These hearty whole wheat pumpkin waffles are protein-packed and full of warm spices including cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves.
Fall is officially in the air and I couldn’t be more excited if I tried. It has always been my most favorite season of the year and I don’t see that ever changing.
Pumpkins are starting to pop up at the farmers market, leaves are starting to change colors and we have apple picking dates on our calendar. My boots have been waterproofed, my skinny jeans finally fit again and we just ordered the boys new sneakers. Bring. It. On.
We have been making pumpkin pancakes for years but ever since getting this waffle maker for Christmas last year we have started using it more and more on Sunday mornings. I’ve said it a million times and I’ll say it again: one of the best weekday time savers is making a double or triple batch and freezing them for quick reheating during the week.
Aside from pumpkin, there is another secret to these light, fluffy and delicious waffles. Can you guess it? YOGURT! Naturally protein-packed and full of vitamins and nutrients, it is my secret weapon when it comes to healthy baked goods like muffins, breads, donuts and yes, waffles.
Chopped walnuts and a drizzle of pure maple syrup are the perfect topping but truth be told, my kids devoured them without any added syrup.
Your fork is waiting.
Healthy Pumpkin Waffles
Ingredients:
- 1 cup plain low fat yogurt
- 3/4 cup pure pumpkin
- 1/2 cup low fat milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 cup ground flax seed
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- chopped walnuts and additional maple syrup - optional
Instructions:
- Heat waffle maker while you begin making the batter.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all liquid ingredients: pumpkin through vanilla.
- In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: whole wheat pastry flour through salt.
- Slowly add the liquid ingredients to the flour mixture and stir until incorporated, careful not to over-mix.
- Spray waffle maker with cooking spray and pour batter in, about 1/2 cup at a time. Cook until lightly golden brown or according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Serve with chopped walnuts and more maple syrup if you wish although my kids ate them without any toppings!
Notes:
Nutrition Facts:
Stephanie
I would consider my kids and I waffle connoisseurs, we have tried a ton of recipes, just stumbled on this recipe last week and let me say, these are hands down the lightest, fluffiest, yummiest waffles I’ve ever had!!!! YUM!
Liz DellaCroce
oh I am so so so happy to hear that!!!! Thank you!!!
Emily
Do you know what I could substitute for the whole wheat pastry flour? My dad cannot have gluten
sarah
I love this recipe. I’ve made them several times and they come out great, plus they are healthy and my daughter loves them. I love that I know what is in them and they have a good amount of protein and fiber and very little sugar. I’m thinking of replacing the pumpkin with applesauce and omitting the nutmeg and cloves to try an apple cinnamon variation.
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you enjoy these waffles Sarah!! My boys can’t get enough of them either!! Let me know how your version comes out!
Emily
May i ask how many waffles u were able to make ?
Liz DellaCroce
It depends on your waffle maker actually!! The amount of batter it holds.
thefolia
We love waffles in our nest and eat plenty of them. These look especially thin, almost like Italian cookies. Happy feasting!
Liz DellaCroce
Awww “nest” – I love that!!
Raquel
Great!
I want soooo bad a waffle machine now!!! I really really reallly want to try this recipe out!
Thanks for sharing!
XOXO
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you love it Raquel!!
Leandra
The waffles smell great when cooking but I would definitely add in more milk, the batter was very thick. I was only was able yield 5 servings :(
Liz DellaCroce
Oh no – I’m so sorry to hear that Leandra! Did you make any alterations or modifications to the recipe? Also, sometimes if the batter sits out long it will thicken up as the flour absorbs the liquid so don’t be afraid to add more water or milk! Hope that helps !!
Bev
Replace yogurt ideas ?
Liz DellaCroce
Oil would work!
Bev
I don’t use oil either
Liz DellaCroce
How about coconut oil?
Julie - Lovely Little Kitchen
Liz, these waffles sound like a plan for this Saturday morning. My boys will devour! BTW, I love the fresh, clean look of your site. Just beautiful!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much for your kind words Julie!!
Keely
This was a really delicious recipe. Often using pumpkin give such a weird texture, but these were great! We loved that you used a decent amount of flax which cut down on the amount of flour. Very light and airy! Love the spice level too!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so glad you like them!!!!! They are one of my absolute favorites!
Theresa
I made these today and they were so good! I used 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice for spices and used 1/4 cup flax seed and 1/4 cup chia seed. I didn’t have ground flax and my chia and flax got mixed. It gave it a little bit of a crunchy texture which I liked. It is just a delicious recipe, mine turned out thicker than the ones in the picture but I may just add a little water next time to thin it a bit. I will definitely make them again.
Theresa
Sorry, I meant to give them 5 stars, I’m typing on my phone and didn’t notice what I had done until I hit send.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed them!!! yay!!
Andrea
No matter what I did I couldn’t get them to cook thoroughly in the middle. I followed all the directions. I don’t know what happened :(.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh no Andrea!! I’m so sorry to hear that!! We tested them twice and they worked out but I will try them again and make sure the measurements are accurate. I’m so sorry these did not turn out for you – they were a huge hit in our house!! Please let me know if you try any other recipes. :)
Nic
I had the same problem! They burnt and stuck to the waffle maker and did t cook in the middle. Any idea what went wrong??
Liz DellaCroce
Oh no! We made these again two weeks ago and they turned out perfectly. Did you make any recipe substitutions? Would love to help you make these a success – our boys love them!
Athletic Avocado
I love these ingredients! this is totally perfect for fall! Im excited bc ive been looking for a new waffle recipe! Win-win! :)
Liz DellaCroce
Yay I hope you get one!
Melissa L.
These waffles look so good! I have almost all the ingredients but one. I have regular whole wheat flour would that work in place of the whole wheat pastry flour?
Liz DellaCroce
Regular whole wheat flour will certainly work but I highly suggest trying whole wheat pastry or white whole wheat in the future. It is lighter and creates fluffier baked goods but still has the protein and fiber of wheat flour. :)
[email protected]
Mmmm yum. I love whole grain breakfasts. My favorite are waffles and pancakes. I don’t know why, but I love them more than white flour ones :).
Liz DellaCroce
I totally agree – so much more flavor and texture!