Enjoy a batch of oatmeal waffles, full of whole grain flour, oats, buttermilk, eggs, oil, vanilla, and leavening. This oatmeal waffle recipe is easy to meal prep three different ways!
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Waffles are fun food at our house. I often serve them with fruit and whipped cream or just butter and maple syrup. The kids have been known to spread Nutella on them.
And we’re not too shy to just gobble them down plain.
I love my waffle maker. I’ve been on a kick lately making waffles, like these Buttermilk Corn Waffles and these Cinnamon Applesauce Waffles. It makes four waffles at one time, making it easy to feed my crowd. Who wants to stand around waiting for waffles to cook?
This batch makes 8 individual servings. My kids prefer it when I make a double batch. I prefer it when I make lots and freeze the extras.
What’s the difference between a Belgian waffle and a normal waffle?
A Belgian waffle has bigger pockets that can hold all that yummy syrup and butter you plan on topping those homemade waffles with. Normal waffles aren’t quite as deep. So it comes down to what kind of waffle iron you have.
A Belgian waffle is also a bit lighter and crispier.
So although these aren’t traditional Belgian waffles, as you can see in the photos my waffle iron is more of the Belgian waffle variety as far as shape goes.
Ingredients for these oatmeal waffles:
This is a pretty straightforward recipe. You can use buttermilk or mix half yogurt and half milk and use that for the buttermilk. I do that often since a lot of my favorite stores don’t often have buttermilk in stock.
I don’t know what’s wrong with them. But, half yogurt/half milk works well as a substitute for me.
Here is a breakdown of the ingredients you will need:
- buttermilk
- oil
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- whole wheat pastry flour
- quick oats
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
If you love oats, be sure to try these oats recipes.
How do I make oatmeal waffles?
-
Heat a waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s directions.
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a second bowl, combine the wet.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and fold gently to combine. Let the batter rest a few minutes to activate the leavening.
-
Bake the waffles in the waffle iron.
Tips for making these oatmeal waffles:
- Let the batter rest. You want to let the batter rest for a few minutes so the leavening agents can start to work. This will make for a fluffy waffle.
- Make sure your leavening agents have not expired. If your baking powder and baking soda have expired, then they won’t bubble and be active (aka make your waffles rise). Check the expiration date. Or you can mix the baking soda in a little vinegar to see if it bubbles. And mix a little baking powder with hot water to see if it bubbles.
- Do not overmix. You want to fold the dry and wet ingredients together (gently stir). And lumps in the batter are OK and will cook out. If you continue to mix you will activate the gluten in the flour.
Can I use all purpose flour instead?
I like using whole wheat pastry flour because it has a lower protein content so it makes for a tender waffle and supplies some nutritional goodness. But you can definitely use all purpose flour or white whole wheat if that’s what you have.
My waffles always stick to the waffle iron! Help!
Newer model waffle irons have a nonstick coating which should allow your waffles to easily release. Additionally, waffle batter typically has more eggs and oil than pancake batter. They may seem interchangeable, but in my experience they are not.
If you’re experiencing sticking, give your waffle iron a good spray of non-stick cooking spray prior to baking. And it might help to do this after each waffle. If your waffles still stick, you might want to invest in a new waffle iron.
What toppings do you put on oatmeal waffles?
Oh so many wonderful things! Here are a few ideas on how to top your waffles:
- Maple syrup or honey
- Whipped cream – or try this Maple Whipped Cream
- Fresh fruit
- Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread)
- Greek yogurt
Can I make these oatmeal waffles ahead of time?
There are several ways to meal prep these oatmeal waffles. All of them delicious. Choose which method works best for you to save time and eat well.
1. Make a mix!
Until you do it, you won’t realize what a boon it is to have homemade baking mixes on hand. To make these waffles as a mix, simply combine the dry ingredients in a ziptop bag. Be sure to label the bag with the list of wet ingredients that will need to be added later.
Store the mix in the pantry or, for longer storage since the mix is all whole grain, stash it in the freezer.
You can also store the mix in an airtight container if you prefer not to use bags. However, I reuse my bags, storing the empties in the freezer until the next round of mix-making.
2. Cook up the entire batch of waffles.
I often will cook up a batch or double batch of waffles on a Sunday and the kids reheat them in the toaster throughout the week. You can store the waffles in the fridge or the freezer, depending on how soon you’ll use them up.
3. Meal prep waffle boxes.
You can take your meal prep waffles one step further and divide them into meal-size portions and box them up with other ingredients. This is particularly handy for busy mornings on the go.
If you have extra to-go packets of maple syrup or jam, include these in the box along with a few waffles, some fruit, and a breakfast protein such as cheese, ham, sausage, or hard-cooked egg.
How to make this good and cheap:
You know I don’t typically want to make something if I can’t make it good as well as cheap. Here are some of the strategies you can use to make this recipe more economical:
- Stock up on ingredients when they are on sale. When I find regular kitchen staples on sale, I buy a lot. I’m currently using a price book to track prices and that’s saving me money. For this recipe, keeping an eye on the price of flour, oats, and sugars can help keep the price down.
- Buying in bulk—It’s rare that I would buy a small bag of flour. I hedge my bets by buying in bulk. I also have gotten into the habit of buying cases of flour from Bob’s Red Mill or VitaCost so that I always have baking supplies on hand.
- Load up on post-holiday clearance specials. You’ll find great deals on baking ingredients after holidays. There are lots of ways to use holiday baking items creatively.
Tools I use to make this recipe:
- A waffle maker – I browsed the selection of waffle makers on Amazon and settled on another Cuisinart. I love this machine. LOVE. I bought it on Amazon. LOVE this machine. Not only does it make four huge waffles at a time, but it also has a really good light/dark timer to let you know when your waffle is the doneness you prefer. I like #2, the kid who eats burnt toast likes #4, so adjust accordingly. Our original one lasted 9 years before waffles started sticking so badly it wasn’t worth it. Highly recommend!
- stainless steel mixing bowls
- Wire whisk
- glass measuring cup
If you prepare this recipe, be sure to share a picture on social media and hashtag it #GOODCHEAPEATS. I can't wait to see what you cook up!
Oatmeal Waffles
Ingredients
- 2 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup neutral oil
- 3 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat a waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a second bowl, combine the wet.2 cup whole wheat pastry flour, 1 cup rolled oats, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and fold gently to combine. Let the batter rest a few minutes to activate the leavening.2 cup buttermilk, ½ cup neutral oil, 3 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Bake the waffles in the waffle iron.
- To make-ahead: You can either prepare a homemade baking mix, adding the wet ingredients on the day of serving OR you can freeze or refrigerate the baked and cooled waffles in an airtight container.
Notes
- Let the batter rest. You want to let the batter rest for a few minutes so the leavening agents can start to work. This will make for a fluffy waffle.
- Make sure your leavening agents have not expired. If your baking powder and baking soda have expired, then they won’t bubble and be active (aka make your waffles rise). Check the expiration date. Or you can mix the baking soda in a little vinegar to see if it bubbles. And mix a little baking powder with hot water to see if it bubbles.
- Do not overmix. You want to fold the dry and wet ingredients together (gently stir). And lumps in the batter are OK and will cook out. If you continue to mix you will activate the gluten in the flour.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on February 9, 2014. It has been updated for content and clarity.
sona
Just for clarification you say quick oats up top and in the recipe rolled oats. Is one better than the other, can be used interchangable? thank you
Ellen
These are great! My husband thinks he doesn’t like oatmeal ha ha he loves these
Adrienne
These waffles are a huge hit! Even my picky kids loved them!
I subbed Greek yogurt for buttermilk and namaste perfect flour blend. I’m making these again!
Kathleen D
Made these this morning. I used melted butter since I don’t like oil but kept everything else exactly as written and these are delicious! I’ve been making biscuits regularly so I now always have a supply of buttermilk on hand.
Sarah
I look forward to trying this – it looks delicious. It may be a way I can sneak in oatmeal and whole grains for my 4 year old! And I guess for me too!
Jessica Fisher
Yes! It doesn’t taste oaty at all. Just yummy.
Kathleen D
I have the same waffle maker but it always burns one side. Which number do you set yours on?
Jessica Fisher
How odd! My first one lasted nine years and never burned. We bought this one (same model) in April. I leave it right in the middle.
Katieliz
Yay! I’m having a new waffle maker delivered tomorrow, and this recipe will be the first one I try. This is a first small step in giving my family healthier foods – this will get my kids off frozen waffles for breakfast! I’ll be making lots & freezing them. Look forward to trying your other waffle recipes too.
Jessica Fisher
Yay! So glad that will work for you. I might just assign that job to my daughter tomorrow while I do freezer cooking. She would love it.
Lynne
We made a double batch of these this weekend with gluten free flour – they turned out great! I made the mix earlier in the week and the husband put the batter together and made the waffles (using half yogurt, half milk). They are very hearty and I wasn’t even that hungry at lunch time. He made a few as is then added frozen blueberries to the rest. I had the blueberry ones that day and the next day had some of both – the plain ones seemed better reheated, but both were great. Will definitely make again and be making up this mix.
Shirlene Weber
Can I use AP flour? I don’t have WWPF on hand.
Jessica Fisher
Sure. It will have a lighter texture.
Shirlene Weber
I went and bough the Whole Wheat Flour today so that these waffles will have good fiber and last longer in the tummy for the little one. I made up 3 dry batches and will make up some waffles tomorrow if all goes well. Thanks for the recipe.
Jessica Fisher
Great! Bon appetit!
rachel
Haven’t tried it out yet, but reading over the recipe I noticed it doesn’t specify mixing dry ingredients together before adding them to the wet. Is it really “combine in the order listed”? It seems like they’d get overmixed by combining each ingredient as it is added to the previous.
Jessica Fisher
It seems that way. But it always works out. If you feel better whisking the dry together, feel free to do so.
Meagan
Made these yesterday to use up some buttermilk that was hanging out in the fridge- delicious! My kids devoured them and didn’t even realize they were eating whole grains. This recipe is a keeper!
Jessica Fisher
Yay! So glad to hear it!
LizA
Ooo – I love a new recipe!
I’ve noticed most waffle/pancake recipes don’t include sugar (probably because of all the pending syrup?). I’ve found adding 1 tablespoon turns up the browning and makes them crisper right out of the iron. Looking forward to adding this to our rotation!
Jessica Fisher
Most of my waffle and pancake recipes do have some sugar, but I omitted it from this one since I’m personally trying to reduce my processed sugar. I have a sweet tooth and I’m trying to wean myself. 🙂
Jennifer
What brand of waffle maker would you recommend?
Nia Hanna
The link in this post led to a Cuisinart waffle maker, and from the photo in the other post about her waffle maker there’s a Cuisinart next to a plate of batter.
Jessica Fisher
Nia was faster in answering you than I was. 🙂
Yes, it is a Cuisinart. This model: http://www.cuisinart.com/products/waffle_makers/waf-100.html I love it.
dana
I love my Ware double waffle maker
Joanne T Ferguson
G’day! I LOVE waffles and used to have a Mickey Mouse waffle maker, true!
Oatmeal…yum and healthier waffles too!
Cheers! Joanne
almas.nathoo
Hi
The easy way to make Buttermilk at home is Just take two cup of Milk and add two tablespoons of vinegar leave it 15 minutes and you will have buttermilk right in your house. Whenever I make banana cake and need buttermilk I do the same method and cake taste great. Just give a try.
almas.
Jessica Fisher
Yes, that does work, though I find that it leaves the liquid thinner than buttermilk. Mixing in yogurt seems to give me a better texture.