Maple syrup, berry compote, banana and Nutella...there's nothing like a tower of waffles piled high with your favourite toppings for an indulgent breakfast - or perhaps lunch, or dinner. We're very much in favour of savoury waffles topped with the likes of sautéed mushrooms and cheese here at Telegraph Food.
We've come a long way since the word "waffle" was first introduced to the English language in the 1725 book "Court Cookery" by chef Robert Smith who swore by the "bake one to try; if they burn, add more butter" method.
But as with pancakes, mastering the art of the perfect waffle first time can be tricky. Reject waffles can range from drastically undercooked in the middle to so burnt that you're probably going to have to leave the pan soaking in the sink for at least a month. But it doesn't have to be that way: these days, fancy waffle makers will do all the hard work for you. If you fancy yourself as a bit of a romantic, you could even up your game and opt for a heart-shaped mould.
In case you didn't know, there's a marked difference between a Belgian waffle and a regular waffle: Belgian waffles are light, fluffy, and larger, with deeper grid squares waiting to be filled with pools of syrup. They're much thicker, and require a speciality Belgian waffle iron (so worth it).
Regular waffles are made in smaller irons, and the benefit of that is that they heat up faster - so there's nothing to stop you from enjoying waffles for a speedy weekday breakfast. It's a win win.
The key to finding the best waffle press? The resulting waffle should always be evenly cooked, and you should consider how long it takes to heat up and then for the waffles to cook, depending on your schedule. We also looked for waffle irons which were both easy to use (some require flipping, others will cook it through from top to bottom) and, of course, easy to clean.
Here, we review our pick of the best.
Cuisinart waffle maker
The extra large, oversized grooves in this machine result in spectacular waffles. It heats up quickly, and a clever indicator light will alert you when your waffles are just right. Plus, it's non-stick, so it's easy to clean. A vital addition to your arsenal of kitchen gadgetry.
VonShef rotating waffle maker
The USP for this waffle maker is the ability to rotate it while in use for "even heat distribution". This is supposed to help mix up the batter in the iron, so you can ensure the waffles are properly formed and cooked.
It is easy to wipe clean, though the plates are not removable. It has temperature control so you can decide just how golden or brown you'd like your waffles.
It is a little difficult to use at first, and takes a few seconds to get the lock properly in place so the batter mixture won't fall out when rotated.
Salter deep fill waffle maker
This waffle maker from Salter, available at Asda, is capable of making two thick, square shaped waffles at once. The plates are very deep and are coated in a non-stick coating so you don't have to grease prior to use. The batter doesn't stick at all and the plates are very easy to wipe clean.
It gets hot very quickly with the red/green light on the lid telling you when it is ready to be used. It doesn't have any settings or a timer which makes it difficult to tell when the waffles are ready. After five minutes the waffles weren't cooked fully through and had to be left in for another 2-3 minutes.
Overall, a good waffle maker if you don't want to spend too much and don't mind the lack of frills.
Breville DuraCeramic waffle maker
This sleek-looking waffle maker makes two well-sized waffles,and the plates are removable - which makes it very easy to clean. It's also easy to store and carry around, because it locks shut and can be stored upright. Top marks.
Sage by Heston Blumenthal 'The No Mess Waffle Maker'
This 'No Mess Maker' electric waffle machine from Sage by Heston Blumenthal makes up to four triangular shaped waffles in one go. It is easy to wipe or sponge clean thanks to the non-stick coating, though the plates are not removable.
It has seven settings which allow you to customise your waffles exactly how you like them. The plates are not very deep which results in a little mess (particularly if your batter is a little thick) but all spillages are quickly drained into an easy to clean overflow section. It is quite big and clunky - not ideal for people without a lot of spare space in their kitchen.
Overall an excellent machine that gives you perfect, if not a little thin, waffles with very little fuss.
Nordicware Belgian waffle maker
This is a stovetop waffler, and as well as being aesthetically pleasing it results in perfectly fluffy waffles. Sure to impress your guests, and easy to store. It's also energy efficient.
Tefal multi-function sandwich maker and grill
This machine from Tefal is more than just a waffle maker. As well as two different waffle plates (square and heart shaped), it comes with an additional 14 so you can make toasties and other snacks. The triangle toastie plate set made perfectly browned toasties easily with very little mess.
The waffle plate is coated with a non-stick coating and is very easy to clean and apparently dishwasher safe (we hand washed the plates after they had cooled).
It doesn't have any fancy settings and makes use of a red/green light indicator that tells you when the machine is hot enough to be used. While pricey, this machine offers great value for money. Delicious.
Andrew James 4-slice waffle maker
This waffle maker is very compact and easy to use. It heats up very quickly and the plates are quite deep. It has non-stick plates but we found the batter got stuck in the corners a little bit. Despite this, it was very easy to wipe clean with a sponge once it had cooled down.
A good choice for basic, square waffles with no extra frills.
Our conclusion?
Those with an eye for design will appreciate the Nordicware Belgian waffle maker (£70, Amazon), and fans of gloriously oversized, deep grooved waffles will enjoy the results of the Cuisinart waffle maker (£53, Amazon). Meanwhile, the VonShef rotating waffle maker gets our votes for the most evenly cooked, perfectly formed waffles.
Practical foodies who are also partial to the odd grilled sandwich might also consider the Tefal multi-function sandwich maker and grill (£74.99, Lakeland). It's also worth noting that if you don't have the space or the cash to invest in a waffle iron, you could try baking your waffles in a silicone mould.