Whole grain waffles use ingredients like wheat flour, flaxseed, and oats instead of white flour. They provide fiber and a nutty flavor, and can be made by substituting or adding whole grains to a recipe. Careful adjustments are needed to avoid a thick or runny batter. Nuts and fruit can be added for extra flavor.
Whole grain waffles are waffles that include whole grain ingredients, in place of or in addition to white flour in a recipe. These ingredients include wheat flour, flaxseed, rolled oats, oatmeal, oat bran, and wheat germ. Some cooks make whole-grain waffles instead of white flour waffles because whole grains provide fiber that aids in digestion and sometimes satisfies hunger longer than enriched flour. These nutritious additions can also give waffles a nutty flavor that many find desirable.
Making whole grain waffles can be as simple as substituting the white flour in the recipe for wheat or oat flour. Those using wheat flour can skip the white flour completely for a very heavy, dense waffle or substitute half to three-quarters of the white flour for a lighter version. Oatmeal can make waffles slightly denser, but it’s usually lighter and slightly less noticeable than wheat flour. You can buy pre-ground oatmeal or make your own at home by adding rolled or steel-cut oats to a food processor or coffee grinder.
Cooks who don’t want to substitute white flour in their waffle recipe can still make whole-grain waffles. Simply replacing some of the white flour with a scoop of whole oats usually does the trick. A sprinkling of ground flaxseed, wheat germ or oat bran could also be added to the recipe. None of these additives should change the way your batter cooks, but they will add subtle facets to the flavor of your waffles, as well as fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins.
When modifying existing waffle recipes to make whole-grain waffles, careful judgment is usually required. Too many substitutions could create a thick and chewy or very thin and runny batter, which aren’t usually good for waffles, whole grains, or anything else. Chewy batters can benefit from a little extra oil or applesauce if the cook wants to make fat-free whole-grain waffles. Those with runny batter in their hands should try adding a light dusting of whole-wheat flour, oats, or another whole grain until the batter takes on the desired consistency.
Many whole grain waffle recipes also include nuts and fruit. Walnuts, almonds, and pecans generally complement and enhance the nutty flavor of whole-grain waffles. Fruits, such as bananas, apples and sweet berries, also complement whole grains and help hide any sharpness from an overabundance of flaxseed or wheat germ. Sweet potato and pumpkin mashed potatoes can turn whole-wheat waffles into a delicious fall treat.
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