Healthy Applesauce Waffles with Cinnamon

These delicious applesauce waffles are moist and lightly sweet. With no added sugar, they’re a healthy breakfast option the whole family will love.

Be sure to give these pumpkin spice waffles a try, too!

Homemade Applesauce Waffles

The addition of applesauce means you’re getting a serving of fruit in your breakfast meal, right? Trust me, parents: Nobody will be the wiser!

If this is your first time making waffles, start by reading this step-by-step guide to making waffles. Once you’ve done it a couple times, putting fresh waffles on the table for breakfast will be a snap!

Ingredients

Flour: When I bake with all-purpose flour I opt for the unbleached version. White flour is treated with bleaching agents that I don’t really need in my food. Feel free to substitute whole wheat flour for up to one cup of the all-purpose flour; this will result in a slightly grainier waffle.

Unsweetened applesauce: Adding applesauce to the waffle batter makes for a moist, naturally sweetened waffle that your family will love.

Eggs: Fresh eggs, store bought, use what you have readily available.

Milk: Use whatever type you typically keep on hand. The addition of milk helps the waffles brown nicely. You can certainly use milk alternatives like almond milk or oat milk if you prefer.

Oil: I typically use avocado oil in my kitchen, but vegetable oil works, too.

Cinnamon: Adding cinnamon to the recipe gives the waffles a little spice, and it pairs well with the flavor of applesauce.

Making the Waffles

Start by separating the eggs and whipping the egg whites. This is the trick for making this applesauce waffle recipe fluffy.

Turn waffle iron on to pre-heat.

Next, sift the dry ingredients — flour, baking powder, and salt — together into a large bowl. Is sifting absolutely necessary? Nah. If you’re crunched for time you can skip that step; just measure the ingredients into a bowl and whisk together.

Add the wet ingredients — applesauce, egg yolks, and milk — along with the seasonings, and stir just until combined.

Add oil and fold in the whipped egg whites.

Spray waffle iron with non-stick spray or brush on oil to help prevent sticking.

Pour batter into the preheated waffle iron. The amount of batter necessary to make a fully-formed waffle will vary, depending on both the waffle and the batter, but it will be about a half cup batter. (See this post for tips on successful waffle making.)

The exact timing for cooking waffles will vary by manufacturer. A waffle can take between five and ten minutes to cook completely. As a general rule, watch the steam. Adjust the cooking time to achieve a nice golden brown color on the cooked waffles.

Waffles should be done when steam stops escaping from the waffle iron.

Our Favorite Toppings for Homemade Waffles

Drizzle on pure maple syrup if you like, but one of my favorite ways to enjoy these waffles is with a generous scoop of homemade applesauce and a sprinkle of cinnamon. I mean, talk about winning breakfast! Other ideas include a sprinkling of brown sugar, mini chocolate chips (for a treat!), or this blueberry sauce. Serve the waffles with fresh fruit on the side.

Storing and Using Leftovers

Waffle batter can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Cooked waffles can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or frozen for up to a month.

Reheat cooked waffles in a toaster oven or toaster.

Originally published in September 2019; this post has been updated.