Waffle Charcuterie Board (+4 healthy waffles recipe ideas)

It's time to take out your waffle maker because these healthy homemade waffles recipes will brighten your breakfast or brunch table.

I'm sharing:

• Belgian-like oat flour waffles (gluten-free and dairy-free with a vegan-friendly option),
• Easy-to-make buckwheat waffles ((gluten-free and dairy-free),
• Deliciously seasoned cheese waffles (gluten-free and savory),
• Prune waffles—the best way to eat prunes, of course, and make waffle sandwiches.

Each of these healthy waffles also makes a great choice to concoct your waffle charcuterie board or waffle bar for those special weekends or when you entertain guests.

Jump to Belgian-like waffles with oat flour | Buckwheat waffles | Savory cheese waffles | Prune waffles and waffle sandwiches |Storing waffles | Reheating waffles | Build your waffle charcuterie board | FAQ about ingredients and waffles

Of course, we love our standard Belgian waffles from time to time. But just like with pancakes, I love to switch it up regularly and come up with new waffle recipe ideas.

It's not just about making them healthier. The possibilities of ingredients you can mix into a waffle batter are almost endless.

And it's fun to explore with different flavors when all you need is a waffle maker and less than 30 minutes to concoct a warm breakfast that is equally delicious as a snack—if you have leftovers—and favored by waffle lovers as the star on a breakfast or brunch board.

Let's have a look at 4 of my favorite homemade waffles (sweet and savory) that I love to make on lazy weekend days.

I also share my waffle toppings ideas and how to build an easy sweet or savory waffle board.

1. Oat Flour Waffles (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan option)

These are probably my favorite of the bunch because these Belgian-like waffles are slightly sweet, and each bite deliciously greets you with a warm yet subtle fruity filling.

Maybe the choice of ingredients might seem a bit strange with raisins, coconut flakes, and an unsweetened apricot jam, but it's a winning combo when baked until golden brown.

These healthy waffles are sweet enough to enjoy without any toppings and pair wonderfully with that cup of coffee or tea.

Ingredients

A few notes

Oat flour—Choose finely ground flour from gluten-free oats if you have a gluten intolerance. Or make your own by pulsing your (gluten-free) rolled oats in a food processor or high-speed blender for a few seconds.

Sugar-free apricot jam—The tropical flavors of the coconut shreds paired with apricots taste amazing. You can also use a sugar-free berry jam. It would still work, but I hope you give these ingredients a try first. 

Raisins—use regular-sized black raisins because you want these naturally sweet fruits to pop up subtly in each bite. Jumbo raisins are a bit too chewy and fleshy for this waffle recipe.

Make it nut-free—Feel free to use regular milk. But if you are following a dairy-free diet, I recommend creamy plant milk made from cashews or hazelnuts. If you plan to make them a school snack while still looking for a dairy-free option, swap the cashew milk for oat milk.

Stevia powder—it's optional, but I always add a bit for that extra sweetness that makes these healthy oat waffles so indulgent.

How to make these Belgian-style oat waffles

It's a straightforward waffle recipe and only requires a few steps before your waffle maker transforms this batter into a sweet breakfast.

Step 1: place all the dry ingredients into a bowl. Stir and ensure that the raisins are well separated and don't clump together. If you have to, loosen them with your hands before stirring them in.

Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix the egg, milk, jam, and Stevia powder. You'll get a slight orangy mixture due to the apricots.

Step 3: Gradually stir the wet mixture into the dry flour mix. I like to use a (wooden) spoon or a whisk to combine all the ingredients.

Step 4: The batter will be a bit thicker than your usual waffle mix, and you might have to give it a notch with your fingers or a spoon to slide it onto the hot waffle iron.

I bake them on the highest waffle setting to get them beautifully golden brown. Then, let them only cool down slightly because they are best when enjoyed warm.

Make them vegan-friendly

This oat waffle recipe already contains no dairy or honey and can quickly become vegan-friendly by dropping the egg.

But to ensure that you get a similar waffle texture and thickness, I suggest using the gluten-free, vegan egg replacer from Bob's Red Mill instead of a chia egg.

What to serve with these sweet oat waffles

These Belgian-like oat flour waffles taste incredible as-is but don't let that stop you from topping them with your favorite fruits, syrups, and (coconut) butter.

2. Recipe for buckwheat waffles

Ever tried Buckwheat waffles? Well, these are gluten, dairy-free, and infused with warm cinnamon and vanilla.

Deliciously filling and slightly sweet, they have a soft interior with crispy edges and are immensely gratifying with every bite.

They're light and become crispier as they cool down. And they are equally tasty when served with something more savory, such as cheese.

Ingredients

A few notes

Buckwheat flour—You can use regular buckwheat flour or toasted buckwheat groats (Kasha) and grind them into powder.

You can't go wrong with either one. It's just that the batter and the color of the waffles will be slightly different.

In both cases, you will get that nutty and aromatic flavor that makes these baked goods so unique in taste.

Note: Consider mixing buckwheat flour with other earthy and slightly nutty gluten-free options, such as Teff flour or ground gluten-free oats.

Coconut sugar—This buckwheat recipe has that perfect amount of sweetness and molasses notes. And it's the coconut sugar that gives these waffles more complex flavors and a rustic look.

Brown sugar is very similar in appearance and flavor and can serve here as a substitute. I even have used date sugar in the past or substituted half of the recipe's recommended amount with golden monk fruit sweetener.

Coconut milk—Feel free to substitute with any other plant-based milk, but I have noticed that canned coconut milk makes the waffles a tad crispier.

Warm cinnamon spices and vanilla extract—these add-ons temper the strong taste of Buckwheat flour and makes these waffles flavorful and aromatic.

How to make Buckwheat waffles

Step 1: place all the dry ingredients into a bowl.

Step 2: Stir and ensure that the sugar, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon powder are well combined into the buckwheat flour. I like to use a whisk to combine these ingredients and separate any sugar or flour clumps.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs and stir in the vanilla extract, coconut oil, and milk.

Step 4: In batches, stir the wet mixture into the dry flour mix. I like to use a (wooden) spoon or a whisk to combine all the ingredients.

Step 5: You'll get a beautiful, slowly dripping brown batter that will easily slide onto the hot waffle iron.

I bake them on the highest waffle setting to get them beautifully brown and deliciously crispy.

What to serve with these buckwheat waffles

I wouldn't be surprised if these buckwheat waffles become a favorite at your brunch table. They pair well when served with fresh fruits on the side like berries, figs, pears—it all depends on what's in season.

But also experiment with something more hearty like an egg sunnyside up and slices of your favorite hard cheese.

3. Cheese Waffles

If you love something more savory, then you should try these golden crispy cheese waffles infused with Italian herbs like oregano, Basil, Rosemary, and a tad of garlic powder. These herbs beautifully complement sharper cheese flavors like cheddar or Parmesan or a combo of both.

Ingredients

How to make these cheese waffles

Step 1: place eggs, herbs, and seasoning in a bowl. Then beat the eggs.

Step 2: Add the cheese to the beaten eggs until well combined.

Step 3: Whisk in the Cassava flour.

Step 4: Keep mixing the cheese and the Cassava flour until well combined.

Step 5: You'll get a beautiful yellow batter that is relatively thick and will need some help to slide onto the hot waffle iron.

I bake them on a medium waffle iron setting (5) to get them golden, crispy and avoid burning the cheese.

What to serve with cheese waffles

Try pairing them with crispy bacon and a drizzle of syrup.

But I often enjoy them with half a mashed avocado and some sunflower or pumpkin seeds scattered on top and a drizzle of honey—simply delish, even for lunch.

4. Prune waffles for waffle sandwiches

One of the best ways to enjoy prunes is to throw them into this unique waffle batter. These healthy waffles are crunchy, lightly sweet, fiber-rich that you can enjoy either for breakfast or as a snack.

They pair well with a sharp-tasting cheese to serve as sweet-savory waffle sandwiches.

They are not your typical fluffy waffles. Although their texture is light, they are a bit more dense, filling, and incredibly satisfying.

Ingredients

Pitted prunes—Prunes add a natural concentrated sweetness and their chewy texture nicely contrasts the slight outer crispiness of these waffles.

Spelt or Rye flour—Both flours lend well to this waffle recipe, adding earthy and nutty flavors. However, Spelt will be slightly sweeter and make for a lighter waffle. If you've never baked with ancient grains before, start with Spelt flour.

Molasses—I highly recommend using molasses instead of maple syrup. It adds warm, sweet, smokey flavors with a hint of spice and gives these waffles that robust color. But, if you don't have any in your pantry, then a dark maple syrup will do.

Plant milk—I prefer cashew milk, but oat or coconut milk is fine too.

How to make these prune waffles

Step 1: In a bowl, combine the flour with the prunes.

Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and whisk in the milk, molasses, and stevia powder.

Step 3: In batches, stir or whisk the flour mix into the wet mixture.

Step 4: You'll get a slow dripping wet batter that will easily slide onto a waffle iron maker.

What to serve with prune waffles

If you love combining sweet with savory, then these waffles are for you.

Of course, you can always top them with some maple syrup or fruits, but they are better served with something more substantial.

I suggest filling them with your favorite hard cheese—even mozzarella with a jam is delicious—and turning them into mini waffle sandwiches.

How to best store wafffles

I have to admit, waffles never last long in my house, but I want to give you a couple of options if you're going to double the ingredients and make a big batch for the week or have any leftovers.

• If you plan to enjoy these waffles either the same day or next, then wrap them in parchment paper and let them sit on the counter in an airthight container.
• Except for the cheese waffles. It's best to immediately store any leftovers in the fridge.
• Store the oat, buckwheat, and prune waffles also in the fridge if you want to enjoy them for the next 2 to 3 days. I always wrap them in parchment paper before placing them in an airthight container.
• For more extended storage, freeze them—I never do. These are such simple and no-fuss healthy waffle recipes that I prefer to make a new fresh batch for the week. If you opt to freeze waffles, I suggest to first wrap them individually with parchment or wax paper and then place them in a freezer bag.

Reheating waffles

You have a few options.

To reheat the oat waffles, briefly place them in the microwave (for about half to one minute) to warm them again, or you can also make them crispier by putting them in the toaster.

The other waffles do better by popping them in a toaster on a low to medium setting to give them a fresh, slightly crunchy texture.

How to build your own waffle charcuterie board

Building your waffle board is such an easy and fun way to enjoy a more elaborate and relaxed weekend or holiday breakfast or brunch.

You can make it small, simple, and quick for immediate family or friends, or create a more festive breakfast grazing board that screams celebration with your favorite (non-alcoholic) drinks, maybe a mango lassi or even a date latte.

And because my homemade waffle mixes come together in no time, you don't need to make them in advance, although you could. But who doesn't love a waffle fresh from the waffle iron?

Are you making them for guests? Let them help you put the board together. It's a fun way to catch up in the kitchen.

Here's what you'll need to make a waffle board and some sweet and savory waffle topping ideas.

You'll need waffles

Pick a waffle recipe you want to serve or combine savory cheese waffles with the sweeter oat waffles, for example.

You could even prepare one set of waffles in advance, reheat in the toaster, and make the other batch from scratch.

Favorite sweet waffle toppings

Fresh fruits, of course. Anything from sliced bananas, kiwis, mandarins or clementines, grapefruits, pomegranate, mango, berries, fresh figs, pears, apples, persimmons. Pick what you like or what's in season.

I like to throw in some dried fruits, seeds, and nuts like dates, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds....anything goes.

Don't forget the maple syrup, honey, jam or jelly, compote, melted (coconut) butter, whatever you fancy.

We even love yogurts, nut butter, and granola for a crunchy topping.

Favorite savory waffle toppings

We love scrambled, fried, or hard-boiled eggs, mini frittatas, crispy bacon (or vegan bacon).

I often add savory cheeses, either an aged cheddar or Parmesan cheese or a softer Brie or goat cheese drizzled with some honey on top.

Especially the cheese waffles (or chaffles) are delicious when paired with avocado, cheese, scallions, cucumber slices, and fresh herbs like parsley or chives.

Now all you need to do is pick your favorite healthy waffle mix and ensemble your waffle charcuterie board for your next planned weekend breakfast. Enjoy!

FAQ about ingredients and waffles