Fluffy, vibrant purple waffles infused with creamy ube root vegetable, creating an enchanting Filipino-inspired breakfast that’s as delicious as it is visually stunning. These golden-brown waffles have a delicate crispy exterior and pillowy soft interior, topped with whipped cream and fresh berries for the ultimate indulgent morning treat. The natural nutty-sweet flavor of ube combined with vanilla creates an irresistible taste experience that will transport your taste buds to the Philippines with every bite.
Ube waffles have become a beloved Filipino delicacy that’s now capturing hearts worldwide. This vibrant purple root vegetable, also known as purple yam, is a staple in Filipino desserts and breakfast dishes, prized for its distinctive earthy-sweet flavor and stunning natural color. What makes ube waffles so special is their ability to deliver restaurant-quality elegance while remaining surprisingly simple to prepare at home.
These waffles represent the perfect fusion of traditional Filipino ingredients with classic American breakfast comfort. Whether you’re exploring Filipino cuisine for the first time or you’re a seasoned fan, ube waffles offer an exciting departure from traditional breakfast fare. The beautiful purple hue alone makes these waffles Instagram-worthy, but it’s the incredible flavor and texture that will keep you coming back for more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Stunning vibrant purple color that’s naturally derived from ube, making every plate Instagram-worthy and conversation-starting
- Easy to prepare with simple pantry ingredients and no complicated techniques required, perfect for both beginner and experienced cooks
- Unique Filipino-inspired flavor profile combines nutty, sweet earthiness with creamy richness that’s completely different from traditional waffles
- Versatile enough for special breakfasts, brunch entertaining, or weekend treat that impresses family and friends with minimal effort
Ingredients
2 cups All-purpose flour (sifted to remove lumps)
2 teaspoons Ube extract (pure ube extract for best color and flavor)
1 cup Canned ube puree (drained well if excess liquid is present)
3 tablespoons Granulated sugar (for sweetness)
2.5 teaspoons Baking powder (for fluffy texture)
1.5 teaspoons Vanilla extract (complements ube flavor)
1.5 cups Milk (whole milk for richness)
3 large Eggs (room temperature)
4 tablespoons Unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
0.25 teaspoon Salt (enhances flavor)
1 cup Whipped cream (for topping)
1 cup Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for garnish)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting is crucial as it incorporates air and removes any lumps, ensuring perfectly fluffy waffles. Set the dry mixture aside and proceed to combine the wet ingredients.
💡 Sifting might seem tedious, but it’s the secret to achieving that light, airy texture that makes these waffles irresistible.
In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, ube puree, ube extract, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth. Make sure the ube puree is fully incorporated to achieve even color distribution throughout the batter. The mixture should have a vibrant purple hue and be completely homogeneous.
💡 Use a whisk rather than a spoon to ensure you’re incorporating air into the batter, which contributes to fluffiness.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together using a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix—some lumps are okay and actually preferable. Overmixing develops gluten and results in dense, tough waffles rather than the light, fluffy texture you’re aiming for. The batter should be thick but pourable.
💡 If your batter seems too thick, add milk one tablespoon at a time. If too thin, add flour one tablespoon at a time until you reach the right consistency.
Preheat your waffle iron to medium-high heat according to manufacturer instructions, typically 3-5 minutes. Properly preheating is essential for achieving those crispy, golden-brown exteriors while maintaining soft, fluffy interiors. You can test if it’s ready by sprinkling a few drops of water on the surface—they should sizzle immediately.
💡 Lightly grease the waffle iron with cooking spray or melted butter to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
Once the waffle iron is preheated, pour approximately 3/4 cup of batter into the center of the iron for a standard-sized waffle maker. Close the lid gently and cook for 4-5 minutes until the outside is golden brown and crispy. The waffle should release easily from the iron when fully cooked. Avoid opening the iron mid-cook, as this releases steam and can result in less fluffy waffles.
💡 If your waffle iron has a steam release valve, you can use it as an indicator that the waffle is ready when steam stops flowing steadily.
As each waffle finishes cooking, transfer it to a wire rack or directly to serving plates. Placing finished waffles on a wire rack rather than stacking them prevents them from becoming soggy on the bottom. If you’re cooking multiple batches, you can keep finished waffles warm in a 200°F oven while you complete the remaining batter.
💡 Avoid stacking waffles on top of each other, as the steam gets trapped and makes them lose their crispness.
While the last waffles are cooking, prepare your toppings. Top each warm waffle generously with whipped cream and arrange fresh berries on top or around the plate. You can also drizzle with maple syrup, chocolate sauce, or ube syrup for extra indulgence.
💡 For best results, use cold whipped cream straight from the refrigerator as it creates a beautiful contrast with the warm waffles.
Serve the ube waffles immediately while they’re still warm and crispy. The warm waffles will slightly soften the whipped cream, creating a delightful combination of temperatures and textures. Serve with your choice of beverages—coffee, hot chocolate, or fresh fruit juice pair beautifully with these purple delights.
💡 For a restaurant-quality presentation, dust the top with powdered sugar and add a mint leaf for garnish.
👨🍳 Chef’s Notes
The key to exceptional ube waffles lies in quality ingredients—seek out authentic ube extract and good-quality canned ube puree from Asian grocery stores for the best flavor and color. Don’t skip the sifting step as it genuinely makes a difference in achieving that cloud-like texture. The batter should not be overmixed; some lumps indicate you’re on the right track. Finally, always serve immediately while waffles are warm and crispy, as this window of perfection is brief but absolutely worth it.
Ube Purple Waffles
Fluffy, vibrant purple waffles infused with creamy ube root vegetable, creating an enchanting Filipino-inspired breakfas…
Ingredients
- • 2 cups All-purpose flour
- • 2 teaspoons Ube extract
- • 1 cup Canned ube puree
- • 3 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- • 2.5 teaspoons Baking powder
- • 1.5 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- • 1.5 cups Milk
- • 3 large Eggs
- • 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- • 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- • 1 cup Whipped cream
- • 1 cup Fresh berries
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting is crucial as it incorporates air and removes any lumps, ensuring perfectly fluffy waffles. Set the dry mixture aside and proceed to combine the wet ingredients.
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, melted butter, ube puree, ube extract, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth. Make sure the ube puree is fully incorporated to achieve even color distribution throughout the batter. The mixture should have a vibrant purple hue and be completely homogeneous.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together using a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix—some lumps are okay and actually preferable. Overmixing develops gluten and results in dense, tough waffles rather than the light, fluffy texture you’re aiming for. The batter should be thick but pourable.
- Preheat your waffle iron to medium-high heat according to manufacturer instructions, typically 3-5 minutes. Properly preheating is essential for achieving those crispy, golden-brown exteriors while maintaining soft, fluffy interiors. You can test if it’s ready by sprinkling a few drops of water on the surface—they should sizzle immediately.
- Once the waffle iron is preheated, pour approximately 3/4 cup of batter into the center of the iron for a standard-sized waffle maker. Close the lid gently and cook for 4-5 minutes until the outside is golden brown and crispy. The waffle should release easily from the iron when fully cooked. Avoid opening the iron mid-cook, as this releases steam and can result in less fluffy waffles.
- As each waffle finishes cooking, transfer it to a wire rack or directly to serving plates. Placing finished waffles on a wire rack rather than stacking them prevents them from becoming soggy on the bottom. If you’re cooking multiple batches, you can keep finished waffles warm in a 200°F oven while you complete the remaining batter.
- While the last waffles are cooking, prepare your toppings. Top each warm waffle generously with whipped cream and arrange fresh berries on top or around the plate. You can also drizzle with maple syrup, chocolate sauce, or ube syrup for extra indulgence.
- Serve the ube waffles immediately while they’re still warm and crispy. The warm waffles will slightly soften the whipped cream, creating a delightful combination of temperatures and textures. Serve with your choice of beverages—coffee, hot chocolate, or fresh fruit juice pair beautifully with these purple delights.
