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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    By Kaleigh McMordie - December 9, 2016, Updated January 17, 2021

    Healthy Gingerbread Waffles

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    gingerbread waffles topped with powdered sugar and whipped cream on a white plate with text overlay.

    Healthy gingerbread waffles made with fresh ginger and whole wheat flour are full of spice and holiday cheer! With crispy outsides and fluffy, lightly sweetened insides, they're perfect for Christmas morning brunch or for meal prepping to make weekday mornings more special. (dairy-free, vegetarian)

    gingerbread waffle topped with powdered sugar and whipped cream on a white plate.

    Whether you're looking for a festive holiday breakfast for Christmas morning, or a nutritious and cheerful breakfast for weekdays leading up to the big day (and beyond!), it's hard to beat gingerbread waffles! The classic holiday flavor makes its way to the breakfast table in the form of healthy(ish), fluffy waffles. It'll be hard not to sing Christmas carols after such a festive start to your morning!

    Why You'll Love These Gingerbread Waffles

    These delightful gingerbread waffles are so festive and fun for Christmas morning (and all winter long!) with the classic taste of gingerbread. A bit of cornstarch and bubbly club soda or seltzer water makes these waffles light and fluffy on the inside, and perfectly crispy on the outside. The flavor is delicious (and not too sweet) thanks to fresh ginger and molasses. Whole wheat flour and a touch of ground flaxseed make these waffles healthier than most, and they're naturally dairy-free (if that matters to you!).

    The Ingredients

    overhead view of ingredients needed to make gingerbread waffles on a white marble background.
    • Flour - I use white whole wheat or whole wheat pastry flour.
    • Cornstarch - The key to crispy outsides!
    • Flaxseed - For a little extra fiber and healthy fat. Leave it out if you don't have it.
    • Baking Soda, Baking Powder and Salt
    • Cinnamon
    • Brown Sugar - Just a hint. If you want a sweeter waffle, feel free to add more.
    • Ginger - I use fresh ginger grated with a microplane zester. Ginger paste makes things even easier.
    • Molasses - It gives these the flavor of gingerbread that you know and love. I like to use unsulphured molasses, such as Wholesome brand.
    • Egg
    • Vanilla
    • Club Soda or Seltzer Water - The bubbles are the secret to extra fluffy waffles! Unflavored sparkling water works, too.

    How To Make Them

    5 image collage showing steps for making Healthy gingerbread waffles.
    1. Whisk all the dry ingredients togogether in a large bowl.
    2. Add the wet ingredients, starting with ¾ cup of soda. Add more as needed. Whisk until just blended.
    3. Pour batter into a preheated waffle iron and cook according to the maker's directions.
    4. Serve waffles hot with powdered sugar, whipped cream, maple syrup and/or fruit!

    Pro Tips and Ingredient Swaps

    • If your waffle iron isn't non-stick, make sure to spray or brush it with oil.
    • I like to use a setting of 3-4 on my waffle iron. (I have this double waffle maker and love it!)
    • If you accidentally get the batter too thin, you can add a small handful of quick oats the help absorb some of the liquid.
    • All purpose flour may be used in place of whole wheat.
    • Ground ginger may be used in place of fresh. Use ½ tsp.
    • If you prefer to use milk or non-dairy milk instead of soda, the waffles may not be quite as fluffy, but you certainly can. I'd go with buttermilk if you have it.

    Storing Leftovers

    Store leftover waffles in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or in the freezer up to 3 months.

    overhead view of a gingerbread waffle on a white plate topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar with a bite taken out surrounded by gingerbread men, cinnamon sticks, and a small container of syrup.

    More Christmas Breakfasts You'll Love

    • Greek Yogurt Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake
    • Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls
    • Easy Eggs Benedict Quiche
    • Gingerbread Sweet Potato Smoothie
    • Whole Wheat Sourdough Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!

    Print

    Healthy Gingerbread Waffles

    a gingerbread waffle on a white plate topped with powdered sugar and whipped cream.
    Print Recipe

    Healthy gingerbread waffles made with fresh ginger and whole wheat flour are full of spice and holiday cheer! With crispy outsides and fluffy, lightly sweetened insides, they're perfect for Christmas morning brunch or for meal prepping to make weekday mornings more special. (dairy-free, vegetarian)

    • Author: Kaleigh
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 5 minutes
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: 4 large waffles 1x
    • Category: breakfast
    • Method: waffle
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 cup white whole wheat flour
    • 1 tbsp corn starch or arrowroot flour
    • 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
    • 1 tbsp brown sugar
    • ½ tsp baking soda
    • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
    • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (or ginger paste)
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 tbsp molasses
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • ¾ to 1 club soda or seltzer water

    Instructions

    1. Preheat waffle iron.
    2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
    3. Add egg, molasses, vanilla, and soda, starting with ¾ cup of soda and adding more as needed to get the right consistency. Whisk until just combined.
    4. Brush or spray waffle iron with oil and pour batter onto surface and cook until done.
    5. Top waffles with powdered sugar, whipped cream, maple syrup and/or fruit for serving.

    Notes

    • If you accidentally get the batter too thin, you can add a small handful of quick oats the help absorb some of the liquid.
    • I like to use a setting of 3-4 on my waffle iron. (I have this double waffle maker and love it!)
    • Store leftover waffles in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or in the freezer up to 3 months.

    Substitutions

    • All purpose flour may be used in place of whole wheat.
    • Ground ginger may be used in place of fresh. Use ½ tsp.
    • If you prefer to use milk or non-dairy milk instead of soda, the waffles may not be quite as fluffy, but you certainly can. I'd go with buttermilk if you have it.

    Keywords: gingerbread waffles, healthy gingerbread waffles

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @livelytable on Instagram and hashtag it #livelytable

    This post was originally published December 2016 and has been updated.

    « Warm White Bean Kale Salad
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    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission off of your purchase with no extra cost to you. Please read my affiliate disclosure for more information.

    About Kaleigh McMordie

    Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Dietitian in Abilene, Texas, as well as a member of the Baby Led Weaning Dietitians Network.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christina Perez says

      December 08, 2017 at 2:57 pm

      Wow! These look delicious! I am currently following the Ketogenic way of eating. I'm wondering if it's possible to replace the wheat flour for either almond flour or coconut flour? Thank you so much for your great recipes!

      Reply
      • Kaleigh says

        December 08, 2017 at 3:21 pm

        Hi Christina! I bet you could try almond four. You might need a little more liquid. Coconut flour absorbs much more liquid than other flours so I don't think that would work here. Let me know if you try. Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    2. Chelsey Amer says

      December 14, 2016 at 7:01 am

      I don't think these waffles could be any prettier!! Allllmost too pretty to eat!...but just almost!

      Reply
      • Kaleigh says

        December 17, 2016 at 1:49 pm

        Thanks girl!

        Reply
    3. Lauren Grant | Zestful Kitchen says

      December 12, 2016 at 7:36 am

      Ooooh I will definitely be trying these! They sound so delicious. Waffles are one of my favorite breakfasts, so this is right up my alley!

      Reply
    4. Sonali- The Foodie Physician says

      December 09, 2016 at 5:25 pm

      Another great recipe! I've never had gingerbread waffles- so creative! I usually make pancakes for holiday brunch- Mickey Mouse-shaped with plenty of chocolate chips 🙂

      Reply

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