The Ultimate Guide to Making Healthy Whole Wheat Waffles (With Fresh Milled Flour)

Looking for a healthier twist on your favorite breakfast classic? These whole wheat waffles aren’t just nutritious – they’re incredibly delicious and perfect for busy families. As someone who works to acheive delicous baked goods for a living, I’m excited to share my foolproof method for creating the fluffiest, most delectable whole wheat waffles you’ve ever tasted.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Some mornings I just want to be the fun mom. The one that whips up waffles filling the whole house with that sweet, buttery smell. But I also want to fill my littles with something that will keep them feeling full and satisfied as they play the morning away. I have found that replacing refined flour with freshly milled whole wheat flour has allowed me to bake my favorite recipes guilt free. 

These waffles pack a delightful nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with both sweet and savory toppings. Plus, they’re freezer-friendly, making them ideal for busy weekday mornings when you need a quick, wholesome breakfast solution.

Are Whole Wheat Waffles Actually Good for You?

The short answer? Absolutely! Regular all purpose flour has had certain parts of the wheat berry removed to make it more shelf stable. Although useful in increasing accessibility, it also removes the healthiest parts that are naturally in home-milled flour. Here’s why whole wheat waffles deserve a spot in your healthy breakfast rotation:

• Rich in Fiber: Whole wheat flour contains all parts of the wheat kernel, providing essential dietary fiber that helps keep you feeling full longer
• More Nutrients: Unlike refined flour, whole wheat retains its natural vitamins, minerals, and folic acid
• Lower Glycemic Impact: The additional fiber helps prevent rapid blood sugar spikes

The Secret to Perfect Whole Wheat Waffles

Whole wheat is often considered to be more difficult to work with. Many people feel that whole wheat flour can cause their baked goods to be dense and have an overwhelming wheat flavor. That is why I have worked to combat both these issues.

1. Use the Right Flour: I love milling my own flour, as it is really the best way to get great flavor from whole wheat. Processed whole wheat flour often loses a lot of the delicious nutty flavor found in whole wheat. However, this recipe can use both fresh milled whole wheat flour, store-bought whole-wheat flour and even all-purpose flour.
2. Add some acid: If you combine Apple Cider Vinegar with any kind of milk, even dairy alternatives, it will curdle and create a buttermilk like ingredient. This not only helps balance out the flavor profile of the whole wheat, it also activates the baking soda to ensure fluffy waffles.
3. Don’t Overmix: Using a Dutch Whisk ensures that your dry and wet ingredients incorparate with as little mixing as possible. This prevents tough, dense waffles.
4. Let the Batter Rest: A 10-minute rest allows the flour to properly hydrate. The longer the better though! Time only increases flavor. This batter can rest for up to 48 hours in the fridge in an airtight container.

Essential Equipment

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s ensure you have the right tools:

• A Grain Mill: Although quite the investment, this has changed our lives for the better.
• A reliable waffle iron 
• Large mixing bowls
• Dutch Whisk: A must have tool for every kitchen!
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Optional but recommended: kitchen scale

Ingredients for Perfect Whole Wheat Waffles

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups (260g) Hard White Wheat Berries. Or 260g of Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 T baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup brown sugar (or honey for refined sugar-free option). If using a sugar alternative be sure to add it with the wet ingredients.

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 3/4 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1 T Apple Cider Vinegar
• 6 Tb butter melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: 1 tablespoon lemon juice for extra tenderness

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Grind your Wheat: Simply weigh your wheat berries and grind them using your mill. Remember that wheat berries have the same weight as wheat flour but will not be equal cup to cup. In other words, if you need 260 grams of wheat flour, then you need 260 grams of wheat berries.
2. Prepare Your Waffle Iron: Heat your waffle iron to medium-high heat. A properly heated iron is crucial for achieving that perfect golden-brown exterior.
3. Mix milk and ACV: This needs at least 5 minutes to properly start to curdle. If you are using buttermilk there is no need to do this step.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents.
5. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.
6. Create the Batter: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring with a dutch whisk just until combined. Remember, lumps are okay! Overmixing is the enemy of tender waffles.
7. Rest the Batter: Let the batter rest for 10 minutes. This allows the flour to hydrate properly and results in a better texture.

Tips for Perfect Results

• Don’t lift the waffle iron lid too early – wait until the steam significantly reduces
• Use about 1/2 cup of batter per waffle (adjust based on your waffle maker size).
• Keep waffles warm in a single layer on a cooling rack in a 200°F oven while making the batch. The cooling rack keeps the warm steam from making the waffles soggy.

Storage and Freezing

These waffles freeze beautifully! Here’s how to store them:

For Freezing:

1. Cool completely on a wire rack
2. Place in a freezer bag with parchment paper between layers
3. Freeze for up to 3 months

To Reheat:

• Toast directly from frozen in your toaster or toaster oven
• Heat in a single layer in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Best Flour for Waffles?

While traditional waffles use all-purpose flour, freshly milled whole wheat flour provides the perfect balance of nutrition and texture.

Can You Use Pancake Mix in a Waffle Maker?

Yes, but you’ll want to add additional fat to the mix (oil or melted butter). Waffles require more fat than pancakes to achieve that crispy exterior. For best results, follow a dedicated waffle recipe instead.

Why Add Oil to Waffle Mix but Not Pancake Mix?

Oil or melted butter creates that characteristic crispy exterior that makes waffles so delicious. It also helps prevent sticking to the waffle iron and contributes to a tender interior.

Variations and Mix-Ins

Get creative with these delicious additions:

• Fresh blueberries or raspberries
• Chocolate chips
• Chopped nuts
• Pumpkin puree (reduce milk slightly)
• Cinnamon and apple pieces

Perfect Toppings for Your Waffles

• Real maple syrup
• Fresh fruit
• Greek yogurt
• Blackberry Compote
• Cranberry Jam
• Fried Apples
• Whipped cream
• Honey

Making These Waffles Dairy-Free or Vegan

Easily adapt this recipe for different dietary needs:

• Replace milk with almond milk or your preferred non-dairy alternative. The ACV method works with non- dairy alternatives.
• Substitute eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoons water per egg)
• Use coconut oil or olive oil

Conclusion

Creating perfect whole wheat waffles at home is not only possible but also incredibly rewarding. With these tips and techniques, you’ll be making light, fluffy, and nutritious waffles that your whole family will love. Remember, the key to success lies in quality ingredients, proper technique, and a little patience.

Ready to start your fresh milled whole wheat journey? Invest in a mill and check out all our recipes using freshly milled whole wheat flour. Your family will thank you, and you’ll never look back at store-bought waffles again! Let us know what your favorite whole wheat recipes are in the comments below!