Trending Now: Waffle Bars

We need to remember what's important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work, it doesn't matter. But work is third! Wink! 

Waffling whether to incorporate a waffle bar at your upcoming party? Well, if you ask us, we’ll say yasss queen! The reasons are endless, just like the impressive versatility that those fluffy, crispy food boasts - from sweet or savory, doused in maple syrup, smothered in gravy to topped with fried chicken. There are countless tasty and healthy ways to dress them up! Options are fun. Guests can cherry-pick the toppings of their own choice to put on their waffle. Wedding food stations are all the rage these days, and waffle bars are having a moment! After all, what else says breakfast time the way a syrup-soaked waffle says?! While planning one, we can’t ignore the fact that food and drinks are one of the most important elements in any wedding or party that will be remembered by the guests for years to come! And the cherry on the cake is - a waffle bar, unlike a burger and fries bar, is an easy-to-incorporate budget-savvy idea for any breakfast or brunch wedding, a bridal shower, a baby shower, birthday party, or holiday celebration with a modern and edgy twist. Here’s the scoop on what to serve and how to deck up a waffle bar.

How to set up and decorate a waffle bar

With a huge selection of options and toppings available in the market or house, DIYing a waffle bar or station is a cakewalk! Just grab a table or a cart that agrees to your wedding style (cover it or leave uncovered, your choice), place some waffles, toppings, sauces, and a variety of syrups, and then Fanny’s your aunt! You may even make a waffle maker stand at the bar, so your guests can enjoy yummy waffles hot off the griddle sans staining their expensive clothes. Consider placing drinks on the bar as well to make it more useful and comfortable! Some blooms in vases, a couple of signs marking the bar, and toppings available can gild the lily in a heartbeat! Installing a mini waffle buffet or grazing table is also trending these days and sure to impress your loved ones! This will not only make it visually appealing but also make it easy for guests to pick and nibble at their fave waffle. It’s usually a table, but it can even be a large platter, wooden board, counter or just any large and flat surface thoughtfully decked up with everything you are offering. Just a reminder- food items aren’t always contained on plates or bowls, but arranged artfully in piles that spill, overlap, and intertwine into each other, so it doesn't just taste delicious, it looks delicious too. Blame yourself for the organized chaos! 

Ideas to rock a drool-worthy waffle bar for any occasion

Make the grade by designing your own waffle bar using these fun topping ideas. Includes a recipe for whole wheat oat waffles for a guilt-free breakfast treat, plus ideas for waffle toppings!

1. Glam up your waffle bar set-up with an epic grazing platter or grazing table spread by placing beautiful seasonal flowers matching the color scheme of your event, chic stands, or other decor elements nodding to the theme with waffles, fruits, sauces, and dips of various kinds.

2. Turn your waffle bar into a gorgeous snack wonderland by surrounding all the waffle ingredients with a selection of fresh flowers, greenery, and candles in jars! Some gorgeous bouquets tied to the legs of the table can be a cut above the rest!

3. Make the grade with a lavish waffle and fruit grazing table teamed with milk, dips, sauces, berries, and tropical blooms. To pull off a perfect sunflower-themed brunch wedding, a bunch of fresh sunflowers will do the trick!

4. A cool mini waffle bar complete with an array of different waffles, toppings, and berries along with some syrups can look even cooler with a chalkboard sign saying “I like hashtags because they look like waffles!” or “I've waffled before. I'll waffle again!”

5. Happiness is the mystic mathematics of fire, smoke-stacks, waffles, pansies, people, and ombre sunsets! A rustic chicken and waffle bar finished with a chalkboard sign reading “You should eat a waffle! You can't be sad if you eat a waffle!” along with fresh blooms, lots of waffles, and chicken served is enough to wow your guests. 

6. Sweet or savory, waffles are the perfect canvas for a variety of flavors! Stun your guests by loading your waffle station or waffle grazing table with waffle flavors they might not know exist. Treat them to a crazy unique waffle experience with unusual topping ingredients like smoked salmon, chickpeas, and turkey sloppy Joe’s meat. And don’t forget the little sprinkling of greenery and white blooms around plates and a stunning lucite sign. A flip waffle iron will add instant pizzazz to the bar. 

7. Don’t shy away from using neutral-colored plates, bowls, serving trays, platters, and boards, which will work well for any theme. Only if the budget allows, invest in an assortment of boards, decorative serving platters, vases, and stands to add height to your waffle grazing table. Providing sufficient serving utensils on the table should not slip off your mind!

8. You don’t need the whole nine yards for your waffle bar. Rock a simple wedding waffle grazing table dressed up with waffles, berries, tropical fruits, toppings, and sauces if you don’t want to go overboard!

9. Nothing screams a love-filled fête than a heart-shaped dessert! Say yes to a small waffle bar with heart-shaped waffles, red-hued blooms, wooden baskets, berries, and fruits. How befitting for your Valentine's Day wedding or party!

10. Have your guests gravitate towards your cute small waffle bar or cart decked out with waffles, berries, various toppings, and fresh lemonade at your modern summer wedding. You can also include other morning favorites, including light alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. From Bellini, bloody Mary, mimosa, screwdriver, mint julep, punch, tequila sunrise (grenadine, tequila, and orange juice), and champagne (containing a few berries) to coffee, tea, fresh juices, hot chocolate, and fruit smoothies, the sky’s the limit. For a Southern affair, think iced tea with lemon, peach tea, fresh strawberry or watermelon lemonade, and raspberry ginger ale punch.

11. Lots of fruits, berries, dips, honey, fried eggs, some wildflowers, and voilà. A chic waffle bar for your unforgettable brunch wedding is dressed to impress!  If you are wondering to pair your waffle treats with tea then think black, green, mint, spiced, chai, chamomile, Earl Grey, and English breakfast. 

12. This one is soooo simple and oh so fun – and truly perfect for any occasion! All you need to gather for your stylish waffle bar is - bright blooms, tropical leaves, waffles, toppings, and sauces of all types. Don’t forget to pair your waffle breakfast with some tea, coffee, or other light drinks. Who doesn’t love to munch their favorite waffle with a hot cup of Americano, café au lait, espresso, cappuccino, or Thai iced coffee? 

13. What's better than letting your guests experiment with their taste?! Seeing your loved ones DIYing their waffles for the wedding brunch is sure to tickle you pink! Furnish a waffle iron and some batter and set out a wide range of scrumptious toppings for guests to pile on top. Trust us, they will love cooking their own! Think sliced fruits, yogurt chopped nuts, flavored syrups! They make an excellent combo for a spring or summer breakfast. Or replace things with ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and maraschino cherries! Allow your guests to pick between a variety of supplies.

14. Bring a million watts beaming smile to your guests’ faces with a DIY waffle bar organized with waffle-maker paired with toppings in cone-shaped holders made of stainless steel, mini steel buckets, and glass stands along with glass jars for syrups beautifully arranged on the table decked up with a string of rustic LED globe lights and a bar-shaped wooden sign above tied from both sides to the sleek bamboo poles fixed from the edges of the table. Don’t forget to spruce up the set-up with some greenery, nicely and sparingly, tho. Mulberries, strawberries, blueberries, colorful candies, marshmallows, whipped cream, and lime can really bring the inner chef out of even the littlest guests of yours at your woodsy garden wedding! 

15. When it comes to waffle bar decor essentials, blooms and greenery are not the only game in town, especially when it’s a Gallentine brunch party with your gal pals! Make your waffle wedding treat memorable for your gang by introducing a selection of waffle pops, waffle pretzels, waffle sandwiches, along with quirky options to DIY waffles with their favorite picks without forgetting to pair them up with bottomless mimosas! A little sweet, a little fruity, and a whole lot delicious, these fluffy pieces of heaven are sure to have your besties’ taste buds sing!

16. For a minimalist waffle bar, just churn out old American beauties and allow the guests to choose from an array of fabulous toppings including fresh fruit, Nutella, dark chocolate sauce, maple syrup, and whipped cream. What else would be delish on waffles that are denser and thinner than the Belgian waffles? Maybe chicken, fish, bacon, and whatever your imagination is set to, like all flavors of ice cream! And top up the table with fresh berries, paper flags, salvaged paper, hot cocoa with toppings

17. A waffle bar is always a fun idea for a breakfast or brunch celebration… What better way to craft an eco-friendly waffle bar for your Christmas Day party, birthday party, or holiday-inspired get-together than recycled paper goods like books, magazines, and newspapers. Spin them into a sophisticated and eco-friendly backdrop for your holiday brunch or birthday bash. Think paper trees, bunting, and lots of balloons! Dress up the cook-your-own waffle bar with all handpicked waffle toppings against the wall full of balloons. Candy cane-topped mugs of hot cocoa will only add to the fun! You might want to give frosty blue touches to the display, turning your home into a gorgeous winter wonderland.

18. You can’t go wrong with serving a mix of sweets at your waffle bar. The mix of unique, unconventional ones like macarons, flapjacks, Oreo cookie confection, millefoglie, rice krispie treat, custard-filled cannolis, and small cakes, that one won’t find at dessert bars usually, can take your waffle station notches above. And who doesn't love a waffle bar dripping in gold, loaded with stacks of waffles to celebrate their Parisian brunch wedding?!

19. How can any list of waffle bar ideas not have Belgian waffles (aka Brussels waffles) on it, my fave, especially when topped with ice cream! Belgian waffle+ice cream is a heavenly combo! Provide the guests with ice cream toppings in variety and see the magic melt! If you don’t want to have a gallon of ice cream sitting on the waffle table making a mess, using decanted softened ice cream is a great idea! Not only will it look and tastes amazing, but also holds up very well during the party. Surround this hot-and-cold couple with a team of coconut dust, honey, raspberries or Blueberries, chocolate chips, nuts, blueberries, pecans, or whatever. With waffles, the world is your oyster!

20. If you are so over chicken and meat, sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, peanut butter or chopped peanuts, chopped chocolate or mini chocolate chips, raspberries or blueberries, yogurt, granola, honey, syrup, whipped cream, different shapes of fresh waffles, and lots of plates on a large table for your Sunday brunch is not beyond the realm of possibility! My favorite? Well, I have a sweet tooth, so I see waffles as a dessert usually except when I am on diet! Even on my cheat days, I can’t sleep until I savor a dark chocolate cake waffle (eggless) loaded with vanilla ice cream topped up with loads of chocolate sauce. Umm, yum! For my savory cravings, a waffle sandwich hiding bacon, cheddar, and green onions in its layers would do! Feel my mouth watering! Waffles are so accommodating and versatile, and take on the taste of whatever we crave!

21. Who doesn’t know, chicken and waffles are an MMIH! And both in one bite with some syrup and hot sauce is heaven! Get the traditional chicken, waffles, some Stupid Fries, and Bob’s your uncle! We are sure you don’t want to keep your once-in-a-lifetime bachelor or bachelorette party dry. So make your waffle table a little tipsy with the cans of your favorite beer. 

22. For a vintage affair, an elegant vintage waffle bar is just the ticket! Transform a white vintage table into a classic waffle station by layering it with pink and white blooms, greenery, waffles, toppings, sauces, and a vintage chalkboard sign. We can’t get over this whimsical and lovely waffle bar! And the vintage jelly jars and red lines plates seem to be the culprits! The vintage look of this waffle bar also gives IRL heart-eyes, especially the paint card food labels!

23. Looking for a cute waffle bar idea for your brunch-themed baby shower with a minimalist style. Look at this cute waffle bar set-up from One Sweet Appetite. With yogurt, fresh fruit, pancakes, crêpes, freshly squeezed juice, breakfast casseroles, granola, hot chocolate, coffee, Quiché, bloody Mary’s, parfaits, croissants, and so much more options, you can easily add a fun twist to your brunch-themed occasion! Have we confessed our love for the porcelain serving dishes full of fruits and an array of deliciously flavored syrups used to arrange this awe-inspiring brunch waffle bar?!

24. We are just smitten with crate paper? A waffle bar featuring mason jars and peanut butter organized on a table covered with a chic labeled crate paper guarantees to cut a nice figure! So on fleek! If you want your waffle station to be the star of the show - offer waffles in different types, colors, appearances, and shapes (think hearts, floral, leaf, sea-creature, animal, Disney characters, and stars!). From waffles cut up in the shapes of the birthday boy or gal’s favorite Disney-inspired characters to the GREEN gluten-free matcha waffles whipped up for St. Patty’s Day, the options are fun!

25. This one is for those who don’t want Mother’s Day to get away from them sans throwing a little brunch shindig! Give a colorful backdrop for photos to your waffle bar and keep things pretty simple with light and airy decor. For instance, a waffle bar, a handful of gifts, an icebox tart that was made beforehand, and self-serve espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes (because a lot can happen over a cup of coffee!). Give a try to cereal waffles and edible flower strawberry waffles. Yes, please!

26. Stomach in knots for your vegan guests? Impress them with Nutella-ish vegan waffle toppings! Take your celebration to a whole new level of deliciousness by pairing up the freshly baked waffles with homemade hummus and vegan walnut-lentil pate with almond buttermilk, oats, olive oil, baking powder, maple syrup, all-purpose flour, sweet-tart applesauce, raspberry, and old maple syrup, and voilà! From vegan waffle quarters arranged like a bowtie, with a pecan tying them together to waffle quarters, each waffle quarter is its own treat, with different toppings arranged in pizza style, the possibilities are endless! Even distribution of the three waffle quarters topped with a colorful mélange of flavorful tidbits in fashion looks beautiful! No matter how you arrange your crispy beauties, your vegan guests are sure to feel special and loved after getting tons of delicious offerings to amp up their waffles. For a healthy and safe meal for celiac friends, use gluten-free flour.

Waffle stations in weddings and parties have gone into orbit! They are scrumptious, quick, and budget-savvy and the best part is your guests are going to prepare them, so you don’t have to slave away in the kitchen! No wonder, you are bound to find one in almost every shindig, public or private. While you are planning to set up one in yours, think of the waffle bar like a blank canvas! And put on your creative hats. All you have to do is put out some festive treats in fancy bowls and let your family, friends, or guests load their waffles with everything they like and dress them the way they want. Installing your waffle bar on a piece of butcher paper is a superb idea. Not only will it allow you to label each topping, but also to just doodle and decorate the table resourcefully. Happy waffling!