What shape are Brussels waffles especially known for having?

Brussels waffles are especially known for being rectangular. Their crisp, open structure and large pockets make the straight-sided shape one of their clearest identifying features.

The shape comes from the large rectangular irons traditionally used for Brussels-style waffles. Their batter is commonly leavened with yeast, beaten egg whites, or both, producing a light and airy interior. The waffles are usually served warm and dusted with confectioners’ sugar, although whipped cream, fruit, and chocolate are common modern additions.

A frequent mix-up is with Liège waffles. Liège waffles are typically smaller, denser, and rounded or irregularly edged because they are made from a brioche-like dough containing pearl sugar. Brussels waffles, by contrast, are made from a looser batter and have more pronounced rectangular pockets.

The style became especially famous outside Belgium after Belgian waffles were promoted at mid-20th-century international fairs. In the United States, the label “Belgian waffle” often refers broadly to a Brussels-inspired form, even when recipes vary.