A Liège waffle is a Belgian waffle made with pearl sugar that caramelizes during cooking.
The dough is yeast-raised and enriched with butter, producing a dense, brioche-like texture rather than the light, airy structure of a Brussels waffle. Pearl sugar is folded into the dough before it is pressed in a waffle iron. Heat melts and caramelizes the sugar, creating crisp, sweet patches on the surface.
Liège waffles are commonly eaten plain because the dough is already sweet. They are sold as street food and snacks in Belgium and have become popular internationally.
The Liège waffle differs from the Brussels waffle in shape, texture, and sweetness. Brussels waffles are usually rectangular, lighter, and served with toppings such as cream, fruit, or chocolate.