Orange Pecan Waffles (With Fresh Juice and Zest)
Sneak Peek: These orange pecan waffles are thick, golden Belgian-style waffles made with fresh orange juice, zest, and chopped pecans. Whether you’re at home or camping with friends, this recipe brings bright citrus flavor and cozy breakfast tradition together in every bite.
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Some of our favorite recipes came from camping trips with close friends—including these orange pecan waffles. We made them over a campfire with Joan’s old-school Belgian waffle iron (paid link), savoring every citrusy bite as the morning chill lifted.
These days, I use an electric waffle iron at home, but the tradition lives on. Made with fresh orange juice, zest, and toasted pecans, these waffles are easy to stir up and impossible to forget.
What Makes This One Worth Sharing
- Campfire-tested and perfect for starting new traditions.
- Fresh citrus flavor from juice and zest
- Freezer-friendly for quick breakfasts later
Ingredients and Substitutions
- FLOUR: Use bleached or unbleached all-purpose flour.
- BAKING POWDER: Gives the waffles lift—don’t sub with baking soda.
- SALT: Use table or sea salt; add more if using Kosher.
- SUGAR: Granulated sugar adds light sweetness.
- EGGS: Use large; adjust juice slightly if using another size.
- VANILLA EXTRACT: Adds warmth and balances the citrus.
- ORANGE ZEST: Use fresh zest from two small oranges.
- ORANGE JUICE: Fresh-squeezed is best; bottled will work.
- BUTTER: Melted butter or margarine both work.
- PECANS: Toasted pecans add crunch; walnuts or almonds are fine too—or skip them.
How To Make Easy Orange Waffles with Pecans
Step-by-Step Instructions
➊ Whisk the dry ingredients
Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl.
➋ Add wet ingredients
Stir in eggs, vanilla, orange zest, orange juice, and melted butter until just combined.
➌ Fold in pecans
Add chopped, toasted pecans and stir gently.
➍ Preheat waffle iron
Heat your waffle iron and lightly oil or spray it.
➎ Cook the waffles
Pour batter into the hot iron and cook according to the manufacturer’s directions.
? Tips That Make a Difference
• Toast the pecans: A quick toast (even in the microwave) boosts their flavor.
• Zest first, then juice: It’s much easier to zest a whole orange than a squeezed one.
• Freeze leftovers: Reheat in a toaster for crisp edges and a warm, fresh taste.
Orange Pecan Waffles (With Fresh Juice and Zest)
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups (180 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 large (100 g) eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon grated rind from two small oranges
- ⅔ cup (64 g) orange juice
- ¼ cup (57 g) butter
- ½ cup (54 g) pecans, toasted and chopped
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 1-1/2 cups (180 g) unbleached all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar.
- Add wet ingredients: Stir 2 large (100 g) eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon grated rind from two small oranges, ⅔ cup (64 g) orange juice , and 1/4 cup (57 g) butter into the flour mixture. Stir with a spoon just until mixed. Carefully fold in 1/2 cup (54 g) pecans, toasted and chopped .
- Fold in pecans: Carefully fold in 1/2 cup (54 g) pecans, toasted and chopped .
- Preheat waffle iron: Heat and grease the waffle iron.
- Cook waffles: Pour batter into waffle iron and cook until golden, following your iron’s directions.
Nutrition
All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com
FAQ About Orange Pecan Waffles
- Can I make the batter ahead of time?
- It’s best to cook waffles right after mixing. The baking powder may lose strength if the batter sits too long.
- Why aren’t my waffles crispy?
- Make sure your iron is fully preheated and don’t stack waffles—steam makes them soggy. Place cooked waffles on a wire rack instead.
- Can I freeze these waffles?
- Yes! Let them cool, freeze flat, and reheat in the toaster or oven.
How to Serve These Waffles
Traditional accompaniments include honey, maple syrup, powdered sugar, or warm butter. Dress them with whipped cream, fresh fruit, creme fraiche, or yogurt. I especially like to serve them topped with warm microwave cinnamon apples. For a protein boost, pair with bacon, sausage links, or even mini sausage kabobs for a fun brunch menu.
Final Thoughts:
Some recipes stick with you because of the people and moments tied to them. These orange pecan waffles are one of those for me. Whether you make them at a campsite or in your kitchen, they’re a warm, citrusy way to start your own breakfast traditions.
Need help troubleshooting? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com—photos welcome!
I have looked everywhere for a waffle maker that can make the belgian heart shaped waffles (the rounder heart shape, not the connected, straight on the side versions) and have had no luck.
Can anyone help me find the waffle maker she used in this recipe?
Thanks a bunch!!
YUM!
I featured your recipe on my blog today.
http://blog.shopdirtylaundry.com/posts/2011/2/4/5-the-dirty.html
oh wow–could these BE any cuter? and they look delicious too!
Those sound really amazing! And the pictures are drool-worthy.
It IS hard to make ‘couple friends’, even before marriage (at least for me).
Heart shaped waffles. How cute. And they sound so delicious.
Paula,
What fabulous memories you must share. I have a waffle iron just like Joan’s that I use both when camping and in the kitchen. I would love to have a cute heart shaped one like you have. The waffle recipe sounds delicious. I love your photos.
Mimi
sounds heaps better than the camping trips my folks took my brother and me on! they sure never made us such yummy-looking waffles!
These look AMAZING! My husband adores waffles-I am more of a pancake person. These might get me off the fence. I am bookmarking the orange iced yeast rolls-those look SO good!
Always on the lookout for non-fussy waffle recipes! These look delicious! Lovely post about good friends. We can relate – lucky indeed to have those friends who survive the years and the kids and all the changes. The couple we have travelled with are named Jan and Rob. We have gotten sunburned at the beach, short of breath in the mountains and even camped – but only once! Great post and pics!
These sound delicious! I can’t wait to make them, granted it won’t be over a campfire but I’m sure it will still be just as tasty!
Got waffle maker, haven’t made enough waffles!! gotta make this 🙂
Waffles are a delightful breakfast, brunch or dinner selection, and orange pecan waffles all the more festive, with very little more work.
Oh these look so good. The combination of orange and pecans sound delish!
It is a must try recipe.
We just got back from a vacation with another couple and their kids. It went fairly well, but I bet it would have gone better if we’d had some of these waffles!
Wow, what delicious-looking waffles! I want a bite!
looks absolutely delicious!
have a nice time!
Paula
[wow… what name for a blog… above] 🙂
ahem…. I have been looking for a waffle maker (why are the so darn expensive)? But have seen this heart one – it’s wonderful! It’s the photo though – that’s stunning! TM is a favorite haunt of my mom’s… I’ll have her check there for me! Great post – great memories – great waffles!
These look delicious! I love the heart-shaped waffles, great idea.
What is the cute heart shaped waffle iron you used? Too cute, I want one.
The waffle iron is by VillaWare. Got it at Tuesday Morning in the last year. Probably available on the internet too.
these are oh-so very cute!
I am coveting your heart shaped waffle iron! Those sound delicious!
I love waffles and these look great. I am sure mine would not turn out so well but we can always hope…Have not seen the electic waffle iron that makes heart shaped waffles. How fun!!
I know these must taste wonderful not to mention the heart shape that means made with love. Awsome. Have a great trip next month. Let’s hope it’s cooled off by then.
Good memories of Rhodes/Hastings camping trips! Speaking of, maybe we’ll all plan to go camping together again someday. As for the waffles, I bet your favorite grandson would enjoy these! haven’t heard about where you are vacationing to this year…..sounds fun!
I don’t think our camping waffles ever looked that pretty. However, how would we know, they were eaten as fast as we took them out of the waffle iron!
What fun memories!
What a lovely tribute to your friends–you’re lucky to have each other. I’d never heard of a campfire waffle iron; that’s genius!