Waffle House Copycat Recipes
Waffle House is the 24-hour Southern diner built on crisp-edged waffles and griddle hash browns ordered in its famous scattered-smothered-covered lingo. Make the classics at home — the signature waffles and properly crispy hash browns.
4 recipes
Waffle House is the 24-hour Southern diner that runs on two things: waffles and hash browns. The waffles come from a distinctive batter that bakes up crisp-edged and tender inside, not a deep-pocketed Belgian waffle but a thinner, richer Southern-style one. The hash browns are the real institution, ordered in the chain's famous lingo: scattered (spread on the grill), smothered (with onions), covered (cheese), chunked (ham), and on down the list. Recreating Waffle House at home is all about technique: a properly rested waffle batter, and shredded potatoes squeezed bone-dry and pressed thin on a hot, well-oiled griddle so they crisp instead of steam. Our Waffle House copycats cover the classic waffles, the pecan waffle, and the scattered-and-smothered hash browns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get Waffle House-style crispy hash browns?
Squeeze the shredded potatoes as dry as possible, spread them thin (scattered) on a hot, well-oiled flat-top, and don't flip too early. Moisture is the enemy; wet potatoes steam and turn gray instead of crisping to golden brown.
What do scattered, smothered, and covered mean?
It's Waffle House's hash-brown ordering lingo: scattered (spread thin on the grill), smothered (grilled onions), covered (melted cheese), chunked (diced ham), diced (tomatoes), peppered (jalapenos), and more. Our copycat shows you how to build scattered-and-smothered at home.
Are Waffle House waffles Belgian waffles?
No. They're a thinner, Southern-style waffle with a crisp exterior and tender center, usually a bit richer and sweeter than a basic recipe. Our copycat matches that texture rather than the deep-pocketed Belgian style.
What makes the pecan waffle special?
Toasted pecans go right into the batter as it cooks, so they toast further against the iron and flavor the whole waffle. Our copycat gets the nuts evenly distributed and properly toasty.
Can I make the batter ahead?
You can mix the dry ingredients ahead and finish in the morning. A short rest helps the batter, but it's best cooked fresh for maximum crispness.