Ultimate Healthy Banana Oat Waffles: Gluten-Free, Crispy & Delicious Breakfast
Kickstart your day with these incredibly light, wonderfully crispy, and delightfully fluffy Banana Oat Waffles. This recipe is a true game-changer for anyone seeking a wholesome, budget-friendly, and simple breakfast option. Loaded with nourishing ingredients like rolled oats, ripe bananas, and flax seeds, these waffles are not only packed with goodness but are also naturally gluten-free. They are a fantastic way to enjoy a satisfying meal without compromising on taste or health.
Why Choose These Healthy Banana Oat Waffles?
Eating well doesn’t have to break the bank, and these banana oat waffles are a perfect example of frugal, wholesome eating. We often purchase organic rolled oats in large, economical 50-pound bags, making them an incredibly versatile and cost-effective base for many recipes, including these delightful waffles. Oats are a powerhouse of nutrition, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, providing sustained energy to fuel your day.
In our farmhouse, breakfast is a cherished meal, a crucial start to a busy day. My family thrives on heartier options than a simple bowl of cereal. That’s why recipes like Pumpkin Waffles, Sourdough Pancakes with Freshly Milled Flour, or Whole Wheat Waffles are regular favorites. These banana oat waffles effortlessly join that list, offering a filling and deeply satisfying breakfast that keeps everyone energized and ready for whatever the day brings.
Frugal & Wholesome Ingredients
One of the standout features of these waffles is their incredible affordability. By utilizing bulk-purchased rolled oats and any ripe bananas you might have on hand (another budget-friendly fruit), you create a nutritious meal without excessive spending. Ripe bananas are not just cheap; they also lend a natural sweetness, often eliminating the need for added sugars, making these waffles an even healthier choice.
The inspiration for this fantastic oat waffle recipe comes from Lindsey of Tiny Notes of Home, who shared her “Blender Oatmeal Waffles.” Her simple, healthy twist on a classic breakfast dish truly resonated, and I’m delighted to share this adaptation with you. It’s a testament to how creative and nutritious frugal cooking can be.
Effortless Preparation: The Blender Method
For ultimate convenience, if you own a heavy-duty blender, you can simply toss all the ingredients in and blend them to a smooth batter in mere moments. However, if a high-powered blender isn’t available, don’t fret! Making oat flour at home is surprisingly easy. Just take old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats and process them in a coffee grinder or food processor until a fine flour consistency is achieved. Personally, I find the blender method to be the most straightforward, allowing me to blend the oats directly into the waffle batter for a seamless process.
The delightful touch of cinnamon, combined with the inherent sweetness of an overripe banana, provides a naturally flavorful and sweet profile, eliminating the need for any additional sugars. This makes these waffles a truly guilt-free indulgence.
And for those busy mornings? These waffles are wonderfully freezer-friendly. You can make a large batch, freeze them, and simply pop them into the toaster whenever you need a quick, warm, and wholesome breakfast. They reheat beautifully, maintaining their crispy texture.
Delicious, simple, frugal, and incredibly healthy – these gluten-free Banana Oat Waffles are everything you could want in a breakfast. Let’s gather our ingredients and get cooking!
Mise en Place: Essential Ingredients for Perfect Waffles
Key Ingredients:
- Oats: The foundation of our waffles. I highly recommend using Organic Rolled Oats, which can be bought in bulk (like 50-pound bags) and stored efficiently in 5-gallon buckets for long-term use. Both old-fashioned rolled oats and quick-cooking oats work perfectly for this recipe, ensuring a great texture and nutritional boost.
- Coconut Flour: This is a fantastic gluten-free option that contributes to the waffle’s texture and adds a subtle sweetness. If you don’t have coconut flour or have no gluten sensitivity, you can easily substitute it with freshly milled soft white wheat berries (milled into flour) or even regular unbleached all-purpose flour.
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent is crucial for achieving that desirable light and fluffy texture, giving our waffles a wonderful rise.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors. Redmond Real Salt is a personal favorite for its natural mineral content and superior taste.
- Cinnamon: More than just a spice, cinnamon acts as a natural sweetener, perfectly complementing the banana, and infusing the waffles with a warm, inviting flavor.
- Flax Meal: A nutritional powerhouse! Flax meal adds a boost of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. If you only have whole flax seeds, simply grind 2 tablespoons in a hand coffee grinder or food processor to make your own fresh flax meal.
- Sweetener (Banana): A ripe banana is our primary sweetener, providing natural sugars and a lovely moistness. If bananas aren’t available or you prefer an alternative, you can use 1/3 cup of honey, maple syrup, or organic cane sugar. Applesauce is also a good option for an unrefined sweetener.
- Coconut Oil: Used to prevent sticking in the waffle iron and to add a subtle richness and crispness to the waffles. Ensure it’s melted before adding to the batter.
- Milk: We prefer using raw milk for its nutritional benefits and flavor. However, feel free to use any non-dairy milk alternative, such as almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk, if you have dairy sensitivities or dietary preferences.
- Eggs: Four pasture-raised chicken eggs provide essential structure and richness to the waffles. For an alternative, three large duck eggs can be used instead, offering an even richer result.
Watch How To Make Delicious Gluten-Free Waffles
These incredible banana waffles were first introduced to me by a resourceful and frugal mom of eight children. Their delightful YouTube Channel, “Tiny Notes From Home,” features Lindsey demonstrating how to make these simple yet nourishing Blender Oatmeal Waffles in her Simple, Healthy, Frugal Meals Video.
I am so grateful I decided to try these waffles. They nourished my family with their healthy ingredients without ever compromising on taste. It became immediately clear that this healthy waffle recipe deserved its own dedicated blog post. A huge thank you to Lindsey for graciously allowing me to share her wonderful waffle recipe with all of you!
This gluten-free waffle recipe is remarkably simple to prepare, even if you don’t have a blender. You can easily make the batter by hand using a whisk, as detailed in the comprehensive recipe card below. Get ready to enjoy wholesome, homemade waffles with ease.
Irresistible Healthy Waffle Toppings: Elevate Your Breakfast
While we absolutely adore these waffles with a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup, the topping possibilities are truly endless! Lindsey herself suggests spreading delicious Homemade Apple Butter, which adds a lovely fruity tang. For those looking to get creative, consider fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), sliced bananas, a dollop of Greek yogurt for added protein, a sprinkle of chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans), or even a dusting of cocoa powder for a richer flavor. A swirl of peanut butter or almond butter can also add healthy fats and extra satisfaction. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your family’s favorite combinations!
Embracing a Healthy Eating Lifestyle
Educating ourselves about nutrition and understanding what our bodies truly need can profoundly transform our dietary choices. A personal favorite resource that has shaped our healthy eating philosophy is the Nourishing Traditions Cookbook. This remarkable book is brimming with wholesome recipes and provides invaluable insights into establishing sustainable healthy eating habits. Prioritizing nutritious, homemade meals, like these banana oat waffles, is a cornerstone of our home life, ensuring that every bite contributes to overall well-being.
To craft these perfect healthy waffles, all you need to do is prepare the easy-to-make batter and cook it to golden perfection in your cast-iron waffle maker or any preferred waffle iron. The simplicity and delightful results make this recipe a joy to incorporate into your regular breakfast rotation.
Common Questions & Answers (FAQ)
How To Prevent Soggy Waffles?
To ensure your waffles remain wonderfully warm and crisp while you finish cooking the entire batch, preheat your oven to a low temperature, around 200°F (95°C). As each waffle comes out of the iron, place it directly onto a baking pan in the warm oven. This method keeps them from becoming soggy and allows them to maintain their perfect crispness until serving. If you have cold leftovers and want to revive their crispness, a quick pop in the toaster works wonders!
What is The Best Way To Store Banana Oat Waffles?
These homemade oat waffles are incredibly freezer-friendly, making them ideal for meal prepping! When I make waffles for my family, I often prepare a large batch. Any waffles intended for consumption the next day can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you find yourself with more waffles than you can enjoy within two days, freezing them is the perfect solution. Simply place them in an air-tight freezer bag, ensuring they are cooled completely before freezing, to prevent ice crystals.
Storing: Freeze leftover waffles in a gallon-sized freezer bag or an airtight container for up to 3 months for optimal freshness and taste.
To Reheat: For a quick and delicious breakfast, simply take the frozen waffles directly from the freezer and pop them into a toaster or toaster oven. Toast until they are golden brown and heated through, regaining their delightful crisp texture.
Can I make these waffles ahead of time?
Absolutely! These waffles are perfect for meal prep. You can make the batter the night before and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. In the morning, give the batter a good whisk before cooking. Alternatively, cook all the waffles and store them as described in the “Storing” tip above, then reheat as needed.
Expert Tips for the Best Healthy Waffles:
- Egg Substitution: If you have them available, three large duck eggs can be used instead of four regular chicken eggs. Duck eggs tend to be larger and richer, which can give your waffles an even more luxurious texture.
- Batter Resting Time: For truly crisp and fluffy waffles, allow the batter to sit for about 10 minutes after mixing. This crucial resting period gives the oats and coconut flour time to fully absorb the liquid, resulting in a superior waffle texture.
- Flour Alternatives: If coconut flour isn’t on hand, you can successfully substitute it with freshly milled soft white wheat flour or almond flour. Both options will maintain the deliciousness of the waffles.
- Keeping Waffles Warm & Crisp: To ensure all your waffles are served warm and perfectly crisp, preheat your oven to its lowest setting (around 200°F or 95°C). As each waffle finishes cooking in the iron, transfer it to a baking pan and place it in the warm oven. Stack them loosely to allow air circulation, keeping them crispy until you’re ready to serve everyone.
- Waffle Iron Care: Always ensure your waffle maker is properly preheated and lightly greased before pouring in the batter. This prevents sticking and helps achieve that desirable golden-brown exterior.
- Adjusting Sweetness: While the ripe banana provides ample sweetness, you can adjust to your preference. For extra sweetness, add a tablespoon or two of maple syrup or honey to the batter. For less, ensure your banana is just ripe, not overly so.
How To Make Gluten-Free Banana Oat Waffles: The Detailed Recipe
Rate
Pin
Healthy Banana Oat Waffles
Equipment
-
Waffle Maker
-
Blender (optional, for smooth batter) or Coffee Grinder/Food Processor (for grinding oats)
-
Large Mixing Bowl & Whisk (if not using a blender)
Ingredients
Ingredients:
-
3 1/2 cups rolled oats
-
1 tsp salt
-
4 tsp baking powder
-
2 tsp cinnamon
-
2 Tbsp flax meal
-
3 cups milk
-
4 eggs
-
4 Tbsp melted coconut oil
-
3 Tbsp coconut flour
-
1 ripe banana
Instructions
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Batter: In a high-speed blender, combine all the ingredients: rolled oats, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, flax meal, milk, eggs, melted coconut oil, coconut flour, and ripe banana. Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and all the oats have broken down. If you do not have a blender, first grind the rolled oats and flax seeds into a fine flour using a coffee grinder or food processor. Then, transfer the oat flour, flax meal, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon to a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted coconut oil, coconut flour, and mashed ripe banana. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined, ensuring there are no dry pockets. Do not overmix. Let the batter sit for 10 minutes to thicken and allow the oats to hydrate, which contributes to crispy waffles.
-
Cook the Waffles: Preheat your waffle maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly grease the waffle iron plates if necessary. Pour a heaping 1/3 cup of waffle batter into the center of each waffle square (or as much as your waffle maker requires for a full waffle). Close the lid and cook until the waffles are golden brown and crispy, typically for 3-5 minutes, depending on your waffle iron. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Banana Substitution: If you prefer to omit the banana, you can substitute it with 1/3 cup of your favorite liquid sweetener (such as honey or maple syrup) or 1/3 cup of unsweetened applesauce for a similar moistness and natural sweetness.
- Duck Eggs: For an even richer waffle, you can use 3 large duck eggs in place of the 4 chicken eggs specified in the recipe.
- Spice Variation: Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of pumpkin pie spice for a different flavor profile, especially during the fall season.
Nutrition per serving