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These flourless Banana Waffles are naturally sweet, packed with banana flavors and protein. Healthy and gluten-free, oatmeal banana waffles are perfect for a quick and easy healthy breakfast and brunch. 15 minute meal prep friendly recipe!
Quick and healthy banana waffles
If you have a ripe banana, try this recipe. Banana bread waffles come in handy for quick healthy breakfasts on weekdays and Sunday brunches. They taste delicious on their own, drizzled with maple syrup and peanut butter, or with scrambled eggs and bacon on the side. Here we love the combo sweet ‘n savory.
Made with ripe banana, they are naturally sweetened, so that you won’t find any sugar in this recipe. You won’t even need flour, because my easy banana waffle recipe uses rolled oats. Swapping out white flour for oats makes them healthier, more nutritious, high in fiber and gluten-free.
This oat banana waffle recipe is whipped up in 15 minutes in a blender. So you can make it directly in the morning without too much cooking & cleaning. Or prepare multiple batches on the weekend and you will have satisfying breakfasts for the entire week.
The best thing is, they taste like banana bread in the form of a waffle! They’re light and fluffy inside, with a crisp outside ready to welcome a river of maple syrup. And a dollop of peanut butter of course, because nothing tastes better than banana peanut butter waffles. Maybe add some chocolate chips and it will feel like eating #DessertForBreakfast. Healthy of course.
Ingredients and substitutes
This simple recipe requires just a handful of household ingredients, you probably already have everything in your pantry. I have included the detailed ingredient list with quantities in cups and grams in the recipe card down below. But for the moment, here are some more details.
- Ripe banana. You’ll need a large ripe banana, a spotty banana with dark dots all over the skin. If it is not ripe yet, you can quickly bake the banana (with skin) in hot oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10 – 15 minutes until soft.
- Egg. Choose a large whole egg, preferably from free range chickens. Egg whites only do not work, they would make the banana waffles dry. For vegan waffles, replace with 1 flaxseed egg.
- Greek yogurt. Use sugar-free plain Greek yogurt with at least 2% fat. It adds moisture and richness to the batter, with a boost of protein. Replace with soy Greek yogurt, cream cheese, or sour cream.
- Rolled oats. You’ll need a cup of rolled oats, gluten-free if it is necessary. Rolled oats can be replaced with quick oats, oat flour, almond flour, wholewheat flour or your favorite flour.
- Maple syrup. Adding maple syrup is optional for sweeter waffles with banana. Great replacements are honey, agave syrup, date syrup and coconut syrup.
- Baking powder. This helps the waffles rise. Replace with ½ teaspoon of baking soda, if necessary.
- Vanilla extract and salt. Vanilla extract gives waffles their original vanilla-y sweet flavor. A pinch of salt balances sweetness and enhances all flavors.
The batter for waffles needs to be slightly denser and thicker than the one for pancakes, resulting in waffles that are slightly crispy on the outside. Using plain Greek yogurt instead of milk helps achieve this desired consistency, adding moisture and richness without making the batter too runny. If you’re craving pancakes, try my banana protein pancakes recipe.
How to make banana waffles
MAKE THE BATTER. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender or to a food processor and blend until smooth. Do not overmix, just blend until it is smooth and free of lumps. Let it rest for at least 5 minutes while preheating the waffle iron.
If you make banana waffles with flour instead of oats
In a large mixing bowl, mash the banana. Add eggs, vanilla extract, Greek yogurt, maple syrup (if you are using it) and a pinch of salt. Beat the banana egg waffles mixture until it is smooth and lump-free. Stir in now flour with baking powder, and mix until combined. Make sure you do not overmix the batter or the waffles will come out dry.
PREHEAT THE GRIDDLES. Preheat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly grease it with cooking spray or with a small amount of melted butter or oil. This ensures that the waffles won’t stick.
COOK. Pour a couple tablespoons of batter into waffle grids, spreading it evenly. Close the grids and cook until the waffles are golden brown and crisp, about 3-5 minutes, depending on your waffle iron. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes and serve with your favorite toppings.
How to store and freeze banana waffles
This healthy banana waffle recipe is perfect for meal prep. Make them ahead and they will keep well both in the fridge and in the freezer.
- How to store in the fridge: Let cool completely, then place waffles into an airtight container and refrigerate for a maximum of 4 days. Reheat in a pan, in hot oven, in the microwave or in a toaster.
- How to freeze: Let cool completely first. Once cool, place them 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. To reheat, allow frozen banana waffles to thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in hot oven or in the microwave.
Recipe tips
- Do not overmix the batter; blend just until it is smooth and free of lumps. Mixing for too long incorporates excessive air, which can cause the waffles to become dry.
- If the batter is too runny, add more oats and blend. Bananas come in different sizes, and larger fruits will give more moisture. The result should be a smooth, slightly dense batter that is easy to pour in the grids.
- Mix in the batter some extra ingredients such as blueberries, dark chocolate chips, chopped walnuts or pecans, peanut butter, or cocoa powder for banana chocolate waffle. You can also add a scoop of protein powder.
- For extra crispy banana waffles, once ready place them over a parchment paper covered baking sheet and bake in hot oven at 220°F (100°C) for about 5 minutes.
- The cooking time for banana waffles may change a bit, depending on the iron machine that you use. They are done when fluffy and golden brown on the outside.
Best banana waffle toppings
Just like pancakes, these banana oat waffles taste delicious on their own or with toppings. My favorite way to eat them is with Greek yogurt, more sliced banana and a handful of fresh berries. A drizzle of maple syrup can never miss, of course. Here are some tasty ideas for your breakfast.
- Whipped cottage cheese
- Low calorie Nutella
- Keto caramel sauce
- Strawberry jam
- Maple syrup or honey
- Peanut butter or almond butter
- Greek yogurt
- Chocolate chips
- Sliced banana
- Fresh berries
More healthy breakfasts
- Keto waffles
- Protein waffles
- Cottage cheese pancakes
- Healthy sheet pan pancakes
- Protein pancakes
- Egg white oatmeal
- Microwave oatmeal
- Breakfast casserole
Banana Waffles
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large banana, ripe, about 4.3 oz (120 g)
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup (60 g) Greek yogurt, at least 2% fat
- 1 cup (100 g) rolled oats, replace with oat flour or preferred flour
- 1 to 2 tbsp maple syrup, optional, to taste (see notes*)
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- a pinch of salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high speed blender or to a food processor and blend until you get a smooth batter. Do not overmix.If using oat flour. In a large mixing bowl, mash the banana. Add eggs, vanilla extract, Greek yogurt, maple syrup and a pinch of salt. Beat the banana egg mixture until it is smooth and lump-free. Stir in flour with baking powder, and mix until combined. Do not overmix.
- Let the batter rest for at least 5 minutes while preheating the waffle machine.
- Preheat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly grease it with cooking spray or with a small amount of melted butter or oil.
- Pour a couple tablespoons of batter into waffle grids, spreading it evenly. Close the grids and cook until the waffles are golden brown and crisp, about 3-5 minutes, depending on your waffle iron.
- Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes and serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- This waffle recipe is naturally sweetened with banana. For sweeter waffles, you can add 1 to 2 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey. Adjust to your own likings.
- Nutritional values do not include the optional maple syrup.
Banana waffles, a good start for breakfast. Thanks Matt
Hey Constantino,
thanks a lot for your feedback. Oh yes, nothing is better than a stack of healthy banana waffles for breakfast 😉
Have a great day,
Matteo
Banana waffles is a good combination for breakfast!
Hey my dear Liza,
Thanks a lot for your comment. I am so happy you liked this recipe?!
Have a fantastic day,
Matteo