Decadent Nutella-Stuffed Waffles for Brunch or Dessert

These Nutella waffles are crispy on the outside, light inside, and swirled with Nutella for a breakfast everyone loves.

Nutella waffle on white plate with more in the background

I love waffles for breakfast, whether it’s Oreo waffles, bacon-cheddar waffles, Liège waffles, or apple-cinnamon waffles. While I appreciate a classic waffle, I enjoy adding special ingredients to make them unique.

Nutella, a sweetened hazelnut cocoa spread, is the perfect combination of chocolate and hazelnuts and makes an exceptional addition to waffles.

For this Nutella waffle recipe, a basic Belgian-style batter is used and Nutella is swirled into the batter on the waffle iron. The result is a crunchy exterior, a tender interior, and ribbons of Nutella in every bite.

Why This Recipe Works

  • The waffles are crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
  • Nutella brings sweetness and chocolate-hazelnut flavor, often eliminating the need for extra syrup.
  • They’re quick and easy to prepare, ideal for busy mornings.
  • You can easily customize them with your favorite toppings.
overhead shots of Nutella waffles on plates

Ingredient Notes

  • All-purpose flour – builds structure and gives balanced texture.
  • Granulated sugar – adds sweetness and helps create a lightly caramelized exterior.
  • Baking powder – leavens the batter so waffles are light and airy.
  • Salt – balances and enhances flavor.
  • Whole milk – contributes richness and moisture; other milks work too.
  • Canola or vegetable oil – keeps waffles moist and helps create a crisp crust.
  • Eggs – yolks add richness; beaten whites folded in make the batter lighter.
  • Vanilla extract – adds warm aroma and complements Nutella.
  • Nutella – the star ingredient for a chocolate-hazelnut swirl.

Ingredient Swaps

You can adapt the recipe to suit preferences or dietary needs. Ideas include:

  • Swap granulated sugar for light brown sugar or coconut sugar for a deeper flavor.
  • Use skim or plant-based milk if you prefer a lighter or dairy-free option.
  • Substitute another neutral oil if you don’t have canola oil on hand.
  • If you don’t have Nutella, try peanut butter or another nut butter for a different but delicious twist.

Step-by-Step Photos

Whisk the dry ingredients in one bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.

process shots of mixing dry ingredients in bowl and whipping egg whites

Combine the wet ingredients and egg yolks, then stir into the dry ingredients. Fold the egg whites in gently to keep the batter airy.

process shots of mixing wet ingredients in bowl and adding wet ingredients to dry ingredients

Preheat the waffle iron following the manufacturer’s instructions, pour in batter, and swirl in warmed Nutella. Cook until golden and crisp, about 4–6 minutes depending on your iron.

process shots of adding batter to waffle maker and swirling in nutella

Belgian vs. Regular Waffles

Belgian waffles are thicker and typically made in a deeper-grid waffle iron, which yields a lighter, airier waffle. The batter can differ, but you can generally use your preferred batter in either waffle maker with good results.

This recipe was made in a Belgian waffle iron and produced excellent results, but feel free to use the appliance you have.

FAQs

Is beating the egg whites necessary?

Beating the egg whites adds extra air and makes the waffles noticeably fluffier, but you can skip it if you’re short on time. The waffles will still be tasty.

Do I have to swirl the Nutella in at the end?

No. Swirling Nutella on the waffle iron creates visible swirls and pockets of flavor. If you mix Nutella into the wet ingredients, you’ll get uniformly flavored waffles without swirls.

How do I know my waffles are done?

Some waffle irons signal doneness with a light or beep. If yours does not, wait until steam has largely stopped escaping from the sides.

Why aren’t my waffles crispy?

Crispness depends on the waffle iron and batter fat content. Belgian irons and higher fat in the batter tend to yield crispier waffles.

How do I keep my waffles crispy while cooking the rest?

Place finished waffles directly on the oven rack in a 200°F (95°C) oven to stay warm and maintain crispness as you finish the batch.

Equipment

Essential tools for this recipe:

  • Waffle iron – for cooking waffles evenly to a crisp exterior.
  • Mixing bowls – to combine dry and wet ingredients separately.
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer – helpful for beating egg whites to stiff peaks.

Homemade Waffle Tips

  • Use a reliable waffle maker—nonstick or cast iron models work well and a done indicator is a plus.
  • Waffle batter should be similar to pancake batter but with a bit more fat to promote a crisp exterior.
  • Baking powder provides reliable lift; baking soda can be used in a pinch with an acidic component.
  • Don’t overmix the batter; a few lumps are fine and preferable to overworked gluten.
  • Expect the first waffle to help you gauge batter amount and doneness.
  • Add Nutella to the waffle iron after you pour the batter to preserve swirls; pre-mixing will yield a uniformly colored waffle.
  • Resist the urge to peek while cooking; steam reduction is a good visual cue that the waffle is ready.
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Similar Recipes

  • Egg and Cheese Hash Brown Waffles
  • Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls
  • Fried Chicken and Waffles
  • Lemon Ricotta Waffles with Blueberry Syrup
  • Pumpkin Pecan Waffles

If you try these Nutella waffles or another recipe from Chisel & Fork, please share how they turned out in the comments. You can also find additional recipes and photos on Chisel & Fork’s social channels.

overhead shots of Nutella waffles on plates

Nutella Waffles

Ryan Beck

These Nutella waffles are crispy on the outside, light inside, and swirled with Nutella for a breakfast everyone loves.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 8 waffles
Calories 246 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil, divided
  • 2 eggs, yolks and whites separated
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup Nutella

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  • In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
  • In another bowl, mix the milk, ½ cup oil, egg yolks, and vanilla extract. Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Gently fold in the beaten egg whites.
  • Combine Nutella and 2 tablespoons oil in a small bowl and warm briefly (microwave 20–30 seconds) until thinned so it’s easy to swirl.
  • Preheat oven to 200°F (95°C) and heat the waffle iron. Spray the iron with cooking spray. Add about ½ cup batter to the iron, then swirl some warmed Nutella into the batter. Cook about 4–6 minutes or until done. Transfer cooked waffles to the oven rack to keep warm and repeat with remaining batter.

Notes

  • Waffle maker: A good waffle iron makes a big difference. Choose a nonstick or cast-iron model; a done indicator helps.
  • Fat ratio: Waffle batter should resemble pancake batter but with more fat (butter or oil) for a crisper result.
  • Baking powder: Gives a reliable rise; baking soda can be used with an acidic ingredient if needed.
  • Don’t overmix: A few lumps in the batter are fine and will help prevent tough waffles.
  • Sacrifice the first waffle: Use the first waffle to judge batter amount and ideal doneness for your iron.
  • Add Nutella at the end: Swirl Nutella on the batter in the heated iron to preserve visible swirls.
  • Don’t peek: Avoid opening the iron repeatedly; use steam reduction or the iron’s indicator to know when waffles are done.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 waffle
Calories: 246 kcal
Carbohydrates: 48 g
Protein: 8 g
Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 48 mg
Sodium: 289 mg
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 13 g
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