Name: How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Waffles
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 13 min
Yield: 7
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 ounces); ½ cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 2 large eggs; ⅓ cup vegetable oil; ⅔ cup milk (plus a little more if needed); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe

Turn a boxed cake mix into golden, fluffy waffles! This easy recipe makes 7 waffles, perfect for breakfast, birthday parties, or dessert.

Have you ever wondered if you could turn a simple boxed cake mix into homemade waffles? Well, I'm here to tell you that you absolutely can! With just a few additional ingredients and a waffle iron, you can transform an ordinary cake mix into golden, delicious waffles that are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert.

Boxed Cake Mix Waffles pins for pinterest

And here's the surprising part: They actually taste like waffles! They're a little sweeter than traditional waffles, but with a lightly crisp exterior and a soft, tender center, they're a fun twist on a breakfast classic.

Why You'll Love These Cake Mix Waffles

Easy to make: Start with a boxed cake mix and a handful of pantry staples.
Fun and versatile: Serve them with traditional breakfast toppings or dress them up for dessert.
Perfect for entertaining: Set up a waffle bar for a birthday breakfast, sleepover, or women's brunch.
Freezer-friendly: Make them ahead and reheat when you're ready to serve.
Surprisingly filling: These aren't dense or heavy, but even half a waffle can be plenty!

Ingredients You'll Need

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here's a quick look at what you'll need:

1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 ounces)
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs
⅓ cup vegetable oil
⅔ cup milk (plus a little more if needed)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

That's it! No need to drag out a dozen ingredients when a box of cake mix does most of the work.

How to Make Waffles from a Boxed Cake Mix

Preheat your waffle iron and lightly grease the plates.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry cake mix, flour, and baking powder.

Add the eggs, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract.

Stir until everything is incorporated. The batter will be thicker than traditional waffle batter. Add a little extra milk if necessary.

Allow the batter to rest for a few minutes while the waffle iron finishes heating.

Place approximately ¼–⅓ cup batter in the center of the waffle iron, adjusting for the size of your machine.

Close the lid and cook until the waffle is golden brown and cooked through, approximately 3–5 minutes.

Carefully lift the waffle using a spatula and transfer it to a wire cooling rack.

Repeat with the remaining batter.

As You're Working

Place the cooked waffles onto a wire rack, not a plate. They're softer than usual waffles and you don't want them to get soggy.

When you're done, serve and enjoy! If you need to crisp up any of your waffles they do great in the toaster oven for a minute or two.

Cover with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

A helpful tip: I started with my waffle iron set to medium heat but eventually increased it to medium-high to get better browning. Every waffle iron is different, so keep an eye on yours.

What to Expect from Cake Mix Waffles

Boxed Cake Mix Waffles pin for pinterest

I'll admit, the batter surprised me at first. It was much thicker than ordinary waffle batter, and I wondered how it would behave in the waffle iron.

As it turned out, once I closed the lid, the batter spread and cooked much like traditional waffles.

The finished waffles were a little softer coming out of the iron, and a couple were fragile along the seams. I found that using a spatula instead of a fork made transferring them much easier.

I also placed my finished waffles in the toaster oven and gave them a quick blast of heat to crisp up the exteriors.

The result? Golden waffles with a tender interior and just enough crispness on the outside. They tasted remarkably like traditional waffles, only a little sweeter.

This recipe made seven generously sized waffles. And while they weren't particularly dense, they were surprisingly filling!

Three Delicious Ways to Serve Cake Mix Waffles

I decided to try three different topping combinations, and each one had its own personality.

1. Classic Butter and Syrup Waffles

First, I tried the traditional approach: butter and pancake syrup.

This version tasted the most like a familiar breakfast waffle. The lightly crisp exterior and sweet syrup were a delicious combination.

2. Birthday Cake Waffles

For the second version, I dusted the waffles with powdered sugar and added colorful sprinkles.

What a fun birthday breakfast idea!

You could stack a few waffles, add a birthday candle, and surprise the birthday boy or girl with an edible breakfast celebration.

These would be especially fun alongside other birthday treats and party ideas.

3. Chocolate Chip Pecan Dessert Waffles

Now, this version was something special!

I gave the waffles a light dusting of powdered sugar, then sprinkled on mini chocolate chips and chopped pecans.

The chocolate chips began melting against the warm waffles, creating a delicious, almost pastry-like treat.

And here's what I discovered: These would make a terrific easy dessert!

You could serve them warm just as they are, or make them even more decadent with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

No butter needed for this version!

Set Up a Cake Mix Waffle Bar!

Here's another fun idea: Turn these easy waffles into a build-your-own waffle bar!

This would be perfect for a birthday breakfast, a kids' sleepover, a holiday gathering, or even a women's brunch.

Make a batch of waffles, cut them into halves or quarters, and arrange them on a serving platter. Then set out small bowls of toppings, including:

Powdered sugar
Colorful sprinkles
Mini chocolate chips
Chopped pecans
Fresh berries
Whipped cream
Butter and pancake syrup
Chocolate or caramel sauce

Let everyone create their own combination!

Because these waffles are so filling, smaller portions are a great way to let guests try several different toppings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Absolutely! While I tested this recipe with yellow cake mix, you could experiment with chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, or funfetti cake mixes. Different mixes may need slight adjustments to the liquid.

Why is my waffle batter so thick?

Cake mix waffle batter is thicker than traditional waffle batter, especially with the added flour. If it seems too thick to spread, add milk a tablespoon or two at a time until you reach a workable consistency.

How do I make cake mix waffles crispy?

Try cooking them until golden brown, then transfer them to a wire rack instead of stacking them on a plate. You can also give them a brief warming in the toaster oven to help crisp the outside.

Can I freeze leftover waffles?

Yes! Let the waffles cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag with parchment between them if necessary. Freeze for up to two months for best quality. Reheat directly from frozen in a toaster or toaster oven until hot and crisp.

Can I make these for dessert instead of breakfast?

Definitely! These waffles are slightly sweeter than traditional waffles, making them especially good with chocolate chips, pecans, whipped cream, ice cream, or dessert sauces.

More Cake Mix Magic!

If you enjoyed this easy transformation, be sure to visit my How to Turn a Boxed Cake Mix into Something Extraordinary collection.

You'll find all sorts of creative ways to turn a simple box of cake mix into something special, from cookies and muffins to pastries and beautiful celebration cakes.

LET'S EXPLORE THE "HOW TO TURN A BOXED CAKE MIX..." SERIES

Click any guide below to discover a new way to transform an ordinary boxed cake mix into something extraordinary.

I would also be thrilled if you gave my sourdough discard waffles and canned biscuit waffles a look while you're here. (They're yummy!)

Final Thoughts

Who knew a humble box of cake mix could make such delicious waffles?

Whether you serve them with butter and syrup, dress them up with birthday sprinkles, or turn them into a chocolate pecan dessert, these easy waffles are a fun way to think outside the box.

And that's what we're all about here at Out of the Box Baking!

Happy baking, friends!

Don't forget to pin some photos to your Pinterest boards before you go!

Janice Thompson is a professional baker, cake designer, and author with over 20 years of experience creating unique cakes and desserts. She’s the creator of Out of the Box Baking, where she shares her favorite doctored cake mix recipes, tutorials, and baking tips. Learn more →