The Best Frozen Waffles, According to 4 Moms and Their Kids

While doing my weekly perusing down the frozen foods aisle, I often stumble upon the breakfast section. From pancakes to hash browns, I always take a moment to reminisce about my favorite speedy breakfast options when I was a kid. At the top of my list, however, are the frozen waffles. 

Nowadays, there are so many more options available than when I was a kid, so I spoke with four experts (who also happen to be parents) to uncover the brand that’s most exciting to kids (and likely some adults, too). Spoiler: It’s an oldie but goodie.

The Waffle Experts

• Debbi Hamaty: Registered Dietician, mom of twins and @themomchef1 on Instagram.
• Jasmine Kim: Mom of two and @jasmnekim on Instagram.
• Sarah Harris:  Hospitality lawyer focused on helping restaurants with legal battles, mother and @eatsbysar on Instagram.
• Julie Clark: Creator behind the recipe website Tastes of Lizzy T and @tastesoflizzyt on Instagram.

The Best Frozen Waffles, According to Parents

When it comes to frozen waffles, nostalgia wins kids and parents over rather than newer, health-focused brands. The verdict is in, and all the parents I polled agree on the same one. “Honestly, I always reach for Eggo because it’s so nostalgic of my childhood,” Kim shares. Hamaty agrees, noting that it’s been her sons’ favorite brand over the years.

It’s no surprise these parents think of Eggo when it comes to this breakfast item. The brand was the first to launch a frozen waffle in 1953, and it’s since remained a household name.

What Parents Look For When Buying Frozen Waffles

For these moms, practicality is the leading factor while shopping for frozen waffles. “I try to think of what we’ll actually eat—we, as in mostly my toddler—so if there’s something that’ll help her get excited to eat it in the morning, I’ll likely opt for that,” Kim explains.

And the closer to a from-scratch version in terms of taste and appearance, the better. “I look for a simple, homestyle flavor, a nice thickness, and of course deep ‘pockets’ to hold butter and syrup,” Clark shares. “I want them to taste homemade, even if we need a shortcut that morning.”

Other Mom-Favorite Frozen Waffle Brands

Despite her boys’ preference for Eggo, Hamaty also stocks up on two alternative brands: 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Homestyle Waffles and Annie’s Organic Homestyle Frozen Waffles. “My sons definitely liked the taste of both of these brands, and I feel better about the ingredient profile,” she says.

Harris also recommends a healthier option: Vans Power Grains Protein Waffles. She feels good offering her kids a higher-protein, whole-grain option with minimal ingredients. “They have 10 grams of protein and 11 grams of whole grains,” she explains, “which makes me feel good about serving them to my kids.”

How to Dress Up Frozen Waffles

Lately, Kim has been topping her frozen waffles with raspberries or bananas, but she says there’s always some kind of fresh fruit. She also drizzles them with maple syrup and a sprinkle of hemp seeds. Hamaty also stays pretty traditional with maple syrup and fruit, but will sometimes add some melted peanut butter and cinnamon.

Even if the waffles in your house remain the same as your childhood, that doesn’t mean the toppings have to stay old school. Time to grab a box of this frozen shortcut from the store and have the kids dream up the rest.