1-First Step: Prepare Your Wet Ingredients Start by gathering a medium-sized mixing bowl. Crack 2 large eggs into the bowl and beat them lightly with a whisk until the yolks and whites are combined. Pour in 1 3/4 cups buttermilk and whisk to blend with the eggs. Add 8 tablespoons of melted and cooled unsalted butter to the mixture, followed by 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Whisk everything together until all the wet ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture looks smooth and creamy.

2-Second Step: Mix Your Dry Ingredients In a separate large bowl, combine all your dry ingredients. Add 2 cups of pastry flour (or 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour if that’s what you have on hand). Add 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar if you want slightly sweet waffles, or skip this for savory applications. Measure in 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of table salt. If using the optional 1/2 cup of pecan meal or almond flour, add it now. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine all the dry ingredients, breaking up any lumps in the flour or pecan meal.

3-Third Step: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures Now comes the crucial part that determines your waffle texture. Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold and stir the two mixtures together. The key here is to stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are nearly combined. Some small lumps in the batter are perfectly fine and actually desirable. Overmixing develops gluten in the flour, which leads to tough, chewy waffles rather than tender, fluffy ones. The batter should be thick but still pourable. If it seems too thick, you can add a splash more buttermilk. If it’s too thin, let it rest for a few minutes to thicken slightly. The batter will continue to develop as the baking soda reacts with the buttermilk.

4-Fourth Step: Preheat and Prepare Your Waffle Iron While your batter rests for just a minute or two, prepare your waffle iron. Plug it in and set it to medium-high heat. Most waffle irons have an indicator light that tells you when they’re properly preheated. Once hot, spray both the top and bottom plates generously with non-stick cooking spray. You can also brush them lightly with melted butter, though cooking spray tends to distribute more evenly.

5-Fifth Step: Cook Your Waffles For an 8-inch round waffle iron, ladle approximately 1/3 cup of batter onto the center of the bottom plate. The batter will spread when you close the iron, so start with less than you think you need. Close the waffle iron gently and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. The waffle is done when the steam significantly reduces or stops coming from the iron. Most modern waffle irons also have a doneness indicator. Open the iron carefully and use a fork or tongs to remove the waffle. Place it directly on a wire rack if you’re making multiple waffles, or serve immediately if you’re eating right away. Repeat with remaining batter, spraying the iron lightly between each waffle if needed.