Healthier waffles with apples are the perfect holiday breakfast. Learn how to lighten up the apple topping for waffles and make it in advance so you can spend more time with your family and less time in the kitchen. You'll savor this healthy buttermilk waffle recipe on Christmas morning.
The holidays are the perfect time for a big breakfast. Christmas morning is spent with family in new pajamas, opening some gifts and enjoying a nice lazy breakfast together.
I typically make one savory egg dish and one sweet dish. My family loves waffles and my son cannot get enough of them. But with all the cookies and holiday sweets, I wanted to serve something a bit healthier so I lightened up our favorite buttermilk waffle recipe.
These buttermilk waffles with apples are still a treat but not as high calorie as some waffles can be. We indulge often during the holidays so it is nice to know we can enjoy a breakfast that has some nutritional value too.
Ingredients
- all-purpose flour
- white whole wheat flour
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- low fat buttermilk
- canola oil
- large eggs beaten
- unsweetened applesauce
- cooking spray
- butter
- sliced apples
- pumpkin pie spice
- Maple syrup
- whipped cream, for garnish
Steps to Making Buttermilk Waffles
- Mix the dry ingredients in a medium size bowl.
- Combine buttermilk, oil, eggs and applesauce, stirring with a whisk.
- Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, stirring until blended.
- Preheat a waffle iron. Coat iron with cooking spray. Spoon about ⅓ cup batter per waffle onto hot waffle iron (or appropriate amount depending on your waffle maker) , spreading batter to edges. Cook for a few minutes or until steaming stops; repeat procedure with remaining batter.
- To make warm apples, melt butter on medium heat in a large non stick skillet. Add apples to the pan and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice. Cook on low for about 8 minutes or until apples are soft but still hold their shape. Add syrup and mix well. Heat for another minute or two or until mixture is bubbling.
- Serve the waffles with the warm apples and topped with more syrup and whipped cream if desired.
Tips to keeping this Apple Waffle Recipe Healthy
- This buttermilk waffles recipe contains maple syrup in both the waffles and apple topping. If you want to cut out some more sugar, you can substitute sugar free syrup.
- If you prefer a natural sugar, use real maple syrup.
- Low fat buttermilk adds great flavor and lift to these waffles with less calories that whole buttermilk. Nonfat buttermilk would also be an acceptable substitute.
- The maple syrup adds plenty of sweetness so I opted for unsweetened apple sauce to make the waffles light without the extra fat.
- I like to get in some whole grains when I can so I added some white whole wheat flour to the batter.
- You can also increase the nutritional value when you leave the skin on the apples. It adds color and they say the skin is the most healthy part of the fruit. And it saves some time not having to peel the apples.
Easy Recipe Prep
Holiday mornings are usually busy and I like to take shortcuts wherever I can. These healthier waffles are an easy meal to make because both the batter and warm apples can be made the night before.
Prepare the batter and store it in a jar or covered bowl overnight. Cook the apple topping for waffles in advance and it can be quickly reheated in the microwave just before serving.
Apple Topping for Waffles
The apple topping is what really makes this waffle recipe special. Pumpkin pie spice and a splash of syrup is added after they are sautéed giving them a touch of sweetness and that warm spice flavor that goes hand in hand with the holidays.
While my family loves these apples on waffles, they are also good on French toast and pancakes. I usually make a double batch and eat the extras with a spoon. To me, it is the perfect afternoon snack.
How to Assemble Waffles with Apple Topping
These waffles are moist, light and have the perfect touch of sweetness! To assemble them, place a waffle on a plate and add a generous spoonful of warm apples. If you have a sweet tooth, you can add some extra syrup but they really don't need it. Of course at Christmas breakfast, it's mandatory to add a touch of whipped cream.
Am I making you hungry? I bet you'd like to make your own healthier holiday recipe, right?
More Holiday Breakfast Recipes
- Eggnog Donuts With White Chocolate Glaze
- Whole Wheat Banana Nut Pancakes
- Spinach Mushroom Frittata with Goat Cheese
- Overnight Berry French Toast Bake from Sidewalk Shoes
If you like this Buttermilk Waffle Recipe with Apples, please leave a 5-star rating.
RECIPE
Buttermilk Waffles With Warm Spiced Apples
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups low fat buttermilk
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 large eggs beaten
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- cooking spray
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 4 cups of thinly sliced apples
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ cup Maple syrup plus extra for serving
- whipped cream for garnish
Instructions
- Lightly mix the two flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium size bowl.
- Combine buttermilk, oil, eggs and applesauce, stirring with a whisk.
- Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, stirring until blended.
- Preheat a waffle iron. Coat iron with cooking spray. Spoon about ⅓ cup batter per waffle onto hot waffle iron (or appropriate amount depending on your waffle maker) , spreading batter to edges. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until steaming stops; repeat procedure with remaining batter.
- To make warm apples, melt butter on medium heat in a large non stick skillet. Add apples to the pan and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice. Cook on low for about 8 minutes or until apples are soft but still hold their shape. Add ⅓ cup syrup and mix well. Heat for another minute or two or until mixture is bubbling.
- Serve the waffles with the warm apples and topped with more syrup and whipped cream if desired.
Nutrition
First Published December 2014 ; Updated October 2021
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Rosa
They looks wonderful and must taste heavenly!
Happy Holidays dear!
Cheers,
Rosa
Dandi D
I would love to try the Pure raw honey!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
Our Christmas mornings are spent the same way!!! In our pj's, opening gifts and having a nice lazy breakfast together. I'd love to try the Madhava Maple Cinnamon Agave Pancake Syrup!! Happy Holidays!!
Jackie
I'd like to try the Organic Maple Pancake Syrup. Thank you!
Dawn Lovell
I would like to try the Maple Agave Syrup!
Marsha A.
the organic maple cinnamon pancake syrup
itzia
organic, pure, raw honey
Angela
I am a big fan of their coconut sugar--would love to try their other products. They are a local product for us!
Susana Lewis
I'd love to try the blueberry agave pancake syrup
Susana Lewis
I'd love to try the Maple Cinnamon Agave Pancake Syrup
KATIE KLEIN
I would love to try the honey.
Karen D
I'd like to try the Maple Agave Syrup
Jessie Shiflett
I would like to try the Chocolate Cake Mix.
Ann Fantom
I would like to try Madhava's Organic blueberry agave Pancake Syrup
Carrie m
Looks awesome!
Glendy Cortez
I would love to try the blueberry agave pancake syrup
Amy Pratt
I would like to try the organic coconut sugar
Cynthia C
I would like to try the Madhava Maple Cinnamon Agave Pancake Syrup.
Don D
I would like to try the ORGANIC MAPLE CINNAMON PANCAKE SYRUP
Tricia G
I bet their chocolate chip cookie mix is good!
trisha kilpatrick
I would like to try all of them, but especially the blueberry agave pancake syrup. Yum!
Danielle
I would like to try the Blueberry Agave Pancake Syrup
Sarah
I'd like to try one of the baking mixes! Maybe the brownies. Yum (:
Muhajirah
Maple cinnamon! Sounds delish!
Holly E
I would love to try the blueberry syrup.
Cori Westphal
I love the sound of the Peachy Green Tea Mix! yum!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
coha
Awesome
Shannon
I'd like to try the organic coconut sugar.
Renee
The SALTED CARAMEL ORGANIC COFFEE SYRUP definitely is something I'd like to try.
Lorena Keech
The Organic Whipped Honey sounds amazing. We'd love to try that on warm biscuits.
Annette
I'd like to try the Organic Whipped Honey.
Lisa Garner
I really want to try the ORGANIC BLUEBERRY AGAVE PANCAKE SYRUP.
Julie G.
Breakfast during the holidays is my favorite too! Especially when it's cold and snowy outside, the windows are foggy and you're staying nice and warm inside. I love pancakes and apply spice.... making this tomorrow!!