Preheat your waffle iron. It should be hot enough to sizzle when the batter lands. If it has a temperature dial, aim for medium-high.
Whisk the dry ingredients together in a bowl. This keeps the flavors even and stops lumps from crashing the party.
In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla. Don’t skip the vanilla—it’s the secret handshake for flavor.
Combine wet and dry ingredients just until they’re mixed. A few tiny lumps are fine—overmixing makes waffles tough.
Fold in optional mix-ins if you’re feeling fancy or hungry.
Grease the waffle iron lightly, then pour batter. Don’t overfill; you want a nice, even rectangle. Close the lid and cook until steam dies down and the waffle is golden.
Carefully remove the waffle, repeat with remaining batter, and keep finished waffles warm if needed. Serve fresh for the best texture.