This is a variation of our whole wheat waffles base recipe. Pre-made waffle mixes can be enticing for their simplicity, but homemade waffles are super easy, AND you get to control the ingredients that go into your body! These banana oat waffles are made with oat flour, giving you a boost of fiber that most gluten-free waffle mixes don’t provide. Fiber-filled, fluffy, and flavorful, you’re sure to enjoy these oatmeal banana waffles!
Three Must-Know Cooking Skills
For light and fluffy banana oat waffles, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for the Best Banana Waffles
Be sure to measure the oat flour correctly. Fluff, spoon, and level! Packing it into the cup will result in dense waffles.
If you tend to use quite a bit of syrup to top your waffles or you just prefer a less sweet waffle, use 1 Tablespoon of sugar. If you like to top it with fresh fruit, plain yogurt, and/or nut butter, you might use 2 Tablespoons.
Stir gently until all ingredients are moistened; the batter should be slightly lumpy. If the batter looks a little too thick, add more buttermilk. If too thin, add a spoonful of flour.
Don’t have a ripe banana, but still craving waffles? Roast a yellow banana in the oven to bring out its sweetness. Learn how to roast bananas in the oven here!
Don’t have time to make the batter in the morning? Whisk the batter together the night before and give it a gentle stir in the morning. Now all you have to do is heat the waffle iron and get cooking!
Want the convenience of a pre-made waffle mix so that you can make healthy oat waffles whenever you want? Multiply the dry ingredients with your desired yield, and you’ll be ready to throw together nutritious waffles anytime! This mixture works for gluten-free pancakes too because the dry ingredients are exactly the same. Store in an airtight container in the pantry.
The only differences between our pancake and waffle recipes are that waffles have double the fat and one extra egg compared to pancake batter. To turn this into a whole grain pancake recipe, reduce the butter by half and leave out one egg. Click here for our fan-favorite whole grain pancakes base recipe!
If you have kids, invite them to help you make this recipe. It keeps them distracted from their hunger while they help cook, and they have fun measuring and mixing!
Ingredient Substitutions
- Oat Flour: make your own oat flour by processing quick or old-fashioned oats in a blender or food processor until it reaches a flour-like texture. You will need to use more than 1 cup whole oats to get 1 cup flour. If you do not follow a gluten-free diet, substitute whole white wheat flour, whole wheat pastry flour, or spelt flour. You can also substitute regular whole wheat flour, but the flavor, color, and texture won’t be quite as light.
- Sugar: substitute honey, maple syrup, or agave. Mix liquid sweeteners with the wet ingredients.
- Cinnamon: substitute apple pie spice or pumpkin spice.
- Banana: substitute some or all of the banana with pumpkin puree, butternut squash puree, or applesauce. If your bananas are not ripe enough to mash, roast them!
- Buttermilk: substitute kefir or homemade buttermilk. To make your own buttermilk, combine 1 cup of milk with 1 Tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice and let sit for 10 minutes to allow the milk to curdle. To make vegan oat waffles, use soy milk and 1 Tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice.
- Egg: substitute two flax eggs. To make two flax eggs, mix 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseeds with 6 Tablespoons water. Let sit for 10 minutes or until thickened.
- Butter: substitute coconut oil or canola oil. However, there’s just no replacing the flavor of butter!
- Vanilla: substitute ¼ teaspoon of any flavor extract that you like (almond, coconut, lemon).
Banana Waffle Recipe Variations
Add any toppings of your choice – coconut flakes, flaxseeds, nuts, nut butters, fruit, etc.
Sprinkle walnuts or chocolate chips into the batter for extra texture and flavor!
Need some waffle recipe inspiration?
Use our whole wheat waffles base recipe as a guide, then change ingredients to your taste!
Equipment Recommendations for Homemade Oat Waffles
Use these kitchen tools for recipe success!
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- Dry Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Liquid Measuring Cup
- Spatula
- Portion Scoop
- Waffle Iron
Are banana oat waffles healthy?
You bet! Oatmeal banana waffles are full of nutritious ingredients that will keep you satisfied and energized for hours: oat flour, low-fat buttermilk, and low added sugar.
Oat Flour
Oats are a good source of fiber, B vitamins, Vitamin E, trace minerals, and phytochemicals. Replacing refined grains (i.e. white flour) with whole grains (i.e. oats) may reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. (1) As long as they’re certified gluten-free, oats are a great whole grain option for those that need to follow a gluten-free diet.
Confused about the pros and cons of gluten? Check out our gluten article to learn more about this controversial protein!
Buttermilk
The words butter and milk imply that this liquid is a high fat, creamy beverage, but actually, buttermilk doesn’t contain any butter! It was traditionally the liquid left behind after churning butter, but nowadays, food manufacturers have altered the process by culturing and fermenting milk to create a sour-tasting product. Therefore, buttermilk contains many of the healthy nutrients found in milk: calcium, protein, and B vitamins.
Low Added Sugar
High sugar consumption is not good for health, and in general, most Americans eat way too much. Men should aim to consume less than 9 teaspoons (~36 grams) of sugar per day, and women should aim to consume less than 6 teaspoons (~24 grams) of sugar per day. (2) This entire banana waffles recipe only contains 1 Tablespoon of added sugar, which is just 1-2 grams per waffle (depending on your waffle iron size)!
Learn more about hidden sugars in this article.
Serving Suggestions
Hold the waffles in a warm oven (170 ºF) or the warm setting in a microwave until ready to eat. Serve oatmeal waffles with Greek yogurt, fruit, nuts or nut butter, or a side of scrambled eggs for a balanced breakfast full of healthy carbohydrates, protein, and fat.
How to Store Oat Flour Waffles
Want whole grain waffles from scratch every morning? Cook once, and eat all week! Multiply the recipe by your desired final yield, cook, and cool. Place cooled waffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Frozen banana waffles are great for a quick “reheat and eat” breakfast. For best quality, place cooled waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze for 1-2 hours, then place in a freezer-safe container. This helps prevent the waffles from sticking to each other. Reheat in the toaster for a nice crispy exterior and fluffy inside.
Want more healthy breakfast ideas?
Check out these other delicious base recipes, and as always, make to YOUR taste!
Whole Grain Pancakes Base Recipe
Healthy Baked Oatmeal Cups Base Recipe
Greek Yogurt Smoothie Base Recipe
Banana Oat Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1-2 Tablespoons sugar*
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- Dash kosher salt
- 1 large ripe banana
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 4 Tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat waffle iron. No need to spray or grease (the butter in the batter helps the waffles come off easily).
- In a large bowl, whisk together oat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mash the banana, then add the buttermilk, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
- Add buttermilk mixture to dry ingredients. Using a spatula, stir to combine. Do not overmix.
- Use a portion scoop or measuring cup to scoop batter onto waffle iron. Cook according to the waffle iron's directions or until golden brown. Add your favorite toppings to taste. Enjoy!
