Fruity and fluffy, thischerry wafflesrecipe is a delicious twist on the classic breakfast food — and a great way to use up a batch of ripe cherries. A drizzle of maple syrup turns them into the kind of breakfast that makes you excited to get out of bed!

A plate of sweet cherry waffles topped with two pats of butter and drizzled with syrup. Fresh cherries are artfully scattered around the plate, adding a pop of color. A fork rests beside it on a crisp white cloth.

Cherries are one of my favorite seasonal produce items!They just remind me of long, sunshiny days and snacking on fresh fruit outside in the warm air.I LOVE sweet cherries through and through. And they make an unexpected, divine addition to waffles – when people think of fruity waffles, they might expect blueberry, strawberry, or even banana.

They’re moist, fluffy, and have a tinge of sweetness that’s not over the top.The addition of applesauce ups the fruitiness just a tad, and makes these ultra soft and airy! I can’t wait for you to give these lovely breakfast beauties a go…You’ll be blown away by how simple and amazing they are!

Don’t have cherries to make this delicious recipe right now? Don’t worry! You can make theseClassic Fluffy Buttermilk Wafflesor theseExtra Light and Fluffy Homemade Wafflesrecipes without fruit, or try thisBlueberry Topping for Wafflesfor a different fruity flavor. They are just as yummy and easy to make.

sweet cherry waffles with butter on top on a white plate.

Why You’ll Love Making Cherry Waffles

Fresh and Seasonal: This recipe isperfect for when cherries are in season, and gives you a great way to incorporate all that seasonal goodness into your menu.
Special Occasion Ready: These waffles are ideal for special occasions likeMother’s Day, a birthday breakfast, or a special brunch. The cherries just add a little something special.
Delicious Flavor: The littlebursts of sweet cherries go beautifullywith the natural sweetness and crispiness of the waffles.
Versatile: You can serve these waffles up withwhipped cream and extra cherries for dessert,or keep them simple with just maple syrup for breakfast. They’re delicious either way.

🧇 I am known for mybanana waffles, and let’s just say… once you taste them, you might start showing up at my place unannounced!

Recipe Ingredients

All-Purpose Flour
Baking Powder
Salt
Sugar
Eggs
Butter
Applesauce
Milk
Sweet Cherries—I use fresh cherries, and they definitely need to be pitted!

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

A bowl of flour with a whisk sits on a marble countertop, ready to craft cherry waffles. Nearby are small bowls containing cherries, mashed bananas, a golden liquid, and a glass milk bottle. A white cloth is partially visible on the left.

Popular Substitutions and Variations

Substitute other fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for the cherries.
Use dried cherries in place of fresh – but be sure to soak them in warm water for a few minutes to rehydrate them and then dry them off so they don’t change the thickness of the batter.
Add mini chocolate chips to the batter for cherry chocolate waffles. These would be super fun topped with whipped cream.
You can substitute half or all of the flour for whole wheat flour. This would also be a great place to use whole wheat pastry flour since it has a finer texture like regular flour.

How to Make Sweet Cherry Waffles

Step 1:Place all the dry waffle ingredients into a medium bowl and mix together. Make a well in the center.

Close-up of a creamy mixture with small chunks of dark red fruit, likely cherries, scattered throughout. The cream appears smooth and slightly frothy, reminiscent of the toppings on cherry waffles, creating a contrast with the shiny fruit pieces.

Step 3:Cook according to your waffle iron’s instructions.

Milk cascades from a glass bottle into a bowl, mingling with flour and a cracked egg. In the softly blurred background, the faint outlines of dark-colored fruit hint at delicious cherry waffles ready to be created.

Step 2:Place all the wet waffle ingredients into the well (except the fruit) and whisk to combine. Gently fold in the cherries.

Step 4:Serve with hot with desired toppings.

Recipe FAQs

Will the cherries make my waffles soggy?

Not at all! The key is to fold the cherries in gently just before cooking and make sure your waffle iron is properly preheated. This ensures crispy edges and fluffy centers.

What can you eat with homemade cherry waffles?

These are delicious and just sweet enough on their own, or you can put cherry syrup, maple syrup, or powdered sugar on top! If you want a little extra to munch on, you can have bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, or fresh fruit on the side.

Can I make the batter ahead of time?

While it’s best to cook waffles immediately after making the batter, you can prepare the dry and wet ingredients separately the night before and mix them in the morning. Once the wet and dry ingredients are mixed, avoid letting the batter sit for too long, as the baking powder may lose its effectiveness, resulting in less fluffy waffles.

A stack of cherry waffles topped with melting butter and drizzled with syrup sits on a white plate. Fresh cherries are scattered around, enhancing the delightful presentation. A fork is placed to the side, ready for a delicious dive.

Expert Tips

Fresh or Frozen:If you decide to use frozen cherries,make sure to thaw them completely, drain any liquid, and pat them dry before adding them to the batter.
Prevent Sinking:Toss your cherries in a tablespoon of flourbefore adding them to the batter to prevent sinking.
Thick or Thin:Waffle batter should be thick but pourable.If it’s too thick, add a little milk. If it’s too thin, add a touch more flour.
Waffle Iron Heat:Preheat your waffle iron completely before starting– this ensures even cooking and crispy edges.For extra crispiness, let your waffles cook for about 30 seconds after the steam stops coming out of the iron.
Batter Amount:Be careful not to use too much batter.It’s better to use a little bit less than use too much and end up with a mess dripping down the side of your waffle iron.

A stack of cherry waffles topped with a pat of butter is being drizzled with syrup. The waffles are golden brown and fluffy, sitting on a white plate. The syrup glistens as it flows down the sides.

How To Store Leftover Cherry Waffles

Don’t let those leftover waffles go to waste! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge forup to 3 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months. For freezing, place wax paper between each waffle to prevent sticking, then store in a freezer-safe bag or container.

When you’re ready to enjoy them again, pop them straight into your toaster orreheat in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes until crispy. Don’t microwave them unless you want soggy waffles – the toaster or oven is your best bet for maintaining that perfect crispy exterior and fluffy interior.