Easy Orange Waffles with Pecans: Start a New Tradition
Sneak Peek: Easy Orange Waffles with Pecans are Belgian waffles with orange juice, zest, and pecans. Breakfast was never so much fun.

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Do you have food traditions related to specific activities or particular people? What I like about food traditions is that they remind me of people or events from my past.
Several of our favorite recipes have come from camping with close friends:
- We consistently rewarded ourselves with homemade ice cream after setting up camp.
- These Frosted Cinnamon Jumbles always made an appearance.
- This Quick Ground Beef and Potato Skillet Recipe was one of our favorites when it was raining, and we were stuck in the camper.
- We prepared my friend’s Orange Waffles with Pecans recipe for breakfast at least one morning.
Part of the fun was always making these waffles with Joan’s non-electric Belgian waffle iron (paid link). Instead of using electricity, heat it directly over a burner or campfire.
I bought a manual waffle iron for myself but haven’t used it much. It requires constant attention–something I can only manage when I’m away from home. So, as you can probably guess, I use an electric waffle iron to make the waffles pictured here.
What Are These Waffles Like?
They are not fussy waffles. No separating eggs or folding in the whites. No mixer is needed. You can stir the mixture by hand.
This easy recipe produces thick Belgian waffles with a relatively dense, muffin-like texture. Leftovers make great snacks later in the day.

Ingredients and Substitutions
- FLOUR: Use either bleached or unbleached all-purpose flour. I have not tried any non-gluten flours with this recipe.
- SUGAR: Granulated sugar is specified in the recipe.
- EGGS: I always use large eggs. If you use a different size, you may need to adjust the amount of liquid (orange juice in this case).
- SALT: Use table salt or sea salt. Add a quarter of a teaspoon more if you want to use Kosher salt.
- ORANGES: Although you could use reconstituted frozen orange juice instead of freshly juiced oranges, you wouldn’t have easy access to the grated rind. The rind is important to get a spectacular orange taste.
- BUTTER: Substitute margarine if you don’t have butter.
- PECANS: Try almonds or walnuts if you prefer. Toasting them will bring out the flavor no matter which nut you choose. You can toast nuts quickly with a microwave. In the end, nuts are optional.
How To Make Easy Orange Waffles with Pecans
- Whisk or stir all the dry ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the eggs, orange juice, rind, and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Stir until all the ingredients are moistened.
- Gently fold in the chopped and toasted pecans.
- Preheat the waffle iron.
- When the waffle iron is hot, spray it with cooking spray or brush it with vegetable oil and pour batter onto the bottom according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
FAQ About Orange Waffles
If you leave them out on the counter, they will disappear all by themselves. Otherwise, double-wrap and freeze any leftovers.
They probably weren’t cooked long enough. So leave the waffles in the waffle iron a bit longer. As the waffles cool, they will get softer.
The traditional accompaniments include honey, maple syrup, powdered sugar, or warm butter. Dress them with whipped cream, fresh fruit, creme fraiche, or yogurt. I like to serve these warm microwave cinnamon apples on top.
I don’t recommend mixing up the batter much earlier than you plan to use it. However, measuring the dry ingredients and storing them together will save time when you get ready to stir up some waffles.
According to Mash, waffles have more butter and sugar than pancakes.
Belgian waffles are thicker with oversized pockets. Those pockets hold even more of the good stuff you put on your waffles. You need a Belgian Waffle maker to make Belgian Waffles. You can still cook this recipe on a standard waffle iron, but your waffles won’t be as thick.
Parting thoughts: I hope you make delicious traditions for your family or friends. If not, these orange waffles would be a fun way to start. Add these easy mini sausage kabobs to the menu for added protein.
Need help troubleshooting? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com—photos welcome!
Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.