Waffle is the king of kos

In Norway, it’s always waffle-time. In fact, we love waffles so much that we even serve them in the shape of a heart. Try it as a sweet treat or a cutting-edge Michelin dish.

From soft, rich, and topped with the magical combination of sour cream and jam to a more savoury experience with a tasty ham or a distinctive chevre, Norwegian waffles are just impossible to resist. And don’t even get us started on the addictive smell. Luckily, waffles are widely available in cafés, restaurants and on trains, mandatory at sports events, and a staple in private homes all over the country. Connoisseurs – and there are five million of us – discuss if they should be heart-shaped or square. Either way, Norwegian waffles are thinner and softer than the American or Belgian versions and the best thing is that they can be enjoyed throughout the day, as any time is waffle-time in Norway. They are even served at the Nordic cuisine phenomenon Maaemo, a restaurant that scooped three Michelin stars in 2019.

“Waffles are such an integral part of the Norwegian identity and culture that we had to highlight it”, says chef Esben Holmboe Bang about the lunch crescendo at Maaemo: golden, crispy waffle hearts made with fermented grain and beef fat.

“Waffles are such an integral part of the Norwegian identity and culture” – Esben Holmboe Bang

“Waffles are such an integral part of the Norwegian identity and culture”
– Esben Holmboe Bang

A family of five sitting at a wooden table outside, eating waffles

Renndølsetra, Innerdalen.
Photo: Thomas Rasmus Skaug / Visitnorway.com

How do you like your waffle?

The young Swede Jonathan Larsson was so enchanted by the waffle tradition when he moved to Oslo a few years back that he started selling them from his bedroom window. He offered exciting toppings such as blue cheese, sausage, and coconut. His waffles became a hit, and this new hobby turned into a full-time job when he started his waffle café Haralds vaffel. His personal favourite is waffles with butter, sour cream, and the classic Norwegian sweet brown cheese that melts perfectly on top.

The variations in toppings are almost endless. If you do a waffle tour (because why not?) of Norway, you are likely to be served waffles with egg and caviar or cloudberries in Northern Norway, jam and brown cheese in Telemark, and ice cream in Southern Norway. Also, make sure not to miss the city of Moss’ signature dish: hotdog in waffle.

Hot tip!

Norwegians also love their “bolle” – a little wonder of a yeast bun. Just be warned: They are highly addictive!

Do it yourself

For best result, use a traditional Norwegian waffle iron.

Ingredients
6 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup melted butter

Instructions
1. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy.

2. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined.

3. Add in sour cream and melted butter and mix until the batter is smooth. Let it rest for 20 minutes before making the waffles.

4. Heat a heart-shaped waffle iron and spray it with nonstick cooking spray or brush with melted butter.

5. Pour 1/4 cup of the batter onto the waffle iron, close, and cook until light brown. Serve with butter and brown cheese, or whipped cream topped with jam.

Waffle dictionary

Vaffel – Waffle

Fredagsvaffel – Waffle served as a treat at many workplaces on Fridays.

Dugnadsvaffel – Dugnad is a Norwegian term for voluntary work done together with other people. It’s commonly used for outdoor spring cleaning, school maintenance, and sports arrangements for children. The free waffles at the end are the reward and highlight of the session.

Kakevaffel – A pile of waffles with layers of vanilla custard acting as a cake.

Pølse i vaffel – Hotdog wrapped in a waffle, served in the county of Østfold.

Matpakkevaffel – Packed lunch (“matpakke”) is a staple of the Norwegian life and traditionally consists of a simple sandwich – but some pimp it up with a waffle.

Bålvaffel – Waffle cooked over a campfire.

Waffles at the Finnmarksvidda mountain plateau.
Photo: Sara Johannessen / Visitnorway.com

Waffle with egg and bacon.
Photo: MatPrat / Mari Svenningsen

Waffles at Renndølsetra in the Innerdalen valley.
Photo: Thomas Rasmus Skaug / Visitnorway.com

Waffle cake with vanilla custard.
Photo: MatPrat

A hand holding up a heart-shaped waffle with beautiful scenery in the background

A plate with waffle with egg and bacon and some side dishes

A man serving waffles at Renndølsetra in the Innerdalen valley in Northwest, Fjord Norway.

A waffle cake with vanilla custard and raspberries

A symbol of kos and love

Waffles are the quintessence of “kos”, which is Norwegian for “having a good time”. For Norwegians abroad, they are a symbol of homesickness and a heartening treat, according to the Norwegian seamen’s church Sjømannskirken. For more than 150 years, the heart-shaped waffle has served as a unique trademark for the church, which sells no less than 30,000 mouthwatering waffles every year. Each church has its own special recipe, and you can find them all on Sjømannskirkens official website (Norwegian only).

Norwegian Joar Mortveit from Skjold on the other hand, fed hundreds of people with just one mighty waffle on a glorious day in 2011. The feat secured him the Guinness World Record for the largest waffle in the world.