Setting yourself up for the day in the right way gives you energy and helps to wake up your brain, getting ready for whatever the day has to throw at you.
Making a nutritious breakfast on a weekday is a little more difficult as most of us are strapped for time, but come the weekend and it’s time to get creative with our breakfast options!
The smell of waffles drifting through the house will get even the sleepiest members to wake from their slumber.
If you find yourself cooking for guests with special diets or you yourself cannot have wheat, there is no need to renounce breakfast foods.
In this article, we discuss the benefits of using almond flour and explain how to make some delicious almond flour waffles.
Waffles Vs. Pancakes
Waffles or pancakes? It’s the battle of the breakfast foods! People tend to prefer one of the other of these tasty breakfast treats; if you happen to lean on the waffle side of the fence then you are in the right place.
The best thing about waffles, apart from the taste, has got to be the shape. The pockets created by a waffle iron mean you can collect all the mouthwatering syrups and flavors instead of them running out onto the plate.
This super versatile food can be enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or even as a snack. The possibilities are endless.
Why Use Almond Flour?
Almond flour is a meal made from peeled almonds. It is not the same as an almond meal as it has a finer texture and lighter color.
This flour is a popular alternative to using traditional wheat flour, as it’s naturally gluten-free.
Besides its lack of gluten, the flour also is low in carbohydrates and packed with nutrients. The low carbohydrate factor and the lack of wheat mean the flour is also suitable for those following paleo and keto diets.
Overall, this type of flour is suitable for everyone and can be an inclusive ingredient to use in your cooking.
No one wants to stand in the kitchen cooking three different types of the same food, just use almond flour and everyone’s happy!
The Benefits Of Almond Flour
Almond flour has a number of health benefits as well as dietary accommodations. The flour is incredibly rich in nutrients such as protein, vitamin E, magnesium, healthy fats, and manganese.
Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant which means it helps to protect the body’s cells from the damage caused by free radicals.
Free radicals are unstable atoms in the body that can cause damage and illness, they are linked to a number of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and central nervous system diseases.
Overall, vitamin E helps to maintain healthy skin and eyes and strengthen the body against illness.
Magnesium is another essential nutrient that can be found in abundance in almond flour. This nutrient has been found to improve one’s blood sugar control and reduce insulin resistance.
Foods high in carbs and made with refined wheat can cause our sugar levels to spike, eventually resulting in a rapid drop. These drops are what leave us feeling sleepy, hungry, and a little cranky.
Almond flour on the other hand works in the opposite way as it is low in carbs and the sugar is released slowly into the bloodstream which provides a sustained source of energy.
Another key role of the nutrient is to provide us with energy and support our muscle functioning. Those with low levels of magnesium can lead to heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
The list of benefits could go on for a few pages, but you get the idea.
Can You Make These Without A Waffle Iron?
Before you start planning out your breakfast, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need. You might be wondering if it’s possible to make a fantastic waffle without a waffle iron.
Technically speaking, no you don’t need a waffle iron. A skillet pan can also be used, but this won’t produce the characteristic waffle pockets.
The skillet pan works in a similar way to frying a pancake, it’s all about greasing the pan correctly. Simply pour in the batter and flip when needed.
An alternative to a traditional waffle iron is a waffle cake pan. This way you can pour in the batter and leave it to cook whilst you get on with finding those important toppings.
These pans are inexpensive and will produce the coveted waffle shape and texture.
Waffle Iron Suggestions
Investing in a waffle iron is a good idea if you want to make them frequently.
They won’t break the bank and they can take the pressure of trying to find another way to cook them off of you so you can actually enjoy your waffles!
Waffle irons come in various shapes such as square, round, and even heart-shaped. The shape doesn’t really make a difference, but some square ones can produce a much thicker waffle. This is something to compare when choosing an iron in the store.
For best results, get a cast iron Belgian product that has a non-stick coating on the inside. This waffle iron is a great example.
Almond Flour Waffle Ingredients
To make the perfect almond flour waffles, you will need the following ingredients:
Almond Flour: almond flour is available in well-stocked grocery stores and health food stores. Make sure you pick up almond flour rather than an almond meal as this will significantly impact the texture of the waffles.
Baking Powder: baking powder is essential when it comes to baking. This will help to make the waffles rise, especially if you don’t have a waffle iron. Baking soda won’t be a good substitute if you don’t have any baking powder.
Butter: you’ll need butter to grease the waffle iron and the batter itself. Not a lot of butter is needed in the batter, but it does create a smoother texture (and tastes great).
Eggs: eggs are an important part of the batter as they help to bind everything together. We would recommend using two eggs, but if you find your batter to be too thick adding another will help to loosen it. Flax seeds can be used as a vegan substitute.
Milk/Milk Alternative: any kind of milk can be used here, plant-based or dairy. This helps to smooth the batter and create a good texture.
Salt: only a pinch of salt is needed to enhance the flavor of the batter. Sea salt is coarse compared to table salt and will add more flavor.
Vanilla Extract: if you’re making sweet waffles rather than savory, adding a little vanilla is a great touch to slightly sweeten the batter.
Xanthan Gum: xanthan gum is a food additive that is typically used to thicken and stabilize foods. Here it can help to provide the elasticity that comes from gluten. Alternatively, arrowroot starch or tapioca starch can be used.
These ingredients can be changed or substituted to cater to your personal needs and dietary requirements. Butter can be replaced with coconut oil or plant-based alternatives for vegans.
How To Make Almond Flour Waffles
Here is our step-by-step guide on how to make almond flour waffles.
Step One: Start by mixing the dry ingredients together in one bowl.
Step Two: In another bowl, mix together the eggs or egg substitute, the milk, and the vanilla extract if using.
Step Three: Mix the wet and dry ingredients together in whichever bowl is largest until they are well combined. Aim for a consistency that resembles honey, it shouldn’t be runny like oil and it shouldn’t be as thick as dough.
Step Four: Heat your waffle iron and spray with cooking spray or grease the insides with your choice of fat (coconut oil or butter).
Step Five: Spoon the batter into the waffle iron so it fills up one side of the pan.
Step Six: Cook the waffles on medium heat for around 3-4 minutes on each side, or however long your iron takes. When they are golden brown on both sides they are ready to come out! Make sure to read the instructions on your waffle iron as each iron varies.
Add your toppings and enjoy! The rules of cooking definitely state that those who cook do not wash up.
The Best Waffle Toppings
This is the crucial part, what to put on top of your warm crispy waffles. There are so many choices it can be overwhelming for some.
If you aren’t sure which route to go down, sweet or savory, we’ve got some ideas for you:
Sweet Waffles
Fruit and ice-cream
Lemon and sugar
Maple syrup
Nutella
Toasted nuts
Whipped cream and berries
Peanut butter and bananas
Honey and sugar
Yogurt, fruit, and nuts
Melted chocolate and strawberries
Nut butter with blueberries
Ice-cream, chocolate sauce, and plenty of sprinkles
Savory Waffles
Fried eggs and bacon
maple syrup and bacon
Avocado and poached eggs
Fried chicken (yes, it’s a thing)
Cream cheese and smoked salmon
Ham and cheese (manchego works well)
Cheddar, bacon, sour cream, and chives.
Turn Your Waffles Into Brunch
Take your breakfast to the next level by turning it into a weekend brunch party! Who doesn’t love brunch?
Serve the waffles alongside delicious platters of fresh fruit that your guests can eat on their own or with their waffles.
Ensure there are plenty of eggs cooked in any way you like, some fresh spinach, and a pan of bacon and sausages.
For your vegetarian guests, why not fry up some halloumi? Vegans might enjoy some scrambled tofu with plenty of spice.
Finish all of this off with a mimosa or mocktail for the perfect start to your weekend!
Variations
Almond flour waffles are a great base to work with, you can add a few different ingredients to the batter to give you a completely different waffle. This way you’ll never get bored.
For example, add some cocoa powder for chocolate waffles or some cinnamon for a festive warming waffle. If you’ve been hitting the gym recently, you can even add in a scoop of protein powder to get those gains in.
Cooking Notes
Almond flour recipes tend to cook a lot quicker than wheat flour, so it’s important to keep an eye on your waffles to avoid them burning. Our advice is to slightly lower the temperature on the stovetop.
Greasing the waffle iron or cooking equipment adequately is vital to avoid your waffles sticking. Use generous amounts of butter or coconut oil to do this.
Using a basting brush is a great way to ensure you really cover the entirety of the waffle iron or skillet pan.
When cooking your waffles, a properly heated waffle iron can be the difference between success and disaster.
This ensures the waffle is crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. To do this, try and heat the waffle iron to around 375℉.
How To Store Waffles
If there are any waffles left then storing them correctly is important as it will prevent them from spoiling quickly. When the waffles are cool, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator.
Alternatively, you can cover them with plastic wrap on a plate.
We recommend storing fresh waffles for up to three days as the flavors and textures may start to deteriorate after this time period.
Reheating Waffles
When you’re super full and can’t look at that plate of waffles on the other side of the room, we get it. Storing them and eating them at a later date is a sensible idea.
To get your waffles tasting as fresh as the day you made them, coat a baking tray with non-stick cooking spray and bake the waffles for around 10 minutes at 350℉.
If they aren’t done after 10 minutes, keep them warming until they’re crispy and warmed throughout.
We thoroughly recommend avoiding the microwave when reheating your waffles as they can harden and don’t allow them to crispen back up.
Overheating your waffles in the microwave can alternatively make them a little soggy.
For a quick fix, chuck them in the toaster for a few minutes on a relatively low heat setting.
The Bottom Line
Breakfast is so important and so delicious. Almond flour waffles are the perfect option for those following a low-carb or gluten-free diet.
Unlike other gluten-free, paleo, or keto recipes, they are quick and easy to make and taste fabulous.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Carbs Are In Almond Flour Waffles?
There are an estimated 4.4 grams of net carbs per serving of almond flour waffles. This can change depending on the ingredients you use, but thanks to the lack of wheat flour, they are extremely low-carb.
There are roughly 5.6 grams of carbs in one ounce or 28 grams of almond flour compared to around 22 grams of carbs in all-purpose wheat flour.
What Can I Use Instead Of All-Purpose Flour For Waffles?
A number of different flours can be used in baking and cooking, wheat flour doesn’t have to hold anyone back anymore.
If the idea of almond flour isn’t for you there are alternatives such as coconut flour, buckwheat flour, corn flour, or arrowroot flour.
Why Are My Waffles Sticking To The Waffle Iron?
Waffles that stick are a nightmare for those desperately hungry. This issue could be caused by too much or too little oil or grease, a thin batter, a lack of egg, or a lack of fat in the batter.
If your iron is hot and you’ve added an egg to your batter than the issue could be a lack of oil on the surface of the iron.
Here are some top tips for avoiding sticky waffles:
Using a cooking spray or basting brush ensures that the waffle iron is evenly coated, if your waffles are sticking in one place then it probably isn’t oiled enough.
Make sure you let your waffle iron completely dry out before storing it to prevent the build-up of oil and grease as this can impact how your next batch cooks.
Don’t let the oil pool in the crevices of the waffle iron. Use a paper towel to mop any excess you find to avoid the batter sticking.
Hi, my name is Justin Roberts and I like to live by one major rule in life – health is wealth. And where does all health stem from? The food choices we make.
I grew up in a not-so-wealthy household that often struggled to get food on the table.
The food we did eat was cheap, holding no nutritional value at all. I’m talking frozen foods, carbs, fats, and very little fresh produce.
I am fortunate enough to have made a life for myself where the money for food is no longer an issue, and I have spent the majority of it looking into healthy foods and different diets to try.
The most notable is keto and paleo. I am also interested in only using whole foods wherever possible – call it trauma!
As a professional chef, I now create recipes surrounding these diets every day. My family are my tasters, and I strive to make my recipes as budget-friendly as possible.
I hope that you’ll find some inspiration for healthier meals from my website. I want to create a catalog of recipes that you can come back to time and time again. Enjoy!
