Mom’s Best Whole Wheat Waffles
~ These Whole Wheat Waffles are deliciously crunchy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside – you’ll never believe that they’re so healthy, too! A true family favorite! ~
This Recipe Is: • Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Vegetarian •
I know.
I get it.
You are absolutely wondering why on earth there is a waffle recipe here when Mother’s Day is this weekend. Shouldn’t I be offering directions to relax and put your feet up? It’s what you’re thinking …
I know.
But just hear me out.
There’s a handy dandy print button on the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Print out the recipe. Go ahead … I’ll wait.
Ok, now … strategically place that recipe where your kiddos will see it.
‘Cause what do moms really want for Mother’s Day?
Waffles, of course! (Well, and handmade cards, jewelry, spa gift certificates …)
And also not to have to wake up early and make an awesome breakfast for the family. That’s right … this day is all about YOU! So sleep in!
Make a note on the recipe card that you’ll need a double batch. (Go ahead … I’ll wait again.)
Because seriously now, friends, these waffles are the gift that keeps on giving. Breakfast is ready for the week! They refrigerate (and freeze!) beautifully and can be enjoyed for days! Just pop ’em in the toaster and enjoy! Crispy outside, chewy inside … perfection!
Easy peasy.
You may remember my Mother’s Day Muffins from last year – peaches and a praline topping, all wrapped up in a muffin liner (yeah – just go ahead and print that recipe, too).
You may also remember that I talked about the recipe books I have, filled with my mom’s recipes. These books are among the most favorite things I own. There are so many recipes that I clearly remember my mom making for dinner or family parties. And the fact that I literally have all of my mom’s cherished recipes … I honestly sometimes get emotional just thinking about it. Yes, I’m a total sap. I cry all.the.time. I can’t help it. When I’m happy, when I’m sad, when I laugh too much. Waterworks.
Where were we? Oh right … waffles!
This recipe … mmmmm … I just had to share it with all of my closest friends (that’s you!).
I remember it so vividly! Because my parents were both teachers, we didn’t have super elaborate breakfasts (we had to be out the door by 6:30 a.m. – at the latest!), but we used to have breakfast for dinner every once in a while. Not too often, but when we did, I would get SO excited.
And most of all, I loved waffles. Loved them. Loved them for dinner. Or maybe it was just the fact that we were having breakfast … right before bed! It was so much fun!
Why is that? Why do kids get SO excited for breakfast foods at dinner? Is it the fact that it seems like opposite day? Breakfast at dinnertime?? Oh … the irony!!! My kiddos get extremely giddy when I announce we’re having ‘brinner’ (you know … BReakfast and dINNER!) that night!
I just remember loving my mom’s waffles so much when I was little, and I was thrilled when I came across her recipe in one of the books she had made.
I couldn’t wait to share these with my kids … they would love them, too! I remember them being very yummy … but as I reread her recipe, I realized this was an opportunity for me to amp up the nutrition!
So I swapped in some whole wheat flour, heart-healthy canola oil, and unsweetened applesauce.
And you know what? You.can’t.tell. Simply delicious.
In fact, when I dropped off some samples at Shelley’s, her son said these waffles tasted like they came from IHOP! I’ve never been to an IHOP, but I have to assume they know how to make a mean waffle (and pancakes, too!). So, I’ll take that as a compliment!
These waffles are delightful with a dusting of powdered sugar (my favorite way!) or with a drizzle of pure maple syrup. They’re delicious with fruit, and for a super-special occasion (ahem … like Mother’s Day) maybe even a few mini chocolate chips! Chocolate as part of the meal? Sure … you deserve it!
This is my go-to waffle recipe, and I’m pretty sure that after you make them once it’ll be yours, too!
Happiest of Mother’s Days to you! Hope you get a lovely handmade card, some jewelry, or a spa gift certificate.
And waffles. I hope you get waffles!
And breakfast in bed! (Whether you eat these waffles at breakfast or at dinnertime is up to you!)
Now … go put your feet up and relax!
Mom's Best Whole Wheat Waffles
Deliciously crispy on the outside, but light and fluffy on the inside – you'll never believe that these Whole Wheat Waffles are so healthy, too!
• Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Vegetarian •
Ingredients
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 1/3 cups nonfat milk
- 1 cup whole wheat flour (see note)
- 1 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- optional toppings: mini chocolate chips, fresh fruit, vanilla Greek yogurt, pure maple syrup, powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions. Lightly grease if necessary (see note).
- In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients (except optional toppings) with a large spoon until thoroughly combined. Do not over-mix (a few lumps may remain).
- Pour batter into waffle iron (exact amounts vary – follow manufacturer's recommendations). Close lid and bake until steaming stops (or until your waffle iron's indicator signals doneness). Remove waffle.
- Repeat with remaining batter.
- Serve with toppings as desired.
Notes
Flour: We also tested this recipe extensively using 2 cups of whole wheat pastry flour, instead of 1 cup of regular whole wheat flour and 1 cup of unbleached, all-purpose flour. If using 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour instead, we recommend decreasing the milk to 1 1/4 cups.
Prepping Waffle Iron: Most waffle iron manufacturers do not recommend using cooking spray on their waffle irons. Our own waffle irons generally do not require any nonstick spray, and in fact, when we tested this recipe on our irons and did use spray, our waffles did not climb properly or fully rise. If you do need to grease your waffle iron, we recommend a very light spray or a minimal brushing with canola oil. However, you know your iron best, and should prep it in whatever way you typically find works well for you.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 servings Serving Size: 1/2 waffle (not including optional toppings)Amount Per Serving: Calories: 144Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 277mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 5g
Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.
I like the fact that these seem pretty healthy with not that much added sugar – and the applesauce is a nice addition, too. I don’t have a waffle iron (yet) but this seems like a great staple recipe to pin for the future when I do have one. 🙂
Helen, come on over! I’ve got waffles for the masses! I made probably 10 batches while finalizing this recipe … and each batch makes about 5 waffles … so you can do the math! I’m happy to share until you get your waffle iron! And yes … do get one! 🙂
I love this recipe. It is quick, easy, healthy … and so yummy! Have a great weekend! ~Gretchen
I like to eat waffles either for breakfast or as afternoon snack. Whole wheat rocks! Print button…see you in two seconds 🙂
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Haha, yes Julie, whole wheat does rock! 🙂 Mmmm … I love waffles any time! With just a dusting of powdered sugar = perfection! Happy Mother’s Day, Julie! 🙂 ~Gretchen
These waffles look so good! And who doesn’t like breakfast for dinner?! Waffles are my go-to when we’re having breakfast for another meal. I’ll have to give this healthy version a try!
My parents were both teachers, too! We didn’t have to be out the door by 6:30, but by 7:00 was pretty standard. Breakfasts were mandatory, but definitely not elaborate! Waffles were an evening meal growing up, too…which is probably where I got that from.
Yay! Another teacher’s kid!! What did your parents teach? My parents both taught at the high school I went to (and I had both of them for classes – and I called them Mom and Dad in class, as did many of my classmates!!). My mom taught home-ec and my dad taught math. 🙂
Sometimes my kiddos ask for pancakes when we have breakfast for dinner, but typically it’s waffles! And I just love having leftovers for breakfasts later in the week! So for me … it’s a total win! 🙂 ~Gretchen
My taught elementary special ed and my dad taught agriculture and was the athletic director in high school. So I had my dad as a teacher and definitely called him “Dad”, too!
These look great! Dan has a theory about brinner. He believes that everyone (EVERYONE!) really just wants to wake up in the morning, eat breakfast, and go back to bed. So, brinner gives you that opportunity! hee hee
These waffles look awesome! Happy Mother’s Day to you both! 🙂
Well, Debi … your husband might just be onto something! I know I would really love to eat breakfast and just go back to bed … so maybe that’s why I love eating brinner so much! 🙂
Hope you get to try these waffles soon … like maybe on Sunday … when your hubby makes them!! Happy Mother’s Day to you! 😀 ~Gretchen
An IHOP! That’s funny and true. The last time I went to an IHOP was when my kids were like 4. It was outside of Disneyland and I remember the tables were so sticky we couldn’t put our elbows on them. Of course now they are 23 and my daughter loves waffles. I make Belgian Liege waffles but I know I won’t get them this year unless I make them. The kids are gone-so enjoy these years. They go way too fast! Happy mother’s Day, girls!
Haha Abbe, you’ve got one more IHOP experience than I do! I suppose the tables would be a little sticky from all that syrup!
I hope you have a fabulous Mother’s Day! (I have a refrigerator filled with waffles – I’d love to send you some! Then you wouldn’t need to make your own!) 🙂 ~Gretchen