These delicious gluten free protein waffles taste like the real thing. But unlike conventional waffles, they are healthy and satisfying. High in protein and made with wholegrain oats, they will keep you feeling full from breakfast until lunchtime. These protein waffles are made without protein powder and are quick and easy to make, with just 4 ingredients.
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Why is this gluten free protein waffle recipe so good?
- The protein in this healthy waffle recipe comes from natural ingredients: eggs and cottage cheese. There's no need for processed protein powder, and the end result is much nicer. Each serving contains 15g protein. And of course you can easily increase this with your choice of toppings. Eating protein at breakfast will help to fill you up and stop you reaching for sugary snacks partway through the morning.
- This protein waffle recipe uses wholegrain oats. Wholegrains are higher in fibre, which is vital for gut health, and also helps to keep you feeling full. Oatmeal is also a particularly good source of beta glucan, a specific kind of fibre which has been shown to have a range of health benefits. And providing that you buy certified oats, you'll have gluten free waffles.
- These protein waffles are also free from added sugars and sweeteners. Some waffle recipes are loaded with sugar. If you want a little more sweetness, just serve your waffles with fruit, or drizzle with a small amount of maple syrup or honey on top.
- Best of all, these gluten free waffles are very easy to make. There's no need to separate the eggs, so you'll only have one bowl to wash up. If you have a food processor or a blender, it will take less than 5 minutes to make the waffle mixture.
Ingredients
Oats - as the oats will be blitzed into oat flour this protein waffle recipe, any cut of oats is fine. If you'd prefer to make the waffle mix by hand, you'll need to start with oat flour rather than whole oats. Remember, for gluten free oatmeal waffles you need certified gluten free oats which have been processed separately from other grains.
Cottage cheese - I used fat free cottage cheese, but you can use what you prefer. Cottage cheese is a brilliant way of adding lots of protein and is low in calories. Just make sure it is plain unflavoured cottage cheese!
Eggs - this oatmeal waffles recipe is quite forgiving so any size of hens egg is fine.
Baking powder - a small amount adds more lightness. But it's not essential if you don't have any.
Vanilla extract - optional, but adds a nice flavour to your protein waffles.
Plus, you'll need a tiny amount of oil or butter to grease your waffle maker.
Using a waffle maker
A waffle iron or waffle maker is essential to make these protein waffles. I use an electric waffle maker, but you could also use a stove top waffle iron. It's really important to preheat the waffle maker properly otherwise your waffles might stick. Mine takes about 10 minutes to preheat thoroughly, but waffle makers do vary. Even if you have a non-stick waffle iron, I think it's best to brush it with a very small amount of butter or oil. I cooked my waffles for 3 minutes, but as waffle makers can differ, you'll need to keep an eye on your waffles and adjust the cooking time accordingly. If you're using a stove top waffle iron, you'll need to turn it and cook each side separately.
You can also use a slight variation of this mixture to make protein pancakes.
How to make easy protein waffles
Put your waffle maker on to preheat whilst you make the waffle mixture.
Add all the ingredients (except the oil) to a tall jug and blitz with a hand blender until smooth. Or you can make the mix in a stand alone blender or food processor.
Once the waffle maker is hot, brush it with a very thin coating of butter or oil. Then add about 1 tablespoon of mixture to each segment of the waffle maker. The waffle plate should be properly covered with mixture, but not so full that it will squeeze out. Cook for 3-4 minutes until golden.
Serving suggestions for healthy waffles
Serve your gluten free protein waffles warm with whatever combination of fruit, yogurt, nut butter or maple syrup that you enjoy at breakfast. Cooked fruit also works well - try this healthy stewed apple or stewed plums with honey. Or for dessert, try them with this easy healthy chocolate sauce, or a dollop of fig paste.
These protein waffles can also be made ahead of time. Store in the fridge, and when you're ready to eat, heat them through briefly in the toaster. You can also freeze gluten free waffles - simply use the defrost setting on your toaster to heat them through.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, this recipe is nutrient dense, and is also a good source of healthy soluble fibre. Oatmeal, cottage cheese and eggs all contain a variety of vitamins and minerals.
Each of these waffles has just 94 calories. For a portion, I have assumed 2 waffles. If you are watching your calorie intake, take care that any toppings are not especially high in calories.
That depends on the waffles and on the toppings that you add to them. Many waffles are made of refined carbs which can leave you feeling hungry after a couple of hours. Including plenty of protein and healthy whole grains in your breakfast will help to keep you feeling full until your next meal.
Other healthy gluten free breakfast recipes you might enjoy
You can easily make crepes and pancakes with oat flour too. It's an easy way to make a healthy gluten free breakfast.
Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a rating and/or comment at the bottom of the page. Your feedback and questions are much appreciated.
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Recipe
Protein Waffles (gluten free)
Ingredients
- 100 g cottage cheese ½ cup
- 40 g gluten free oats ½ cup
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon baking powder (gluten free)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- butter or olive oil for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle maker on a medium setting.
- Add the oats, cottage cheese, eggs, baking powder and vanilla extract (if using) to a blender or food processor and blitz until smooth.
- Brush the hot waffle plates with a very thin coat of oil or butter. Add about a tablespoon of mixture to each section of the waffle plate. It should be well coated, but not so thick that it will squeeze out. Cook for 3-4 minutes until golden.
Notes
- If you are not using a food processor or blender, you'll need to use oat flour rather than whole oats. Mix all the ingredients (except the oil or butter) together with a hand whisk.
- If you are using a stove top waffle maker rather than an electric one, cook each side of the waffles separately.
- Even if your waffle maker has a non-stick coating, I still find it best to lightly oil the plates to ensure your waffles are easy to remove.
- Waffles are best served warm. If you want to make them in advance, heat them through briefly in a toaster.
- For gluten free waffles, ensure that both oats and baking powder are certified gluten free.
Nutrition
Please note nutritional information is for guidance only.
Sorrel
Hi,
Is it possible to substitute the oat flour with, Almond, Coconut or Tiger nut flour?
Wendy Faulkner
Hi, coconut flour is much more absorbent than oat flour, so if you try coconut flour, cut the quantity you use - try starting with 2 tablespoons and leave the mixture for a few minutes to thicken. I have tried using almond flour, but I do find the waffles tend to stick a bit more to the waffle maker, so oil it well. I've never used tiger nut flour I'm afraid so I don't know about that. I hope that helps, let me know how you get on.
Tanya
Hello
What could you substitute the cottage cheese with?
Wendy Faulkner
Hi there. To be honest this recipe was designed specifically to be made with cottage cheese to provide extra protein, and I haven't tried making it without. But, if you want to experiment, you could try using a very thick Greek yogurt. If the batter looks slightly too runny, add another tablespoon or two of oats. Let me know how it goes!