A better-for-you whole wheat waffle that is crisp, light and airy, and it’s also almost as easy to make as using a mix.
What’s fun about this waffle recipe is the way the batter changes when you add the apple cider vinegar.
Vinegar is an acid and when combined with the baking powder and soda in the batter you get a chemical reaction and your batter begins to foam which makes the waffles light and airy.
This recipe comes from a fun cookbook, Eat Fresh: Quick and Easy Meals from Chef Tom Woodbury. Many of you may know Chef Tom from his segments on ABC 4 in Salt Lake City, or you may have seen him on ShopNBC. I met Tom a few years ago when we had the pleasure of judging the Utah’s Own Funeral Potato contest. His goal when writing the cookbook was
to teach you, the viewer, how to make delicious, fresh and easy meals, with a hearty dose of fun, technique, and a little science.
I’ve always been intrigued with the science of cooking as well.
Mixing in a little bit of cornstarch with the flour gives the waffles a great crunch, so you get the best of both worlds, light and airy on the inside and crisp on the outside.
Although I think my Light and Fluffy Whole Wheat Waffle recipe is the best, Chef Tom’s recipe is easier than mine, so maybe that does make it the best ever.
Toppings for Whole Wheat Waffles
Waffles are like a blank canvas. You can get as creative as you want in the toppings department. Here are some traditional toppings for waffles:
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Bananas
- Butter
- Maple syrup
How to Freeze and Reheat Whole Wheat Waffles
These Whole Wheat Waffles freeze and reheat well. Make sure the waffles are completely cool before freezing. Freeze the waffles flat on a baking sheet and then transfer to a freezer Ziploc bag when frozen. Waffles will keep in the freezer for about 3 months.
You can reheat the waffles in a toaster or toaster oven, but because of their crispiness, you can also reheat these whole wheat waffles in the microwave for about 30 seconds. It’s a great way to have delicious waffles on a busy morning.
The Best Whole-Wheat Waffles Ever
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup whole-wheat flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 to 1 ¼ cups milk
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat waffle iron.
- Combine all dry ingredients and mix well.
- Add milk, egg, oil and vanilla, and mix well to combine. Add enough liquid so that batter makes a small mound or ribbon temporarily before returning to level.
- Right before pouring batter onto waffle iron, add vinegar and mix quickly. Make waffles as per the instructions for your specific waffle maker.
- Place on a cooling rack immediately after removing from waffle iron.
Notes
More Waffle Recipes You Might Like:
Whole Wheat Yeast Waffles, Barbara Bakes
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Yeast Waffles, Barbara Bakes
Almond Flour Yogurt Waffles (Low Carb and Gluten Free), All Day I Dream About Food
Sally Tolka
These were fantastic. They were easy to make, healthy as they did not take a stick of butter, the recipe is not huge which was perfect for me and they were crispy! Seriously, the perfect waffle!
Claudia Roitman S
OMG! These are some delicious waffles! and the fact that I like the most is that they are Whole-Wheat! They are crisp and airy and yummi golden brown. This will be my go to waffle recipe from now on! Loved them so much!
I was hesitant about the vinegar part, but after I added it to the batter it thickened and got bubbly and they came out perfect!
Shelby
Thanks for this wonderful recipe. Instead of milk and vinegar, we used buttermilk and it worked out perfectly.
Marie
I just made these waffles and I would not say that they are the best ever. They were TOO light and airy so it felt like I wasn’t even eating anything. They tasted okay but I will not be making these again.
Barbara Schieving
Hi Marie – sorry you didn’t love Tom’s recipe. If you like a little denser waffle that’s still light and airy, try my Light and Fluffy Whole Wheat Waffles https://www.barbarabakes.com/2012/02/light-and-fluffy-whole-wheat-waffles/
Lucy Oliver
Wow, I am salivating just looking at the wonderful photos you have taken. I will be trying out this recipe on the weekend with my family and I hope they turn out as good as yours Barbara.
Kitchen Belleicious
if you say they are the best I believe you. They look like the best. I love how delicate they look and not too chewy at all!
My Inner Chick
Exquisite & Healthy! I Like! xx
Jyo
It looks delicious and I love to try the recipie
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
These look marvellous mum! Love that they’re crispy too-I love biting into a crispy waffle with cream and ice cream 😀
Claire @ Claire K Creations
The best ever? Well then I will have to make them won’t I? I definitely need to make more use of the waffle iron my grandma gave me for Christmas.
Angie (@angiesrecipess)
Haven’t had a waffle in ages! Love this is made with wholewheat flour. It looks quite crisp and delicious.
Carol
Barbara, those waffles look AMAZING! I love that they’re made with whole wheat flour AND light. I did finally get a waffle iron that I haven’t test driven yet……thanks to you and Chef Tom…I’m thinking that’s about to change. Crisp on the outside, light and airy on the inside? Can’t ask for more than that!
Thanks so much to both of you.
Melissa @ My Recent Favorite books
I love Waffles! These look delicious! =)
Jessica @ Sweet Menu
I need to get my hands on a waffle iron – these look delicious! WOW!
Chef Tom Woodbury
Your picture looks about a million times better than the picture I took to put in my book. Well done, and thanks for sharing!!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
These definitely look delicious!! Love the recipe!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
Stating ‘best ever’ is a HIGH bar. I had to pin it, because easy and waffles catch my attention. I have been having waffles a couple of times a month recently. So I am in a waffle period now like Picasso was in in blue period. Ha!
PassTheKnife
The whole wheat version gives your waffles such a beautiful color. Can’t wait to try these crunchy and fluffy waffles!
Rosa
Beautiful and surely delicious!
Cheers,
Rosa
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
I really like waffles and this recipe sounds fantastic! I love the baking soda and vinegar idea. Much easier than separating the eggs and whipping the whites and then folding them in. Win!