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These 3-ingredient protein waffles taste just like regular waffles, but have a whopping 8 grams of protein per serving! They’re the perfect way to help your kids eat more protein in the morning. Plus, you can make them ahead for busy mornings! {Gluten-Free & Vegetarian}
3-Ingredient Protein Waffles
With just three common ingredients, these 3-ingredient protein waffles couldn’t be easier!
They’re made by blending together cottage cheese with eggs and oats, so no need to stock up on pricey protein powders. Instead, the protein comes from whole foods that offer additional nutrients as well!
Your kiddo will never know these aren’t “regular” waffles and will love topping them with their favourite fruits or nut butter!
We Love Protein Waffles with Cottage Cheese
- High in protein: With 8 grams of protein per waffle, these healthy protein waffles are the perfect way to sneak a little extra protein into your little one’s diet.
- Easy to adapt: Treat this as a base recipe and adapt it to be sweet or savoury depending on your child’s preferences.
- Make ahead breakfast: These 3-ingredient waffles reheat so well! Make a double or even triple batch for a quick and easy healthy breakfast.
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Egg: You’ll need 4 whole eggs for this recipe. They add protein and make the waffles nice and fluffy.
- Cottage cheese: Your kids don’t have to like cottage cheese to like these waffles! It blends up smoothly so they’ll never know. You can use any fat percentage you prefer.
- Oats: Oats will bind these wet ingredients together and add extra fibre to make these waffles extra filling.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
- Add all of the ingredients to a high-powered blender. Blend on high until smooth and no more lumps are present.
- Preheat your waffle iron according to the box directions. Once hot, spray with cooking spray and carefully pour the batter onto the waffle iron so that it’s coated evenly. Cook the waffle until golden brown and crispy on the edges (I cooked mine for about 6 minutes on setting #2).
- Remove the waffle from the iron and pour on the remaining batter. Cook until lightly brown and crispy.
- Serve the waffles immediately with your favourite sweet or savoury toppings.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
RECIPE TIPS
- For best results, be sure to blend the waffle protein mix until smooth with no lumps remaining. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender to ensure all of the ingredients are evenly combined.
- I used the Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker and got 2 large circular waffles or 8 smaller quarter waffles. The number of waffles this recipe makes will depend on the size of your waffle maker. If desired, you can make them in a mini waffle maker too!
- If you plan to make sweeter waffles, I recommend adding a bit of vanilla extract, cinnamon and maple syrup or other desired sweetener to the oats, cottage cheese and egg mixture to enhance the flavour. You could even sub some of the cottage cheese for banana to add some extra natural sweetness.
- These easy protein waffles are great to have on hand for quick breakfasts in the morning. I recommend making up a double batch for meal prep. Just pop in the toaster and you’re good to go!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Although most boxed high protein waffles are made with whey protein, you actually only need 3 ingredients: eggs, cottage cheese, and oats. Don’t worry if you’re unsure about the cottage cheese. All of these ingredients blend together seamlessly to make an easy high protein breakfast. There are no lumpy curds here!
Since oats don’t have any gluten, they can tolerate being blended up without becoming tough or gummy. They’re also a great source of fibre and incredibly affordable, so I do recommend keeping them in your waffle batter. Feel free to use your favorite type of oats: instant, quick oats, or traditional rolled. Oat flour works too, but it’s typically more expensive and you’d need to adjust the measurements.
It’s really important to heat your griddle up to the right temperature. Every waffle iron is a little different, so check the temperature settings for your machine. Make sure you’re spraying the waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray before adding your batter, too.
Absolutely! That’s the best part of this easy recipe: it’s so flexible. Heat up your nonstick griddle, add a little oil, and pour batter directly onto the pan. Let the pancakes cook until they show some air bubbles rising to the surface then flip. Cook for a few more minutes and serve with your favorite toppings.
STORAGE GUIDELINES
- Refrigerator: Store leftover waffles in an airtight container in the fridge, or a large ziplock bag. One batch of this easy waffle recipe usually lasts about 5 days, so it’s perfect for a week of easy breakfasts.
- Freezer: Chill your waffles in the fridge and then stack them with a sheet of wax paper or parchment between each one to keep them from sticking. Place the waffles in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for 1-3 months.
- To reheat: Place a leftover waffle in the toaster until nice and crispy on the outside. Serve and go!
OPTIONAL ADD-INS
This protein waffles recipe is so easy to adapt! They’re great either sweet or savory, so customize them to your little one’s preferences or keep them neutral and try adding different toppings.
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Maple syrup or honey (or desired sweetener)
- Dark chocolate chips
- Blueberries
- A tablespoon of peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
WAFFLE TOPPINGS
Prep your child’s favorite toppings in advance for an easy healthy breakfast all week long.
- Fresh fruit and berries with Greek yogurt or whipped cream
- Maple syrup with chopped nuts (for older children)
- Peanut butter and jelly (or this strawberry chia jam)
- Shredded cheddar cheese and bacon bits
WHAT TO SERVE WITH WAFFLES
For young eaters, these waffles might be enough to fuel them until lunch, especially with some fresh berries or banana slices and almond butter or peanut butter.
They’re also a great option to serve at a kid-friendly brunch or family breakfast. Try pairing them with 4-ingredient peanut butter dip, mini egg bites, fruit and yogurt parfaits, scrambled eggs, and sausage or bacon.
Or serve them along with a smoothie like this Tropical Smoothie peanut butter cup recipe or strawberry banana smoothie without yogurt.
Sometimes I’ll also pack them as a waffle sandwich for a school lunch topped with cream cheese (or peanut butter if your school allows nuts) and banana slices or chia jam!
RECIPE VARIATIONS
- Add fruit: Add in mashed banana or blueberries.
- No cottage cheese? Try ricotta cheese instead.
- Gluten-free: Choose certified gluten-free oats to make this recipe to ensure there’s no cross contamination with gluten.
More Healthy Breakfasts
- 3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Bars
- Spinach Banana Waffles
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Waffles
- Banana French Toast
- Pancake Donut Recipe
- Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
- Chocolate Chip Baked Oats
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
3-Ingredient Protein Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 4 large eggs
Optional Add-Ins
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (or desired sweetener)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a high-powered blender. Blend on high until smooth and no more lumps are present.
- Preheat your waffle iron according to the box directions. Once hot, spray with cooking spray and carefully pour the batter onto the waffle iron so that it’s coated evenly. Cook the waffle until golden brown and crispy on the edges (I cooked mine for about 6 minutes on setting #2).
- Remove the waffle from the iron and pour on the remaining batter. Cook until lightly brown and crispy.
- Serve the waffles immediately with your favourite sweet or savoury toppings.
Notes
- For best results, be sure to blend the waffle protein mix until smooth with no lumps remaining. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender to ensure all of the ingredients are evenly combined.
- I used the Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker and got 2 large circular waffles or 8 smaller quarter waffles. The number of waffles this recipe makes will depend on the size of your waffle maker. If desired, you can make them in a mini waffle maker too!
- If you plan to make sweeter waffles, I recommend adding a bit of vanilla extract, cinnamon and maple syrup or other desired sweetener to the oats, cottage cheese and egg mixture to enhance the flavour. You could even sub some of the cottage cheese for banana to add some extra natural sweetness.Â
- These easy protein waffles are great to have on hand for quick breakfasts in the morning. I recommend making up a double batch for meal prep. Just pop in the toaster and you’re good to go!
Can this recipe be used to make pancakes as well?
I haven’t personally tried it, but I think it would work as pancakes! Keep me posted if you decide to try it out 🙂