Although waffles seem to be a relatively contemporary food, they have been around, worldwide, for thousands of years. It is quite likely the Ancient Greeks ate extremely flat cakes, called obleios. However, it would appear the earliest evidence of the manufacture of waffle irons may have come up from Holland or Germany during the 1300s. Construction of these waffle irons consisted of two hinged plates which were connected to two long handles of wood. It was not unusual to find elaborate patterns, such as landscapes, religious symbols, or heraldic shields, imprinted upon the waffles by plates embossed with these symbols. Some plates had the honeycomb-grid that we now use. The waffle plates (or irons) were then baked over the fire in the hearth.
Waffles were cooked between two hot metal plates, a method used continuously throughout the Middle Ages by obloyeurs, people specializing in making a variety of obleios that were often flat or rolled into coronets (a horned shape).
In 1620, waffles made the voyage from Holland to North America, courtesy of migrating Dutch pilgrims. Thomas Jefferson obtained a waffle iron, after a journey to France, and voila! a new form of culinary entertainment cropped up, in the form of waffle frolics or parties, in the late 1700s. Party guests were given their choice of waffles topped with sweets such as maple syrup or molasses or with savories such as kidney stew.
Thomas Jefferson was dependent upon slaves for cooking; soon, many members of the African-American community were highly skilled in making waffles. The diet of the slaves relied upon whatever food items were left behind by landowners and plantation families. Poultry was a rare delicacy for the slaves. Waffles were considered equally exotic; they were unusual, expensive, and time-consuming. Because of these qualities, chicken and and waffles came to a special occasion meal for the African-American community; this hearty meal gave the slaves a supply of energy before attending all-day church services.
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