Healthy Homemade Whole Wheat Waffles: Crispy, Fluffy & Made with Fresh Milled Flour

Are you searching for that perfect waffle recipe? Look no further! This is the only waffle recipe you’ll ever need, delivering all the incredible health benefits of whole wheat waffles combined with the unbeatable freshness of fresh milled flour. We’re talking about waffles that are so light and fluffy on the inside, yet wonderfully crispy on the outside. The secret lies in using soft white wheat grain, which we mill ourselves to create the freshest whole wheat flour in mere moments. Get ready to transform your breakfast experience!

We’ve fallen in love with fresh milled wheat, incorporating it into so many of our favorite recipes, from fluffy pancakes and delicate crepes to wholesome blueberry muffins. While baking with fresh milled flour can sometimes present a learning curve, this easy whole wheat waffle recipe is an absolute breeze, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned bakers alike.

The Magic of Freshly Milled Soft White Wheat for Waffles

Understanding the difference between freshly milled flour and store-bought whole wheat flour is key to achieving truly exceptional waffles. The type of grain used plays a critical role in the final texture and flavor. For waffles, you ideally want a low-gluten, pastry-like flour, and this is where soft white wheat truly shines. Most store-bought whole wheat flour, on the other hand, is typically milled from hard red or hard white wheat, which are essentially bread flours. These hard wheat varieties contain a higher protein content, leading to a more developed gluten structure, which is fantastic for artisan bread but can result in denser, chewier waffles with a more robust, earthy flavor.

Using soft white wheat for your waffles yields a beautifully mild flavor, remarkably similar to traditional white flour, but with all the added nutritional punch of whole grains. It’s also one of the lightest colored wheat grains, ensuring your finished waffles have an appealing, less-brown appearance, making them more visually enticing, especially for those accustomed to white flour. For maximum nutrition and the best possible taste, I personally source organic soft white wheat from Azure Standard and mill it right at home. The difference in freshness and nutrient retention is truly incomparable.

Making these waffles is a joy, especially with a reliable waffle maker. My own waffle maker, though old, is a timeless classic that’s incredibly user-friendly. In fact, it’s so easy that my son often takes charge of making them! Clean-up is also a breeze, as you only need one mixing bowl, and there’s no tedious standing and flipping each individual waffle, unlike with pancakes. This makes it a perfect hands-off breakfast option for busy mornings.

How To Make Whole Wheat Waffles Perfectly Crispy and Irresistible

You’ll fall in love with these easy whole wheat waffles from the very first bite. The best part? Most people won’t even realize they’re made from whole grains! They look and taste so similar to waffles made with white flour, which is a huge win in my book. Transitioning to whole grains can sometimes be a challenge for picky eaters or those used to refined flours, but these waffles make that transition incredibly delicious and seamless.

You don’t need a special Belgian waffle recipe to achieve those coveted crispy edges. Homemade waffles can stay perfectly crispy with a simple trick: arrange them in a single layer over a sheet pan lined with a cooling rack as they come off the waffle iron. This allows air to circulate around them, preventing steam from making them soggy. For an extra-super crisp exterior, you can even place them in a warm oven (set to the lowest temperature) for a few minutes. However, we often just stack them high on a plate, ready to be devoured with our favorite sausage patties and a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup.

Meal Prep Made Easy: Freezing and Reheating Waffles

These waffles are not just for fresh enjoyment; they are also fantastic for meal prepping! They became a lifesaver freezer meal for us after our 6th baby arrived. To prepare them for the freezer, simply allow the cooked waffles to cool completely. Once cooled, tear them in half if needed to fit your toaster, then place them into a zip-lock bag in meal-sized portions and freeze. When you’re ready for a quick and wholesome breakfast, thaw the frozen waffles overnight in the refrigerator. To reheat, simply pop them into your toaster and toast until they are perfectly crisp, just like those convenient store-bought Eggo Waffles.

Ingredients for Your Perfect Whole Wheat Waffles

This recipe makes approximately ten 7-inch waffles, so you might definitely want to consider freezing some for later! If you don’t have a grain mill, you can easily substitute the freshly milled flour with whole wheat pastry flour for a similar light texture.

• Whole Wheat Flour: As mentioned, I prefer using fresh milled soft white wheat. The fresh milling process locks in nutrients and provides an unparalleled freshness.
• Baking Powder: This leavening agent is crucial for giving your waffles that desirable light and airy texture. A key advantage of using baking powder (over baking soda) is that it allows you to prepare the batter in advance. You can mix it together and store it in the fridge without losing its potency, as baking powder doesn’t react as quickly as baking soda.
• Salt: A pinch of good quality sea salt enhances all the flavors in the batter, balancing the sweetness and adding depth.
• Granulated Sugar: We use organic cane sugar, but for a healthier alternative, coconut sugar works beautifully, providing a slightly caramel-like note.
• Eggs: We are fortunate to have farm-fresh eggs from our own chickens, which always add richness and bind the ingredients together perfectly.
• Milk: Whole milk is recommended for the best flavor and texture, contributing to the richness of the waffles.
• Coconut Oil: It’s essential to heat the coconut oil with the milk until it melts completely. This crucial step prevents the oil from solidifying when it hits the colder ingredients, ensuring a smooth, lump-free batter.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Healthy Whole Wheat Waffles

Creating these healthy whole wheat waffles is incredibly simple and comes together with just a few minutes of active prep time. Follow these easy steps for breakfast perfection:

1. Mill Your Grain (Optional but Recommended): If using whole wheat berries, start by milling your grain. I use a grain mill that transforms wheat berries into fresh flour in mere seconds! If you happen to mill a little extra flour, simply store it in an airtight zip-lock bag in the fridge. Refrigerating freshly milled flour helps to slow down oxidation and keeps it from going rancid as quickly, preserving its nutritional value.
2. Prepare the Liquid Base: In a small saucepan, gently heat the coconut oil and milk together until the coconut oil has fully melted and the mixture is warm. This warm, combined liquid is key to preventing a lumpy batter.
3. Preheat Your Waffle Iron: Plug in your waffle iron and allow it to fully preheat according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A properly preheated iron ensures even cooking and crispiness.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, measure out all your dry ingredients – the fresh milled flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar – and whisk them together thoroughly. This ensures all the leavening and seasoning are evenly distributed.
5. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Gradually pour the warm milk and coconut oil mixture into the dry ingredients. Whisk continuously until just combined.
6. Add Eggs: Finally, crack in the eggs and mix well. Don’t worry if the batter seems a bit on the thin and runny side; this consistency is exactly what contributes to those super airy and fluffy waffles.
7. Cook Your Waffles: Ladle about 1/2 cup of the prepared waffle batter onto the center of your preheated waffle iron. Close the lid and cook until the waffles are golden brown and wonderfully crispy. I typically set my waffle maker to a medium heat setting (around number 2 or 3) to prevent them from getting too dark while still achieving perfect crispness.
8. Serve or Cool: For maximum crispiness, immediately arrange the cooked waffles on a cooling rack in a single layer. If you prefer them softer and fluffier, you can stack them directly onto a large dinner plate.

Serve immediately with your favorite toppings like fresh berries, maple syrup, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy your nutritious and delicious homemade whole wheat waffles!

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Whole Wheat Waffles

Prep Time: 6 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 26 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 waffles

The only waffle recipe you’ll ever need! Get all the healthy benefits of whole wheat waffles made with fresh milled flour. This recipe, using soft white wheat, yields incredibly light, fluffy, and super crispy waffles every time!

Equipment

• 1 waffle maker
• 1 mixing bowl
• 1 grain mill (optional, if using whole wheat berries)

Ingredients

Ingredients:

• 3 cups freshly milled soft white wheat flour (or whole wheat pastry flour)
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp organic cane sugar (or coconut sugar/honey)
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups whole milk
• 2/3 cup coconut oil (melted)

Instructions

Directions:

• 

  Preheat the waffle maker to your desired setting (typically medium heat).
• 

  In a small saucepan, gently heat the coconut oil and milk until the coconut oil completely melts. Set aside to cool slightly.
• 

  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: freshly milled flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
• 

  Gradually whisk in the warm milk and coconut oil mixture. Then, whisk in the eggs until just combined.
• 

  Mix well together until just combined; do not overmix. The batter will be on the thinner side, but this consistency is what results in wonderfully airy, fluffy, and crispy waffles once cooked.
• 

  Ladle approximately 1/2 cup of batter onto the center of the preheated waffle maker.
• 

  Cook until golden brown and crispy, typically about 3-4 minutes, depending on your waffle maker and desired crispness.

Notes

Notes:

• Can substitute melted butter for the coconut oil. If using a fat that solidifies at room temperature (like butter or coconut oil), always melt it with the milk to prevent the batter from becoming lumpy.
• It’s crucial to heat the milk with the solid fat (like coconut oil or butter) because cold milk will cause the fat to solidify, leading to lumps in your batter and potentially greasier waffles. This ensures a smooth batter and better texture.

Nutrition per serving

Serving: 1waffleCalories: 325kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 7gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 275mgPotassium: 324mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 166IUCalcium: 170mgIron: 2mg