Waffles have won over hearts of Indians to become a preferred dessert choice, and are not just limited to breakfasts anymore. Crisp or soft, firm or moist, a waffle is always a winner and are now taking over the country by storm. So, after a fun dinner with your friends, when it is time to choose dessert, would you have Belgian waffles or the regular ones? Now, if you thought they were one and the same, you were wrong. Belgian waffles are distinctly different from the other varieties known. While Belgian waffles have this added bulk and chewy texture, the other type of waffles that you come across most often is the American variety, which is smaller, thinner and flatter.

Shrey Aggrawal, founder of The Belgian Waffle Co, tells you the five distinct factors that differentiate Belgian waffles from others.

Deeper pockets

This is the most striking difference between Belgian and regular waffles. Belgian waffles have deep grid patterns that create pockets that have more depth. This allows them to hold more quantity of syrup, honey, chocolate, jam, fruit, etc. One can cherish ‘more’ of everything in every delightful bite of Belgian waffles.

Crispier

Regular waffles are less crispy than Belgian waffles, which are crispy on the outside and strapping enough to bear the weight of the various toppings. The crunchiness of Belgian waffles, with its soft interior, is one of its favoured aspects.

Use less baking powder

Traditionally, this was a major difference between regular American-style waffles and Belgian waffles. The batter of regular waffles was prepared with baking powder. Belgian waffles, on the other hand, were prepared with a batter that is leavened with yeast. However, these days most Belgian waffles that are served in restaurants also have baking powder, but it is used in less quantity. Most waffles are prepared with a combination of yeast-leavened batter that also has added baking powder. This helps to make the waffles crispier.

Lighter but sturdier

The waffles are prepared in a way that makes its exterior sturdy enough to hold the toppings, with a soft fluffy interior base due to its airy batter. This also lends more surface area to the waffles making them seem larger and more filling.

Waffle iron larger in size

American-style waffles that are typically consumed for breakfast are prepared in a smaller waffle iron. Whereas Belgian waffle irons are much bigger in size, with deeper holes and bigger hinges. This is what gives Belgian waffles their thicker shape, with an airier structure. The regular waffle irons have shallow grids which give thinner and flatter waffles.