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Whip up delicious Protein Waffles with this easy recipe. Soft and fluffy, these protein powder waffles are the perfect healthy breakfast.
What’s the food that everyone likes but that you’ve never tried? Tacos, donuts, Oreos…and much much more. My list is surprisingly long, but I’m proud to say that now it doesn’t contain waffles anymore! Yes, you may think I’m crazy but I ate my first waffles only this year, after 23 years on this planet. I first tried them at a breakfast buffet, and ever since then it’s been real love. I liked them so much that I soon decided to make my own healthy waffles, with protein powder!
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Easy protein waffles recipe
If you like quick and easy healthy recipes, these waffles are for you. They come together in a bowl in minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients. What is more, they are great for meal prepping. Make them ahead and in the morning you’ll have a delicious breakfast waiting for you. If desired, you can also prepare them in bulk and store freeze for later.
Ingredients and substitutes
This recipe for protein waffles is quite basic. You only need a few simple ingredients, all of which can easily be replaced to match your preferences. From the selection of the best protein powder to the egg substitutions, keep on reading for all details.
- Oat flour: For gluten-free protein waffles I used oat flour, a healthier alternative to refined products. Feel free to replace with any other flour, such as whole wheat flour, all purpose flour or almond flour for a keto breakfast.
- Protein powder: For soft and fluffy waffles, I recommend vegan protein powder, casein or a mix of casein and whey. You can also opt for whey protein powder alone, but your waffles may turn out slightly dry. This recipe uses vanilla flavored protein powder, but feel free to choose any other flavored or unflavored option.
- Egg: The egg makes your waffles softer, tastier and binds the batter without banana or oil. Replace with one flaxseed egg if you follow a vegan diet or if you have an egg allergy / intolerance.
- Greek yogurt: The yogurt makes softer and fluffier protein powder waffles without the need for cooking fats (such as oil or butter) or banana. For more protein and fewer calories I used nonfat Greek yogurt, but you can easily replace with full-fat Greek yogurt, Skry, quark, whole-milk yogurt or plant based alternatives.
- Maple syrup: In this recipe, maple syrup sweetens your dish without the need for refined sugars. Honey, agave syrup or date syrup are excellent alternatives.
- Milk of choice: I like making my waffles with unsweetened almond milk, it is a great low calorie and dairy-free option. You can replace with your favorite milk, either dairy or nondairy. Some options are semiskilled milk, unsweetened soy milk and oat milk.
- Baking powder: The baking powder will help the cakes rise while they are cooking. You may replace it with about 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, but don’t leave out the leavening agent.
Optional ingredients
The simplicity of this recipe allows you to add extra ingredients and adapt the protein powder waffles to you likings. From chocolate chips to raisins, here are some great add-ins ideas for your next breakfasts.
- Chocolate chips: Dark chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or sugar-free chocolate chips.
- Nut butter: Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter or hazelnut butter.
- Flavors and spices: Ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg, cocoa powder.
- Dried fruit: Raisins, cranberries, dried apple.
The best protein powder for waffles
The choice of the right protein powder is key in making waffles that are soft and delicious. In general, we can say that both whey, casein and vegan options work. However, each type shows different properties, the result may slightly change. If casein and plant based protein powder behave similar to flour, whey tends to dry out when heated.
You should also note that this recipe may require some adaptations according to the type of protein powder used.
- Whey protein powder: As it mixes very well, you will need a small amount of milk.
- Vegan protein powder or casein: As they are highly absorbent, the batter may require more liquid.
This recipe uses vanilla protein powder, but you can easily replace with your favorite flavor. My recommendation is still to prefer simple flavors, such as chocolate, French vanilla or brownie. Also unflavored options are great, but you’ll need a bit more maple syrup or honey.
Low carb protein waffles
Are you trying to limit your carbohydrate intake? I got you. Making keto protein waffles is as easy as (keto) pie. Just follow the two steps down below.
- Replace oat flour with almond flour (coconut flour does not work).
- Choose a keto sweetener of your choice, such as sugar-free maple syrup, powdered erythritol or xylitol.
Recipe variations
I promise, after trying this recipe you will have protein waffles every morning. You will never get bored because the ways how you can make them are literally endless. Everyday a different breakfast! And if you need inspiration, here are my favorite recipe variations.
- Chocolate waffles: Enrich the batter with cocoa powder and your favorite chocolate chips.
- Peanut butter waffles: Mix in some good peanut butter and chocolate chips, if you want.
- Apple cinnamon waffles: Mix into the batter dices of apple and a hint of ground cinnamon.
- Lemon blueberry waffles: Stir a handful of fresh blueberries right into the batter and flavor with a drop of lemon juice.
How to make protein waffles
Start by combining in a bowl oat flour with protein powder and baking powder. Add the egg, the Greek yogurt and the maple syrup. Mix while pouring in the milk gradually, until the waffle batter reaches a smooth consistency.
Preheat the waffle iron, then lightly grease the it with oil or cooking spray. This prevents the protein cakes from sticking. Pour a couple tablespoons of batter into grids, then close the lid and cook until your waffles are done. Let cool for about 5 to 10 minutes and serve with your favorite toppings.
How to store homemade protein waffles
You can prepare these waffles right before eating or ahead of time. Once cooked, they can be stored either in the refrigerator or in the freezer. And when you are ready o , reheat in a pan, microwave or toaster.
- How to store in the fridge: Let cool, then place the waffles into an airtight food container and refrigerate for a maximum of 4 days.
- How to store in the freezer: After they have cooled, place in zipper bags and freeze for up to 2 months. As a better alternative you can also freeze in two batches as follows. Line the waffles over a baking tray and freeze for about 2 hours. After two hours, place in a zipper bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Freezing in two batches ensures that the pieces do not stick together in the bag.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
Here’s how to adapt this recipe and make it vegan:
1) Replace the egg with a flaxseed egg.
2) Opt for dairy-free milk and yogurt.
It depends on the specific ingredients you select. For gluten-free waffles use certified gluten-free oat flour (or any GF flour), grain-free protein powder and (uncontaminated) baking powder.
You may replace protein powder with the same amount of flour and adjust the batter with more milk (or flour) if it is necessary. However, your healthy waffles won’t be high protein anymore.
Maple syrup or honey can be omitted if you prepare this recipe with a flavored protein powder. Flavored products usually come with additional erythritol, stevia or sucralose, meaning that there is no need for additional sweeteners.
Although any type works, my recommendations are vegan protein powder and casein. Unlike whey that tends to make your waffles dry, these two options will preserve a soft and fluffy texture.
More protein breakfasts
- Simple protein pancakes
- Cinnamon roll protein crepes
- Chocolate protein smoothie bowl
- Chocolate protein oatmeal
- Protein pancake pizza
- Cottage cheese pancakes
- Whey protein powder oatmeal
- Vanilla protein French toast bites
- Muscle building oatmeal
- High calorie smoothie for bulking
Protein Waffles
Ingredients
- 30 grams oat flour, sub with preferred flour
- 20 grams protein powder, vanilla or chocolate, see notes*
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 egg
- 45 grams Greek yogurt, nonfat or full-fat
- ½ to 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey, to taste
- 60 ml milk of choice, more if necessary, see notes*
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine oat flour with protein powder and baking powder. Add the egg, the Greek yogurt and the maple syrup.
- Start mixing while pouring in the milk gradually, until the waffle batter reaches a smooth consistency (see notes*).
- Preheat the waffle iron.
- Lightly grease the iron with oil or cooking spray. Pour a couple tablespoons of protein batter into waffle grids, then close and cook until the waffles are done.
- Let cool for about 5 to 10 minutes and serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- You can make waffles with whey, vegan protein powder or casein.
- For tastier waffles use flavored protein powder (my recommendations are vanilla or chocolate). If using unflavored protein powder, you may need to sweeten the batter with more maple syrup or honey to your likings.
- The precise quantity of milk depends on the type of protein powder used. In general, whey protein powder requires less milk than vegan protein powder or casein.
- Please note that the nutritional values are approximations only. For precise information, calculate the macros by yourself.
Made these and they were delicious, definitely going to make them again. Amazing recipe!
Hey dear Sienna,
thank you very much for your kind feedback! I am so happy to hear that you liked!
All the best,
Matteo
Omg so leckere Waffel habe ich noch nie gemacht. Ich habe für 2 Personen gemacht. Ich habe 100g Hafer Mehl und 20g Proteinmehl gemischt. Mandelmilch ungesüßt , Vanille Protein aber dafür keine Honig oder Sirup. Es war Mega lecker. Die kleine Tochter meines Freundes will nur mehr die Waffel essen hahahaha. Danke Matt. Deine Rezepte sind die besten. Grüße aus Wien, Veronika
Hallo meine liebe Veronika,
vielen lieben Dank für Deinen Kommentar, worüber ich mich SEHR gefreut habe. Es freut mich umso mehr zu hören, dass diese Waffel Dir gefallen haben.
Liebe Grüße,
Matteo☺️
Made these today and they were great!!!
Hey dear Fiona,
thank you very much for your kind feedback. I am incredibly happy to hear you liked these protein waffles!!
Have a great Sunday evening and week to come,
Matteo?
It’s an art! Yummy yummy ?
Thank you?!!