~ 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.
These look sssooo good! I could totally imagine putting my feet up, relaxing and eating these waffles while being pampered on Mother’s Day!
I hope your Mother’s Day was just that! Sounds amazing … putting your feet up and being pampered … eating waffles … I mean, that’s a perfect day for me (but sadly doesn’t really ever happen!) and I hope that’s exactly what you got to do! You deserve it! 🙂 ~Gretchen
those look great!! i have been having a hankerin’ for some waffles lately. im so boring with breakfast haha but on weekends- i think a nice homemade waffle reciipe sounds lovely.
happy belated mother’s day to you both!
Thank you, Christina! We love these waffles for breakfast … and for dinner! There is always just a little more time in the evening to put a meal together. You could make a double batch and then eat these for breakfast all week! That’s a jazzy breakfast for you – not so boring! 🙂 ~G&S
Hope you both had a fantastic Mother’s Day! These waffles look insanely perfect! I’m kinda upset that I already packed the waffle maker up for our big move! Now I’m craving waffles!!!
No worries … just print this out and put it in the box with the waffle iron! There ya go – problem solved! You can make waffles in your new home when you get there! 😉
Good luck with the move! It’s always exciting to get into a new place … hope everything goes smoothly! ~Gretchen
Would you believe I have never eaten a waffle before? They’re just not that popular here in Australia unfortunately – these look great! Hope you had a lovely Mothers Day 🙂
Oh my goodness, Dearna! I cannot imagine never having eaten a waffle! I sure wish Ohio was closer to Australia … I would bring you lots and lots of waffles! These are light and fluffy, yet crisp on the outside … mmmmm … these really are yummy! Hopefully you’ll get to have a waffle soon! 😀 Thank you for your sweet words – hope you had a great Mother’s Day as well! ~Gretchen
The waffle recipe I used (up to when I read your recipe!) has me beating an egg white, beating in a bit of sugar, then folding in the dry ingredients. After baking a waffle, I place the “done” ones right on the shelf of an oven preheated to 200 degrees. This keeps them warm and crispy until the other waffles are baked. It also allows the whole family to eat together, rather than to sit, salivating and watching as one family member eats while other waffles bake! Aunt K.
Great tip on keeping them warm in the oven! Especially love that you place them right on the oven rack – no need to break out an extra baking sheet that’ll need to be washed later! We’ll be excited to hear you like this recipe compared to your old stand-by – you’ll be surprised how light and fluffy these are, even though they’re loaded with whole grain and don’t require laborious extra steps of beating the eggs! Mmmmmm …. enjoy!!! 😀 ~G&S