The Unexpected Ingredient That Will Change Your Waffles Forever

Dense waffles are a flop like Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator: Dark Fate. They're a heartbreak as tear-jerking as the last episode of Friends. They're in the same space J.K. Rowling might have been in if she'd failed to write Harry Potter on a napkin in a cafe. 

If you've tried lemon zest, sourdough starter, buttermilk, and even yeast in your waffles, you are, hands down, a true waffle connoisseur. And if you don't shy away from peanut butter, fresh fruit, greek yogurt, or ricotta cheese on top of your waffles, you don't need any help in the topping department. But if you're still in search of the light, fluffiness that celebrity chefs Alton Brown and Giada De Laurentiis seem to achieve without blinking an eye, keep reading (via PopSugar). 

You never have to go through the disappointment of a flat, dense waffle again. We've got a hack that'll keep your waffles (yes, even waffles made out of pre-bought mixes) light, airy, and crispy. Are you ready? It's all about seltzer water.

Why is seltzer water a miracle ingredient for your waffles? Similar to the way it will work in your scrambled eggs, the carbon dioxide bubbles in seltzer water expand when heated, producing the lightness and fluffiness you've been searching for (via Wide Open Eats). 

If you've got a powdered batter, Spoon University recommends 3/4 cup of seltzer water for every cup of waffle batter you use. It's that simple. But if you prefer to make your waffle mix by yourself, you might consider following Cook's Illustrated's recipe for buttermilk waffles. You'll need to combine 1/2 cup of dried buttermilk powder with 1 1/3 cup of seltzer water and 1/2 cup of sour cream to get your desired results. If dried buttermilk isn't in your pantry, don't sweat it. You can also combine greek yogurt, sparkling water, and milk to achieve similarly fluffy bliss (via Cooking LSL). Happy Sunday brunch!