas, yogurt, whipped cream, and chocolate chips as toppings!
    • Make about ¼ recipe more than the number of guests you anticipate, unless you've got a lot of protein rich foods. This will ensure you've got a few extra if anyone wants seconds!
    • Freeze remaining waffles for a quick and exciting breakfast
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @NourishNutriCo or tag #NourishNutriCo!

    Want time saving tips to make recipes like this waffle bar and actual single serving recipes delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Cooking for One Time Saving Tips.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

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    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian who has been cooking for one for over 10 years. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cindy says

      May 20, 2022 at 12:06 pm

      4 stars
      I’m doing a waffle bar tonight for a belated Mother’s Day.
      I’m serving eggs benidect, asparagus, fresh fruit, hash brown casserole. For dessert I’m making a waffle bar. I made blackberry, and strawberry sauce, homemade whip cream, whipped butter, maple syrup, bananas, and nuts.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        May 22, 2022 at 8:53 am

        great to hear! thanks for sharing. your spread sounds amazing

        Reply
    2. Jenn says

      April 23, 2020 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      I LOVE the idea of making a waffle bar! What a fun idea, and I especially appreciate all the tips and suggestions for toppings. I love waffles and can't wait to try this!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        April 23, 2020 at 8:24 pm

        thanks! it's so fun for a future party or for your house right now!

        Reply
    3. SHANIKA says

      April 23, 2020 at 12:18 pm

      5 stars
      OMG! I love this idea! I need to make a Waffle Bar this weekend for sure!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        April 23, 2020 at 8:24 pm

        totally!

        Reply
    4. Anita says

      April 23, 2020 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great way to serve a Sunday brunch. People simply prepare their own waffles and add whatever toppings they wish. I can relax and take the day off. 😉

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        April 23, 2020 at 8:24 pm

        great idea! it'll be perfect

        Reply
    5. Capri says

      April 23, 2020 at 11:46 am

      5 stars
      This is such a lovely idea! It's a great way to have a fancy at-home birthday brunch celebration!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        April 23, 2020 at 8:24 pm

        ohh absolutely!

        Reply
    6. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

      April 23, 2020 at 11:45 am

      5 stars
      I am definitely going to have to put together a DIY waffle bar for me and my girls! They'd love it!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        April 23, 2020 at 8:24 pm

        ohh yes!

        Reply
    4.84 from 6 votes

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