Protein Waffles
116
Published Jan 26, 2022, Updated Mar 18, 2024
This post may include affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
Protein waffles made with vanilla protein powder, Greek yogurt, eggs and rolled oats. They’re super easy to make, absolutely delicious and perfect for meal prep.
The only thing better than waffles are waffles that keep you fuller longer than 20 minutes! These healthy protein waffles are packed with protein which will keep you satisfied longer and are so simple to make. They might just become your new favorite breakfast!
Why You’ll Love These Waffles
- They will fill you up! One waffle has about 17 grams of protein, so you will feel full and satisfied for hours.
- They are so easy to make! Just throw all of the ingredients in the blender, let your waffle iron do its thing and dig in.
- They’re the perfect recipe for meal prep. Make a double or triple batch of these on the weekend and refrigerate or freeze them for healthy breakfasts all week long.
Ingredients Needed
- eggs – helps to bind the waffle ingredients together… and adds extra protein!
- Greek yogurt – takes place of the liquid and oil you’d typically find in a traditional waffle recipe. It also adds extra protein! To make these dairy-free, you can sub for a dairy-free yogurt.
- non-dairy milk – I used unsweetened almond milk but any non-dairy milk works!
- maple syrup – for a hint of natural sweetness in the batter and as a drizzle on top! Make sure you are using real maple syrup, not pancake syrup, which is loaded with corn syrup and a ton of added sugars. Agave, honey or any liquid sweetener would work as a substitute for the maple syrup as well.
- vanilla extract – a flavor enhancer.
- vanilla protein powder – Make sure you’re using a plant-based protein powder for this recipe as whey protein powder will soak up less liquid. My go-to protein powder is Nuzest protein powder. It’s plant-based, has a short ingredient list and great nutrition facts! Use my code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order.
- rolled oats – in place of flour that you traditionally find in pancake and waffle recipes, I’m using rolled oats. When blended in a high powered blender, it acts just like a flour! Make sure you grab gluten-free oats if needed. I use Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free rolled oats.
- baking powder and baking soda – helps the waffles rise.
- cinnamon – the perfect spice pairing for these waffles.
- sea salt – brings all of the flavors together.
- cooking spray – I like using coconut or avocado oil spray to coat the waffle iron before cooking.
How to Make Protein Waffles
Making waffles from a box is barely easier than this! Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until smooth. Preheat your waffle iron to medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray, I like to use coconut oil cooking spray. Pour just under ½ cup of the mixture onto the waffle iron, close and cook for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the waffle iron and enjoy!
Mix-in And Topping Variations
I love these waffles plain with a little nut butter and maple syrup on top, but feel free to get creative with your mix-ins and toppings! Here are some ideas:
- Berries – mix berries into your batter or top the waffles with fresh berries when serving. They add pop of color and such good flavor!
- Chocolate chip – mix chocolate chips into your batter for extra sweetness and flavor. I’ve been loving Lily’s dark chocolate chips as they are dairy-free and low sugar!
- Chocolate – swap the vanilla protein powder for chocolate to make chocolate protein waffles!
- Nut butter – I love adding a drizzle of almond butter to my waffles along with maple syrup!
- Coconut butter – sometimes if I’m feeling fancy I’ll add a drizzle of coconut butter to my waffles in addition to nut butter. It adds a delicious flavor! Check out my recipe on how to make homemade coconut butter.
- Maple syrup – can you have waffles without maple syrup?! I think not. My husband is a big fan of bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup.
- Chopped nuts – add some crunch by topping your waffles with chopped pecans, walnuts or really any nut.
- Granola – I love topping my waffles and pancakes with granola for an added crunch. This hemp granola or grain-free granola would both be delicious!
FAQ’s
These protein waffles are healthy enough to eat every day! Of course, I love switching up my breakfast and adding variety into my diet but if you want to stick to one breakfast, these protein waffles are a good option.
Yes! These waffles are packed with over 17 grams of protein each and nutritious ingredients unlike traditional waffles.
These waffles are perfect for meal prep. I would double or triple the batch and then refrigerate or freeze in an airtight container to enjoy throughout the week.
Yes! You can totally swap the protein powder for collagen powder in this recipe.
If you’re not a fan of protein powder or don’t have any on hand you can still make this recipe! Just sub the protein powder for 2 additional Tablespoons of rolled oats.
I have this basic Oster Waffle Maker. It’s nothing fancy, but it works well and makes perfect waffles. 🙂 These waffles have also been tested in this Calphalon waffle maker, which worked wonderfully.
Make sure to spray your waffle maker with cooking spray, even if your waffle maker is non-stick. This helps to ensure that your waffles don’t stick to the waffle iron. I recommend using an oil mister or non aerosol spray like a coconut oil spray or this Chosen Foods avocado oil spray. Just make sure to avoid sprays like Pam as it can mess with the finish of your waffle maker, if it’s non-stick.
How to Serve Protein Waffles
Since these are protein waffles have about 13 grams of protein per waffle I feel good about eating one on its own for breakfast topped with a little nut butter and drizzle of maple syrup, but if you’re hosting a brunch or want a more filling meal, here’s what I recommend serving with these waffles:
- Quiche – get your savory fix with this dairy-free spinach quiche or this kale and feta crustless quiche.
- Meat – for some added protein serve these waffles with some sort of breakfast sausage and/or bacon. For a vegan option, try my tempeh bacon.
- Fruit salad – I love this simple fruit salad.
- Fun drink – you can’t have brunch without a mimosa or bellini am I right?! For a non alcoholic beverage try this grapefruit apple cider vinegar drink.
How to Store Leftovers
Whether you’re meal prepping these waffles, making a double batch or just have leftovers, you can store waffles in the refrigerator or freezer. Allow the waffles to cool completely on a wire rack and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To freeze: place waffles in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag (I like to use my Stasher bags) and layer the waffles with pieces of parchment paper between to prevent sticking. The waffles will last in the freezer for up to 3 month.
To reheat: I like to pop my waffle into my toaster or toaster oven straight from the fridge or freezer so they reheat and get a little crispy, but you can also reheat them in the microwave for about 60 seconds.
More High Protein Breakfasts
- Protein Overnight Oats
- Protein Pancakes
- How to Make a Protein Shake
- Egg White Bites
- Protein Muffins
- Egg White Oatmeal
- Baked Egg Muffins
- Egg White Omelette
- Protein Baked Oatmeal
- PB&J Protein Yogurt Bowl
Want more ideas? Check out my full collection of high protein breakfast recipes.
Protein Waffles
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetened almond milk , or any non-dairy milk
- ½ Tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 scoop (25 grams) plant-based vanilla protein powder, I used Nuzest
- ¾ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- cooking spray, I like using coconut or avocado oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat waffle iron to medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray.
- Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour a scant ½ cup of the mixture into preheated waffle iron, close and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until golden brown.
- Remove from waffle iron and serve with a drizzle of maple syrup and nut butter or toppings of choice.
Notes
- Greek yogurt: If you need a dairy-free option, swap the Greek yogurt with dairy-free yogurt.
- Maple syrup: Feel free to swap the maple syrup with honey, agave or any liquid sweetener.
- Protein powder: If you don’t like protein powder or don’t have any on hand you can sub in the protein powder for 2 additional Tablespoons of rolled oats.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Yummmmm! These taste so good. Nothing better than tossing ingredients in a blender too. So easy.
Yay! This is such a delicious and easy recipe, Jenna, I am so glad you are loving them. Thank you so much for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
OMG these are SOOOO good and made my house smell yummy all day after making them!! Made a triple batch this weekend and put in the freezer for the week ahead. They taste DELICIOUS!
Ah this is absolutely perfect, Mary! I am so excited to hear that you are loving this recipe and it turned out great for you. Thank you for your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!
Wow!!!! wow!!! wow!!! my 2 year old is OBSESSED. he took one bite and goes, “YUM!” this will be a regular in my household. Thank you!
Ah this is the BEST, Amanda. I am so glad these waffles are a hit for you both! Thank you so much for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
SO GOODDDDDD!!!I was looking for a super quick protein waffle recipe and these are IT. I added chocolate chips to one and cinnamon sugar on top of the other😋😋😋def another go to recipe
Ahh this is the best! Love your topping options, Lucy, sounds delicious. I am so glad that you are loving these waffles. Thank you for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, it means so much to me!
OMG!!! these are so GOOD. I’ve been eating healthy for a while now and it’s so hard to hit the sweet tooth with healthy desserts that actually taste good. I’ve add half a banana in the batter and they are perfect. I also like adding dark chocolate chips and toppings it with almond butter, coconut cream and a bunch of bananas and strawberries! I LOVE THESE SO MUCH AHH
LOVE this, Naomi! I am pumped to hear that you are absolutely loving this recipe and that you are having a great time mixing up the toppings, they all sound so fun. Thank you for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, it means so much to me!
These are delish! My kids love them and love added blueberries or strawberries to batter! I subbed the extra oats instead of protein powder as noted in additional directions and turned out perfectly! These freeze great for a quick breakfast as well!
Aw yay! I am excited to hear that this recipe is a hit and turned out great, Jennifer. Thank you so much for coming back and sharing your review & star rating, it means so much to me!
What a delicious Protein Waffle recipe…love the ingredients & always like suggestions using protein powder. Have already made them several times! Yum! Am having fun trying various toppings….so far my favorite is topping with a blob of plain Greek yogurt & a scattering of walnuts. 😋
Ah this is amazing, Barbara. I am excited to hear that you are loving this recipe and finding new toppings for the waffles. Thanks so much for your review + star rating, I truly appreciate it!
Made these today and like many of your other recipes I loved these! The flavor was great and i loved that they had a bit of a crunch to them on the outside. I’m definitely going to make these again. I used Vanilla protein powder but I bet it would be fun to try different flavors like chocolate!!
I loved these! Super easy to make and I like how light they are yet packed with protein and clean ingredients. The flavor was perfect! I’m sure the type of protein powder each person uses will make a significant difference with the flavor. I used a mini waffle maker, sprayed it with coconut oil, topped with almond butter and sliced bananas. My family ate them all!
This sounds absolutely delicious, Chrysti. I am so excited to hear that you and your family are loving this recipe! Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, I truly appreciate it.
The flavor was great but, like another commenter posted, they were too light and dry. We have a Cuisinart double waffle maker. The heat was on medium but there was a TON of steam. I’m wondering if cooking at a much lower temp would have done the trick but would love any suggestions you have for adding a little more moisture to them (possibly butter of some form?). I’m new to a lot of this. I’ve tried a few of your other recipes and they’ve been spot on. Also, I followed the directions with the exception of regular milk instead of dairy free.
Hi Deb – I am not sure why they may have turned out a bit dry, possibly cooked for a little too long. What size waffle maker are you using? That might also be the problem. I am glad to year that you enjoyed the flavor of the waffles though! Thank you for your review & star rating, I really appreciate it.