Crispy Overnight Yeasted Waffles

1. Heat Milk and Butter

Begin by gently heating the milk and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. This should take about 3 to 5 minutes, just until the butter melts and the mixture is warm to the touch. It's crucial that the mixture is not too hot, as this can deactivate the yeast.

2. Cool Milk and Butter Mixture

Once the milk and butter mixture is warmed and the butter is fully melted, allow it to cool until it is just warm to the touch. This step is important because it ensures the yeast will activate properly without being killed by excessive heat.

3. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. This step combines all the dry ingredients evenly, which helps in making a smooth batter.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually whisk the warm milk and butter mixture into the dry ingredients. Doing this slowly helps avoid lumps, resulting in a smoother batter. Make sure everything is well combined.

5. Add Eggs and Vanilla

In a separate small bowl, whisk the eggs and vanilla extract together until fully blended. Add this egg mixture to the batter, whisking until everything is well incorporated.

6. Refrigerate Batter

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the batter for at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours. This long fermentation period allows the yeast to work its magic, causing the batter to double in size and become beautifully foamy, which is key to creating light and crispy waffles.

7. Preheat Waffle Iron

When you're ready to make the waffles, start by heating your waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This ensures the waffle iron is at the perfect temperature for baking.

8. Prepare Batter for Baking

Take the batter out of the refrigerator and give it a quick whisk to recombine. Don’t worry if the batter deflates; that’s perfectly normal.

9. Bake Waffles

Pour the appropriate amount of batter into your preheated waffle iron—typically about ½ cup for a 7-inch round iron or 1 cup for a 9-inch square iron. Close the waffle iron and bake the waffles following the manufacturer’s instructions until they are golden brown and crispy.

10. Serve Waffles

Serve the waffles immediately for the best texture. If you need to hold them for a bit, you can keep them warm in a low-temperature oven, but they are best enjoyed right after baking.