It’s the weekend, and everyone wants waffles! Lucky for you, you have a box of Krusteaz waffle mix on hand to make that waffle batter fast. Even though Krusteaz is a beloved brand though, it’s still not quite on par with homemade.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t make it better. If you have been wondering how to make Krusteaz waffles better, there are some simply brilliant tricks that can turn them into a gourmet experience.
What can you do? You can swap out the ingredients the box calls for, add to your mix, or add different toppings. And, of course, you can try all three options for fixing your Krusteaz waffles. Here’s the best way to unbox the best from this mix!
How to Make Krusteaz Waffles Better
Butter Makes Everything (Including Krusteaz Waffles) Better
When you look at your box of Krusteaz waffle mix, you will see it asks you to add oil, water, and eggs. Of course, this gets the job done just fine, but to make these waffles even better, you should use butter instead of oil.
The butter should be melted first to blend with the batter. It will help make your waffles more flavorful and fluffier too. If you only have oil though, you will want to use something that doesn’t impart an odd flavor. Vegetable or canola oil would be our top picks here, but to truly boost that batter, it better be butter!
Make It with Milk
Your box of Krusteaz waffle mix can’t become batter without liquid. That’s why the box tells you to use water. However, swapping that water for milk will give you rich and delicious waffles. If you are dairy-free, you can use nut milk; though, for those that can have dairy, whole milk is your best option. In any event, any kind of milk can elevate your box of Krusteaz with ease!
Add Salt
Just a little pinch of salt makes a huge difference in sweet recipes. It brings balance and by adding just a teensy bit more, you will see how to make Krusteaz waffle mix better. Since the mix has a little salt, just add a teaspoon of coarse sea salt. You’ll especially want to do this if you’re going to follow through with either of the next two tricks.
Give It a Chocolate Makeover
Chocolate waffles?!? Yes, please! If you want to know how to make Krusteaz waffles better, the secret is adding chocolate flavor. You can achieve this with cocoa powder. You’ll get a rich chocolaty taste, making your waffles more indulgent. For breakfast or dessert, these will be amazing!
However, you want to limit yourself to only a tablespoon of cocoa powder. Adding more than that would create a bitter taste since the cocoa powder isn’t sweetened. Just this little amount will give your boxed waffles the delicious chocolaty makeover they deserve.
Add Some Drops of Vanilla
The sweet scent of vanilla is one that will get your sweet tooth chomping at the bit. Adding a bit of pure vanilla extract takes these waffles from meh to marvelous in seconds flat. Imitation vanilla isn’t the best choice, though you can use it if it’s all you’ve got.
If you can, try to find a pure vanilla extract from Madagascar, Tahiti, or Mexico. The extracts from these places have the best flavors that bode well for your waffles and any other baking that you do.
No vanilla? You can use other extracts too. If you have almond extract, coconut extract, maple extract, or any citrus extract (like lemon or orange), those will also add a spectacular flavor that turns this box mix into something that tastes homemade.
Give Them Lemon Zest
Extracts can certainly boost the flavor of your Krusteaz waffle mix, though if you’re going with a lemony vibe, we’d like to suggest lemon zest. It creates a fresher, tangier taste. You’ll only want to zest a tablespoon of lemon peel, then stir it into the batter. A little goes a long way. Save some of that lemon zest to put on top when serving for that added wow factor!
Add Fun Stuff to the Batter
Got fresh blueberries or chocolate chips? Throw them in the batter! Try some bacon or sausage crumbles for a savory style. Peanut butter is another good one, especially with cocoa powder, for a peanut butter cup taste. You can also add a cup of crushed pineapples (drain them well first) and coconut flakes for a tropical treat. Get creative with what’s in your cabinets, and have fun experimenting with different waffle flavors!
Don’t Forget the Toppings
Naturally, after you do all that work to make Krusteaz waffle mix better, you can’t forget about what goes on top when you serve your piping-hot waffles fresh off the waffle iron. Seasonal fresh fruits are always awesome, especially with some whipped cream. You can put chocolate chips, nuts, sprinkles, coconut flakes, and pretty much anything you’d put in the batter too.
So, if you’re not sure about those pineapple chunks and coconut in the batter, put it on top instead. This trick for how to make Krusteaz waffles better is a good one when you have different palates to please under one roof.
Syrups are important too, and while pure maple syrup is the standard, fruit syrups can sweeten the deal. If you’re not a fan of all the added sugar in store-bought fruit syrups, you can make your own with fresh fruit on the stovetop. All you need to do is boil your chosen fruits (berries are among the best for this) with a little sugar and water until it takes on a syrupy texture.
Now that we’ve unboxed some great ideas for making Krusteaz waffle mix better, it’s time for you to put them into action in your kitchen. They’ll have that homemade taste; everyone will think you made them from scratch!
FAQ
Can you make pancakes with Krusteaz waffle mix?
Yes, you can make pancakes with Krusteaz waffle mix. Just add water to the waffle mix and then cook the pancakes on a griddle or in a frying pan. The pancakes will be thinner than if you made them from scratch, but they will still taste good.