Waffles are the best part of brunch. Not only are they easy to make, but they’re easy to customize, and everyone loves waffles. Yet even a fat stack of fluffy waffles needs sides to build the perfect brunch feast.
There are an endless number of side options to serve alongside your waffles, and below are just a few of the best. If you have any favorite side dishes of your own, be sure to leave a comment and tell us what they are.
Fried Chicken
Chicken and waffles are the perfect pairing, especially for brunch. The sweet, fluffy waffles combine perfectly with the rich, crispy fried chicken to make a mouthwateringly delicious brunch dish that everyone is sure to love.
This recipe for chicken and waffle sandwiches explains how to easily make fried chicken, so even if that’s not in your wheelhouse, you can pull it off and surprise your brunch guests with a restaurant-worthy brunch.
Bacon
Bacon is always a good idea, and it is the perfect side dish to literally any brunch feast you can think of. Whether opting for turkey bacon or smoked bacon, serving up a plate of crispy bacon will surely satisfy your guests.
Bacon and waffles combine different flavors and textures to make a richly satisfying brunch with minimal extra time required.
Fruit Compote
Fruit compote, or stewed fruit, is a deceptively easy topping for your waffles that will make you look like you really went the extra mile for your guests.
Whether you buy it premade from the store, or you make it at home from scratch, your guests will appreciate the attention to detail of you serving up a bowl of warm, fragrant fruit compote alongside a stack of fluffy waffles.
Just in case you thought it was complicated to make fruit compote from scratch, this recipe for cranberry apple compote will convince you otherwise. With only a handful of ingredients and about 20 minutes, you can have your house smelling like Christmas in no time.
Yogurt
Yogurt is an excellent healthy choice if you are looking to add tons of flavor and protein. Yogurt also makes for a great substitution for whipped cream, while also adding healthy gut microbes.
Plain Greek yogurt or vanilla yogurt are both excellent choices, especially if you serve them alongside optional ingredients such as honey, fresh fruit, or granola. Your guests will appreciate having a healthy option, while also being able to customize their waffles with their preferred toppings.
Eggs
Eggs are the perfect accompaniment to just about anything, especially a fluffy stack of waffles. There’s no need to host a full omelette bar to provide your guests with this option. All you need are 2-3 eggs per person, a good nonstick pan, some oil, and a little bit of time.
Your guests will appreciate having the option of getting their eggs how they like them, whether it’s over hard or a simple scramble.
Sandwich Ingredients
Brunch is the combination of breakfast and lunch, so why not offer your guests a hearty sandwich with the added bonus of waffles as opposed to bread?
This recipe for the perfect waffle sandwich explains how to easily build a sandwich using the same ingredients you’d find in an egg scramble, but instead, you layer them on buttery sweet waffles. It’s the best of both worlds, and your guests will appreciate the opportunity to customize their waffle sandwiches.
Hash Browns
Breakfast potatoes, like eggs, are the perfect brunch pairing with just about anything. When done right, hashbrowns are fried to golden brown perfection and can make a basic stack of waffles that much more satisfying.
In case you’ve never made hashbrowns before, this hashbrown omelette explains how to make perfectly cooked hashbrowns with just a couple of basic ingredients. After you make hashbrowns once, you will be looking for an excuse to make them over and over again.
Blueberry Ricotta
The combination of lightly stewed blueberries and zesty ricotta cheese makes a perfect topping for waffles that is every bit as rich as a full side dish. This blueberry toast recipe explains how to build a topping that’s slightly sweet, slightly savory, and totally satisfying.
Just in case you don’t have blueberries, you can swap the blueberry compote for this cranberry jam or even macerated strawberries. No matter which option you choose, this will be a great elevated side that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy.
Peach Cobbler
This recipe for peach cobbler cinnamon rolls explains how to make an aromatic stewed peach cobbler topping that will not only impress your guests but leave your house smelling amazing. Bonus points if you also top your waffles with this quick and delicious cream cheese topping.
The best part about serving up a saucepan of this warm peach cobbler topping is that your guests will think you really went out of your way to make it. Only you will know it took less than 20 minutes to put everything together.
Boozy Fruit
This is a great 21+ option that will seriously take your brunch game to the next level. After all, if mimosas are on the menu, then what’s wrong with serving up sweet fruit soaked in flavorful alcohol?
Soak whatever seasonal fruit you like in a combination of melted butter, brown sugar, and equal parts water and liquor (bourbon or rum work best).
No matter what you choose to serve alongside your waffles, all that matter is that you give your guests options and make the experience smooth and easy. For more answers to your brunch-related questions, plus all the awesome brunch recipes you can handle, be sure to follow Golden Truffle on Instagram and Pinterest.
Waffles can be paired with just about anything. If you’re more of a sweet and savory person, then try serving your waffles with bacon, eggs, fried chicken, or crispy hashbrowns. If you have a sweet tooth, stick with stewed or fresh fruit, ice cream, whipped cream, or classic maple syrup.
Belgian waffles pair easily with classic maple syrup, honey, or whipped cream. Alternatively, you can go all out and serve your Belgian waffles with ice cream, bacon, potatoes, or a seasonal fruit compote.
If you really want to impress, then serve a big plate of fried chicken alongside your waffles. Alternatively, you can make waffle sandwiches (or let your guests make their own) and offer fillings such as eggs, sautéed veggies, and cheese.
Olivia has been in love with all things food and libations for nearly a decade. When she’s not cooking up new recipes, she enjoys bikepacking, wine tasting, crocheting, and traveling in her camper van up and down the Pacific Northwest.