If there is ever a breakfast that feels made for a cozy weekend in December, it has to be these eggnog waffles. They have that warm, familiar holiday flavor from the very first bite, but they still come together like a simple homemade waffle recipe you can pull off without turning the kitchen upside down.

I always love finding one more excuse to use eggnog while it is in season, and this is such a good one. It brings a soft richness to the batter, and with the cinnamon and nutmeg already in the mix, these waffles end up tasting festive without going overboard. Add the quick eggnog glaze on top and suddenly breakfast feels just a little extra special.

What I like most about these eggnog waffles is that they still feel approachable. Even if you are not the kind of person who drinks a full glass of eggnog, the flavor here is balanced and mellow. It reads warm, cozy, and lightly spiced more than anything else, which makes these a really fun breakfast to put on the table during the holiday season.

What are Eggnog Waffles?

Eggnog waffles are a whole wheat waffle made with seasonal eggnog in the batter for extra richness and holiday flavor. Instead of relying only on milk or cream, this recipe uses eggnog to bring in that signature creamy texture along with the cozy taste of nutmeg and warm spice that makes the season feel like the season.

These waffles are still very much a classic breakfast at heart. They cook up golden and crisp on the outside, tender in the middle, and they are easy enough to make for a weekend breakfast without a lot of fuss. The simple eggnog glaze on top gives them one more layer of flavor and turns them into a breakfast that feels a little festive and a little bakery-style, in the best way.

If you already love eggnog, this is an easy yes. And if you usually only like a hint of it, these eggnog waffles are still worth trying because the flavor is present without being too strong.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Holiday flavor without a lot of work: Eggnog, cinnamon, and nutmeg do most of the heavy lifting here, so you get that cozy seasonal taste with simple pantry ingredients.
• Balanced eggnog flavor: The eggnog is not overpowering, which makes these waffles easy to love even for people who do not want an intense eggnog taste.
• Crispy outside, tender inside: A hot waffle iron gives you those golden edges while the batter stays soft and fluffy in the center.
• Perfect for a weekend breakfast: These eggnog waffles feel special enough for a holiday morning but easy enough for an ordinary Saturday.
• The glaze makes them extra fun: The quick eggnog glaze adds sweetness and one more little hit of holiday flavor right on top.

Ingredients

Here is what goes into these eggnog waffles:

• White whole wheat flour gives the waffles a hearty base while still keeping the texture tender.
• Baking powder helps the waffles cook up light instead of dense.
• Granulated sugar adds just enough sweetness to round everything out.
• Ground cinnamon brings warmth and helps deepen the holiday flavor.
• Ground nutmeg adds that classic eggnog note that makes the waffles feel seasonal.
• Salt balances the sweetness and helps all of the other flavors pop.
• Eggnog is the star of the recipe and gives the batter its creamy, rich character.
• Unsalted butter, melted adds richness and helps with flavor and browning.
• One large egg helps bind the batter and keeps the waffles tender.
• Vanilla extract rounds out the flavor with a soft sweetness.

For the eggnog glaze, you will need:

• Powdered sugar for sweetness and structure.
• Eggnog to thin the glaze into a smooth, drizzle-friendly consistency.

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Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is already pretty straightforward, so the easiest way to make it your own is with small changes rather than a full overhaul.

If you want a less sweet breakfast, you can skip the glaze and serve the waffles as-is. They still have plenty of flavor from the eggnog, cinnamon, and nutmeg. On the other hand, if you really want to lean into the holiday feel, the glaze is worth the extra minute because it adds a soft sweetness and makes the whole plate feel more finished.

You can also play up the warm spice flavor a bit when serving. A light extra dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg on top fits naturally with the batter and glaze. And if you are serving these for a brunch spread, toppings like butter, maple syrup, or a little whipped cream work well without taking away from the eggnog flavor.

How to Make this Recipe

Start by preheating your waffle iron to medium and spraying it with nonstick cooking spray. Giving the waffle maker time to heat fully makes a big difference here because it helps the waffles start cooking right away, which means better color and better texture.

In a large bowl, whisk together the white whole wheat flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until everything is evenly combined. This helps distribute the spices throughout the batter so every bite has that warm holiday flavor.

Next, add the melted butter, eggnog, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix just until the batter comes together and everything is incorporated. You want the batter fully combined, but there is no need to overwork it. Once it is mixed, it is ready to go.

Scoop the batter onto the heated waffle iron using about 1/2 cup for each waffle, or a little more if your waffle maker is larger. Cook the waffles according to the manufacturer’s directions until they are golden brown and crisp. The exact timing will depend on your waffle maker, but you are looking for waffles that have a crisp outside and a tender center.

While the waffles cook, stir together the powdered sugar and eggnog for the glaze in a small bowl or measuring cup. Mix until smooth. If the glaze feels too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. If it feels too thick, add a touch more eggnog until it loosens into an easy drizzle.

Once the waffles are done, drizzle the glaze over the hot waffles and serve them right away. If you are making several batches, place finished waffles on a wire rack in between rounds so they stay crisp instead of steaming themselves soft.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

• Preheat the waffle iron fully: A properly heated waffle maker helps the waffles brown nicely and keeps them from sticking.
• Do not overcrowd the iron: Start with the suggested scoop of batter and adjust only if your waffle maker needs a little more room filled.
• Use a wire rack between batches: This is one of the easiest ways to keep the waffles crisp while the rest finish cooking.
• Adjust the glaze as needed: A spoonful more powdered sugar or a splash more eggnog can quickly fix the texture.
• Serve while hot: These eggnog waffles are at their best right after cooking, when the edges are crisp and the glaze melts slightly into the tops.

Serving Suggestions

These eggnog waffles are perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or a holiday brunch. Serve them hot with the eggnog glaze drizzled over the top, and let that be the main event.

If you want to build things out a bit more, add butter, maple syrup, or a light sprinkle of cinnamon for a warm, simple finish. For a holiday breakfast spread, they pair nicely with fresh fruit, crispy bacon, or sausage so you get a mix of sweet and savory on the plate.

A Belgian waffle maker gives these waffles a little extra presence, so they look especially nice stacked on a plate or arranged on a big brunch board for serving.

Storage Suggestions

If you have leftover eggnog waffles, let them cool before storing so they do not trap steam and turn soft. Once cooled, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

For reheating, a toaster or warm oven is the best option if you want to bring back some of that crisp texture. The glaze is best added fresh, so if possible, drizzle it on after reheating rather than before storing.

You can also freeze leftover waffles once they are fully cooled. Separate them so they do not stick together, then reheat straight from cold when you are ready for an easy breakfast.

Recipe FAQ

Do these waffles taste strongly like eggnog? Not really. The eggnog flavor is there, but it is balanced and mellow, especially with the cinnamon and nutmeg in the batter.

Can I skip the glaze? Yes. The waffles still have plenty of flavor on their own, but the glaze does make them feel more festive.

How do I keep waffles crisp while making multiple batches? Place cooked waffles on a wire rack instead of stacking them on a plate. That helps keep the steam from softening them.

What kind of waffle maker works best? This recipe works beautifully in a Belgian waffle maker, especially if you like deeper pockets for glaze and syrup.

Can I make these for a holiday breakfast? Absolutely. Eggnog waffles are a great choice for Christmas morning, a winter brunch, or any weekend when you want breakfast to feel a little more special.

These eggnog waffles are such a fun way to bring a little holiday flavor to the breakfast table. They are warm, cozy, lightly spiced, and simple enough to make without much effort, which is exactly what I want in a seasonal breakfast recipe.

Between the crisp waffles, the soft eggnog flavor, and that quick glaze on top, this is one of those recipes that feels festive without feeling fussy. If you are looking for one more reason to pick up eggnog while it is in season, this is a very good one.