9 Healthy Waffle Recipes

Many waffles call for ingredients like melted butter, added sugar, and refined flour. Waffles that are high in sugar and fat are best enjoyed in moderation, but may not be the healthiest option for your daily breakfast. 

Save the indulgent waffles for weekends and special occasions, and try these 10 healthy waffle recipes to satisfy the craving with nutrient-rich ingredients. When you get creative in the kitchen, you can modify almost any recipe with a healthy twist. The result? High-protein waffles made with whole grains and topped with fresh fruit and nuts.

Oatmeal Cottage Cheese Waffles

If you are looking for high-protein waffles, try this oatmeal waffle recipe by Verywell Fit. Instead of white flour or gluten-free flour alternatives, this waffle recipe calls for rolled oats as the base. Each serving contains a whopping 26g of protein, which comes from eggs and cottage cheese.

To make this recipe, you will need a blender to mix the batter thoroughly. Next, heat your waffle iron and lightly coat it with non-stick spray. Measure a heaping ½-cup of the waffle batter and cook for 4-5 minutes. This recipe yields about four waffles.

Crispy Gluten-Free Almond Flour Waffles

Finding a gluten and dairy-free waffle recipe can be challenging, but this waffle recipe by Simply Recipes is especially allergen-friendly. It calls for almond flour in place of white flour as well as almond milk in place of cow’s milk. For even more almond flavor, this recipe uses a teaspoon each of almond extract and vanilla extract. 

Though there are many substitutions in this recipe that differ from traditional waffle recipes, these waffles taste surprisingly like the real thing. You also won’t notice a difference in texture since these waffles are especially crispy.

Banana Oat Waffles

Bananas and waffles go together like peanut butter and jelly. That’s why this waffle recipe by Simply Delicious is a must-try for banana lovers. The simple batter consists of rolled oats, bananas, eggs, baking powder, and vanilla extract. Top with fresh fruit, yogurt, nut butter, and honey for more flavor and nutrients.

Since bananas are a source of nutrients like potassium and vitamin C, making your breakfast waffles with this delicious fruit is a great way to get some nutrients first thing in the morning. The rolled oats in this recipe are also a great source of complex carbohydrates and fiber, which are beneficial for energy and digestion, respectively.

Easy Vegan Waffles

Vegan waffles are hard to come by since most waffles contain milk, eggs, and even honey. This vegan waffle recipe by The Simple Veganista is perfect for those who follow a plant-based diet or are looking to incorporate more plant-based recipes into their lifestyle.

To make these vegan waffles, you will need six simple ingredients: flour of your choice (such as spelt flour, oat flour, or buckwheat flour), sweetener of your choice (such as coconut sugar or turbinado), baking powder, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. 

Oatmeal Waffles

Oat flour is a popular substitution for white flour when making waffle batter. Not only is it a gluten-free alternative, it is also vegan-friendly and full of nutrients. This oatmeal waffle recipe by The Big Man’s World is unlike any other since it only requires three simple ingredients: gluten-free rolled oats, mashed bananas, and any plant milk of your choice.

If you are looking for low-calorie waffles, these contain less than 150 calories per serving. Each serving also contains 6g protein and 5g fiber.

Easy Gluten-Free Oat Waffles

Some waffle recipes contain small amounts of butter, but this can be a deterrent for anyone trying to avoid dairy. Cookie and Kate’s waffle recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free. It contains cinnamon, maple syrup, and vanilla extract for a touch of sweetness without copious amounts of sugar.

Though this recipe contains eggs, it can be modified to be vegan-friendly. The recipe developer notes that omitting the eggs is possible for vegans, but the consistency will be slightly more delicate.

Whole Wheat Waffles

If you struggle to get enough whole grains in your diet, try this waffle recipe by Well Plated. These waffles are made with whole wheat flour, so they are an excellent source of fiber and protein. Whole wheat flour is also rich in complex carbohydrates and low in fat.

Instead of added sugars, these waffles are sweetened with applesauce and maple syrup. Make these waffles dairy-free by substituting your plant milk of choice for the skim milk.

Healthy Blueberry Waffles

Adding blueberries into your pancake and waffle batter is a game-changer. Not only does it add a naturally sweet and fruity flavor, but blueberries are also an excellent source of antioxidants like vitamin C. This blueberry waffle recipe by Fit Foodie Finds is perfect for berry lovers.

It contains nourishing ingredients like banana, blueberries, whole wheat flour, coconut oil, and almond milk. This recipe can also be easily adjusted to make pancakes instead of waffles, so you will never get tired of it.

Vegan Banana Bread Protein Waffles

While waffles are not a go-to source of protein for many people, adding protein powder is a clever way to turn regular waffles into high-protein waffles. This vegan waffle recipe by Sarah’s Vegan Kitchen is gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free. With ingredients like bananas and walnuts, these waffles are reminiscent of banana bread.

The recipe developer recommends adding ½ of a cup of your favorite vegan protein powder to the batter for a fully vegan breakfast that is delicious and rich in protein. She also recommends adding some dairy-free chocolate chips for a treat.

A Word From Verywell

Classic breakfast foods like waffles and pancakes are crowd pleasers for a reason. There is nothing more satisfying than cutting into a warm waffle topped with powdered sugar, melted butter, and drizzles of maple syrup. Finding a balance between indulgence and healthy eating is the key to looking after your own well-being while allowing yourself to enjoy the foods you love. 

If your ideal Sunday morning (or Tuesday morning for that matter!) starts with a plate of steaming hot waffles, try to rotate in some of these healthy waffle recipes, so you never feel like you are missing out on your favorite foods.