Why do you need to put baking powder on your homemade waffles?

You need baking powder in your homemade waffles for leavening. This means it helps the waffles rise and become light and fluffy instead of dense and flat.

Here's how it works:

* Baking powder is a chemical leavening agent. This means it contains ingredients that react when mixed with moisture and heat, releasing carbon dioxide gas.

* The carbon dioxide bubbles get trapped in the batter, causing it to expand and rise.

* This creates the airy texture we all love in waffles.

Without baking powder, your waffles would be more like flatbread or pancakes.

Note: You may also see recipes that call for both baking powder and baking soda. Baking soda is another leavening agent, but it requires an acidic ingredient (like buttermilk or lemon juice) to activate.