Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Weekend brunch is about to get tastier and healthier with these heart-shaped vegan chlorella waffles. If you’re anything like us, you’d agree that nothing can enhance a weekend morning like a warm plate of fluffy pancakes or waffles. The drizzling of maple syrup, crispy golden brown edges, blueberry compote or chocolate toppings— what more could your sweet tooth ask for?
There’s only one caveat. Although satisfying, the average plate of waffles can leave you feeling heavy, bloated, and ready for a nap only a few hours later— which is no way to spend the rest of your afternoon. This is because the traditional waffle recipe is made with refined carbohydrates, which are not only stripped of nutrients, but cause blood sugar levels to rise— followed by the infamous sugar crash.
We decided to take a traditional waffle recipe and give it a healthy makeover, so that you can feel energized and nourished after indulging. We’ve substituted typical waffle ingredients such as buttermilk, all-purpose flour and sugar, with whole, plant-based foods to make it one of the healthiest waffle recipe you’ll ever try (without skimping on texture and flavor).
This recipe is easy to make and 100% vegan friendly. These waffles are loaded with healthy fats from vegan butter, creamy cashew milk, coconut oil, vanilla, and fiber from oat or whole wheat flour (your choice). Healthy fats and fiber support keeping blood sugar and energy levels balanced.
We’ve also added the amazing green superfood, chlorella, for a boost of iron and active B12 — two nutrients that are commonly deficient especially on a vegan diet. One of the best things you can do for your health is to eat more green, plant based foods. Adding Sun Chlorella Powder to your recipes is the easiest way to sneak more greens into your diet. Rest assured, although chlorella is an alga, small amounts of chlorella powder won’t alter the taste of your waffles.
This recipe is easily customizable, and you can add all kinds of other healthy ingredients you have on hand. For example, you could add a squeeze of lemon to the vegan waffle batter for a touch of citrus flavor, or ground chia or flax for extra fiber, protein and healthy fats.
For toppings, berries, coconut whipped cream, and pure organic maple syrup are our top nutritious choices. You can usually find coconut whipped cream at your local health food store. It’s also easy to make it at home by refrigerating full fat coconut milk until it’s ice cold (approximately 8 hours) and whipping it in a bowl with an electric mixer.
Yield: 5-6 large waffles, or 25-30 small waffle hearts
Ingredients
1 2/3 cup oat flour or whole wheat flour
1.5 tsp Sun Chlorella Powder
2.5 tsp baking powder
3 Tbsp light brown sugar
1 pinch sea salt
1 2/3 cup cashew milk
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
2 Tbsp melted vegan butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Favorite toppings (we used blueberries, coconut whipped cream, and maple syrup)
Directions
1. Heat your waffle maker according to manufacture's instructions.
2. Whisk together the flour, Sun Chlorella Powder, baking powder, light brown sugar, and sea salt until incorporated. Set aside.
3. Combine the cashew milk, coconut oil, vegan butter, and vanilla extract until incorporated. Set aside.
4. Combine dry and wet ingredients until most clumps are gone (leave some clumps for fluffier waffles).
5. Spray both sides of the waffle maker with a non-stick spray. Spoon the batter into your waffle maker with a ladle until 2/3rds of the waffle maker is covered. Close and cook according to them manufacture's instructions.
6. Remove from the waffle maker, top with coconut whipped cream, berries, and maple syrup, and enjoy!
Author: Brandi Black, RHN
