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How To Host the Perfect Galentine’s Brunch and Waffle Bar

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Get the girls together and pour some waffle batter – it’s Galentine’s Day! Not familiar with Leslie Knope, JJ’s Diner, or Pawnee, Indiana? No worries. We’ll fill in the gaps to help you celebrate.

What started as a fictional holiday on NBC’s Parks and Recreation has transformed into a booming annual celebration that takes place every February 13th. Galentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to catch up with the most important female friends in your life. Basically, just ladies celebrating ladies!

Try these waffle maker recipes and healthy air fryer sides to “kick it, breakfast-style.” Leslie would be so proud!

Easy Brunch Ideas for a Waffle Bar

Hosting a DIY waffle bar doesn’t have to be hard, but there are a few important decisions to make. Let’s walk through them:

Store bought or homemade waffle batter?

That’s a no-brainer. Start by mixing up Aroma’s perfect waffle maker recipe:


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Prep ahead or cook waffles at the party?

If you decide to batch cook waffles ahead of time, we recommend laying them flat (not stacked!) on metal racks in Aroma’s roaster oven to keep them warm and crispy without getting soggy.

But for a special Galentine’s Day treat, it’s even more fun to set up a DIY waffle maker station, so guests can do it themselves. Fresh waffles hot off the oven? Yes, please! To keep the waffles flowing with less time waiting, we recommend setting up 1 waffle maker per 4 guests.

Also, it’s a good idea to pre-portion the 2/3 cup of batter into disposable cups, so guests know exactly how much to pour into the waffle maker. (No stress and less risk of an over-filled mess!)

What’s the best waffle maker?

Most mini waffle makers only cook one side, but Aroma’s Swap & Flip Waffle Maker is designed to flip and crisp for the perfect, wrap-around golden texture. Plus, the compact size won’t take up too much space on your table, and rapid electric heat works surprisingly fast.

Waffle bar toppings?

Stock your table with sweet, savory, and everything in between. The best waffle toppings should be easy to mix and match for a one-of-a-kind Galentine’s Day feast! Here are some waffle topping ideas to help you get started:

  • Butter
  • Maple syrup
  • Caramel syrup
  • Jam or jelly
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Bananas
  • Poached pears
  • Peanut butter
  • Nutella
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Whipped cream
  • Sprinkles
  • Crushed graham crackers
  • Shredded coconut
  • Cinnamon
  • Prosciutto
  • Crumbled bacon
  • Bacon jam
  • Bleu cheese crumbles

Bonus (!) Coffee Bar & Breakfast Sides

Galentine’s Day is all about empowerment and choosing to surround yourself with people (and treats!) you love! Keep the party going with a DIY coffee and tea bar, stocked with everything your girlfriends need to become pro baristas: instant cold brew, fresh espresso shots, cappuccino milk foam, and boiling water for tea.

Side note – not sure how to make cold brew at home? It’s not complicated or time consuming. Aroma’s Express Cold Brew Coffee Maker extracts rich, never-bitter flavor in as little as 5 minutes.

Lastly, if you find yourself with any open space to fill on your Galentine’s Day brunch table (sounds impossible with all those waffle toppings, but hey – there’s a chance), your guests might also enjoy these air fryer breakfast recipes, made with Aroma’s 360Crispy Glass Air Fryer:

Good luck and happy eating this Galentine’s Day! Here’s one last Leslie Knope quote to get you in the party planning spirit:

“We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn’t matter, but work is third.”

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