Homestyle Waffles Recipe

I’ve been making this homestyle waffles recipe since I was a kid.

On Saturday mornings, I would pull my grandmother’s big, yellow mixing bowl out of the cupboard, gather my ingredients and start mixing ingredients until I had the right consistency. I never measured anything until I went to share the recipe here! So now you have my childhood pancake and waffle recipe. Let me know what you think!

A plate of waffles topped with fresh blueberries, made with this homestyle waffles recipe.

These whole wheat waffles have a heavier, more dense texture than the very light and fluffy ones you pop in a toaster these days. But they are tasty and very filling, and much higher in protein to boot. Make a big batch for a lazy brunch or busy mornings and you’ll be out the door in no time with a delicious breakfast in your belly!

What Are Homestyle Waffles?

Homestyle waffles are waffles that use milk instead of buttermilk. That is the only point of difference. Other waffles are made with buttermilk. It’s an either/or situation. You either have homestyle waffles, or you have buttermilk waffles.

Are Homemade Waffles Healthy?

These are! While the term “healthy” is subjective, for those that eat whole grains, these are perfectly healthy.

Waffle Mix Vs. Pancake Mix

Essentially, both mixes are made with the same ingredients. But waffles tend to have more egg and sweetener as well as butter in them.

That being said, this recipe does not call for any sweetener in the waffles. So you can enjoy these with either a sweet topping or a savory topping!

Are Homestyle Waffles Sweet?

Traditionally, they are made with sugar added, yes. So they would normally be at least a little sweet. If you want that here, you can certainly stir in a bit of honey or a dry sweetener such as Sucanat or coconut sugar. But I don’t find it to be necessary. Especially if your toppings will be sweet.

What To Add To Waffle Mix To Make It Better?

While “better” is relative, we do sometimes want a little something extra from our morning waffles. But first, let’s cover some fixes first.

If you want your waffles to be:

Richer: Add melted butter and an extra egg to the batter.

Crispier: Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the batter and use a flip waffle maker. You can also beat the egg whites until stiff and fold them into the batter.

Homestyle Waffles Recipe Variations

If you want to add different flavors, the best way to do this is with extracts and toppings.

Extract Ideas

  • Extra vanilla extract
  • Maple extract
  • Mint extract (top with chocolate chips!)
  • Rum extract
A white plate holds a stack of three homestyle waffles that are topped with fresh blueberries.

Ingredient Exchanges

Whole wheat pastry flour – sub with either white whole wheat flour or regular whole wheat flour

Milk – Use non-dairy milk or try buttermilk. Though you may have to use half milk and half buttermilk if the buttermilk is thick.

Eggs – You can use either a whole egg or egg whites. If you want to make these vegan, you can use an egg substitute or try a flax egg.

Vanilla extract – Substitute with a different extract for a different flavor, or omit completely.

Ground Cinnamon – You can try different spices, or simply leave it out completely if you’ll be putting savory toppings on your waffles.

Waffle Topping Ideas

As you can see, my favorite topping is blueberries. To me, nothing beats blueberry waffles! But there are lots of other options that are just as delicious. Toppings such as:

  • Maple syrup
  • Honey
  • Fresh berries
  • Peaches
  • Chocolate chip
  • Butter
  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Nuts
  • Ice cream
  • Yogurt
  • Cottage cheese
  • Nut butter
  • Jam
  • Jelly
  • Lemon curd
  • Strawberry syrup
  • Blueberry syrup
  • Cinnamon sugar
  • Fried egg and cheddar cheese
  • Any spice you’d like to add to compliment sweet or savory toppings

Can I Make This Ahead?

You can make the batter ahead of time, but waffles taste best if served just after being cooked unless you intend on warming them up in a toaster.

How Long Does Waffle Batter Last In The Fridge?

Once mixed, this batter will stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days. You will need to whisk the batter again before using it after it has been sitting a while.

About The Ingredients

Whole wheat pastry flour – In some areas, this can still be pretty hard to find. You’ll find it most often at places like Whole Foods. But if you can’t find it, the next best thing is “White Whole Wheat Flour”. This is far more common and can be found in most areas. After that, the next option is regular whole wheat flour. The flavor will be the same, but the finished texture of the waffles will be a bit more dense and hearty.

Milk – non-dairy milk works fine too.

Egg whites – Or you can use 1 whole egg. If you changed the flour at all (see above), you’ll want to use 2 large eggs.

Vanilla extract – Use the real stuff, not flavoring.

Ground cinnamon – Just cinnamon, not cinnamon sugar.

Baking powder – Make sure this is fresh or newer. Old baking powder doesn’t work well.

Optional Ingredients

Salt – Just a tiny pinch of salt will help bring out and enhance any sweet or savory flavors. About a quarter teaspoon salt should be more than enough.

Sweetener – If you want your waffles sweet, add between 2-4 tablespoons sugar (unprocessed, of course!) to the batter. You can also use a liquid sweetener like honey or maple syrup.

How To Make This Homestyle Waffles Recipe

Whisked homestyle waffles recipe batter in a blue mixing bowl.

Preheat your waffle maker and spray it with oil if necessary. Whisk the flour in a large mixing bowl with the baking powder. Add your milk to the flour, then the egg whites.

Cinnamon and vanilla extract added to waffle batter in a blue mixing bowl.

Stir in the vanilla and cinnamon, and blend vigorously with a whisk until you have a nice, smooth batter. You can also use a high speed hand mixer or blender if you prefer.

Waffles cooking on a waffle iron.

Using a ladle, pour the mixture into your waffle maker, and cook until golden brown.

A white plate holds a stack of three homestyle waffles that are topped with fresh blueberries.

Top these waffles with nuts, fruit, honey, maple syrup, or anything your diet allows. They’re yummy and really filling.

How To Store Leftover Waffles

If packed well, these can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How To Freeze Homestyle Waffles

Wrap these well and store them in the fridge. Freezer bags are a good option here. If you are freezing them stacked, you may want to put small pieces of parchment between them, but for the most part, this is unnecessary unless there is somehow extra moisture in your freezer.

How To Reheat Homestyle Waffles

Whether these are out of the fridge or freezer, they can be reheated easily in a toaster. How toasting you make them is up to you. They can also be microwaved, but I find they get a little too soft that way. The toaster is best. Freeze for up to 4 months.

Recipe Supplies

For this recipe, you’ll need a whisk, a mixing bowl, and a standard waffle iron. To purchase any of these items off of Amazon, simply click the image to be taken to the product on the Amazon website. (affiliate links)

More Healthy Breakfast Recipes

Homestyle Waffles Recipe Card

Copyright Information For The Gracious Pantry
The Gracious Pantry Original Home-Style, Clean Eating Waffles Recipe

Clean Eating HomeStyle Waffles

A delicious, quick, wholegrain waffle that will fill you up.
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Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 11 waffles
Calories: 96kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Standard Waffle Iron

Ingredients

  • cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 2 cups milk (non-dairy milk works fine too)
  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. baking powder

Instructions

  • Preheat your waffle maker. Grease it if necessary. Whisk the flour in a large mixing bowl with the baking powder. Add your milk to the flour, then the egg whites.
    Whisked waffle batter in a blue mixing bowl.
  • Stir in the vanilla and cinnamon, and blend vigorously with a whisk until you have a nice, smooth batter.
    Cinnamon and vanilla extract added to waffle batter in a blue mixing bowl.
  • Using a ladle, pour your batter into your waffle maker, and cook until golden brown.
    Waffles cooking on a waffle iron.
  • Top these waffles with nuts, fruit, honey, maple syrup or anything your diet allows. They’re yummy and really filling.
    A white plate holds a stack of three homestyle waffles that are topped with fresh blueberries.

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 1waffle | Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 1mg

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60 Comments

  1. These look like great healthy waffles! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

  2. You mean I can have homemade waffles while trying to eat healthy? Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      I know! Right? I love these waffles. And they are so much more filling than regular ones.

      Let me know how they turn out for you!

      Tiffany

  3. Asperger Ninja says:

    Clean eating waffles that aren’t full of stuff?! That are good for me and for my son? Sign me up!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Let me know how they turn out for you! I love to get feedback!

  4. Cory Barton says:

    Yum! Made these this morning. I made a half-batch, left in the egg yolk, just so as not to waste it (one egg yolk divided by four waffles isn’t too bad). Due to my normal waffles recipe’s directions, I separated the egg white from the rest of the mix, whipped it up to soft peaks, then folded it into the rest of the mixture.

    Topped mine with nonfat yogurt, sliced banana, and a drizzle of locally-made honey from the last orchard left here in the urban-sprawl of San Jose. The honey (since his orchard is full of berries and rockfruit) has some delicious blackberry and peach undertones right now. Yum! Terrific breakfast, and these waffles taste just as good as my old (butter-filled, ack) recipe.

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Cory – That’s fantastic! I’m so glad you enjoyed them! I’ll have to try your trick (whipping the egg whites) next time I make them. Sounds like it might add some nice texture.

      Thanks for sharing!

  5. These are WONDERFUL!! My kids LOVE waffles and I have been wanting to find a healthy alternative to the frozen ones. I made these this morning and they were awesome! No more frozen boxed waffles in this house!! Thank you so much!

    I found your blog a couple weeks ago and can not peel myself away from it. There are so many recipes that I can’t wait to try! Converting my family to a clean eating lifestyle is a work in progress and your blog will be a HUGE help, thank you so much!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Erica – Thank you so much! I’m happy you’re enjoying my blog! I find that kids and husbands are the toughest critics. So if they like it, then it must be a winner! Ha ha!

  6. I made these but added kale, dehydrated onion, and mustard powder and left out the cinnamon and vanilla. This + oven “fried” chicken (coated in fiber one and spices) = clean eating chicken and waffles with sauteed kale and onion. DELICIOUS!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Jaclyn – Holy moly!! That sounds amazing!! I’ll definitely give that a try. Thank you!

  7. Sensational!!!!!! I can’t wait to do these as they look like a personal indulgent (but it’s all supportive) and kids/hubby will think they’re in heaven with this special Sunday morning treat. XxDani

    BTW Tiff for those that may be on a gluten free diet ~ which I am a part timer 😉 do you think the GF would work or better still buckwheat? I’ll give it a go either way and let you know!! Thanks again!!!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Dani – I’m sure these could be easily converted to gluten free. Let me know how they turn out!

  8. Linda @ Lemon Drop says:

    as i am now on Round 4 of the 2 wk sugar free challenge, these will fit in nicely topped with fresh berries ! thanks for the great recipe and so happy that I actually do have whole wheat pastry flour on hand!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Linda – Great! I find that WWP Flour is absolutely indispensable in my kitchen. Enjoy!

  9. I made these, but added a little oat flour(1/2 cup), which cuts out the whole-wheaty taste, and makes them taste just like the real thing. I have to make them taste normal or certain family members won’t eat them! I also add 1/3 cup coconut oil, and it makes them nice and crispy! Waffles are by far my favorite breakfast food!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Court – Wow! What a great way to make them! Enjoy!

  10. Kerri Knezevich says:

    Love this recipe. Simple and easy to prepare and they were a hit with the kids:) What more could I ask for???

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Kerri – That’s awesome!!! I’m so happy they liked it!

  11. Tiamaria75 says:

    Can I subsititute half of the flour for quick oats?

    1. Anonymous says:

      Tiamaria – I don’t see why not. It’s worth a shot! Let me know how it turns out!

  12. Can I include the yolks? I’ve never made these before, but I’m really looking forwards to it!

  13. Alilgranola says:

    How about adding pumpkin to these somehow? What do you think? Or just the pumpkin pie spice would be better?

    1. Anonymous says:

      Alilgranola – I think just the spice would be better. The pumpkin itself would make the batter too wet and it wouldn’t cook correctly.

      1. Alilgranola says:

        Thanks! Apparently I made the batter too wet somehow anyways and I had a bit of a waffle mess on my hands….Attempt #2 is right around the corner!

        1. Anonymous says:

          Alilgranola – Oh dear. I’ve done that too. No fun to clean up!

    2. Julie Bogen says:

      Actually, if you take the eggs out and replace them with 1/2 cup of pumpkin, it should be fine. Worked okay for me 🙂

      1. Anonymous says:

        Julie – Fantastic! Thanks for the tip!

  14. Anonymous says:

    aandemom – Fantastic!! I’m glad the kiddos like them so much!

  15. Kmorris0603 says:

    Just made these, but they turned out super runny? Not sure what I did wrong?

    1. Anonymous says:

      Kmorris – Did you change anything at all about the recipe?

  16. Anonymous says:

    That is strange. There shouldn’t be anything runny about them. But there could be a lot of things that could have gone wrong. Check to be sure your waffle iron is cooking hot, and be sure you didn’t forget to add anything. I hope you’ll try them again because they are yummy!

  17. Anonymous says:

    Littlered – It will work, but the waffles will be more dense and “bready”.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Kimberley – 1 waffle is one of those 4 waffles.

  19. graciouspantry says:

    MelissaK – Glad you all enjoyed them!

  20. graciouspantry says:

    Queen bee – yes, beating the egg whites would definitely help with density issues. Glad you liked them!

  21. Rebecca Riding says:

    Over from Pinterest–made these for our 4th of July waffles today and we all LOVED them. Thanks for the new family favorite! 🙂

    1. graciouspantry says:

      My pleasure! Enjoy!

  22. graciouspantry says:

    I think you’d be okay.

  23. Cassandra says:

    Made these the other day and they’re delicious! I loved the texture and while being healthy there was no flavor compromise.

  24. graciouspantry says:

    As far as I know, if you purchase organic soy, you are still getting GMO free soy. This could be changing very quickly, but for now, that’s what I know. However, you can use any milk you like.

  25. I make these waffles all the time for relatives who “don’t like healthy foods”. They LOVE them and have no idea that the waffles are actually nutritious! Mwahahahaha!!!!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Haha!! Love it! 🙂