These 100% Whole Wheat Yeast Waffles are hearty, full of delicious yeasty flavor and the perfect combination of light and crunchy. These waffles are a delicious breakfast that takes just minutes to throw together, then all you have to do is sit back and let the yeast work its magic! Plus, this dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated overnight for a quick, easy, and nutritious breakfast.
Why we love the 100% Whole Wheat Waffles recipe
For us, some recipes must stay in your arsenal of reps. Our Whole Wheat Bread is one of those recipes because I’m sure we can all agree that there’s nothing like hot, fresh, homemade bread straight from the oven. And this whole wheat yeast waffle recipe is another. These waffles are light but have a perfectly crispy exterior and are packed with flavor – everything a hearty breakfast should be!
So next time you’re looking for a healthy, nutritious, and easy weekend breakfast the whole family will love or To impress Christmas brunch guests, make sure you make a batch of these whole wheat yeast waffles. And make sure you top it with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent breakfast everyone will love.
Recipe Highlights
- Made with nutritious whole wheat flour to keep you fueled all day!
- Quick and easy for a lazy weekend breakfast, yet elegant enough for a holiday brunch
- The perfect taste balance between the slightly nutty flour and the delicious yeast taste
- Great for meal prep – batter can be made ahead of time and waffles can be frozen and reheated!
- Dough and toppings can be customized as you like
More whole grain breakfast recipes
Main ingredients for this recipe
- Yeast: Be sure to use instant or rapid yeast, as any of these yeasts can be mixed directly into the dry ingredients and do not need to be dissolved in water first.
- Warm milk: Warm milk to 120°F – 130°F before combining with other ingredients. Heated milk quickly brings all the dry ingredients to a warmer temperature, which really helps the dough rise. If you use cold or cooler milk, expect the dough to rise longer.
- whole wheat flour: We used whole wheat white flour as we prefer the milder flavor profile. Whole white flour can be found in the baking section of most grocery stores or can be ordered online. If you can’t find it, feel free to use regular whole wheat flour, knowing that waffles have a stronger “wheat” flavor.
- Staples for the kitchen: Eggs, Butter, Salt, Pure Vanilla Extract, Maple Syrup
Step-by-step instructions for this recipe
Step 1: Make the dough
In a large bowl, combine hot milk, butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla. Then add flour, yeast and salt.
Pro tip: Use a large bowl (at least 8 cups) to mix the batter because although it starts out with just 3 3/4 cups of batter, after 1 hour it will expand to 6 1/2 cups!
Step 2: Stir to combine
Stir with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon to combine, being careful there are no lumps. Don’t overmix.
Step 3: Let the dough rest
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature, until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Then put in the fridge and chill overnight or continue cooking in the next step.
Step 4: Cook Waffles
Preheat waffle iron. Coat the iron with oil using a pastry brush or cooking spray. Pour a cup of batter into the center of the griddle. Close the lid and cook, about 3 ½ to 5 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Remove, let cool, top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
FAQs and expert tips
Leftovers, freezing and reheating
leftovers: Store leftover waffles in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
Freeze: These waffles freeze excellently and even keep that crunchy texture! To freeze cooked waffles, place on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. When waffles are hard, place in a freezer safe ziplock bag, squeeze out the air and keep frozen for up to 2 months.
warm up: To reheat, break the waffle apart or cut into pieces. Then place the waffle in the toaster and toast until crisp and hot. Tip: If your toaster has the “frozen” option, we recommend using that. If not, heat on low and toast a few times until warm.
Instructions for overnight waffles
Prepare the night before: Prepare according to instructions in Step 3. After dough has risen on counter for one (1) hour, place covered bowl in refrigerator and store for up to 8 hours. When ready to enjoy, cook as described in step 4, remembering that cooking may take a little longer as the batter will be cold.
Variations to try
While this waffle recipe is delicious on its own, feel free to take it to the next level by adding one or more of the following ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- Get creative with your own flavors
Waffle toppings and serving suggestions
We love waffles with salty breakfast meats like ham, bacon, or sausage on the side. Try our Black Pepper Maple Candied Bacon for a special treat!
Take this healthy whole wheat yeast waffle recipe with a delicious waffle topping like:
- fresh rhubarb compote
- strawberry coulis
- fresh berries
- sliced bananas with roasted walnuts,
- fresh mixed seasonal fruits
- a dash of maple syrup or honey
- sprinkle with powdered sugar
- whipped cream
Additional recipes to try
- Homemade Whole Wheat Crepes are easy to make, can be filled with either sweet or savory fillings, and are the perfect addition to a healthy brunch, breakfast, or even dinner!
- Carrot Cake Waffles are the perfect mix of a healthy whole wheat waffle and a slice of decadent carrot cake. These waffles are tasty enough to enjoy on a lazy weekend morning, but elegant enough to serve houseguests over the holidays.
- Crispy yet light, these almond waffles with cranberry-orange-honey syrup are a special treat at any time of the year. Bursting with subtle almond flavor and topped with a tart yet sweet syrup make these waffles a utterly decadent treat!
Thank you for reading! If you’re new here, you might want to sign up for my email newsletter to get a free weekly menu plan and the latest recipes straight to your inbox. If you make this recipe, please come back and Leave a star rating and review. I’d love to hear what you think!
Have fun cooking! ~Kati
Press
Description
This hearty 100% whole wheat yeast waffle is a delicious breakfast that can be made ahead of time and refrigerated overnight. It only takes a few minutes to stir together, then just sit back and let the yeast work its magic. They are light and crunchy with a delicious yeast flavor.
- 1 1/2 cups Milk, heated to 120-130 degrees
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 Big Eggs
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon Salt
- 2 cups Whole wheat flour or white whole wheat flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons Instant or rapid yeast
- In a large bowl, combine hot milk, butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla. Add flour, yeast and salt.
- Stir with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon. Don’t overmix. The dough will not be completely smooth.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Place in the refrigerator and chill overnight or continue cooking in step 4.
- Preheat waffle iron. Brush with oil with a pastry brush or brush with cooking spray. Pour a cup of batter into the center of the griddle and spread a little with a silicone spatula if needed. (See note) Close the lid and cook for the recommended time according to the manufacturer’s directions, 3 ½ to 5 minutes.
Remarks
Top: We used a 7 inch waffle iron and a cup of batter and found that this was just the right amount to fill the waffle iron without spilling over. Consult your waffle maker’s manual to see how much batter is recommended. Note that it spreads and expands as it cooks.
Use a large bowl (at least 8 cups) to mix the batter because although it starts out with just 3 3/4 cups of batter, after 1 hour it will expand to 6 1/2 cups!
leftovers: Store leftover waffles in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
Freeze: These waffles freeze great and keep their crispy texture. To freeze cooked waffles, place on a baking sheet and place in the freezer. When hard, place in a ziplock bag, squeeze out the air and keep frozen for up to 2 months.
To warm up: Break or cut into sections to reheat. Place them in the toaster and toast them until crisp and very hot. If your toaster has a frozen option, use that. If not, you might want to use a lower setting and toast them a few times.
Get ahead: Prepare step 3 to prepare. After dough has risen on counter for one (1) hour, place covered bowl in refrigerator and keep cold for up to 12 hours. Bake as described in step 4. Note that baking may take a little longer since the dough is cold.
- Preparation time: 25 minutes
- Cooking time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Kitchen: American
Nourishment
- Serving size: 1 cup
- Calories: 484
- Fat: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 9 g
Keywords: Whole grain yeast waffles, whole grain yeast waffles, whole grain yeast waffles, whole grain yeast waffle, whole grain yeast waffle