Rainbow Waffles Recipe
These rainbow waffles couldn’t be easier—they require just a few ingredients and are ready in under 30 minutes. They are so adorable and delicious that even picky eaters will devour every bite of these pillowy clouds of color. My kids like to help make them, which is fun for me, too.
Being a baker at heart, I like to add flavorings and toppings to these waffles, even though they are great all by themselves. They are perfect for Gay Pride celebrations, St. Patrick’s Day, or special occasions like birthdays and carnivals. They go great with my rainbow smoothie to start the day colorfully.
Table of contents
I keep it simple and use a waffle mix to make these, but you can use your favorite recipe. The fun part is coloring the batter; the kids especially love this part. I like to make a double batch and freeze some for later; having them on hand to surprise my kids with a fun breakfast is so handy.
Why you will love this recipe
- Because it is easy: This is my easiest hot breakfast recipe, with just two ingredients and three steps. It doesn’t get any easier than that.
- Picky eaters will eat it all: These waffles taste even better than they look, so my kids eat them all and ask for more. I always make a double batch. Leftovers freeze well.
- Let the kids help: Another way to get the kids to eat more is to let them help cook. When they get to help, they tend to eat what they make. This is one of those fun recipes for them. Let them mix the colors.
- Perfect for holidays: These waffles are so colorful and fantastic for holidays and celebrations.
What you will need
- Waffle mix – I use Birch Benders Organic Waffle Mix because it is organic, tastes sweet and light, and has crispy edges. It also comes in a resealable bag. It just needs oil and water.
- Food coloring – I use purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red gel food coloring.
How to make
Mix the batter: First, I whisk the waffle mix and the ingredients on the box.
Color: I divide the batter into six small bowls and add a few drops of each color gel, stirring to combine, before transferring the batter into six Ziploc baggies.
Cook the waffles: I preheat the waffle maker and spray it with cooking spray. When it is ready, I pipe the six different colors into the waffle maker and close the lid, letting it cook according to the manufacturer’s directions. Mine usually takes five minutes.
Serve with toppings: Last, I remove the waffle and repeat until all waffles are done. After, I like to serve my waffles with whipped cream clouds and rainbow sprinkles
Expert tip
How to make waffle mix from scratch
Although I list waffle mix as the main ingredient for this recipe, I have to admit that I usually use my homemade waffle mix from scratch. First, I whisk two cups of sifted flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, three teaspoons sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, I mix two egg yolks, 1½ cups buttermilk, and 1/3 melted butter until well combined. Then, I stir it into the flour mixture. I beat the two egg whites with a mixer in a separate bowl until stiff peaks form. I fold them gently into the flour mixture before dividing them into the six bowls to be colored.
More tips to consider
- Do not overfill the waffle maker. It will make a mess and cause the edges to look funny.
- Use gel food coloring for brighter coloring that does not add water to the batter.
- Also, don’t let the waffles overcook, or the colors will be brown and not as pretty.
- Be sure to thoroughly grease the waffle maker so the waffles do not stick.
- Make sure the waffle iron is hot before adding the batter. When a drop of water is added, it should sizzle.
- Use room temperature ingredients for the best incorporation.
Recipe variations and add-ins:
- Herbs and spices: Rainbow waffles don’t have to be sweet. These taste great with chives, oregano, dill, and other herbs and spices.
- Make them meaty: To make a meatier breakfast, add some chopped bacon, sausage, ham, or turkey.
- Cheesy waffles: Another way I like to add flavor and sustenance is to add some shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese to the mix. The kids love this.
- Chocolate lovers: I love adding chocolate chips to the mixture. Other chips, such as caramel, peanut butter, and white chocolate, are also good.
- Fruit flavors: To make these even more dynamic, try making each color its own flavor. For example, I have added strawberry extract to red, lemon zest to yellow, and orange zest to orange.
Serving suggestions:
They are perfect for brunch with the ladies. I like to serve them with my best peach sangria, made with Pinot Grigio, cherries, strawberries, and peaches, and my strawberry banana smoothie for those who cannot drink alcohol. They are delicious, topped with strawberry sauce or blueberry sauce.
When I want to celebrate a birthday or another holiday, I make several batches of these delicious treats and set them up with various toppings, including syrup, chocolate sauce, and my delicious thick and rich caramel sauce. I also love to top them with my homemade whipped cream, which looks like fluffy clouds. Then, I add sprinkles, candy toppings, and other edible decorations to make them fun and delicious.
How to store leftovers:
- Reheating: Pop them in the toaster or reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.
- Refrigerate: Pack rainbow waffles in plastic and an airtight container and they can be refrigerated for up to a week.
- Freezing: I usually freeze these in freezer bags with parchment paper in between them to keep them from sticking. They will last for up to three months.
- Defrost: Thaw overnight in the fridge for the best flavor.
Frequently asked questions
If the waffle iron is old, it will need to be thoroughly greased. New non-stick irons are easier to use, but those old hand-me-downs need extra care. Also, ensure the iron is hot before pouring in the batter. The batter will not set quickly enough if the waffle iron is not hot enough. A batter that is too thin or watery can also be a problem. Make sure it is the right consistency.
This is almost always due to too much liquid. Always double-check the measurements. If the batter seems thin, add more flour. But remember not to stir it too much, or the batter will be too dense. Adding cornstarch can also help. Substitute a tablespoon of flour and cornstarch to see if that helps. Finally, make sure the flour is fresh and of high quality. A recipe is only as good as its ingredients.
First, check to see if the waffle iron is hot enough. You should hear a sizzle when the batter is poured in. If that is not the problem, it is probably from using too much batter. Overfilling the waffle maker leads to soggy, thick waffles. Too much liquid in the batter can make them too thin to get crispy. Finally, stacking the waffles together before they cool off will trap steam in them and make them soggy.
This happens when the batter is overmixed. Mixing the batter too much destroys the air bubbles needed to make it light and airy. Those air pockets contribute to the fluffy texture, so stop mixing after the batter is combined. A few streaks of white are okay. Also, mix gently.
More breakfast recipes to try:
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Rainbow Waffles
Ingredients
- 4 cups Waffle Mix plus Waffle Mix ingredients
- Gl food coloring red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple
- Cooking spray
- Whipped cream for serving
- Rainbow sprinkles for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the Waffle Mix and the ingredients listed on the box.
- Divide the batter between 6 medium bowls, and a few drops of gel food coloring to each bowl of batter. Stir to combine. Transfer each batter into a piping or Ziploc bag.
- Preheat the waffle maker and spray it with cooking spray.
- Starting with purple, pipe a large circle or square around the edge of the waffle grate. Immediately, pipe blue inside the purple, next green, yellow, orange, and red.
- Close the waffle maker and cook until the waffle is set.
- Carefully remove the waffle once done and repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve waffles with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles.