One common mistake is using the wrong type of flour. Pastry flour and bread flour do not work for waffles. Bread flour has too much protein, and pastry flour is too flaky and thin. Another common mistake is not measuring the batter correctly. The recipe usually calls for 1/2 cup of batter, but this can vary depending on the size of your waffle maker. A third common mistake is overcooking the waffles. Waffles should be golden brown and moist. If they are overcooked, they will be dry and brittle. Another mistake is not heating the cooking surface properly. You should preheat the waffle iron Before adding the batter. Otherwise, the waffles will not cook evenly. Finally, many people forget to spray the cooking surface with nonstick cooking spray. This step is essential because it prevents the batter from sticking to the iron and makes cleanup much more manageable.