These homemade waffles (The Veg Space) are super-easy to make using kitchen store cupboard ingredients (self-raising flour, sugar, plant milk and yoghurt, plus a little vanilla). You can interchange this recipe (add carrots, dried fruits and cinnamon for ‘carrot cake pancakes’ or add coffee essence.
Before cooking, read up on keeping people & pets safe in the kitchen (many foods including dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, nutmeg and fresh dough are unsafe around animal friends).
Waffles are thin cakes, which are cooked between wafer irons. Began as a street food, waferers ‘(waffle-sellers) were so popular in France at one time, that the King had to pass a law to keep them at least 4 metres away from each other, as violence would break out over territories.
Can’t Afford a Nontoxic Waffle Iron?
Most waffle irons are lined with non-stick PFOA (the ‘forever chemical’) that is nearly everything and ends up in our oceans.
A simple solution is to grease a griddle pan with palm-oil-free vegan butter (like Flora) and when the butter begins to foam, pour in half the batter, cook for 5 minutes and then flip to cook the other side. Avoid using interchanging batter for pancakes and waffles (the latter is thicker with more fat, so recipes won’t work).
GreenPan does make a nonstick waffle iron, but at over £200 is not affordable, unless a restaurant is making lots of breakfast waffles.
Just because a product does not contain PFOA does not make it safe around birds. Apart from the fact that birds living in kitchen cages are likely bored and unhappy, cooking fumes (and many other items) are dangerous around pet birds.
Meal Prep Tips for Busy Mornings
Gluten-free waffles (Ela Vegan)
After cooking, let waffles cool. Lay them on a baking tray, freeze for an hour, then transfer to an airtight container. They’ll keep fresh for up to three months without losing taste.
Pop frozen waffles in the toaster for a crispy finish, or warm them in the oven at 180°C for about 10 minutes. They’ll taste like they’re fresh off the waffle iron.
Top waffles with bananas, strawberries, or blueberries. Fruits add natural sweetness and a burst of vitamins, making your breakfast both delicious and vibrant.
Drizzle with almond or peanut butter for creaminess. Maple or agave syrup adds a touch of indulgence without being too heavy.
Try soy or coconut yoghurt as a topping. Creamy and satisfying, these alternatives complement your waffles beautifully.
Banana Bread Waffles with Chocolate Chips (Jessica in the Kitchen).
