Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles (Baked & Waffle Iron)

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Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles are an easy fuss-free recipe that has the goodness of fall special pumpkin. They are nice and crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfect for your breakfast or your kid’s lunchbox.

Sneaking Veggies/Fruits

As you all know I love to sneak in different veggies in different recipes. So my experiments keep ongoing. At times the recipes will just have a minor tweak and the seasonal veggies. I have been making this Whole Wheat sweet banana pancake for years now. As bananas are always available, this is one of my go-to recipes when they go ripe. 

Waffles or Pancakes

I use the same batter to make both the pancakes and the waffle. You can make both using the same batter. Yes, I know that a waffle should have some fat content in the batter, but I do skip it. I add butter while making the waffle to have it nice and crunchy texture on the outside. I add a little bit of sweetener like jaggery/brown sugar/ demerara sugar, which also helps the waffle to have a crispy texture. So you can make a pancake from the same batter. Follow the instructions here, if you wish to change this to a pancake.

Seasonal Veggies/Fruits in Pancakes

But as the season changes, I like to change the fruit or vegetable a bit to include seasonal food. So when it is sweet potato season, I make this Whole wheat chocolate sweet potato pancakes and during fall, I make this pumpkin waffles or pumpkin pancakes. Spices can be adjusted as per the taste of your family and you have some delicious breakfast or lunch boxes for your family.

What is a Waffle?

A waffle is a dish that is made from leavened batter and cooked between two plates. There are different types of waffle irons available and many variations to this dish. You have thin and thick waffles. They are either with a leaving agent or yeast waffles or even sourdough waffles.

The most famous Belgian Waffle, with some chocolate sauce and loads of strawberries, is my favorite. Best eaten hot and made from waffle iron. They can however be even baked in an oven in special waffle molds.

I have even baked waffles using my sourdough discard and we just loved it. They were one of my best waffles. Nice and crispy on the outside and soft inside. 

Waffles on a waffle Iron

I would say the Waffles from the waffle iron are one of the best breakfast or brunch recipes you can ever have. They are the perfect weekend brunch recipes when you have time in the morning to cook these waffles. They even go best as a meal or a mid-evening snack or a dessert. So when you have time, make the waffles in the waffle iron.

However, the home-based waffle machines are small and take only 2-4 at a time. They even take time to cook, especially the thicker ones. I have a small waffle iron which only makes 2 waffles at a time. Cook two waffles in a waffle iron takes around 10 minutes. So if you are having hungry monsters in the morning or in a rush, it becomes difficult. So I either make them in advance or bake them.

Waffles on a Stove Top Cast Iron pan

The best waffles are made on a cast iron pan on a stovetop. They get perfectly cooked and crispy. It takes time to cook on a stovetop one as it needs to be cooked on slow to medium or else it gets burned. But the end results are worth it. I like to use this cast iron pan on the stovetop.

Can Waffles be Baked?

And what do you do when you do not have a waffle Iron? How do you make waffles without a waffle maker. We get this Silicone waffle mould which is perfect for baking. So at times I even use this.

My kids love waffles and I purposely make the excess batter so that I can bake them and freeze them. I use this waffle mould which I love when I am making the waffles in bulk. All I do is pour the batter into the mould and I have 6 waffles ready in 20 minutes.

So either I simultaneously make the waffles while working on some other thing in a waffle iron or simply bake them. Once made these waffles can be eaten straight or frozen. These waffles can then be defrosted in a toaster. They are the same nice and crisp. So you are not missing anything.

Can I freeze the waffles?

Yes, they can. Make the waffles and let them cool completely. Wrap it in parchment paper and freeze it. When you want to serve, just toss them in the toaster. So you have some hot, healthy, and delicious breakfast ready in minutes. Yes, health pundits might disagree with my freezing concept. Some time ago I was the same, but it helps when you are unable to do it for any reason. They are far better than the store-bought frozen and ready-to-eat stuff.

Serving Suggestions for Waffles

Waffles are best eaten hot. Top it with chocolate sauce, or some nice honey or maple syrup. And if you fancy a little treat or a dessert, top it with some fresh cream and loads and loads of strawberries or bananas. Berries, chocolate, and waffles are like a match made in heaven.

Spices in Pumpkin waffle

As I am making this for kids I keep it simple. Yes, I have not added any winter special spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, etc, as sometimes kids do not like them. I am happy that I am feeding them some pumpkin a seasonal fall favorite.

But yes you can jazz these waffles a bit with some nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger, or simply the all-spice. Just play around and you will love them.

Eggs in waffles or Pancakes

Adding eggs is completely optional in this batter of pancakes or waffles. At times I add and at times I skip. When I add the eggs, the quantity of milk or water used is reduced. That’s it. But yes if you want to add some eggs to your diet, and cannot eat them boiled or as is, this is one of the best ways to add them.

Waffles as Travel and Lunchbox food

They are also easy to travel food. As they can be toasted, all you need to do in the mornings is toss them and you have a nice homemade breakfast while on holiday too. They can even be packed for your kid’s lunchbox. Yes, they are best when hot, but kids do not prefer very hot food. So they are perfect with some drizzle of honey. If you want the kids to have it hot, pack them in a hot lunch box, in which the food can stay hot for 3-4 hours.

Ingredients in my Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles

Yes as the name indicates, the first main ingredient is Whole Wheat flour. I use the simple daily data which we use for making chapati or roti. You can however use all-purpose flour/plain flour to your liking. As it uses whole wheat flour it is not gluten-free. If looking for a gluten-free pancake, check this Buckwheat Sweet Potato Pancakes, which come out equally delicious.

The next main ingredient is Pumpkin. I like to use fresh pumpkin puree and I make it at home. I simply peel and chop the pumpkin into small pieces. Then pressure cooks it in my Instant pot or pressure cooker. One can even roast the pumpkin and then puree it. Store-bought pumpkin puree can also be used for this recipe.

The next ingredient is a sweetener. I like to use powdered jaggery. Jaggery is less processed than other forms of sugar. But yes you can always replace it with brown sugar/ demerara sugar or even with white granulated sugar.

I like to make these waffles or pancakes with milk instead of water. Milk increases its nutritional content. But you can certainly use water too. I have used both and I prefer milk over the other.

Leavening agents – When I make waffles or thick pancakes baking powder is recommended and a must. They will make the waffles soft. However, if you are making thin crepe-style pancakes or waffles you can skip the baking powder.

Eggs – Completely optional and up to you if you wish to add them or not. Adjust the quantity of milk or water when using it with or without them. I have not used it in today’s recipe.

Vanilla Essence – Gives a nice taste and flavor to the waffles. One can skip them if required, however, do not skip it when adding eggs or you would have the egg flavor in pancakes or waffles.

Salt – To balance out the flavors.

Spices – As said I have not used any spices, but one can add cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to these Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles.

So here goes the recipe for Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles

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