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Crispy on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside, my green waffles pack all the goodness of a green smoothie into a delicious waffle that even your kids will love! Made with fresh spinach and a few pantry staples, they come together in just about 10 minutes and can easily be made gluten-free or vegan too. My recipe is perfect for any waffle lover looking to add more green veggies into their diet!
I get it! Not everyone wants to drink a spinach smoothie or even a trendy kale smoothie to get their daily greens, especially little ones. So I’ve found other ways to add some in that no one will notice, like in my healthy green waffles!
Also known as spinach waffles or green smoothie waffles, they’re so much healthier than regular waffles, and everyone loves the vibrant color. Whether you serve them with all your favorite toppings or try one of my many variation ideas, they’re sure to win your family over, just like they did with mine!
I have no doubt that this healthy waffle recipe will quickly become one of your favorite healthy recipes for picky eaters! And if you’re looking for more nutritious breakfast recipes like this one, be sure to check out my gluten-free vegan waffles, which is another healthy take on waffles that’s full of flavor!
My green waffles recipe is incredibly tasty and easy to make! These waffles are ready from start to finish in under 15 minutes, and cleanup is a breeze, making them perfect for busy mornings when I want something a little more than cereal or oatmeal.
These colorful waffles offer a healthy alternative to most store-bought options, which often come loaded with sugar. I make my green waffles with spinach using all-natural ingredients, and they deliver a good dose of iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K from the spinach (source).
Another thing I love is that I can make these spinach waffles for toddlers, kids, adults, and even babies (see my notes below on how to adapt this recipe for littler kids).
My whole family loves this recipe, and with just a few swaps I can make it into a gluten free or vegan green waffles recipe too. Oftentimes, I will even make a double batch and store some in the fridge or freezer for meal prep.
But my favorite thing is their versatility. Not only can I top the waffles with anything from fruit to maple syrup, or add mix-ins like chocolate chips to create new variations, but the green color also makes them the perfect St. Patrick’s Day waffles or Christmas waffles, so they’re super fun for celebrating special occasions.
Latest Recipe Video!
🥘 Ingredients
My green waffle recipe calls for clean and wholesome ingredients that you find at your local grocery store. For the exact amounts and nutritional info, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Baby Spinach: Spinach gives the waffles their vibrant green color and adds loads of nutrients. I like to make baby spinach waffles which have a milder flavor but you can use other leafy greens too.
All-Purpose Flour: My recipe calls for all purpose flour, but you can easily swap it out for other options. For a healthier twist, try using whole wheat flour to add more healthy grains.
Baking Powder: I add just a little bit of baking powder to make the waffles super light and fluffy.
Cinnamon & Vanilla Extract: These two ingredients add just the right amount of warm aromatic flavor that complements the spinach.
Soy Milk: I used unsweetened soy milk, but any milk you have in the fridge will work. Some good choices are almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or regular milk.
Eggs: My recipe calls for 2 whole eggs to bind the batter together, but you can also use any of my vegan egg substitutes to meet your dietary needs.
Maple Syrup: Maple syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the other flavors. If you like your waffles sweeter, you can always add a bit more or keep it minimal for more savory spinach waffles.
Coconut Oil: I use coconut oil in the batter to provide moisture and a hint of flavor, while also adding some healthy fats. You can also use olive oil.
🔪 How To Make Green Waffles
Anybody can make my spinach waffles recipe! All you need is a blender and a waffle iron, and in just about 10 minutes, you’ll have breakfast ready to go!
Watch my video below to see how easily these blender waffles come together in just a few simple steps.
Blend Ingredients: To begin, I put all the dry ingredients and wet ingredients into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Then I scrape down the sides of my blender and blend again. Now, I let the waffle batter sit for 5 minutes while I preheat my waffle iron.
Make Waffles: Once the waffle iron is hot, I brush it with oil or lightly spray it with cooking spray. Then I pour ½ – ¾ cup of the batter onto the preheated waffle iron and cook according to the manufacturer’s directions until slightly golden brown, typically 5-6 minutes per waffle. I repeat this process with the remaining batter. My batter will make between 8-10 waffles depending on the size of the waffle maker being used.
Serve: When ready, I immediately serve the waffles with some of our favorite toppings or wait for them to cool and store them in the fridge or freezer.
My #1 Secret Tip for this recipe is to make sure to preheat your waffle iron fully before adding the batter.
I always test my waffle iron to make sure it’s hot before adding the batter to ensure that the waffles cook evenly and become crispy on the outside while staying fluffy inside.
If the waffle iron isn’t hot enough, the batter can stick and result in undercooked or soggy waffles. Most waffle irons have a light that indicates when they are ready. If yours doesn’t, you can test it by sprinkling a few drops of water on the surface; if they sizzle and evaporate, the iron is ready.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Let the Batter Rest: I allow the batter to sit for 5 minutes before cooking to give the gluten in the flour time to relax and the baking powder a chance to fully activate, which results in lighter, fluffier waffles.
- Don’t Use Frozen Spinach: I always use fresh baby spinach for the best flavor and texture. Frozen spinach adds too much moisture, which can make the waffles soggy and affect the overall consistency.
- Don’t Overmix: The more you mix, the more the gluten develops, which can make the waffles tough and chewy. To avoid this, I blend the ingredients just until perfectly smooth.
- Modify Cooking Time: Cooking times can vary depending on your waffle iron’s brand and model. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and do a test run with the first waffle to adjust the timing as needed.
- Servings May Vary: The number of waffles this batter yields depends on the size and design of your waffle iron. For example, Belgian waffle irons will produce fewer but thicker waffles, while standard waffle irons will yield more.
- Add Natural Coloring: If I want a brighter, more vibrant green hue, I add a small amount of natural green food coloring to the batter. This is especially fun for themed events or holidays.
- Keep Warm: If I’m making a large batch, I keep the cooked waffles warm in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius) on a wire rack. This method allows air to circulate around the waffles, which helps maintain their crispiness.
📖 Variations
This recipe is amazing as-is, but there are so many ways to change things up that sometimes I can’t resist! It’s also fun to customize these waffles in different ways for friends and family. Here are some of my favorite variations:
Gluten Free Green Waffles: When I want to make these gluten-free, I’ll swap the all-purpose flour in my recipe for a gluten-free option like 1:1 gluten-free flour, oat flour, or almond flour. Blends that contain xanthan gum work best. The texture is slightly different but the waffles still taste good.
Vegan Green Waffles: To make vegan spinach waffles, I just substitute the whole eggs with 2 flax eggs. I mix 2 tablespoons of ground flax seeds with 5 tablespoons of water and let it sit for 3 minutes to thicken, and then it’s ready to use in place of the eggs in this recipe.
Spinach Banana Waffles: If you want some added natural sweetness, you can make spinach and banana waffles. I substitute the eggs for 2 mashed bananas, which adds flavor and acts as a binder. You can also just mix in banana slices or cubes right into the batter!
Matcha Or Pandan Waffles: For a different flavor and brighter color, I add a little bit of matcha powder or pandan extract to the batter. Just 1 teaspoon is usually enough!
Kale Waffles: You can easily turn my spinach waffle recipe into kale waffles just by swapping the greens. Just keep in mind that kale has a different taste and texture which can impact the final results.
Green Protein Waffles: When I want to increase the protein in my breakfast, I’ll turn these into spinach protein waffles by blending 1-2 scoops of vegan vanilla protein powder into the batter.
Savory Waffles: For a twist, I’ll make these savory instead of sweet! I like to mix herbs like rosemary, sage, or thyme into the batter. Sometimes I’ll even add garlic and sauteed onion. I think herby waffles would be delicious topped with a poached egg.
Babies And Toddlers: If you’re making spinach waffles for baby (like for baby-led weaning), simply cut them up into small bites or long slices depending on your little one’s age. You can also serve the pieces with a low-sugar dipping option like plain yogurt, my pear puree, or my prune puree. For toddler spinach waffles, I’ll usually cut the waffles into pieces for toddlers to easily eat with a fork. I’ll serve with a little bit of maple syrup or nut butter for dipping.
Adjust Sweetness: My healthy spinach waffles are not overly sweet. If you prefer a sweeter waffle, you can increase the amount of maple syrup in the batter or add a sweet topping like honey, fruit compote, or powdered sugar.
🧇 Waffle Toppings Ideas
Syrup Toppings: If you want something besides classic maple syrup, try using some vegan honey, my strawberry simple syrup, or my blackberry simple syrup. These are so much better than artificial syrup that isn’t even real syrup.
Fresh Fruit: I almost always top my waffles with some type of fruit like fresh strawberries, ripe bananas, or tropical fruits. You can elevate them even more if you like with my pear compote, caramelized bananas, or apple curd!
Creamy Toppings: For something a little more indulgent, I will add a dollop of whipped cream, yogurt, white chocolate hazelnut spread, or vegan nutella. For an even sweeter treat, I will top the waffles with some vanilla ice cream or even better some of my matcha ice cream or, lychee ice cream.
Protein Toppings: If I want to add a little boost of protein, I like to sprinkle on some chopped nuts or seeds like walnuts, sliced almonds, pecans, chia seeds, or hemp seeds. You could also add some of my high protein granola, Greek yogurt, or your favorite nut butter.
Savory Toppings: Let’s not forget about savory waffle toppings! For the ultimate classic breakfast take my vegan chicken and make chicken and waffles! Other good options are ricotta and roasted cherry tomatoes or caramelized onions and goat cheese.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
My waffles are a filling and delicious breakfast on their own, but you can easily pair them with other favorites to create an even heartier meal. Here are a few of my top choices:
With Eggs: You can pair waffles with a variety of egg dishes like my low calorie omelette, tofu scramble, or vegan frittata. They are also delicious with a simple sunny-side-up egg, fried egg, or scrambled eggs.
With Sides: My crispy copycat McDonald’s hash browns or savory sweet potato hash are both perfect with waffles.
With Warm Beverages: A steaming cup of coffee or a cup of warm tea complements the waffles well, but if you want to take it up a notch try pairing them with my oatmilk honey latte, Biscoff latte, or golden milk turmeric latte.
With Smoothies: For an extra boost of nutrition, serve your waffles with a refreshing smoothie like my raspberry smoothie, blueberry pineapple smoothie, apple carrot smoothie, or my spinach and banana smoothie!
🧊 Storing And ♨️ Reheating
Fridge: If I have leftovers, I let them cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also make the batter ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Freezer: My waffles freeze well, making them a great option for meal prep. After the waffles have cooled completely, I transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Reheating: For the best results, I reheat my waffles in a toaster or toaster oven to restore their crispiness. If reheating from frozen, no need to thaw them first—just extend the toasting time slightly. You can also reheat them in a conventional oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for about 10 minutes or until they’re heated through.
❓Recipe FAQs
Rubbery waffles are usually the result of overmixing the batter. When you mix the batter too much, it overdevelops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, rubbery texture. To avoid this, I blend the batter just until fully combined, and avoid excessive stirring after that.
If liquid is running out of your waffle iron, it may be due to overfilling the waffle iron or using a batter that is too thin. To fix this, I use less batter per waffle and make sure the batter has a thicker consistency. If needed, I will thicken the batter by adding a little more flour.
I know my waffles are done when the exterior turns golden brown and crisp. If your waffle iron doesn’t have an indicator light, listen for the steam to reduce. You can also lift the lid to check the color and texture. Fully cooked waffles lift out easily.
Waffles can stick if the waffle iron isn’t properly preheated or greased. To prevent this, I always fully heat the waffle iron before adding the batter and lightly coat it with oil or non-stick spray before each batch.
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📋 Recipe Card
Blender Green Waffles (Made With Hidden Spinach!)
Crispy on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside, my green waffles pack all the goodness of a green smoothie into a delicious waffle that even your kids will love! Made with fresh spinach and a few pantry staples, they come together in just about 10 minutes and can easily be made gluten-free or vegan too. My recipe is perfect for any waffle lover looking to add more green veggies into their diet!
Servings: 5
Calories: 271kcal
- Batter can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
- Waffles can be covered and stored in the freezer for up to 1 month.
- Cooking times will vary depending on the waffle iron being used.
- The amount of waffles this batter will make will depend on the size and make of the waffle iron.
- To reheat waffles place them in a toaster and toast until hot.
- Fresh baby spinach leaves are best used in this recipe as the frozen spinach will add too much liquid.
- Any plant based or dairy milk can be used in this recipe.
- To make this recipe vegan friendly, substitute the eggs with 2 flax eggs (2 tbsps ground flaxseeds mixed with 5 tbsps water)
- Substitute the all purpose flour with gluten free flour to make these waffles gluten free.
- These waffles are not overly sweet, you may need to adjust sweetness to taste.
Serving: 2waffles | Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 353mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g
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