Soft Whey Waffles
These soft whey waffles can be prepared in 20 minutes, perfect for meal prepping or busy mornings. Utilizing liquid whey leftover from yogurt making and Greek yogurt, this quick and easy recipe makes a delicious breakfast, snack, or even dessert. Packed with protein, these soft waffles are the best way to use up leftover whey.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Delicious soft waffles in 20 minutes.
- Protein-packed waffles – sneak in a few extra grams of protein with liquid whey.
- Perfect meal-prep breakfast.
- Great alternative to traditional waffles and protein pancakes.
Let’s waffle on
Find out more about the top 15 types of waffles from around the world and discover their unique flavors and textures.
For more delicious waffles, check out my German waffles, American waffles, Swedish crispy waffles, and an extensive list of 50 waffle topping ideas.
Ingredients
Apart from liquid whey, you only need a few simple ingredients to make these fluffy protein waffles:
- Liquid whey – You’ll need 2 cups of leftover liquid whey from yogurt or cheesemaking. You can substitute the liquid whey with milk if needed.
- Greek yogurt – Yogurt in waffles is a fantastic addition that enhances the texture and flavor. It adds moisture, tenderness, and a slight tanginess to the waffles. You can also make quark waffles by substituting the yogurt with quark 1:1.
- Butter – Unsalted butter works best but you can also use salted butter or substitute it with 1/4 cup of coconut oil as a plant-based option.
- Egg – A large egg in waffle batter provides binding, moisture, leavening, and flavor.
- Flour – All-purpose flour works best but you can also use whole wheat flour or substitute 1/3 of the flour with oat flour for a more wholesome flavor.
- Baking powder – It acts as a leavening agent and gives the waffles their fluffy texture.
- Maple syrup – The syrup adds a subtle sweetness to the waffles. You can add more if you prefer sweeter waffles or substitute it with sugar or honey.
- Vanilla – Vanilla essence or extract adds richness and flavor. You can omit it if you prefer plain waffles.
Tips
- Avoid Overmixing: To achieve a soft and fluffy texture, be cautious not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to gluten development, resulting in denser waffles.
- Preheat the waffle iron: Make sure the waffle iron is properly heated before pouring the batter so that the waffles rise and cook evenly and most importantly peel off easily from the iron once baked.
- Extra protein: Add 1 scoop of plant-based protein powder such as vanilla protein powder to the batter to increase the protein content.
Variations
There are several variations you can try to add different flavors to your whey waffles. Here are a few ideas:
- Chocolate Whey Waffles: Add 2 tbsp of cocoa powder or chocolate protein powder and some chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolatey twist. Serve with a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
- Pumpkin Spice Whey Waffles: Mix in 1 tsp of pumpkin spice or Christmas spice mix to the batter for warm and aromatic waffles. Top with a dusting of cinnamon and icing sugar.
- Lemon Blueberry Whey Waffles: Fold in fresh or frozen blueberries and a splash of lemon juice or zest to the batter for a burst of fruity and tangy flavors. Serve with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and extra blueberries on top.
- Cinnamon Waffles: Add 1 tsp of ground cinnamon to the batter for a warm and rich cinnamon flavor. Top with cinnamon mascarpone cream.
- Peanut Butter Waffles: Add 2 tbsp of peanut butter to the batter for a nutty pb flavor.
Serving suggestion
Whey waffles make a delicious high protein breakfast. To add extra protein, top your homemade whey waffles with a dollop of Greek yogurt, dairy-free yogurt, sour cream, or cottage cheese. Add fresh fruit such as berries or banana slices or honey stewed fruit.
Check out my extensive list of sweet and savory waffle toppings for more ideas.
FAQ
To meal-prep waffles, you can make the batter 1-2 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator or cook a batch of waffles and freeze them. Reheat the frozen waffles in a toaster oven or oven when ready to eat.
To freeze waffles, allow them to cool and separate, stack them with parchment paper in between, and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Liquid whey contains proteins that contribute to the softness and chewiness of these waffles. These proteins form a network that traps moisture, providing a tender texture, while also providing structure and elasticity for chewiness. Additionally, the lactose in liquid whey enhances the browning and flavor of these whey waffles.
More leftover whey recipes
My soft whey bread and whey pancakes are also great ways to use leftover whey.
Soft Whey Waffles
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter unsalted
- 2 cups liquid whey
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Melt 1/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat on the stove or in the microwave.1/4 cup butter
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together melted 1/4 cup butter, 2 cups liquid whey, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 egg until well combined.2 cups liquid whey, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tbsp maple syrup
- Gradually add the dry ingredients including 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder
- Allow the wet mixture to rest for about 5 minutes. This helps activate the baking powder and allows the batter to thicken slightly.
- Preheat the waffle iron and lightly grease it with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
- Pour a cup of batter onto the preheated waffle iron, following the manufacturer's instructions for the recommended amount. Close the waffle iron and cook until golden brown and crisp. Mine take around 3 minutes to cook on medium heat.
- Carefully remove the waffle from the iron and repeat the process with the remaining batter.
- Serve the warm whey waffles with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
