Waffles. Fluffy, golden, and deliciously crisp around the edges. Today, they’re a staple of brunch menus, a comfort food favorite, and a symbol of breakfast indulgence. But did you know that the story of the waffle doesn’t start in Belgium or America—but stretches all the way back to Ancient Greece?
Let’s embark on a fascinating journey through time to uncover the rich, centuries-spanning history of the waffle, from sacred bread in ancient temples to sizzling irons on modern kitchen counters.
The Birth of the Waffle: Ancient Greece’s Culinary Innovation
Long before syrup cascaded over golden grids, the earliest ancestors of the waffle were being baked in Ancient Greece. Back then, Greeks prepared a simple flatbread using wheat (or zea) flour and eggs, often stuffed with local delicacies like figs and olives. These breads weren’t baked in ovens but were pressed and cooked between two heated metal plates, an early precursor to today’s waffle irons.
These early breads weren’t just food—they were part of daily life and religious rituals, eventually passed on and transformed by the powerful Roman Empire.
Rome’s Sweet Legacy: Crustula and Panis Obelus
As Greek culture merged with Roman traditions, so too did their recipes. The Romans adopted and evolved the Greek flatbread into a sweetened version known as panis obelus. A more refined, dessert-like iteration known as crustula (plural of crustulum) soon emerged.
According to Giorgio Franchetti, food historian and author of Dining With The Ancient Romans, crustula were made with similar ingredients as modern waffles and cooked in heated irons, giving them a crispy texture and unique shape.
But these weren’t just everyday snacks. Crustula were deeply intertwined with Roman religious ceremonies, offered to the gods and consumed during sacred celebrations. Street vendors known as crustulari sold them outside temples, turning them into a staple of ancient Roman street food.
Over time, crustula transitioned from ceremonial offering to centerpiece dessert at Roman feasts, gradually sweetening and softening in both flavor and significance.
Christian Influence and Medieval Reinvention
With the rise of Christianity, crustula recipes were slowly integrated into Christian culinary customs, particularly for celebrations and feast days. By the Middle Ages, the method of baking between two hot plates was refined and elevated.
A key milestone came in the 1200s, when medieval blacksmiths began crafting decorative iron plates, some engraved with honeycomb patterns, family crests, or religious symbols. These ornate irons weren’t just practical—they were status symbols, often passed down through generations.
This is where ferratelle enter the picture.
Ferratelle: The Missing Link Between Rome and the Waffle
Hailing from central Italy, ferratelle are often cited as the direct ancestor of the modern waffle. These thin, crisp cookies were traditionally made using engraved irons and were a beloved treat during Christmas and Carnival.
Each family had their own custom iron, often bearing initials or coats of arms—a culinary tradition passed down like a treasured heirloom. The resulting ferratelle were crisp, golden, and visually striking—a perfect blend of flavor and identity.
Ferratelle represented the culinary continuity between Roman crustula and the waffle as we know it today.
Waffle’s European Migration: From Italy to the Rest of the World
But how did this Italian delicacy travel from Roman kitchens to global brunch tables?
As the Roman Empire expanded, so did its food culture. Crustula, ferratelle, and similar baked treats spread into modern-day France, the Netherlands, and England, evolving along the way with regional ingredients and tastes.
In France, they became known as gaufres, often enjoyed at street fairs and religious festivals. In the Netherlands, they morphed into crisp, syrup-filled stroopwafels. And in Belgium, they became thicker, fluffier, and world-famous as Belgian waffles.
The American Chapter: Waffles Cross the Atlantic
Waffles finally reached American shores in the 17th century, brought by Dutch settlers who landed in what is now New York (then New Amsterdam). These early American waffles retained their Old World roots but began to develop their own identity.
The turning point came in 1869, when Cornelius Swarthout, a Dutch-American inventor, received the first U.S. patent for a waffle iron. This landmark invention revolutionized waffle-making and gave rise to the American breakfast waffle tradition.
In fact, August 24—the day Swarthout’s patent was granted—is now officially celebrated in the United States as National Waffle Day.
The Waffle Today: A Global Favorite with Ancient Roots
From a sacred bread in ancient Greece to a global breakfast phenomenon, the waffle’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Today, waffles come in countless forms:
- Belgian waffles with deep pockets for whipped cream and berries
- American diner-style waffles served with fried chicken or syrup
- Liege waffles with caramelized sugar chunks
- Scandinavian heart-shaped waffles with jam and sour cream
Each variation carries whispers of its ancient past, echoing the traditions of crustula and ferratelle that shaped their path.
A Delicious Legacy Worth Celebrating
The next time you enjoy a waffle, remember: you’re not just biting into a breakfast treat. You’re tasting thousands of years of culinary history, from ancient Greek hearths to Roman rituals, from medieval iron plates to modern brunch tables.

The waffle is more than food—it’s a symbol of heritage, culture, and innovation.
So whether it’s National Waffle Day or an ordinary Sunday morning, every bite of a waffle is a sweet reminder of the past.