Buttermilk Waffles and Oven Fried Bacon are the perfect way to start the day…or a new year! These waffles are light, tender, and fluffy.  I’ll never try another recipe, they’re perfect. Let’s get started!

Melt Butter

Start by melting some butter (in the microwave) in a liquid measuring cup and adding the buttermilk, egg yolks, and vanilla to the warm melted butter.

When you combine the cold buttermilk with the warm butter, it will create little solid chunks – and that’s a good thing! Trust me, it will make your waffles even more amazing when they melt into the batter.

Beat Egg Whites

Next beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. (Hint: This is the hardest part of the whole recipe, but easier than you think.)

Mixing the Batter

Combine all of dry ingredients in a separate bowl, add the liquid ingredients, and stir until just combined.

Then, using a spatula, fold in about 1/2 cup of the egg whites.

By starting with just a few of the egg whites, you will be able to get the batter lighter and fluffier.  I don’t know the exact science of why, but I know it works!

Once the egg whites are incorporated, add the rest of the egg whites and fold until combined.

Fold until the egg whites are completely combined and bake waffles according to your waffle maker instructions.

Meanwhile…preheat your oven to 400 and place 8 ounces of thin bacon on a foil lined half sheet pan.

Bake until cooked through.

It’s like magic!  No mess, no flipping bacon, no grease splatters on the front of your shirt (or is that just me? – ha!)…just perfectly fried bacon in the time it takes you to whip up your waffle batter.

Happy Eating, Friends!

Buttermilk Waffles

2 large eggs, separated
1 cup buttermilk
5 tablespoons salted butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon sugar

1. Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl. To the warm butter add the buttermilk, vanilla, and egg yolks.

2. Whip egg whites until soft peaks form.

3. Combine all of the dry ingredients in medium mixing bowl.

4. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.

5. Using a rubber spatula, incorporate 1/2 cup of egg whites into the waffle batter. Then add the rest of the egg whites, gently folding with a rubber spatula. Stop mixing just as the egg whites are incorporated so you don’t overwork the dough.

5. Bake waffles according to waffle maker instructions.

Oven Fried Bacon

1 pound of thin sliced bacon

Preheat oven to 400. Line two half sheet pans with aluminum foil. Place half a pound of bacon on each sheet, careful to not overlap the slices.  Bake 12-15 minutes for regular and 15-18 for thick cut bacon. Rotate sheets halfway through.