Light and Fluffy Whole Wheat Waffles

Waffles are something that I probably don’t treat myself to often enough. But waffles are an easy breakfast dish that we all should be making more often. After all – if you have a waffle iron, why not put it to good use? These Light and Fluffy Whole Wheat Waffles are delicious, easy to make and packed with enough whole grains that you can feel good about eating them any time you’re in the mood for a waffle. The waffles are made with whole wheat flour as a base. Whole wheat flour has a bit of a reputation for producing heavier baked goods, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be used to make a light, fluffy waffle if you’re using the right recipe.

This waffle batter is easy to make and basically comes together all in one bowl. It uses whole wheat flour, along with a generous dose of buttermilk, vanilla extract, melted butter and a touch of sugar. The small amount of sugar in the recipe helps to balance out the stronger flavor of the whole wheat flour.

These waffles are surprisingly light, given that they’re made with only whole wheat flour, with a crisp exterior and a tender interior. The whole wheat flour gives the waffles a slightly nutty flavor that, in my opinion, makes them pair even better with maple syrup than your average waffle recipe. That being said, I also included an optional addition of ground cinnamon. It adds a bit of extra dimension to the waffles for those who aren’t necessarily big fans of whole grains and might need a little bit of persuasion to give these a try.

The cooking times for these waffles will vary slightly depending on the waffle iron that you use, so follow the directions from your manufacturer for best results. That said, you can use this recipe with any waffle iron. I made these waffles using a Belgian-style waffle iron, but you can cook them in a more traditional iron, as well. No matter how you cook them, serve them up with a pat of butter and a generous pour of real maple syrup. Fresh berries can make a nice addition when they’re in season, too!

Light and Fluffy Whole Wheat Waffles
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
2 large eggs
1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled
2 cups buttermilk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, optional

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and sugar. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add in eggs, melted butter, buttermilk and vanilla extract (and cinnamon, if using) and whisk until batter is smooth and uniform.
Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturers’ directions and, if it is not a nonstick iron, lightly grease with cooking spray. Fill waffle maker with batter (typically from 1/2-cup to 1 cup, depending on the size of the iron) and cook until golden on both sides, about 3-4 minutes. Serve immediately.

Makes 4-6 large waffles.

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