These Nordic-style oat waffles are so delicious your kids will never know they are healthy! Made with wholesome ingredients such as oats and Greek yogurt, they will help get everyone’s day off to a great start.
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Nordic-Style Oat Waffles
Mornings. How they go can really set the tone for the rest of the day.
Breakfast = an important part of mornings. While my kids usually have cereal a few mornings a week, I like to mix it up with homemade breakfasts such as French toast, pancakes, mini egg frittatas, and waffles.
My whole family loves waffles.
And I actually find waffles easier to make than pancakes since there is minimal monitoring, no gas flames, and no flipping required. My waffle maker even beeps to let me know when they are ready.
Nordic Waffle Love
Heart-shaped waffle makers are very common in Scandinavia. Here in the US we most often see Belgian waffle makers, but thanks to the internet it’s not too hard to find a heart-shaped one. While my waffle maker is no longer available on Amazon it similar to this one.
The heart shape of these waffles, along with their thinness, is one of the reasons I deemed them “Nordic-style.” The addition of whipped cream and jam or fresh berries makes them truly nordic. (Of course, I feel I must tell you that in Scandinavia, waffles and pancakes are traditionally eaten as a dessert or sweet treat–not breakfast! But these days, with healthier versions of these foods popping up everywhere, that may be changing!)
Weekday Morning Waffle Tips
Now, if you are thinking, there is no way I am getting up early to make waffles from scratch on a weekday morning for my family, I get it, so why not try one of the following:
- Stir together the dry ingredients the night before. Put out your waffle maker next to the bowl so you are ready to go in the morning. (Maybe program that coffee maker too!)
- Batch cook waffles on the weekend and freeze. (I always freeze extra waffles, they store super well in resealable plastic bags and are good for everything from quick breakfasts to after school snacks. You can even make them savory and top with ham or smoked salmon!)
- Have a tween or teen? Enlist them to be the waffle maker! (I loved making waffles as a child, though it was probably usually a weekend activity!)
Nourishing Ingredients
These oat waffles are great because they are packed with nutrition and taste.
- oat flour => whole grains + soluble fiber (TIP: I buy oat flour to save time, but you can also make it yourself by grinding oats in a food processor. Or use another favorite flour!)
- coconut flour => fiber + fat + protein
- flax meal => omega-3 fatty acids
- eggs => protein, choline, lutein, zeaxanthin
- butter, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or avocado oil => fat for staying power and to balance out any sugary toppings (NOTE: if you are looking to reduce saturated fat, go for grapeseed or avocado oil)
- Skyr or Greek yogurt => protein + calcium
- plant-based milk => vitamin D, vitamin B12, and calcium
Get Creative with Toppings
Top with your favorite toppings, be creative. If your kids love maple syrup (my younger son does!), remember that it’s very calorie-dense and little goes a long way. Pour a tablespoon or two into a dipping bowl for them.
Other fun topping ideas:
- Vanilla yogurt
- Unsweetened whipped cream
- Whipped coconut cream
- Cashew cream
- Powdered sugar
- Applesauce
- Chia jam or other jam
- Frozen, heated berries (wild blueberries are my go-to!)
- Fresh berries or sliced fruit
- Smoked salmon or thinly sliced ham
- Sunflower or pumpkin seeds
- Almond slivers
Want a classic Swedish combo? Then go for lingonberry jam + whipped cream. So good!
- ¾ cup plain Skyr or Greek yogurt
- 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk (I like oat, coconut, or hemp)
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tablespoons avocado or grapeseed oil (or melted butter or coconut oil)
- 1 cup oat flour (make sure certified gluten-free if needed)
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- 2 tablespoons flax meal
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Preheat waffle maker. (For this recipe I use a European-style, thin waffle maker; I have not tested it on a Belgian waffle maker).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, milk, eggs, and oil or melted butter.
- In another bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: oat flour, coconut flour, flax meal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the wet ingredients and stir until blended.
- Ladle into waffle maker according to waffle maker instructions. (Mine takes ⅓ cup at a time).
- When a waffle is ready, transfer it to a wire cookie rack before serving. Enjoy!
These waffles look fantastic and I love that they’re made with oat flour. You don’t see oat flour used all that much in cooking and baking.