Meta Description: Start your day with our sweet potato oatmeal waffles! This healthy, easy, and satisfying recipe is a delicious way to enjoy a nutrient-packed breakfast that feels like a treat.
I’ll never forget the morning I finally figured out how to make a truly great waffle at home. For years, I had a complicated relationship with my waffle iron. It was a gift I had received, and it sat in my cabinet for months, gathering dust. I was convinced that making waffles was a difficult and messy task, and that a box mix was the only way to go. One chilly weekend, I was craving something warm and comforting for breakfast, and I had a leftover baked sweet potato from a dinner I had made. I had also recently decided to try to eat more wholesome meals, so the box mix was out. I decided to get creative.
I mashed the sweet potato and mixed it with a little bit of rolled oats, an egg, and a few spices. I poured the batter into my trusty waffle iron, and the moment it hit the hot grates, a beautiful, fragrant steam rose. The waffles came out, golden and crispy on the outside, and wonderfully tender on the inside. That first bite was a revelation. It was sweet and savory, with a warm, comforting flavor that was perfectly balanced. It was nothing like the flimsy waffles from a box. From that day on, sweet potato oatmeal waffles became my go-to recipe for a healthy, delicious, and easy breakfast. It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t need a lot of time or fancy ingredients to create something truly special. This recipe is a perfect solution for a comforting breakfast that feels special but is simple to prepare. So, let’s get cooking! 😋
The Ultimate Sweet Potato Oatmeal Waffles
This recipe is a perfect blend of wholesome ingredients that create a satisfying and delicious breakfast. The sweet potato adds a natural sweetness and a beautiful color, while the oatmeal adds a nutty flavor and a hearty texture. The result is a waffle that is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with fiber and nutrients.
✅ Ingredients
For the Waffles:
- 1 medium cooked sweet potato, mashed (about ¾ cup)
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Serving:
- Your favorite toppings: fresh berries, sliced bananas, a drizzle of maple syrup, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or chopped nuts.
🌟 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
1. Prepare Your Sweet Potato:
First, you’ll need a cooked sweet potato. You can bake it, steam it, or even microwave it. The easiest way is to bake it: preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), poke the potato a few times with a fork, and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until it’s soft and tender. Once cooked, let it cool and then mash it with a fork. You can also use canned sweet potato puree in a pinch.
2. Make the Waffle Batter:
In a blender or food processor, combine the rolled oats and pulse until they become a coarse flour. You can also use pre-made oat flour.
In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed sweet potato, oat flour, milk, egg, maple syrup or honey, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is well combined and the batter is smooth. The batter will be thick, which is exactly what you want.
3. Preheat Your Waffle Iron:
Plug in your waffle iron and let it preheat. Most waffle irons have a light that indicates when they are ready. Lightly grease the top and bottom of your waffle iron with a little bit of cooking spray or butter.
4. Cook the Waffles:
Pour a ladleful of the batter into the center of the preheated waffle iron. Close the lid and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the waffle is golden brown and a little bit crispy. The cooking time will vary depending on your waffle iron, so be sure to watch it carefully. Do not lift the lid during the cooking process!
5. Serve and Enjoy!
Carefully remove the waffles from the waffle iron. Place them on a wire rack to keep them from getting soggy. Serve them hot with your favorite toppings like fresh berries, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a dollop of Greek yogurt. These sweet potato oatmeal waffles are best served immediately, but they are also great for meal prep!
🥗 Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount per waffle (approx.) |
| Calories | 310 kcal |
| Protein | 8 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Carbs | 55 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sodium | 350 mg |
Note: Nutritional values can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.
Your Questions Answered 💬
Simple recipes can still have big questions! Here are some common inquiries about this delicious sweet potato oatmeal waffles.
Do I have to use a waffle iron?
No, you don’t! You can easily turn this recipe into sweet potato pancakes. Simply heat a lightly greased skillet over medium heat and pour about ¼-cup of the batter for each pancake. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. They won’t have the classic waffle ridges, but they will be just as delicious. For more on the health benefits of sweet potatoes, you can check out resources from reputable health and nutrition organizations.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! This is a fantastic make-ahead breakfast. You can make a large batch of the waffles and let them cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can pop them in the toaster, a toaster oven, or the microwave for a few minutes. They will be just as delicious and a great quick breakfast on a busy morning. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months.
What kind of oats should I use?
This recipe calls for rolled oats, which are ideal because they have a great texture and are easy to blend into a coarse flour. Avoid using instant oats, as they will make the waffles a bit mushy. You can also use a pre-made oat flour if you prefer. Just be sure to use a good quality oat flour that is a bit coarse.
🌟 Variations and Serving Suggestions
This recipe is a wonderful base for creativity. Feel free to use it as a starting point and get creative with your own additions and twists.
- Add a Different Vegetable: While sweet potato is a classic, you can also use other vegetables. Mashed pumpkin or even some roasted carrots would be delicious. Just be sure to use the same measurement.
- Make it Spicier: For a spicier kick, you can add a pinch of ginger or a little bit of allspice to the spice mixture. The warm spices will give the waffles a wonderful flavor.
- Different Toppings: You can get creative with your toppings. A dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts, or a little bit of peanut butter would all be wonderful additions.
- Add a Protein: For a heartier breakfast, you can add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to the batter. Just be sure to add a little bit more milk to adjust the consistency.
- Make it Savory: You can easily turn this into a savory waffle. Omit the maple syrup and add a little bit of garlic powder, onion powder, and some shredded cheese. You can serve it with a fried egg and some bacon for a delicious savory breakfast.
Perfect Pairings
These sweet potato oatmeal waffles are a great stand-alone breakfast, but they pair beautifully with a few simple additions. A side of scrambled eggs or some bacon would be a perfect complement. A cup of coffee or a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice would also be a wonderful pairing. For a light brunch, you can serve them with a side of fresh fruit salad and some Greek yogurt.
The Joy of Simple and Delicious
There’s a certain kind of joy that comes from taking a dish you once thought was complicated and making it your own. These sweet potato oatmeal waffles are a perfect example of that. They take a humble vegetable and a pantry staple and turn them into a masterpiece of flavor and texture. The crispy exterior, the tender interior, and the warm, comforting flavors all come together to create a breakfast that is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
This recipe is proof that you don’t need a lot of time or fancy tools to create a memorable meal. It’s perfect for a quick breakfast, a fun weekend brunch, or a simple way to add more fresh ingredients to your plate. So, go ahead and give it a try. I hope you enjoy the process and the result as much as I do! I’d love to hear how your waffles turn out. What are your favorite waffle toppings?