You can make vegan protein waffles using oats, vegan protein powder, almond milk, apple sauce and banana: just pop everything in the blender, blend it all together and cook in the waffle iron. Within a quarter of an hour, you’ll have two light and fluffy waffles on the table, packed with vegan protein. Below you’ll find the full recipe, plus answers to the questions we’re asked most often.
What are vegan protein waffles?
Vegan protein waffles are waffles made from plant-based ingredients with added protein powder. They contain no eggs, dairy or other animal products and, as well as providing carbohydrates from the oats and banana, they also supply vegan protein.
The protein powder gives the batter more structure and a rich vanilla flavour, without the need to add extra sugar or sweetener. The banana and apple sauce provide natural sweetness and help bind the mixture, which is handy as there are no eggs in the recipe. This gives you a recipe that is plant-based yet still firm enough to bake into waffles.
The oats form the base and give the waffle its body. If you’d like a smoother texture, you can briefly blend the oats into oat flour in a blender before adding the rest of the ingredients. For a chunkier texture, leave the oats a bit coarser. Both work – it’s mainly a matter of preference.
What do you need for 2 waffles?
For two waffles, you’ll need the following ingredients. The quantities are easy to double if you want to make a larger batch.
- 50 grams of rolled oats
- 2 scoops of Ekopura Vegan Protein Vanilla
- 150 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 50 grams of apple sauce
- 1 banana
- A pinch of baking powder (or bicarbonate of soda with a little vinegar)
- A handful of fresh raspberries
How do you make vegan protein waffles?
Put all the ingredients except the raspberries into a blender or food processor and blend until you have a smooth batter. Preheat the waffle iron and lightly grease it with a little oil to prevent the waffles from sticking.
- Put the oats, protein powder, almond milk, apple sauce, banana and baking powder into the blender.
- Blend until you have a smooth, slightly thick mixture. If the batter is too thick, add a splash of almond milk.
- Preheat the waffle iron and lightly grease it with oil.
- Pour half the batter into the waffle iron and cook until the waffle is golden brown.
- Repeat this for the second waffle and top with fresh raspberries.
Fancy more plant-based inspiration? Have a look at the rest of our recipes.
Why add protein powder to your waffles?
Protein powder is a simple way to increase the protein content of your waffles. Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass. Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass. That’s why many athletes and active people make sure to include some protein in their breakfast or snack.
In this recipe, we use Ekopura Vegan Protein Vanilla, a vegan protein powder with no unnecessary additives. The subtle vanilla flavour pairs well with oats and fruit, so you don’t need to add any extra sweetener to the batter. Two scoops provide a substantial portion of vegan protein, so you’ll clearly taste the difference compared to a standard waffle made with flour alone.
If you’d like to know more about protein powder in the kitchen and in your diet, read our guide to the benefits of protein powder. Not sure how much protein you need each day? In the article ‘How much protein do you need each day?’, you can work it out step by step.
How can you make the waffles lighter or give them a slightly different texture?
The lightness is mainly determined by the baking powder and the baking time: a little more baking powder gives a lighter result, and letting the waffle turn golden brown before you open the waffle iron helps too. Baking with vegan protein powder has a few tricks of its own, as it binds differently to flour.
In our guide on how to bake with vegan protein powder, you can find tips on getting the batter consistency just right. A few variations to try:
- Replace the raspberries with blueberries or banana pieces.
- Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter.
- Top with a spoonful of unsweetened peanut butter or plant-based yoghurt.
- Make a smaller batch of mini Dutch pancakes (poffertjes) in a poffertjes pan.
Variations
These flavour combinations work just as well with a scoop of vegan protein powder added to the batter:
- Red velvet : stir a tablespoon of cocoa and a little beetroot powder into the batter for colour, and top with a spoonful of plant-based cream cheese.
- Double chocolate : mix a tablespoon of cocoa into the batter and sprinkle some dark chocolate shavings over the top after baking.
- Lemon and blueberry : add the zest of half a lemon and fold a handful of blueberries into the batter.
- Carrot cake : stir two tablespoons of finely grated carrot, half a teaspoon of cinnamon and some chopped walnuts into the batter.
- Speculaas : add a teaspoon of speculaas spice mix to the batter for a wintery flavour.
- Coconut and mango : mix a tablespoon of desiccated coconut into the batter and top with pieces of fresh mango.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make protein waffles without eggs?
Yes. In this recipe, banana and apple sauce replace the egg: they provide binding and natural sweetness. This ensures the waffle remains plant-based yet firm enough to bake.
Which protein powder is best for waffles?
A vegan protein powder with a neutral or vanilla flavour works best, as it pairs well with oats and fruit. We use Ekopura Vegan Protein Vanilla, but any clean vegan protein powder will do. Bear in mind that vegan protein absorbs slightly more moisture, so add a little extra almond milk if the batter is too stiff.
Can you freeze vegan protein waffles?
Yes. Let the waffles cool completely and freeze them flat. You can reheat them later in a toaster or oven to make them crispy again. This is handy if you’re baking a larger batch in one go.
Are vegan protein waffles suitable for after exercise?
These waffles combine carbohydrates from oats and banana with protein from the powder, making them a practical meal or snack. Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass. A serving of protein therefore fits well into your pre- and post-workout nutrition.
Give it a go
Fancy making these waffles? Ekopura Vegan Protein Vanilla is a vegan protein powder with a neutral vanilla flavour that works well in baking recipes. Take a look at the product or discover the rest of our vegan proteins in the collection.
