Waffling it up with these waffle favorites

Aug 22, 20236 min read

I will absolutely give myself the name: Queen of Waffles

Protein waffles or pancakes tend to be my nightly snack/dinner to end the day. There are so many reasons for this. The first is because I enjoy them and obviously that’s the number one important thing when choosing something to eat. They are likely my favorite food which always encourages me to eat when my appetite is low because I look forward to them. Additionally, you really never have to make the same waffle twice. So, while I’m eating the same food, the recipes are always different which creates variety in food, and ensures I am not eating the same thing exactly every night. Lastly, I love my waffles because they are super easy to add nutrition too. I love adding fruits, veggies, protein powder, eggs etc. to the mixes I create which allows me to continue to prioritize living a nutritious balanced life.

Now of course there are some keys to having a good waffle setup at home.

Waffle Maker

The first key to making great waffles is the waffle maker. I am a Dash product STAN! First and foremost, they are completely affordable and are really good quality for the price. I use these nightly and they hold up for an extended period of time. Secondly, they come in so many shapes and sizes.

My absolute favorite waffle maker of theirs must be the bite sized waffle maker (which is currently at my house and not at my grad school apartment), but I also love the seasonal shapes! You know I’ve been whipping my pumpkin one out for fall and I’m ready for all the other ones to come out soon. Additionally, Dash has waffle sticks, waffle bowls, a Belgium waffle maker etc.,

You can purchase Dash products on their website, on Amazon, on QVC, at Target, at Kohls etc., They are pretty easy to find and often have great deals.

If I’m not using a Dash waffle maker, it’s because I’m using a Disney shaped one. Love me all things Disney.

Waffle Mix

Pamcakes’ Pancakes is my go-to favorite brand always especially when it comes to waffle making. I pretty much use this brand nightly and it’s rare when I switch it up (usually to save my mix and get some other nutrients). This brand is high in-protein, little to no sugar, and comes in SO many flavors. My favorites are Buttermilk, Pumpkin, and Gingerbread.

However, I truly enjoy all the flavors except Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip because I can’t have that one.

The one downside to Pamcakes’ is that they are only available online, but they are always running promotional deals and you can save 10% every time you order with my code: Katiekreates

Other mixes I’ll use on occasion are the Simple Mills Pumpkin mix, Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Protein mix, Trader Joe’s pumpkin mix (GF and regular), and Kodiak buttermilk. Most of the time when I do use these flavors, I tend to do ½ pancakes' pancakes and ½ of these mixes in the batter.

When I make homemade oatmeal pancakes/waffles, I tend to stick to just pancakes rather than waffles for some reason. However, grinding oats is a great alternative to flour.

Best Waffle Ingredient Mix-ins

I love adding ingredients to my waffle mixes for additional nutrient support that differs from the boxes. Here are some of my favorites:

1. Baking Powder:

I always, always, always add-in baking powder. The additional baking powder helps create that fluffiness factor we all desire.

2. Egg Whites/Eggs

The majority of the time I use egg whites, but occasionally I mix-in an egg to provide myself with more vitamins. This is also almost always a must for me to help increase fluffiness and get an additional boost of protein.

3. Protein Powder

Even though the mixes already have protein in them, it never hurts to add a bit extra especially on days where protein may be hard to come by. It’s also a nice alternative to having protein shakes. I love the Iconic brand of protein as a whey/casein lactose free based, but if you want a vegan option Core Perform is my go-to.

4. Collagen Powder

Similarly, to protein powder, collagen does add a nice boost of protein to your day. However, it is important to note Collagen is not a complete protein. I’m a huge fan of vital proteins and it’s the only collagen powder brand I’ve used and tried.

5. Canned Pumpkin

This is probably one of my absolute favorite add-ins that I also use the most off. Canned Pumpkin adds moisture to the mixture and has so many health benefits. I’m obsessed with all things pumpkin and use this ingredient nightly. It adds vitamins, color, nutrients, and fiber into your day. I also love that it's shelf-stable food and always easy to have on-hand.

6. Applesauce

Applesauce is one I always tend to forget about myself, and don’t incorporate it as much as I should. But it’s another great form of moisture in a mixture and is also a shelf-stable fruit source.

7. Blueberries

I feel like Blueberries are the most desired fruit add-in to waffles, and when you use frozen ones, they even change the color. I always love a good blueberry banana or blueberry pumpkin moment.

8. Banana

Might as well add-in the banana next! I tend to prefer bananas in pancakes over waffles, but they still make for a great recipe when mashed to perfection. I almost always add bananas in my red velvet or carrot cake Pancakes' Pancakes mixes for premium results!

9. Cacao Powder and Cacao Nibs

Cacao Powder and Cacao Nibs are truly the way to get chocolate into your nightly treat. They both are unsweetened (you can purchase sweetened versions if you’d like) and are full of antioxidants. Cacao nibs add a nice crunch, and the powder adds that rich chocolatey taste. Who else is team dark chocolate >>?

10. Granola Butter

I’m impatiently waiting for the first Granola Butter x Pancakes' Pancakes collab. Most people love nut butter add-ins to their waffles, but I’m here to tell you that granola butter is 1000000x better and is also allergy friendly. This also serves as a great topping or a dip for when you make waffle sticks.

Granola Butter is now available in Target nationwide, and other stores like Whole Foods. But you can also order online with my code (OH108USGFMDQXL) and link to save 10% on your order.

10. Some other fun add-ins to incorporate

Cinnamon Powder
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Pure Vanilla Extract
Cookie Dough
Chocolate Chips
Other Fruits
Milk

Best Waffle Toppings

1. Avocado or Avocado Spread

I’m telling you that If I could eat one food for the rest of my life it would be buttermilk protein waffles with fresh avocado or avocado spread on-top. I am OBSESSED and it’s the perfect combination of two of my favorite foods: protein waffles and avocado.

2. Greek Yogurt

There’s usually ever not a time where I'm not in the mood for a Greek yogurt. It’s one of my favorite snacks and toppings for waffles. The Two Good brand is my favorite option. Plus, Greek yogurt also provides some great nutritional benefits with probiotics, calcium, protein etc.,

3. Whipped Cream

I’m a huge, whipped cream fan and it came from both my grandmother's love for whipped cream. I will say I am a bit of a whipped cream snob, and some brands are just above all. 365 brands by Whole Foods are the best whipped cream I’ve ever had in my entire life and is the only brand I prefer to buy for the rest of my life. However, there is no whole foods or amazon fresh in Athens so I will give a nod to the Target brand. I purchased the Strawberry flavor when I moved-in and it does the job.

4. Fruit

You can never go wrong with more fruit in my opinion. I always enjoy adding strawberries or blueberries with Greek yogurt or whipped cream on-top of my waffles.

5. Cream Cheese

I high key thought I was the only one who did cream cheese on waffles until I came across my DCP roommate. It’s so underrated but is a great topping for waffles. I love topping my Red Velvet Banana Waffles or Carrot Cake Protein Waffles with Whipped Cream Cheese. When fall at Trader Joe’s comes around, I add the Pumpkin Cream Cheese on-top to everything and will even mix-it in the batter at times.

6. Other toppings that you may want to use