Air Fryer Matcha White Chocolate Waffles

Name: Air Fryer Matcha White Chocolate Waffles
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour; 2 tbsp (12 g) matcha powder (high-quality culinary grade); 2 tsp (8 g) baking powder; ¼ tsp (1½ g) kosher salt; 2 large eggs, at room temperature, at room temperature; 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk; 3 tbsp (43 g) unsalted butter, melted, melted and cooled slightly; 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract; ¾ cup (120 g) white chocolate chips; neutral cooking spray or light oil; 2 oz (56 g) white chocolate (for sauce), chopped, chopped into small pieces (optional); 2 tbsp (30 ml) heavy cream (for sauce) (optional); ½ tsp (3 g) matcha powder, for garnish, for dusting (optional)

From the MyKitchenBank Kitchen

Delicate, fluffy waffles infused with earthy matcha green tea and studded with white chocolate chips. Cooked in an air fryer for crispy exteriors and tender interiors without deep-frying oil. Finished with a light dusting of matcha powder and a drizzle of white chocolate sauce, these waffles blend Japanese flavors with comfort-breakfast appeal. Ready in under 30 minutes start to finish.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 12 min
Wait: 3 min
Total: 25 min
Makes: 8 waffles (4 servings)

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Ingredients

4 servings

1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
2 tbsp (12 g) matcha powder (high-quality culinary grade)
2 tsp (8 g) baking powder
¼ tsp (1.5 g) kosher salt
2 large eggs, at room temperature, at room temperature
1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
3 tbsp (43 g) unsalted butter, melted, melted and cooled slightly
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
¾ cup (120 g) white chocolate chips
neutral cooking spray or light oil
2 oz (56 g) white chocolate (for sauce), chopped, chopped into small pieces (optional)
2 tbsp (30 ml) heavy cream (for sauce) (optional)
½ tsp (3 g) matcha powder, for garnish, for dusting (optional)

Equipment (7)

Air fryer (with waffle plate or compatible mold)
Medium mixing bowl
Small mixing bowl
Whisk
Measuring cups and spoons
Small brush or spray bottle (for oil)
Instant-read thermometer (optional)

Steps

Before you start

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for at least 3 minutes
Have a compact (3-serving or smaller) air fryer waffle maker ready; if your air fryer doesn't fit standard waffle plates, use a smaller silicone waffle mold
Whisk matcha powder with water first to dissolve lumps and prevent streaking in the batter

1
Dissolve matcha powder
- In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp (12 g) matcha powder with 3 tbsp (45 ml) hot water until completely smooth and no lumps remain.
- Set aside to cool for 1 minute.
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Ready when: Matcha liquid is smooth and bright green with no visible powder clumps
Tip: Whisk the matcha with hot water first to prevent clumping in the wet batter. Cold water will not dissolve matcha fully.
2
Mix dry ingredients
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups (180 g) all-purpose flour, 2 tsp (8 g) baking powder, and 0.25 tsp (1.5 g) kosher salt until evenly combined.
- Set aside.
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Ready when: Dry ingredients are uniform in color with no streaks
3
Combine wet ingredients
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together 2 room-temperature large eggs until light and frothy, about 1 minute.
- Add 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, 3 tbsp (43 g) melted butter, and 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract.
- Whisk until well blended.
- Pour in the cooled matcha mixture and whisk until the batter is smooth and pale green throughout.
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Ready when: Batter is homogeneous, pale green, with no streaks or lumps
Tip: Room-temperature eggs whisk into the batter more smoothly and incorporate more air, producing fluffier waffles.
4
Make batter
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Fold gently with a whisk or spatula, stirring just until the flour is moistened.
- The batter should be slightly lumpy—do not overmix.
- Fold in 0.75 cup (120 g) white chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
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Ready when: Flour is just incorporated; batter is thick and slightly lumpy with white chocolate chips throughout
Tip: Overmixing develops gluten and produces tough, rubbery waffles. Lumps will smooth out in the air fryer.
5
Preheat air fryerOven 380°F / 195°C
- Ensure your air fryer is preheated to 380°F (193°C) for at least 3 minutes.
- Lightly spray the waffle plate with cooking spray or brush with neutral oil.
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Ready when: Air fryer beeps or shows it is at 380°F (193°C)
Tip: Preheating ensures even, crispy exteriors. A cold air fryer can result in soggy waffles.
6
Cook first batchOven 380°F / 195°C
- Pour approximately 1/3 cup (80 ml) of batter onto the lightly oiled waffle plate in the air fryer basket.
- Close the lid and cook at 380°F (193°C) for 6 minutes without opening.
- The waffle should be golden brown and crispy on the outside with no soft spots visible.
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Ready when: Waffle is deep golden brown, sounds hollow when tapped, and releases easily from the plate with no sticking
Tip: Resist opening the lid during cooking; it releases heat and extends cooking time. If your air fryer is compact, you may only fit a single waffle per batch.
7
Remove and cool slightly
- Using a fork or silicone-tipped tongs, carefully remove the hot waffle from the air fryer plate.
- Transfer to a wire rack or plate.
- The waffle will continue to crisp as it cools for about 1 minute.
- Repeat with remaining batter in 2–3 batches, re-spraying the plate lightly between each waffle.
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Ready when: Waffle is firm to the touch and no longer soft or steaming
Tip: Set a wire rack in a baking sheet so the waffles cool in a single layer and steam doesn't soften the bottoms.
8
Make white chocolate sauce (optional)
- If serving with white chocolate sauce, place 2 oz (56 g) chopped white chocolate and 2 tbsp (30 ml) heavy cream in a small microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is melted and the sauce is smooth and pourable, about 30–45 seconds total.
- Stir until glossy.
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Ready when: Chocolate is fully melted and sauce is smooth without lumps or separation
Tip: Heat white chocolate gently in short bursts to prevent seizing. If the sauce is too thick, add cream 1 tbsp at a time.
9
Serve
- Stack the warm waffles on serving plates.
- Drizzle with white chocolate sauce if desired, and dust lightly with 0.5 tsp (3 g) matcha powder.
- Serve immediately with fresh berries, whipped cream, or as preferred.
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Ready when: Waffles are plated and garnished
Tip: Eat waffles while warm for the best crispy-yet-fluffy texture. If they sit too long, they soften slightly but can be reheated in the air fryer for 2 minutes at 350°F (177°C).

Good to know

Tips

Matcha quality matters: Use culinary-grade matcha from a reputable source. Ceremonial-grade matcha is too expensive for this recipe and lower-quality powders taste bitter or grassy.
Air fryer size: Most home air fryers fit a single waffle at a time. Ensure your waffle plate fits in your basket and that the lid closes fully. Smaller waffles cook faster and more evenly than oversized batches.
Dissolve matcha with hot water first: Cold water will not dissolve matcha fully, leading to lumps and an uneven green color. Hot water (just below boiling) ensures a smooth, homogeneous batter.
Keep waffles warm: If making multiple batches, place finished waffles on a wire rack in a 200°F (93°C) oven to keep them warm and crispy while the remaining batter cooks.

Make ahead

Batter can be made up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. Stir gently before using and allow 1 minute for batter to reach room temperature. Cooked waffles can be cooled completely and frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks; reheat in a 350°F (177°C) air fryer for 2–3 minutes until warm and crispy.

Storage & reheating

Room temperature: Cooked waffles are best eaten the same day but will keep in an airtight container for up to 6 hours before softening. Refrigerator: Store cooled waffles in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat in a 350°F (177°C) air fryer for 2 minutes. Freezer: Wrap cooled waffles individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag for up to 2 weeks; reheat from frozen in a 350°F (177°C) air fryer for 3–4 minutes until warm.

Substitutions

whole milk → 2% milk, oat milk, or almond milk. Use the same volume; dairy-free options may produce slightly less tender waffles but are workable.
white chocolate chips → semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, or matcha white chocolate chunks. Maintains texture but shifts flavor. White chocolate complements matcha's earthiness best.
matcha powder (high-quality culinary grade) → 1.5 tbsp green tea powder or a blend of 1 tbsp matcha and 1 tbsp freeze-dried green tea. Pure matcha provides the strongest, most authentic flavor. Green tea powder is milder.
unsalted butter, melted → neutral oil (such as canola or light avocado oil) in the same amount by weight. Oil produces slightly more tender waffles; butter provides better flavor and richness.