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A package of wafers sandwiched with chocolate cream, similar to Neapolitan wafers
Alternative name(s) Waffer

In gastronomy, a wafer (also spelled waffer) is a crisp, often sweet, very thin, flat, and dry biscuit,[1] often used to decorate ice cream. Wafers can also be made into cookies with cream flavoring sandwiched between them. They frequently have a waffle surface pattern but may also be patterned with insignia of the food's manufacturer or may be patternless. Many chocolate bars, such as Kit Kat and Coffee Crisp, have wafers in them[citation needed].

Communion wafer[edit]

The word also refers to the special small round, often starchy flatbreads made for Western Rite celebrations of the Eucharist, including Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and some of the more liturgical Protestant churches. The word "host" is used to describe the larger wafer used by the clergy, while the term "communion wafer" refers to the smaller pieces used to distribute Holy Communion to the people. These holy wafers often have an image of a cross or the crucified Christ imprinted on them.

Spa wafers[edit]

A round Carlsbad spa wafer.
Polish Christmas wafers, depicting Christian scenes.

Special "spa wafers" (Czech: lázeňské oplatky, Slovak: kúpeľné oblátky) are produced in the spa towns of the Czech Republic (e.g. Karlovy Vary, Mariánské Lázně, etc.) and the Slovak Republic (e.g. Piešťany, etc.).

Christmas wafer[edit]

Christmas wafers, whose patterns often depict religious scenes, are an Eastern European Roman Catholic Christmas tradition celebrated in Polish, Slovak, Lithuanian and Italian families during Wigilia (Christmas Eve Vigil).


A variation of a wafer; it is considered a part of the traditional cuisine in Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Venezuela and México where it is known as an oblea. Usually eaten as a dessert with two pieces filled with arequipe, dulce de leche (milk caramel) and/or sweetened condensed milk in the middle. In some places they might contain cheese, fruits, chantilly cream, among others. They are usually very popular as they are very inexpensive. In Argentina the term oblea is used to refer to a wafer.


Freska is an Egyptian wafer sold only on beaches in the summertime. It is made from two thin circular wafers filled with a thin layer of honey syrup.[2]

See also[edit]

  • Waffle, the pressed cake
  • Loacker, an Italo-Austrian wafer manufacturer
  • Elledi, an Italian wafer confectionery and manufacturer
  • Manner, Austrian confectioner known for wafers
  • Neapolitan wafer, the chocolate and hazelnut cream sandwiched wafers
  • Nilla wafers, a thicker, small round American cookie with a vanilla flavor
  • Mille-feuille, the French layered pastry
  • Pirouline, a rolled wafer, filled with a flavored creme
  • Stroopwafel, the Dutch thin, caramel filled waffle
  • Tompouce, the Benelux pastry
  • Horalky, the Slovak wafer bar
  • ANZAC wafer, The ironic term for army issue Hardtack biscuit in World War 1 and 2


  1. ^ "Collins Dictionary". 
  2. ^ "Swimming And Snacking On Egypt's North Coast". NPR. 2012-09-01. Retrieved 2012-10-10. 

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