HEALTHIER WAFFLES, Sugar&yeast-free, almost no fat, higher fibre, wheat-free option, frugal

Waffles aren't just for breakfast; they can be snacks, tea treats, sandwiches and dessert...

updated Nov 2022

                                                      

Waffles with Strawberries'n Cream: 
Low sugar & fat, with wheat-free and high-fibre options

photo 19/6/17

Back in 2017 when this recipe was first posted, few UK households owned a waffle-maker.  Since then, many -- attracted by well-priced models - have added a waffle iron to the household equipment.  

And many families are now happy to indulge in this European based/iconic  American treat, especially with a recipe like this one --  low sugar and fat and with wheat-free and high fibre options.

Households have grown to really love waffles; the possibilities for waffle treats all day are endless:

• waffles for breakfast with maple syrup, sweet bacon & sausages
• portable waffle sandwiches stuffed with cooked meat, pickle & cheese 
• chocolate chip 'cookie' waffle
• peanut butter & banana snack waffle
• afternoon tea waffles with berries & cream 
• home-made waffles frozen and reheated in a toaster (a great healthy no-sugar carb for a kid's breakfast)
• waffles stuffed with crispy Southern Unfried Chicken

...and waffle-shaped panini, pizza, hash browns & omelettes.  

67's favourite is the breakfast waffle but a close second is the tea-time treat, waffles with fruit and cream (or if you're not indulging) thick unsweetened yoghurt with vanilla.

The Strawberries 'n Cream waffle, pictured above, is indulgent but pretty low on the OMG-scare-o-meter.  The batter has no sugar and only a little fat.  Replacing some of the flour with wholemeal adds healthy fibre.  If the fruit is ripe and sweet, no sugar is needed. If you want to be really good, don't bother with the cream, just go with strained unsweetened vanilla yoghurt. (See how to do it at home, bottom of page Dressings)


Cost: £2.50 (2022)
Feeds: 8-10 single waffles  (recipe doubles easily)

Ingred:


    100gm/3 1/2oz plain white flour
     50gm/1.7oz wholemeal flour
        2 tsp baking powder
        pinch salt

     1 egg, separated
     300 ml milk
     2 tbsp light veg oil (or melted butter)
     1/2 tsp vanilla extract         


Method:Separate egg yolk and egg white; set white aside in a clean bowl; place yolk in a jug

1. Sift dry ingred into a large bowl - the bran will be left behind but just toss it in on top of the flours; mix; make a depression in the centre
2. Add milk to the yolk, then oil & vanilla; stir together; pour into dry ingred
3. Using a whisk & plenty of muscle, beat until smooth and thick  
4. Whisk egg white until soft peaks form (electric beaters are fine for this)

   

   Soft Peak
   Courtesy of Fine Cooking and licensed for 
   reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
   
   

   
   

    -when you lift the beaters the whites form a peak that folds back on itse
5. Preheat waffle iron until 'ready' light goes on
6. Fold the egg whites into the batter using a spatula to cut the white into the mix by pushing it down to the bottom and back up again, turning the bowl as you go, until the whites are incorporated.  (A few streaks are ok.)
7. Using a silicone brush dipped in oil or butter, lightly brush the waffle wells 
8. Fill each waffle well 2/3 full, gently pushing the batter into the corners 
9. Close waffle iron; do not open until done.  It  will take 5-10 mins or until (a) the machine stops steaming or (b) the thermostat turns off.  
10. Release waffles with tongs or a blunt knife slipped under a corner; the waffles should should come away easily
11. Pile on sliced fresh strawberries and top with:

• clotted cream (indulgence) OR
• whipping cream mixed with strained unsweetened 0-fat yoghurt flavoured with vanilla or lemon zest (a 'skinnier' treat) OR 
• strained unsweetened 0-fat yoghurt flavoured with vanilla or lemon zest ('I just want something sweet & creamy without breaking my diet!')

14.  If freezing waffles or saving for later, cook, cool completely, place in an air-tight bag with small strips of greaseproof paper in between; refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze.  Defrost overnight and lightly toast before serving.

For information on freezing & reheating waffles, plus cleaning the waffle maker,  see How to...Waffles: everything you wanted to know

Tips:

• if you don't have a waffle iron, do a Jaimie Oliver and cook them in a well-greased grill pan, following the same instructions in Method: 8-10 
• Separating the egg and folding in the beaten whites is essential if you want the best waffles - uniformly thick, fluffy inside and beautifully crunchy outside.  But if you can't be bothered and just want to mix a whole egg with the milk, you'll still get good waffles
• The recipe works well with spelt flour instead of wheat

 Waffles & quick breads incl, pancakes on NavBar: Recipes I/Baked Goods 

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This recipe has  been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.