Battle of the Breakfasts: Pancakes vs. Waffles vs. French Toast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right? That’s generally what we are taught, so when faced with so many breakfast options, understandably we want to make the best choice. And so, with Pancake Day just around the corner, I bring to you an ultimate first world culinary debate: pancakes vs waffles vs French toast.

First up: the humble pancake. Be it the traditional English offering akin to a French crêpe, or a stack of fluffier American-style buttermilk pancakes, these breakfast treats have a wealth of options to explore. With common toppings ranging from simple sugar and lemon juice to altogether more outlandish combinations like maple syrup and bacon, pancakes are nothing short of versatile. Heck, they’re so acclaimed we even dedicate a day to them. Cheap and easy to make from a simple batter of flour, milk and eggs, pancakes of varying forms are a true breakfast staple in every household.

Next, we welcome the waffle to the ring. While waffles share the same basic ingredients as pancakes, the batter often includes the addition of sugar for a sweeter option. The key difference between them, however, is the cooking method. Cooked in a waffle iron, a good waffle is always crispy on the outside and somewhere between soft and chewy on the inside. Waffles do have a particular advantage over pancakes – their square holes are ideal for holding syrups and spreads in handy little pockets, making waffles a perfect vessel for a range of topping choices. Also proving a popular mainstay among the ever-evolving world of street food, waffles often have a certain Instagram-able quality which seems largely unmatched.

We are thus left with our final competitor. Now, when it comes to French toast, I have no aversion – per se. It is merely bread soaked in beaten eggs and milk. But then, is it not just eggy bread with a beret on? Many consider the terms interchangeable, after all, while others regard the difference as simple as how it is served. Whether sweet or savoury though, French toast often shares similar serving suggestions with pancakes and waffles. And while I have nothing against anyone who chooses French toast as their go-to breakfast option, it certainly wouldn’t be mine.

So, while all three have their own draw, it seems this age-old (read: arguably quite modern) debate really boils down to personal preference. But which would I choose? Truthfully, I am not much of a breakfast fan most days. But when it comes to these three, I am easily pleased - if it’s warm and smothered in Nutella, little can go wrong.