Thursday, March 21, 2013

Banana Blueberry Waffles with Honey Walnut Syrup (Gluten-Free!)

Here's the recipe I promised for Banana Walnut Waffles with Honey Walnut Syrup!  Instead of flour, flax meal is used.  Sweetness is provided naturally by the bananas and also by a tablespoon of honey.  Blueberries (I used frozen) are sprinkled on top of the batter before the waffles are cooked. It's a very nice option for those who can't/don't want to have flour in their waffles. They cook quickly, and I kept the cooked waffles warm in a low oven while I finished them up. These are softer and not as stiff as a toaster waffle, more like a pancake in texture. They are light, airy, and full of flavor. I loved them with just a little bit of butter and the honey and walnuts! It was my before-work breakfast this morning (and will be again for a few more mornings, since it made 9 standard-sized waffles!). Can't wait for my gluten-free friend Barb to try them and tell me what she thinks!

BANANA WALNUT WAFFLES

Ingredients:
1 medium mashed banana
2 eggs, whisked
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup flaxseed meal or ground flaxseed (I used King Arthur)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tsp. baking powder
Blueberries
Warm honey, and walnuts, for drizzling cooked waffles.

Directions:

Whisk eggs. Add mashed bananas. Stir in buttermilk, vanilla, and honey. Add flax meal, cornstarch, and baking powder. Let mixture sit for 10 minutes for flax meal to soften and absorb liquid.

Pour a couple of tablespoons into each waffle well (not too much or it will overflow). Sprinkle batter with a few blueberries. Close waffle maker and cook until done, but watch them because these cook quickly and brown faster than a traditional waffle.  Once the steam stops, check them, even if the waffle maker indicator (if it has one) hasn't yet gone off.

Keep cooked waffles warm in a preheated 250-degree oven (single layer) until they are all done. I put a piece of foil on a cookie sheet and then sprayed it with a little vegetable oil spray.  This keeps the waffles crisp until you are ready to serve them.

Drizzle with warm honey and chopped walnuts, and have a great breakfast!

15 comments:

  1. Oh I love this! What a great alternative to traditional waffles!

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    1. They are a nice alternative, especially since they are packed with nutrition - flax meal is a wonderful food! Thanks for your comment, Colleen!

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  2. Wow, these look awesome & the recipe looks easy. I Love that you come up with healthy but interesting recipes! I will definitely be trying these. Thanks Jeanne!

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    1. Thanks Fran - I think you'll really like these waffles - so full of good stuff, and I know you like to eat healthy food!

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  3. Jeannie -- you're as good at photographing food as you are at preparing it! These look yummy. But I confess, as a waffle lover, I'm likely to use the flour version of this recipe. I like my waffles crispy. But I'll bet several gluten-free friends will be delighted to try these. Nice going!

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    1. Chris - you could take your favorite waffle recipe and just add the mashed bananas and continue on. Delish!

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  4. I an't wait to try this recipe, Jeannie!

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    1. Mary, I hope your gluten-free guest loves these when you serve them in a few weeks. Everyone else might, too! Thanks!

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  5. These look delicious, Jeannie! I especially love the warm honey and walnut topping! Sounds so yummy! Have a great day!!!

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    1. Thank you Carol! I'm not normally a honey fan, but warm, with walnuts, it was really a nice way to start the day! You have a great day as well!

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  6. Ok ..so just returned from a 2 mile walk.! The picture is making me hungry...but.....I will have to wait till morning to try your newest addition to our healthy eating. Hows that for will power ! They sound so easy..do the berries stick in the waffle maker groves? My waffle maker is the one you flip over after pouring the batter on it . I love waffles ! CKJ

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    1. Cindy, sounds like you're doing great! The waffle maker I use has a non-stick coating, and the blueberries did not stick. They became completely incorporated in the batter once I closed the top. Let me know how it comes out. Thanks for the comment!

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  7. P. just ate her first real meal--pancakes--so we'll have to try this out. We'll get that little one off on the right foot.

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  8. Do you think you could make these like pancakes? I don't have a waffle iron and they look so good!

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    1. Hi Marilyn! I hope you had a nice birthday! I think you can make these like pancakes. IF the batter seems too thin, I would add 1/4 cup of flour to it (gluten-free all purpose or regular all-purpose) and another half teaspoon of baking powder. I think that will give them the structure they need to be a sturdy enough batter for pancakes.

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