Frozen waffles have been a staple of breakfast in the United States for over half a century, and the word “waffle” first appeared in the English language in the 18th century, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

Now, in recent years, a Hong Kong variant of the waffle, known as the “bubble waffle” or “egg waffle,” has found its way to the United States – and has proven to be popular and delicious (and not just for breakfast).

Fox News Digital spoke to two chefs about what makes this waffle variant so appetizing.

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“Bubble waffle, also known as ‘egg waffle’ or ‘gai daan jai’ in Cantonese, is a popular street food that originated in Hong Kong in the 1950s,” food blogger Jessica Chan told Fox News Digital in an email.

Chan, a former chef, lives in New York City; her food blog is called “Jecca Chantilly.”

The “egg waffle” or “bubble waffle” was invented in Hong Kong in the 1950s. It has found its way to the USA and the rest of the world. (Oliver Berg/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)

The waffle “was developed as a way to use up leftover eggs and flour and thus minimize food waste,” she explained.

She said the treat has become popular due to “its unique playful shape and spicy taste.”

“As the name suggests, egg waffles have a subtle sweet egg flavor,” Chan said.

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Its other name, bubble waffle, refers to the lattice of “bubbles” found on the surface of the waffle. Instead of indentations like other waffles, bubble waffles have “a honeycomb-like structure with a lattice of small ‘bubbles,’ each about the size of a quail egg,” Chan said.

The addition of eggs to the batter, explained chef George Duran in an email to Fox News Digital, is the reason for the waffles’ “characteristic light and fluffy texture.”

The addition of eggs to the waffle batter is the reason for the “light and fluffy consistency,” a chef told Fox News Digital. (iStock)

However, the bubbles come from the mold used to bake the waffles.

“A regular waffle iron just won’t do,” he said. These specialty irons can be purchased online in both electronic and stovetop versions.

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After the waffle is baked, it is often rolled into a cone and filled with various toppings.

Today, says Chan, “modern dessert shops sell egg waffles filled with a variety of toppings, such as ice cream, fresh fruit, mochi and chocolate sauce.”

In order to create the airy bubbles typical of the bubble waffle, the use of a special iron is necessary. (iStock)

The bubble waffle has been a “popular street food” in Hong Kong for decades and only really received international attention in the 2010s, says Duran.

“The trend spread from Hong Kong to other parts of Asia and eventually reached the United States, where it became particularly popular in major cities such as New York and Los Angeles,” he said.

Bubble waffles originated as a “popular street food” in Hong Kong and are now enjoyed in the United States and around the world. (iStock)

Social media, especially Instagram, is partly responsible for the increasing popularity of the bubble waffle, said Duran.

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“Their Instagram-friendly appearance and the ability to customize them with a variety of toppings like ice cream, fruit and sauces have helped them gain popularity among foodies,” he said of the bubble waffles.

“In the U.S., bubble waffles are popular as a trendy and visually appealing dessert and are often featured at food festivals, trendy restaurants and in social media posts,” he said, adding that the meal was “testament to the growing global fascination with unique and photogenic foods.”

Duran told Fox News Digital that he believes the bubble waffle’s popularity in the United States is due in part to Instagram and social media. (iStock)

Here is Duran’s recipe for making bubble waffles at home.

Bubble Waffles Recipe by Chef George Duran

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup cornstarch
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup whole milk
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Directions

1. Preheat the bubble waffle iron.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder and salt.

3. In another bowl, beat the eggs, then add the milk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract until smooth.

4. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until well combined. The batter should be smooth but slightly thick. Try to avoid over-mixing.

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5. Lightly grease the waffle iron with non-stick spray or brush with a little oil. Pour enough batter into the preheated bubble waffle iron to cover the surface. Close the lid and cook the waffles for 2 to 4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

6. Carefully remove the waffle and allow to cool slightly. Serve Bubble Waffles plain or with toppings such as fresh fruit, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, Mighty Sesame Tahini or ice cream.