Healthy Waffle Recipe with whole wheat flour that your kids will love! Double the batch, freeze and then toast frozen for easy breakfast.
For more easy grab-n-go breakfast ideas try Instant Pot egg bites, almond flour banana muffins, healthy banana pancakes or any of these 21 favorite healthy muffin recipes!
Whole Wheat Waffles
A healthy waffle recipe that results in crispy and delicious waffles? Yes please! These whole wheat waffles will satisfy the kid in all of us. They are made with your everyday pantry staples like my healthy pancakes. Waking up Saturday morning to the aroma of freshly made waffles just doesn’t happen out of a box.
If you make a big batch, freeze some for later. This is so convenient when you’re in a pinch. We always do that along with chia pudding and blueberry muffins.
Are Waffles Healthy?
What is deemed “healthy” will always differ from one person to the next. You might consider only gluten free waffles healthy, a gym junkie will eat only protein waffles, and we are OK with whole grains. There is no one “right” way to eat.
However, anything that comes from a factory and has been highly processed is usually not good for anyone. It’s been stripped away of most of its nutrients and has had things added to it that we can’t even pronounce.
Does that mean you can’t indulge once in while? That would be a personal decision. I, for one, stopped buying frozen waffles since we started eating primarily real food. By real, I mean food that hasn’t been altered from its original state. Whole foods, unprocessed and highly nutritious.
The good news is, our favourite foods like chocolate chip cookies, carrot cake, brownies and many more healthy snacks can absolutely be healthy! We just need to be careful what we put in them and how we make them. Waffles are healthy when made from scratch. And if you ask me, way more delicious!
We are made to believe that eating healthy is more expensive and that prepackaged food is cheaper. And while it may look and feel that way it’s because we’ve never been taught how to eat healthy on a budget.
Well, it’s possible! Growing up very poor in Ukraine and with no access to processed foods, I can assure you that it may take a bit to figure it out, and there is a learning curve. But once you do, there’s no going back.
Ingredients
- Wet ingredients: Large eggs. Any milk (I used unsweetened almond milk). Maple syrup or honey. Olive oil or avocado oil (can also use butter). Pure vanilla extract.
- Dry ingredients: Aluminum-free baking powder. Salt. Whole wheat flour.
How to Make Healthy Waffles
- Batter: In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add milk, maple syrup, olive oil, vanilla, baking powder, and salt; whisk until well combined. Add whole wheat flour, mix well.
- Cook: Preheat the waffle maker well. The amount of batter depends on the size of your waffle maker. I used about 1/3 cup per waffle. If your waffle maker is cast iron you might have to spray it with cooking spray to prevent waffles from sticking. This recipe uses enough oil, so you might not. Just try one first and see how it comes out.
Enjoy delicious homemade waffles anytime. Top with a drizzle of maple syrup, a slab of nut butter, or some fresh berries!
Tips and Variations
- Waffle mix: Mix the dry ingredients together and keep in a mason jar. You’ll have a homemade waffle mix at the ready!
- Whole wheat flour: You’ll notice that these waffles aren’t as fluffy as your average waffle. This is due to the whole wheat flour containing bran and germ. For a lighter version try my almond flour waffles or super fluffy almond flour pancakes.
- Buckwheat flour: Despite its name, it is actually a gluten-free alternative to other flours. It has a deeper nuttier flavor and is darker in colour. It is a great gluten-free option for this recipe.
- Tricks for fluffy waffles: Because this recipe uses whole wheat flour, you won’t have the fluffiest waffles. There are, however, some things you can do to try and maximize the potential. Separate the yolk from the egg whites. Beat whites until soft peaks have formed and fold them back into the batter. You can also allow the batter to rest while the waffle iron heats up. This way you give extra time for the baking powder to do its thing.
- Cinnamon: For added warmth and a delicious hint of cinnamon, add a dash.
- Non-dairy: To make these non-dairy, use almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk instead.
- Brown butter: If you do decide to use butter, you’ll want to melt it. Creating brown butter will add a beautiful nutty flavour to your waffles. Brown butter is made by melting the butter until it just starts to turn brown. You’ll know by its delicious aroma. Just be careful not to go too far the other way. Burnt butter has no place in your waffle batter.
Healthy Waffle Toppings
- Maple syrup. Look for “pure maple syrup.” Brands like Aunt Jemima are made of glucose, corn syrups, and all of the highly processed refined sugars we don’t want. When possible, spend a few more dollars and buy pure maple syrup. It is full of vitamins and nutrients and your kids will not notice the difference. Only pour a little bit. It’s not cheap, so make it last!
- Yogurt. When I have time I make yogurt in Instant Pot or buy plain whole milk yogurt. I shoot for local, organic, or grass-fed, with no added sugar. Maple syrup on top and it’s creamy heaven!
- Frozen fruit. Costco is amazing for affordable organic berries and fruit. Thaw it a bit and its juices will blend beautifully with yogurt and maple syrup “streams”.
- Nut/seed butter. Almond butter, cashew butter, and pumpkin seed butter all add a creamy, nutty, high protein topping.
- Chocolate spread. Making your own chocolate spread can be healthy, nutritious, and oh so chocolatey. Using raw cacao, hemp seeds, coconut oil, honey, and sea salt. Blend until creamy and dreamy.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
Store: Keep waffles in an air circulating container in the fridge for up to a week.
Freeze: To freeze, let waffles cool for 10 – 15 minutes, then place in a resealable Ziploc bag, let as much air out as possible, seal and freeze for up to 6 months.
Reheat: Pop them in the toaster straight out of the freezer to heat up. You can also use the microwave if you’re wanting to get them a bit softer.
More Healthy Recipes
- Overnight oats
- Zucchini brownies
- Protein cookies
- Whole wheat banana bread
- Whole wheat banana muffins
Healthy Waffle Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 eggs large
- 1 1/2 cups any milk I used unsweetened almond milk
- 3 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 3 tbsp any mild oil or melted butter
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add milk, maple syrup, olive oil, vanilla, baking powder and salt; whisk until well combined. Add whole wheat flour, mix well.
- Preheat waffle maker. If your waffle maker is cast iron you might have to spray it with cooking spray to prevent waffles from sticking but maybe not since batter has enough oil. Try one and see how it comes out.
- Make waffles according to your waffle maker's instructions. Amount of batter depends on the size of your waffle maker. I used about 1/3 cup batter per waffle. For crispier waffles, I also cook a bit past the green Ready indicator.
Store: Refrigerate in air circulating container for up to a week.
Freeze: Fully cook, cool completely, and freeze in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Reheat: Pop them in the toaster straight out of the freezer to heat up. You can also use the microwave if you're wanting to get them a bit softer.
Video
Notes
- Whole wheat flour: You'll notice that these waffles aren't as fluffy as your average waffle. This is due to the whole wheat flour containing bran and germ. For a lighter version try my almond flour waffles or super fluffy almond flour pancakes.
- Tricks for fluffy waffles: Because this recipe uses whole wheat flour, you won't have the fluffiest waffles. There are, however, some things you can do to try and maximize the potential. Separate the yolk from the egg whites. Beat whites until soft peaks have formed and fold them back into the batter. You can also allow the batter to rest while the waffle iron heats up. This way you give extra time for the baking powder to do its thing.
- Cinnamon: For added warmth and a delicious hint of cinnamon, add a dash.
- Waffle mix: Mix the dry ingredients together and keep in a mason jar. You'll have a homemade waffle mix at the ready!
Nutrition
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Hello and welcome to iFOODreal.
My name is Olena Osipov. I'm a mom to 2 boys, a wife to Alex and we reside on magical Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. This is our healthy family recipes blog. Originally from Ukraine, I grew up on real food. As an adult, I struggled with diets for years because none worked long-term. Now for over 10 years, I cook easy healthy meals for my family. I can help you with “What’s for dinner?” too.