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!
Chef's Notes:
Nutrition:
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. :)
fabiola@notjustbaked
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!
Joanne
I KNEW I put pumpkin waffles on our weekend menu for a reason! I must have sensed that these were coming up in my feedly.
Liz DellaCroce
haha they are the BEST!! Pumpkin twins!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen
Oh I love freezing homemade waffles. Then just pop them in the toaster and you are good to go! These look perfect for fall! I’m so excited for the change in season!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes exactly!! I’m making another freezer batch soon!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm
This recipe is guilt free the way I like it, no weird ingredients! Beautiful job! I am totally trying these!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes guilt free is my favorite !!! Thanks Sophia!
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs
Oh man, these look awesome! I’m always on the hunt for a good whole wheat pancake recipe that isn’t so heavy and dense. These look delicious!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes these are really, really light and fluffy and moist! :)
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen
Waffles are my favorite and I am really digging the fall flavors!
Liz DellaCroce
I just love this time of year!!
Julia
We eat a lot of waffles here! Love the pumpkin in these.
Liz DellaCroce
Pumpkin season is the best!! Hope you’re doing well friend!
Gaby
Your photos are making me crave waffles in the afternoon! Love that you made them with yogurt!
Liz DellaCroce
YES!! Love that I made you crave them!
Carla
I almost always make chocolate chip waffles. UNTIL September hits then it’s pumpkin pumpkin pumpkin. Can’t wait to make these!
Liz DellaCroce
You know I’ve never put chocolate chips in pancakes or waffles??? I’m the worst mom ever!!
Elizabeth
Just made these this morning – having the sticking issues others mentioned, but I use tongs and gently pull them off. We added chocolate chips to the waffles (made sure they were covered with batter before the lid went down) and they are yummy! Topped them with some softened cream cheese that my daughter mixed with maple syrup and a splash of vanilla – oh goodness!!
Liz DellaCroce
Woah you really took these up a notch!!! sounds incredible!
Kristen
I’m going to have to break out my waffle maker and whip up a batch of these!
Liz DellaCroce
There’s really nothing better than waffle season. :) xo
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
Oh my, my, my!! I NEED these in my life Liz.
Liz DellaCroce
Yes you do Sommer!!
Sharana @ Living The Sweet Life Blog
LOVE IT!! Waffles have become a sunday tradition in my home too .. this would be the perfect welcome to fall — and I totally agree with freezing the leftovers for during the week, definitely a time saver. Lovely post!!
Liz DellaCroce
There is just something so cozy about waffles. :)
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
Totally making these bad boys this weekend!! Bring it on!
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you love them!!!
Charlotte Moore
Love using whole wheat in things.
Liz DellaCroce
Me too. :)
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles
Looks WONDERFUL! I haven’t cracked a can of pumpkin yet. But soon!!
Liz DellaCroce
It’s almost time!!!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Totally craving these! They need to happen soon!
Liz DellaCroce
You would love these Rachel!
Amanda
I love these waffles! So amazing!
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks my friend!
Mimi
making these as soon as amazon prime delivers my new waffle maker :) yum yum yum
Liz DellaCroce
Amazon prime for the win!
Alaina {Fabtastic Eats}
WAFFLES ARE OUR FAVORITE! <— I just got realllly excited there! We love to freeze and pop them in the toaster too, and we do it pretty much every week! These sound so perfect, I can't even wait to try them!
Liz DellaCroce
hahahah They are my favorite too!!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite
These pumpkins waffles look perfect for the start of fall.
Liz DellaCroce
I’m so ready for fall!
Fran
What a healthy way to feel like I’ve cheated! I’m diabetic and these are aaaamazing!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes exactly!!
Aggie
I want to eat one off the screen! My kids would be very happy with these for breakfast :)
Liz DellaCroce
They are the perfect fall breakfast!! xo
Renee
Yumm! If I don’t have flaxseed on hand, do you think I could just sub in some more flour? (Or wheat germ, I have that on hand lol)
Liz DellaCroce
Yes!! Wheat germ or more flour are perfect swaps!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
I really need to get a new waffle maker! These look so good!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes you do!!! It’s worth it!!
Lauren @ Hall Nesting
I love the addition of the spices with the pumpkin! And when I had our baby a few months ago I definitely pulled out waffles that I premade for breakfast!
Liz DellaCroce
Aren’t they such a time saver!?
Kylie
yum!
This looks amazing.
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks Kylie!
Rachel Cooks
These are gorgeous!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much friend!! xo
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig
Pumpkin waffles are some of our favorite breakfasts in the Fall. Love that you subbed in some yogurt!!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes I love using yogurt in baked goods! Thanks Cathy!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
Once again I am kicking myself for not having a waffle maker! I love how healthy but delicious these look. And yay for skinny jeans, go you! You will be my post-baby inspiration:-)
Liz DellaCroce
You MUST get one!!! Kids go crazy for waffles!
Allison
Do I have permission to buy a waffle maker just for this recipe? It looks way to delicious to pass up!!! I love fall so much, and I think I big reason is because all of the pumpkin recipe. Yum!!!!
Liz DellaCroce
That’s a big fat YES!! :)
Maryea {happy healthy mama}
I love the ingredient list on these! Putting them on my list of recipes to try. :)
Liz DellaCroce
Guilt free ingredients!!